High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petitions disposed of; directed the compet...

W.P.(C) Nos. 9028/2023 & 9078/2023, High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) Nos. 9028/2023 & 9078/2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Gopinath P.
Judgment Date
2023-04-04
Court Decision / Holding
The court disposed of the writ petitions by directing the competent authority for land acquisition (Vizhinjam-Outer Ring Road) to consider all objections filed in these cases strictly under the statutory framework of Section 3C of the National Highways Act, 1956, in accordance with law, and untrammeled by directions from any other authority. The objectionants must appear before the competent authority at 11:00 A.M. on 10.04.2023 and produce copies of their objections and a copy of this judgment for compliance.
Final Disposition
Writ petitions disposed of; directed the competent authority to consider objections under Section 3C in accordance with law and within the statutory prescription, without interference from other directions; appearance fixed on 10.4.2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Thankamony
  • Ankitha Gopan
  • Prof. Raveendran Nair
  • Vizhinjam Outer Ring Road Project, National Highways Authority of India (Petitioners)
  • Sree Murukan Temple (Petitioners)
  • R. Jayaprakash (Petitioners)
  • Aswathy Mohan (Petitioners)
  • Akhil Mohan (Petitioners)
  • R. Suresh Kumar (Petitioners)
  • Sabira Beegam A (Petitioners)
  • Suneesa Beevy (Petitioners)
  • Mohamed Illias E (Petitioners)
  • A Sainulabdeen (Petitioners)
  • Sindhu R.S (Petitioners)
  • Lathakumari N (Petitioners)
  • Chandradasan S (Petitioners)
  • Manija (Petitioners)
  • Mani Rajan P (Petitioners)
  • Sasikala G (Petitioners)
  • Subash G (Petitioners)
  • T.G. Prasan Nakumar (Petitioners)
  • Ashokkumar T.G (Petitioners)
  • V.S. Lilly (Petitioners)
  • Muhammadshafi M (Petitioners)
  • Vinod (Petitioners)
  • Shahabu Deen (Petitioners)
  • S. Manilal (Petitioners)
  • K. Vinod Kumar (Petitioners)
  • Laiju S (Petitioners)
  • NazeeR (Petitioners)
  • Sarala (Petitioners)
  • Saji M (Petitioners)
  • Shajahan M (Petitioners)
  • Anil Kumar G (Petitioners)
  • Muhammed Kunju (Petitioners)
  • Badarudeen M (Petitioners)
  • Sheeja J (Petitioners)
  • Sabeena M (Petitioners)
  • Haseena B.A.S (Petitioners)
  • Haroon M.K (Petitioners)
  • Kalamuddeen A (Petitioners)
  • Sajeena (Petitioners)
  • Sabeena M (Petitioners)
  • Sheena R (Petitioners)
  • Basheer (Petitioners)
  • Hazeena H (Petitioners)
  • Prasad S (Petitioners)
  • Rajila Beevi A (Petitioners)
  • Nazeema Begum (Petitioners)
  • Saifudheen (Petitioners)
  • A. Sajerkhhan (Petitioners)

Respondents

  • Union of India (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways)
  • Ministry of Environment and Forests
  • NHAI – Project Implementation Unit (Thiruvananthapuram)
  • Director General (Road Development) & Special Secretary, Transport Bhavan
  • NHAI Head Office – Project Director, Dwaraka
  • State of Kerala, Public Works Department
  • Special Deputy Collector and Competent Authority of Land Acquisition, NHAI
  • District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Karavaram Grama Panchayath
  • Secretary, Karavaram Grama Panchayath
  • Navikulan Grama Panchayath
  • Secretary, Navikulan Grama Panchayath

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • G.S. Reghunath (for Petitioners in 9028)
  • • (other counsel not listed in 9078)

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Manu S. Biju Balakrishnan
  • • Bimal K. Nath (Sr. GP)
  • • P. Sathisan Dona Augustine

Case Synopsis & Summary

These writ petitions challenge a notification under Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956, to the extent it affects landowners and other interested persons who claim their objections have not been properly considered by the competent authority under Section 3C. Section 3C prescribes, within twenty-one days from publication, that any person interested may object to the land use, in writing, setting out grounds, and that the authority must hear the objector and, after inquiry, may allow or disallow the objections; the order is final. The petitioners contend that the statutory hearing and finality under 3C have not been complied with, and that the objections cannot be thwarted by extraneous directives from project directors, revenue officials, or policy alignment discussions. The respondents submit that alignment considerations are not within the scope of Section 3C and rely on three precedents (Kushala Shetty, Balakrishna Pillai, and Venugopalan P.V.) to justify limiting the 3C hearing to objections rather than alignment or project design. After hearing, the court directs that the competent authority for land acquisition for Vizhinjam-Outer Ring Road shall consider all objections in accordance with law, unfettered by other directions, strictly within Section 3C. The order requires the petitioners to appear on 10.4.2023 at 11:00 A.M. and to produce their objections and this judgment copy for compliance.

Provisions of Law Cited

National Highways Act, 1956 – Section 3A(1)National Highways Act, 1956 – Section 3C(1) to (3)Advocates Act, 1961 – Section 2(1)(i)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The applicants in 9028 submit that the objections raised under Section 3C have not been considered by the competent authority and that the statutory framework of 3C requires hearing, grounds, and a final order after due inquiry, with the objector afforded an opportunity of hearing. They contend that external directives or administrative instructions cannot override the 3C process. In 9078, the petitioners argue that where malafides are involved, or where alignment issues appear to affect land, they may raise questions regarding alignment within the 3C objection process. Both sets argue that the scope of Section 3C is limited to the objection to land use and must be exercised strictly under the statutory prescription.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents maintain that alignment or policy-level concerns cannot be adjudicated within the Section 3C objection framework and rely on judicial precedents to limit the scope of 3C proceedings. They contend that the statutory hearing under 3C is intended to address the objections to land acquisition, not to decide alignment. They emphasize that instructions from project directors or secretaries cannot override the statutory procedure, and that the court should defer to the established framework and the cited precedents.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Union of India v. Dr. Kushala Shetty and others2011 (12) SCC 69PositiveCited to support the proposition that alignment cannot be entertained during objections under Section 3C; the 3C hearing must focus on the statutory grounds of objections.
Balakrishna Pillai and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.2021 (4) KHC 282PositiveCited for the same principle that alignment considerations are not part of 3C proceedings and should not derail the statutory objection process.
Venugopalan P.V. and Ors v. Union of India and Ors.2021 (3) KHC 193PositiveUsed as authority reinforcing that 3C objections are to be adjudicated within the statutory limits without extraneous alignment issues.

Diagnostic Tool

Beta

Does this judgment govern your specific facts?

Don't risk relying on a distinguishable precedent. Enter your facts or proposition below. We will test it against W.P.(C) Nos. 9028/2023 & 9078/2023, High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam and instantly map out authorities that support, challenge, or govern your position.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GOPINATH P.** **TUESDAY, THE 4[TH] DAY OF APRIL 2023 / 14TH CHAITHRA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 9028 OF 2023** ## **PETITIONERS:** 1 THANKAMONY,AGED 58 YEARS CHILANKA, NEAR MYLAM LPS, ERAYAMKODE, CHERIYAKONNI.P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013 2 ANKITHA GOPAN,AGED 27 YEARS PARVATHI BHAVAN ERAYAMKODE, CHERIYAKONNI.P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013 3 PROF. RAVEENDRAN NAIR AGED 63 YEARS GHARMA, HOUSE NO.405A, ERAYAMKODE, CHERIYAKONNI.P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695013 BY ADV G.S.REGHUNATH 1 PROJECT DIRECTOR VIZHINJAM OUTER RING ROAD PROJECT, NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA, TC/86/1036-1, AMBILY ARCADE, SNNRA 9, PETTAH PO, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695024 2 SPECIAL DEPUTY COLLECTOR,LAND ACQUISITION (LA NH), CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695043 3 NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA G-586, SECTOR-10, DWARAKA, NEW DELHI REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN., PIN - 110075 BY ADVS.B.G.BIDAN CHANDRAN P.MOHANDAS(ERNAKULAM) P. K.SUDHINKUMAR(K/572/2014) SABU PULLAN(K/35/2001) GOKUL D. SUDHAKARAN(K/000886/2016) R.BHASKARA KRISHNAN(K/000891/2016) K.P.SATHEESAN (SR.)(S-242) SRI.BIMAL K.NATH (SR.G.P) ## **RESPONDENTS:** THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04.04.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).9078/2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 2 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GOPINATH P. TUESDAY, THE 4[TH] DAY OF APRIL 2023 / 14TH CHAITHRA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 9078 OF 2023** ## **PETITIONER/S:** 1 VIZHINJAM AGED 30 YEARS NAVAIKULAM OUTER RING ROAD PUTHUSSERIMUKKU ACTION COUNCIL, MOOLAKADYIL BUILDING, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KALLAMBALAM, THIRUVANAHTAPURAM-. REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MOHAMMED ANZAL A., AGED 30 YEARS, S/O. M.H. AYOOB, RESIDING AT SUNEESA MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695605, PIN - 695605 2 PUTHUSSERIMUKKU AGED 48 YEARS SREE MURUKAN TEMPLE, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, AJITHKUMAR A., AGED 48.YEARS, C/O.SHEEJA, ASWATHI PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KALLAMBALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 3 R.JAYAPRAKASH AGED 70 YEARS S/O.RAGHAVAN, SURABHI, KALLAMPARAM P.O., OTTOOR, THIRUVANANATHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 4 ASWATHY MOHAN AGED 36 YEARS C/O.RAHUL MAHESH K.M., KOOTTUMMEL HOUSE, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695605., PIN - 695605 5 AKHIL MOHAN AGED 33 YEARS S/O.B.MOHANAN, SAYOOJYA, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 6 R.SURESH KUMAR AGED 60 YEARS , S/O.RAGHAVAN, VARUVILAKOM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 7 SABIRA BEEGAM A AGED 51 YEARS C/O.MOOSAKUNJU, 16 PULARI, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 3 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 8 SUNEESA BEEVI AGED 49 YEARS W/O.AYOOB, SUNEESA MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 9 MOHAMED ILLIAS E AGED 60 YEARS S/O.ISMAIL, JASEENA MANZIL, KAIPADAKONAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 10 A.SAINULABDEEN AGED 68 YEARS S/O.AHAMMEDPILLAI, A.S.MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 11 SINDHU R.S AGED 57 YEARS , D/O.RAJAN, VADAKKEMANACAUD, VAKKOM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695308 12 LATHAKUMARI N AGED 65 YEARS W/O.RAMACHANDRAN, DEEPU MANDIRAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 13 CHANDRADASAN S AGED 71 YEARS S/O.SANKU, ARCHANALAYAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 14 MANIJA AGED 41 YEARS , C/O.JAGADEESHKUMAR, VARUVILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605 15 MANI RAJAN P AGED 73 YEARS S/O.PARAMESWARAN, POIKA VILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 16 SASIKALA G AGED 64 YEARS W/O.SIVAPRASAD, SHYU NIVAS, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 17 SUBASH G AGED 66 YEARS S/O.GANGADHARAN, S.L.NIVAS, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 4 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 |18|T.G.PRASANNAKUMAR| |---|---| ||AGED 57 YEARS| ||S/O.GOPALAKRISHNAN, EDAYILAYIKTHU VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU| ||P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605| |19|ASHOKKUMAR T.G| ||AGED 56 YEARS| ||S/O.GOPALAKRISHNAN, ASHOKAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695605| |20|V.S.LILLY| ||AGED 72 YEARS| ||W/O.K.KAMALASANAN, KUNJU BHAVANAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |21|MUHAMMADSHAFI M| ||AGED 45 YEARS| ||S/O.MUHAMMADIBRAHIM, 31, PUTHANVILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU| ||P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |22|VINOD| ||AGED 43 YEARS| ||S/O.SURENDRAN, VARUVILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |23|SHAHABUDEEN| ||AGED 56 YEARS| ||C/O.RAJILA BEEVI, BISMILLAH MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |24|S.MANILAL| ||AGED 60 YEARS| ||S/O.SAHADEVAN, VALIYAVILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |25|K.VINOD KUMAR| ||AGED 66 YEARS| ||S/O.KUNJIRAMAN, NANDHU LAND, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |26|LAIJU S| ||AGED 44 YEARS| ||W/O.SINDHU KUMAR, CHARUVILA VEEDU, EDAVOORKONAM,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN -| ||695605| |27|NAZEER| ||AGED 53 YEARS| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 5 ||S/O.MOHAMED ILLIYAS, SHAJI MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| |---|---| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |28|SARALA| ||AGED 56 YEARS| ||W/O.HARIDAS, S.S.BHAVAN, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM,| ||THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |29|SAJI M| ||AGED 39 YEARS| ||S/O.MOHAMMED KANNU, VAYALIL VEEDU, NEAR P.C. MUKKU TEMPLE,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN -| ||695605| |30|SHAJAHAN M| ||AGED 56 YEARS| ||S/O.MUHAMMED ILLEYAS, SHEBIN MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |31|ANILKUMAR G| ||AGED 56 YEARS| ||S/O.GOPINATHAN PILLAI, ANIL BHAVAN, EDAVOORKONAM,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN -| ||695605| |32|MUHAMMED KUNJU| ||AGED 65 YEARS| ||S/O.MEERASAHIB, KOCHUKADAIL VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O.,| ||KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |33|BADARUDEEN M| ||AGED 59 YEARS| ||C/O.MUHAMMED ISMAIL, BUSHRA MANZIL, EDAVOORKONAM,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |34|SHEEJA J| ||AGED 47 YEARS| ||W/O.SHAJAHAN, KIZHAKKUMKARA PUTHEN VEEDU, EDAVOORKONAM,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |35|SABEENA M| ||AGED 47 YEARS| ||C/O.KAMALUDEEN, AJMAL SHA MANZIL, EDAVOORKONAM,| ||PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| |36|HASEENA BEEVI A.S| ||AGED 49 YEARS| ||W/O.SHAJAHAN M., 'FIRDOUZ', EDAVOORKONAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU| ||P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 6 37 HAROON M.K AGED 47 YEARS C/O.MUHAMMED KANNU, 'SUBAH', EDAVOORKONAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 38 KALAMUDDEEN A AGED 51 YEARS C/O.FASEELA BEEVI.A., CHARUVILA VEEDU, KALLAMBALAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., NAVAIKULAM-THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 39 SAJEENA AGED 53 YEARS W/O.M.K.THAHA, AJILA MANZIL, EDAVOORKONAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 40 SABEENA M AGED 53 YEARS W/O.KAMALUDEEN, AJMAL SHA MANZIL, EDAVOORKONAM, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 41 SHEENA R AGED 53 YEARS W/O.SASIDHARAN PILLAI, ROADVILA VEEDU, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 42 BASHEER AGED 62 YEARS C/O.A NASEERA, BENZI MANZIL, VATTAKAITHA, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 43 HAZEENA H AGED 35 YEARS C/O.SIDEEKH, DARUL HUDA, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KALLAMBALAM, NAVAIKULAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 44 PRASAD S AGED 60 YEARS C/O.SADANANDHAN, POIKAVILA VEEDU, VELLALLOOR P.O., KAVARAM, PEROOR, THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695601 45 RAJILA BEEVI A AGED 47 YEARS C/O.SALIM, BISMILLAH MANZIL, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, KALLAMBALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 46 NAZEEMA BEGUM AGED 63 YEARS S/O.SHAMSUDHEEN, V.K. HOUSE, VATTAKKAITHA, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 7 P.O., KALLAMBALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 47 SAIFUDHEEN AGED 66 YEARS S/O.MUHAMMED KUNJU, ROSE GARDEN PAVAILA, PUTHUSSERIMUKKU P.O., KARAVARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 48 A.SAJEERKHAN AGED 49 YEARS C/O.ABDUL RASHEED, GREEN VILLA, KALLAMBALAM P.O., KUDAVOOR, NAVAIKULAM, KALLAMBALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 BY ADVS. P.SATHISAN DONA AUGUSTINE ## **RESPONDENT/S:** 1 UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, CENTRAL DELHI P.O., NEW DELHI- REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, PIN - 110001 2 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST DEPARTMENT NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE, A4B4, 3RD FLOOR, A BLOCK CGO COMPLEX P.O., LODHI ROAD NEW DELHI- REP. BY ITS SECRETARY., PIN - 110003 3 PROJECT DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT-THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, T.C. 36/414(5), PALKULANGARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695024 4 DIRECTOR GENERAL (ROAD DEVELOPMENT) & SPECIAL SECRETARY, ROOM NO.213, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT BHAVAN, 1, PARLIAMENT STREET, CENTRAL DELHI P.O., NEW DELHI-, PIN - 110001 5 PROJECT DIRECTOR, NHAI HEAD OFFICE, DWARAKA SECTOR-10, SOUTH WEST DELHI P.O.,NEW DELHI-, PIN - 110075 6 STATE OF KERALA , REP. BY ITS SECRETARY , PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM P.O., PIN - 695001 7 SPECIAL DEPUTY COLLECTOR AND COMPETENT AUTHORITY OF LAND ACQUISITION W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 8 NHAI, COLLECTORATE, CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKUNNU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695043 8 DISTRICT COLLECTOR COLLECTORATE, CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKUNNU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695043 9 KARAVARAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH KARAVARAM, KALLAMBALAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, PIN - 695605 10 THE SECRETARY KARAVARAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KARAVARAM, KALLAMBALAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695605 11 NAVAIKULAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH NAVAIKULAM PALLIKKAL RD, NAVAIKULAM P.O., THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM- REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, PIN - 695603 12 THE SECRETARY NAVAIKULAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, NAVAIKULAM PALLIKKAL RD, NAVAIKULAM P.O., THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695603 BY ADVS. MANU S. BIJU BALAKRISHNAN, SRI. BIMAL K. NATH (SR.G.P.) THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04.04.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C)No.9028/2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 9 ## **JUDGMENT** ## **[WP(C) Nos.9028/2023, 9078/2023]** These writ petitions are filed by the petitioners whose lands are affected by a notification issued under Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act') specifically raising a contention that their objections are not being considered at all by the competent authority for land acquisition. It is submitted that the right of the petitioners to raise such objections is statutorily protected in terms of Section 3C of the Act, which reads as follows:- _“3C. Hearing of objections.—(1) Any person interested in the land may, within twenty-one days from the date of publication of the notification under sub-section (1) of section 3A, object to the use of the land for the purpose or purposes mentioned in that sub-section._ _(2) Every objection under sub-section (1) shall be made to the competent authority in writing and shall set out the grounds thereof and the competent authority shall give the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or by a legal practitioner, and may, after hearing all such objections and after making such further enquiry, if any, as the competent authority thinks necessary, by order, either allow or disallow the objections._ _Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “legal practitioner” has the same meaning as in clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961)._ _(3) Any order made by the competent authority under sub-section (2) shall be final.”_ 2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9078/2023 would submit that it is unlikely that the competent authority will consider the objections in a proper manner since he is relying on certain instructions issued by the Project Director, National Highway and W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 10 the Revenue Secretary of the State Government. It is submitted that while exercising statutory power under Section 3C of the Act, the competent authority is to consider all the objections in accordance with law. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9028/2023 would submit that the objections raised by the petitioners in that case have not been taken up for consideration at all by the competent authority. 4. The learned respective Standing Counsel appearing for the National Highways Authority in these cases would submit that the question of alignment cannot be considered while hearing an objection under Section 3C of the Act and this is settled by the following judgments: 1. _**Union of India v. Dr.Kushala Shetty and others**_ ; _**2011 (12) SCC 69** ,_ 2. _**Balakrishna Pillai and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors; 2021 (4) KHC 282;**_ and _**3. Venugopalan P.V. and Orss v. Union of India and Ors.; 2021 (3) KHC 193**_ 5. The learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9078/2023 would submit that where malafides are involved, it is open to the petitioners to raise questions even regarding alignment in an objection under Section 3C of the Act. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioners in these cases, the learned respective Standing Counsel appearing for the National Highways W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 11 Authority of India and the learned Government Pleader, I am of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of directing that the concerned competent authority for land acquisition, concerned with the acquisition of land for Vizhinjam-Outer Ring Road shall consider any objections filed by the petitioners in this case in accordance with law and untrammeled by any directions issued by any other authority and strictly within the confines of the statutory prescription contained in Section 3C of the Act. The petitioners in these cases shall mark appearance before the competent authority at 11 A.M. on 10.4.2023. The petitioners shall produce copies of their objections and copy of this judgment before the competent authority for compliance. **sd/GOPINATH P. JUDGE** acd W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 12 ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 9078/2023** |PETITIONER EXHIBITS|| |---|---| |Exhibit P1|TRUE COPY OF THE 8 RELEVANT EXTRACT OF| ||SECTION 3A NOTIFICATION DATED 28.10.2022| |Exhibit P2|TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT NOTIFICATION DATED| ||28.08.2015 PUBLISHED IN GAZETTE OF INDIA| |Exhibit P3|TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE| ||DETAILED PROJECT FEASIBILITY REPORT (DPFR)| ||FOR OUTER AREA GROWTH CORRIDOR,| ||THIRUVANANTHAPURAM VOLUME I: MAIN REPORT| |Exhibit P4|TRUE COPY OF THE WRITTEN CHART OF PRESENT| ||RING ROAD ALIGNMENT| |Exhibit P4(a)|TRUE COPY OF THE WRITTEN CHART OF ALTERNATE| ||RING ROAD ALIGNMENT| |Exhibit P5|TRUE COPY COPY OF ROUGH SKETCH OF PROPOSED| ||ALIGNMENT NO. 1 FOR RING ROAD FROM NAVAIKULAM| ||TO VELLALLOOR| |Exhibit P6|TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE| ||NOTIFICATION DATED 14.09.2006 IN S.O.1533(E)| ||PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA-| ||EXTRAORDINARY| |Exhibit P7|TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDMENT NOTIFICATION IN| ||S.O.2559(E) DATED 22.08.2013| |Exhibit P8|TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED 30.11.2022| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1 ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||PROJECT DIRECTOR, NHAI| |Exhibit p8(a)|TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED 13.01.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1 ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 8| ||TH RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P9|TRUE COPY OF REPLY DATED 22.02.2023 RECEIVED| ||BY THE 1 ST PETITIONER| |Exhibit P9(a)|COPY OF REPLY DATED 22.02.2023 RECEIVED BY| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 13 ||THE 2 ND PETITIONER| |---|---| |Exhibit P10|TRUE COPY OF RESOLUTION DATED 22.12,2022 OF| ||11 TH RESPONDENT PANCHAYATH| |Exhibit P10(a)|TRUE COPY OF RESOLUTION DATED 16.12.2022 OF 9| ||TH RESPONDENT PANCHAYATH| |Exhibit P11|TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT SUBMITTED BY THE 1| ||ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE VARKKALA MLA V.JOY| |Exhibit P11(a)|TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 01.12.2022| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1 ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 9| ||TH RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P11(b)|TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT SUBMITTED BY THE 1 ST| ||PETITIONER BEFORE THE HON'BLE MINISTER| ||V.MURALEEDHARAN, CENTRAL MINISTER OF EXTERNAL| ||AFFAIRS OF INDIA| |Exhibit P11(c)|TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 08.12.2022| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1 ST PETITIONER BEFORE| ||V.D.SATHEESAN MLA, OPPOSITE LEADER OF KERALA| |Exhibit P12|TRUE COPY OF COMMUNICATION NO.B2 -| ||109/2023(1) DATED 14.03.2023 ISSUED TO| ||PETITIONER BY 7TH RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P12(a)|TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO.11510/PU-| ||TVM/ORR-LA-CALA/2023/2487 DATED 18.02.2023| ||ISSUED BY NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF| ||INDIA TO 7TH RESPONDENT| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 14 ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 9028/2023** |PETITIONER EXHIBITS|| |---|---| |Exhibit P1|. TRUE COPY OF THE BASIC TAX RECEIPT DATED| ||27.2.2023 IN THANDAPPER ACCOUNT NO.7351 IN| ||THE NAME OF THE 1ST PETITIONER OBTAINED FROM| ||THE ARUVIKKARA VILLAGE OFFICE| |Exhibit P2|TRUE COPY OF THE BASIC TAX RECEIPT DATED| ||27.2.2022 IN THANDAPPER ACCOUNT NO.20445 IN| ||THE NAME OF THE 2ND PETITIONER ISSUED FROM| ||ARUVIKKARA VILLAGE OFFICE| |Exhibit P3|TRUE COPY OF THE BASIC TAX RECEIPT DATED| ||12.7.2022 IN THANDAPPER ACCOUNT NO.7391 IN| ||THE NAME OF 3RD PETITIONER ISSUED FROM| ||ARUVIKKARA VILLAGE OFFICE| |Exhibit P4|TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR ASSESSMENT| ||OF THE BUILDING IN THE NAME OF 1ST PETITIONER| ||SUBMITTED BY 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||ARUVIKKARA PANCHAYATH DATED 28.5.2020| |Exhibit P5|TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR ASSESSMENT| ||OF THE HOUSE CONSTRUCTED IN HIS PROPERTY| |Exhibit P6|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH| |Exhibit P7|TRUE COPY OF THE GROUP SKETCH SHOWING THE| ||LOCATION OF FIELD NO.353| |Exhibit P8|TRUE COPY OF THE SATELLITE MAP| |Exhibit P9|TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION DATED| ||17.2.2023 ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC INFORMATION| ||OFFICER TO THE PETITIONERS UNDER RIGHT TO| ||INFORMATION ACT| |Exhibit P10|TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 3| ||A(1) WAS ISSUED ON 28.10.2022 AND THE SAME| ||WAS PUBLISHED IN THE MALAYALA MANORAMA DAILY| ||DATED 9.11.2022| |Exhibit P11|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION SUBMITTED BY THE| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 15 ||1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT ON| |---|---| ||14.11.2022| |Exhibit P12|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 5.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER TO PROJECT| ||DIRECTOR| |Exhibit P13|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 7.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||2ND RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P14|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 5.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 2ND PETITIONER BEFORE THE 1ST| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P15|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 7.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 2ND PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P16|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 14.11.2022| ||SUBMITTED BY 3RD PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P17|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 5.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 3RD PETITIONER BEFORE THE 1ST| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P18|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 7.1.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY THE 3RD PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||2ND RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P19|TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 21.2.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||PRINCIPAL SECRETARY| |Exhibit P20|TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 21.2.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 2ND PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||PRINCIPAL SECRETARY| |Exhibit P21|TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 21.2.2023| ||SUBMITTED BY 3RD PETITIONER BEFORE THE| ||PRINCIPAL SECRETARY| |Exhibit P22|TRUE COPY OF THE POSTAL RECEIPTS ISSUED WITH| ||RESPECT TO THE AFORESAID PETITIONS| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 16 |Exhibit P23|TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 16.11.2022| |---|---| ||SUBMITTED BY SRI. SENTHIL.S. BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P24|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 9.1.2023| ||FILED BY HIM ON 9.1.2023 BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P25|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION FILED BY SMT.| ||CHANDRIKA.S. DATED 16.11.2022 BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P26|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION FILED BY ONE| ||CHELLAPPAN PILLAI ON 16.11.2022 BEFORE THE| ||2ND RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P27|TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTIONS FILED BY SRI.| ||CHELLAPPAN PILLAI ON 9.1.2023 BEFORE THE 2ND| ||RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P28|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH PREPARED BY KITCO| ||LTD. FOR RESPONDENTS| |Exhibit P28(a)|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH PREPARED BY KITCO| ||LTD. FOR RESPONDENTS| |Exhibit P28(b)|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH PREPARED BY KITCO| ||LTD. FOR RESPONDENTS| |Exhibit P28(c)|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH PREPARED BY KITCO| ||LTD. FOR RESPONDENTS| |Exhibit P28(d)|TRUE COPY OF THE SKETCH PREPARED BY KITCO| ||LTD. FOR RESPONDENTS| |Exhibit P29|TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED| ||7.1.2003 SENT BY SMT. SARASWATHI AMMA WHO IS| ||THE OWNER OF 35 CENTS OF GARDEN LAND IN| ||SURVEY NO.353/3 AND WHO HAS OFFERED HER| ||PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE DETAILED IN EXHIBIT-| ||P10| |Exhibit P30|TRUE COPY OF LETTER DATED 7.1.2023 SENT BY| ||SMT. SUNITHA AMMA.D. TO 2ND RESPONDENT| |Exhibit P31|TRUE COPY OF THAT NOTICE DATED 10.1.2023| W.P.(C)No.9028/2023& conn.case 17 ISSUED TO THE 1ST PETITIONER BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P32 TRUE COPY OF THE COVER CONTAINING THE EXHIBIT-P31 NOTICE Exhibit P33 TRUE COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION LETTER DATED 17-01-2022 ISSUED BY 1ST PETITIONER TO 3RD PETITIONER Exhibit P34 TRUE COPY OF THE DEPOSITION OF 1ST PETITIONER GIVEN BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 17.1.2023