SLAO must pass a consent award extending the 2025 Government Order’s benefits to the petitioners.

The petitioners sought a consent award for their lands acquired under notification dated 7 October 2022, with the benefit of the Government Order dated 9 October 2025.

Alternatively, they sought an award under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

The Court recorded that the issue was covered by prior Coordinate Bench orders and disposed of the petition on that basis.

Whether the petitioners were entitled to a consent award for their lands under the notification dated 7 October 2022, extending the benefit of the Government Order dated 9 October 2025.

Whether the petitioners were entitled to an award under the 2013 Act as an alternative to a consent award.

The Court relied on the Government Order dated 9 October 2025 and Coordinate Bench decisions concerning its application to land acquisition consent awards.

The cited precedent directed that the Government Order’s benefit be extended in accordance with law, if not already paid, by drawing a consent award; it also directed the petitioners in that matter to appear before the Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO).

The Court applied those directions to the present case, which it held to be identical in issue.

The Court found the dispute identical to matters already resolved by Coordinate Benches and adopted the same approach.

It therefore directed the SLAO to extend the 9 October 2025 Government Order’s benefit and pass a consent award for the petitioners’ lands acquired under the 7 October 2022 notification.

The order contains no separate determination of the alternative claim under the 2013 Act.

Respondent No. 5, the SLAO, was directed to pass a consent award for the petitioners’ lands under the 7 October 2022 notification, extending the benefit of the Government Order dated 9 October 2025.

The petitioners were directed to appear before the SLAO on 12 October 2026 at 11:00 a.m.; the SLAO was directed to conduct further proceedings in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and within nine months from the date of first appearance.