In Brief
These consolidated civil appeals challenge Division Bench judgments awarding solatium and interest in land acquisition cases under the National Highways Act. The key issue was whether solatium and interest under the Land Acquisition Act apply to National Highways Act acquisitions, and whether Section 3J of the 1956 Act—which excluded such provisions—was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court held that Section 3J violates Article 14 by denying equal compensation protection to similarly situated property owners. The Court declared the offending provision unconstitutional, ruling that Land Acquisition Act compensation principles apply to National Highways Act acquisitions. Appeals were dismissed accordingly.
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