Synopsis

This judgment by a Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court allows a batch of writ petitions filed by landowners whose lands were acquired under the National Highways Act, 1956. The petitioners sought the benefit of additional compensation under Section 30(3) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act) on the market value determined by applying the multiplication factor of 2 under Section 26(2) of the 2013 Act. Following its earlier decision in SCA No. 7561 of 2023, the court held that the additional compensation must be computed on the total market value determined under Section 26 (including the multiplication factor), not merely on the base value under Section 26(1). The court also awarded interest under Section 80 for a period of three years from the date of the award, due to delay in approaching the court. However, the claims for benefits under the Second and Third Schedules (rehabilitation and amenities) were rejected on the ground of delay and laches.

1. Heading for the judgment

Citation: Digvijaysinh Jashwantsinh Solanki & Anr. v. Competent Authority and Special Land Acquisition Officer & Ors., R/Special Civil Application Nos. 3696, 3702, 3705, 3717, 3719, 3741, 3742, 3778, 3908, 3954, 3977 & 3979 of 2026, decided on 24.03.2026 (Gujarat High Court - DB)
Coram: Hon'ble The Chief Justice Mrs. Sunita Agarwal and Hon'ble Mr. Justice D.N. Ray (Division Bench)
Core Law: Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013; National Highways Act, 1956.

Gujarat High Court grants additional compensation under Section 30(3) of RFCTLARR Act on enhanced market value (including multiplication factor), following its earlier binding precedent; rejects Schedule II & III claims for delay.

2. Legal framework

This judgment applies the principles laid down in an earlier decision of the same court, which interpret

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