J&K High Court Quashes Collector’s ‘Grossly Misconceived’ Order in Pahalgam Land Acquisition Case

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed an order of the Collector rejecting landowners’ request for a reference under Section 18 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Acquisition Act, 1990 in a land acquisition dispute in Pahalgam.

The Court found that authorities failed to prove that the landowners were informed about the acquisition award or paid compensation.

It was observed that the right to seek a reference challenging compensation becomes meaningful only after the landowner has knowledge of the award and receives payment.

Calling the Collector’s order “grossly misconceived and misplaced,” the Court directed authorities to treat the application as valid and forward it to the Principal District Judge, Anantnag.

[Ghulam Mohammad Rah & Ors v. UT of J&K & Ors.]