WP(C)/532/2026 of Sochem Tayang Vs The State of AP and 3 Ors on 2 November 2026

ORDER

Date : 03-11-2026 Heard Mr. D. Soki, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Ms. T. Wangmo, learned State Counsel, appearing for the respondent Nos. 1 & 2.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, to consider and dispose of the representations dated 21.05.2026 and 07.08.2026 submitted by the petitioner with regard to his claim for release of compensation in respect of his ancestral land situated at Mompani area, Hayuliang Circle, Anjaw District, through which the Power Grid 132 KV transmission line from Tidding to Marbo passes, and which is claimed to have been utilised for the said transmission line project.

3. The brief facts of the case are that a dispute arose between the petitioner and the private respondents in the year 2011-12 with regard to ownership of ancestral land situated at Mompani area in Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh, in connection with the acquisition of land for construction of the Hydro Power Project at Demwe. The dispute was placed before the Kebang, which decided the matter in favour of the petitioner. The said decision was challenged by the private respondents before the appellate authority; however, the decision of the Kebang was upheld. The private respondents thereafter approached this Court, which, while disposing of the proceedings, granted liberty to the parties to approach the competent Civil Court. The private respondents subsequently instituted a title suit before the District Judge, Tezu, which was withdrawn on 26.06.2014. The petitioner claims that thereafter he and his family continued to remain in possession of the land in question.

4. It is the case of the petitioner that in the year 2026, in connection with the construction of a 132 KV transmission line by Power Grid from Tidding to Marbo, compensation amounting to Rs. 8,14,595/- (Rupees Eight Lakhs Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety-Five only) was assessed in respect of the land at Mompani area, through which the transmission line passes. However, the private respondents raised objections against the release of the compensation. The petitioner claims that despite the earlier proceedings concerning the ownership of the land having culminated into final order of the competent forum/Court, the mere objections raised by the private respondents have resulted in the withholding of the compensation amount. The petitioner, accordingly, submitted representations dated 21.05.2026 and 07.08.2026 before the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, seeking consideration of his claim and release of the compensation. However, as the representations have not been considered and disposed of by the respondent authorities, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition.

5. Mr. D. Soki, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the representations submitted by the petitioner before the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, seeking consideration of his claim for compensation, have not been considered and therefore, learned counsel submits that the writ petition may be disposed of with a direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, to consider and dispose of the said representations.

6. Ms. T. Wangmo, learned State Counsel, appearing for the respondent Nos. 1 & 2, fairly submits that she has no objection if the writ petition is disposed of with appropriate direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, to consider and dispose of the representation of the petitioner, in accordance with law.

7. I have considered the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties and have perused the materials available on record.

8. The grievance raised in the present writ petition is essentially with regard to the failure of the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, to consider the petitioner's representations seeking release of compensation in respect of his ancestral land situated at Mompani area, Hayuliang Circle, Anjaw District, stated to have been affected by the construction of the 132 KV transmission line from Tidding to Marbo. The petitioner, therefore, seeks a direction to the competent authority for consideration and disposal of the said representations.

9. Having regard to the limited nature of the grievance raised, this Court is of the considered view that the writ petition can be disposed of at the motion stage itself, without issuance of notice to the private respondent Nos. 3 & 4, as the direction proposed to be issued is confined to consideration and disposal of the petitioner's representations and would not cause any prejudice to the interest of the said respondents.

10. Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner, Anjaw District, is directed to consider and dispose of the representations dated 21.05.2026 and 07.08.2026 (received on 10.08.2026), submitted by the petitioner, in accordance with law, by passing a reasoned order, within a period of 20 (twenty) days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order, after affording adequate opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as the private respondents.

11. With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant