LAW FOR ALL

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 37 — Appeal against arbitral award under National Highways Act, 1956 — Scope of interference — Patent illegality — Public policy. Where the Arbitrator enhanced market value of acquired land from ₹98.84 per sq.m. to ₹148.26 per sq.m., and the Principal District Judge, Chittoor dismissed the challenge under Section 34, Held, appellate court’s interference under Section 37 is limited. No patent illegality or perversity found — Appeal dismissed. National Highways Act, 1956 — Section 3G(7) — Determination of compensation — Guidelines — Application. The Arbitrator may consider surrounding factors such as comparative valuation of horticultural components (mango and coconut trees) when no proximate sales in same village are available. Reference to higher fruit-tree valuations in neighbouring States not illegal if used only for comparative guidance.