The appellant Ushabati Patel (widow of Minaketan) filed two appeals under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 before the Orissa High Court, challenging awards made by the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sundargarh in LA Reference Cases arising from the acquisition of land in Mouza Lankahuda for an Ultra Mega Power Project. The core dispute was not about the quantum of compensation (totalling over Rs. 6.33 crores and Rs. 4.80 crores respectively) but about its apportionment — specifically, whether respondents Champabati (R-1) and Saraswati (R-2), who claimed to be daughters of Karunakar and thus sisters of the deceased Minaketan, were entitled to a share. The appellant and supporting respondents denied that Champabati and Saraswati were daughters of Karunakar. The referral Court had found in favour of Champabati and Saraswati, holding them to be daughters of Karunakar and awarding them 1/12th share each of the compensation, with Prasanna and Minaketan's branch receiving 5/12th share each. The High Court attempted mediation through DLSA Sundargarh under 'Mediation for Nation 2.0', but it was reported as a non-starter, and the matter proceeded to final hearing and judgment.