RAMANLAL DEOCHAND SHAH Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) These appeals arise out of two separate but similar orders dated 14th June, 2011 and 16th March, 2011 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay whereby First Appeal Nos.179 of 1992 and 751 of 1992 filed by the respondent-State of Maharashtra have been allowed and the judgment and order passed by the Reference Court enhancing the amount of compensation payable to the appellants-land owners to Rs.85/- per square meter set aside.

(3.) In SLP (C) No.354 of 2012 the appellants prayed for enhancement of compensation payable towards compulsory acquisition of plots no.33, 34, 45 and 46 measuring 1366 square meters each, situated at village Saidapur, Taluq-Karad, District Satara, Maharashtra. The public purpose underlying the acquisition was the setting up of a Polytechnic Engineering College at Karad. The appellant-land owners claimed compensation @ Rs.25/- per sq. ft. The Special Land Acquisition Officer, Satara, however, made an Award dated 14th March, 1988 determining the compensation @ Rs.26.25 per sq. mtr. only. Dissatisfied with the award made by the Collector the appellant-land owners got the matter referred to the Civil Court for determination of the market value of the land under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act besides solatium and interest payable on the same. A similar reference was also made in SLP (C) No.395 of 2012 for plot no. 47 admeasuring 1366 sq. mtrs. of the same village.