CHANDER BHAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) This set of Civils which is directed against the judgment of a division bench of the Delhi High court relates to the appellants' claim for enhancement of compensation with regard to acquisition of their land situated in Village Rangpuri Malikpur Kohi, Delhi. Since common questions of fact and law are involved in this set of appeals, we propose to decide them by a common judgment.

(3.) A large extent of land in Village Rangpuri near Palam Airport was notified for acquisition vide notification dated 3/12/1971 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1984 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") for planned development of Delhi. Simultaneously, notifications dated 3/12/1971 were also issued for acquisition of land in Villages Nangal Dewat and Shahbad Mohernmedpur. Some plots of land of Village Rangpuri were acquired vide Award No. 94/72-73 dated 12/3/1973. The Land Acquisition Collector while assessing the market value of the acquired land covered by the aforesaid award, divided the said land into two blocks and fixed Rs 3,300. 00 and Rs 2,200. 00 per bigha for Block A and Block B, respectively. The claimants being dissatisfied with the offer of compensation preferred reference petitions under Section 18 of the Act. The learned Additional District Judge enhanced the compensation to Rs 4,800. 00 per bigha in respect of Block A and Rs 3,200. 00 in respect of Block B. The appellants before us being not satisfied with the compensation awarded by the learned Additional District Judge, preferred regular appeals before the High court. The High court by the judgment under appeal assessed the market value of the appellants' acquired land at Rs 13,000. 00 per bigha. Consequently, the claimants' appeals were allowed. Still not satisfied with the rates of compensation determined by the High court, the appellants have come to this court by filing special leave petitions.