SOHAN LAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These Letters Patent appeals are directed against the judgments dated 12/10/1979 and 15/10/1979 of the Learned Single Judge of this Court by which market value of land of the appellants acquired under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1984 (for short 'the Act') has been determined on common materials and considerations. They are being disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) Pursuant to the notification dated 3/9/1957 issued under Section 4 of the Act, land of the appellants (LPA Nos. 109/80, 114/80 & 115/80) in village Shakurpur was acquired. After dividing the acquired land into four categories, the Collector fixed the market value at Rs.2850.00, Rs.2000.00, Rs.1000.00and Rs.500.00per bigha respectively. Appellants not having accepted the offer contained in the award, sought for a reference under Section 18 of the Act to the Additional District Judge in proceedings pursuant to which the Additional District Judge enhanced the market value to Rs.4,500.00 per bigha of the land falling in Block 'A', Rs.4,000.00 per bigha falling in block 'B' and Rs.3,500.00 per bigha of the land falling in Block 'C'. Not satisfied with the enhancement of the compensation, the appellants filed separate appeals seeking further enhancement of compensation which were dismissed in terms of the judgment passed in RFA 95/67. dated 12/10/1979.

(3.) Pursuant to the notification dated 13/11/1959, issued under Section 4 of the Act, land of the appellants (LPA Nos.67/80, 77/80 and 224/81) of village Shakurpur was acquired.. The Collector by his award dated 15/6/1964 categorised the lands in following blocks and fixed the market value as under:- Block A Rs.3500.00per bigha. Block A-1 Rs.3000.00per bigha. Block A-2 Rs.2000.00per bigha. Block B Rs.3000.00 per bigha. Block B-1 Rs.2250.00 per bigha. Block B-2 Rs.1250.00 per bigha. Block C-1 Rs.1600.00 per bigha. Block C-2 Rs.1000.00 per bigha." The appellants not having accepted the offer contained in the said award sought for a reference under Section 18 of the Act to the Court of Additional District Judge in proceedings pursuant to which the learned Additional District Judge enhanced the market value of the acquired land to Rs.7500.00 per bigha. Being dissatisfied with the said enhancement, the appellants filed separate appeals before the learned Single Judge. By the impugned order, the learned Single Judge determined the market value of the lands acquired under various notifications as under:- "For notification dated 13/11/1959 Rs.7,500.00 per bigha. For notification dated 5/3/1960, Rs.8,000.00 per bigha.