RAJ SINGH Vs. UOI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I proceed with an apology to the reader by referring to a notification issued later in point of time and then to a notification issued prior in point of time; but the reason is that the learned counsel for the land owners had addressed arguments with respect to the notification issued later and had required price to be suitably reduced pertaining to the notification which was issued earlier in point of time.

(2.) Land measuring 758-01 bigha situated in the revenue estate of village Bhalswa Jahangir Puri was acquired pursuant to a notification dated 15.09.2000 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, for a public purpose, namely, 'Rehabilitation of JJ Cluster'. This was followed by a declaration under Section 6 of the said Act issued on 17.04.2001. After following the due process, the Land Acquisition Collector announced his award bearing No.6/2002-03 dated 20.04.2002, whereby he assessed the fair market value of the acquired land at '2,87,916.66 per bigha, which is equivalent to '13.82 lakhs per acre i.e. fair market value as of 15.09.2000 was fixed at '13.82 lakhs per acre.

(3.) Dissatisfied with the assessment made by the Land Acquisition Collector, the land owners sought reference under Section 18 of the said Act. The Learned Reference Court, in the lead matter, being LAC No.112A/2008 titled Raj Singh Vs. Union of India, assessed the fair market value of the acquired land at '3,03,534 per bigha or '14,56,963 per acre.