STATE OF KERALA Vs. BABU VARGHESE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These appeals arise out of the judgment dated 16.06.2012 passed by the Sub Court, Kottayam in L.A.R.No.1 of 2011.

(2.) An extent of 18.70 Ares of land in Vakathanam Village was acquired for the purpose of construction of a taxi stand for the Vakathanam Panchayat (hereinafter referred to as 'the Panchayat'). Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act was published on 22.08.2008. The Land Acquisition Officer granted compensation for the land by fixing the value of the land at Rs.65,000/- per Are. The Land Acquisition Officer also granted an amount of Rs.71,342/- as compensation for value of improvements and also Rs.4,02,592/- as compensation for the buildings in the acquired property.

(3.) Dissatisfied with the compensation granted by the Land Acquisition Officer, the claimant, the owner of the land, initiated reference proceedings. During the enquiry in the reference case, AW1 and AW2 were examined and Exts.A1 to A8 documents were marked on the side of the claimant. No evidence was adduced by the State or the Panchayat.