(1.) BOTH these appeals involve common questions on law and facts and therefore, they are disposed of by this common judgment. These appeals have been filed against the judgment and award passed by the learned Jt. District Judge, Fast Track Court No.2, Mehsana in Land Acquisition Reference Nos.1052/2001 & 1053/2001 dated 30.06.2003, whereby, the references were partly allowed and the appellant-ONGC was held liable to pay additional amount of rent @ Rs.3.25 per sq. metre over and above the amount awarded by the Special Land Acquisition Oficer along with interest.
(2.) THE facts in brief of the case are that the Land Acquisition Officer made a proposal for temporary acquisition of the lands belonging to the respondents, original claimants. After following due procedure, the lands came to be acquired. THEreafter, awards came to be passed by the competent authority fixing the amount of compensation.
(3.) HEARD learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the documents on record. Similar issues arose for consideration of this Court in a group of appeals being First Appeal No.792/2003 & allied matters. The said group of appeals came to be disposed of by this Court, vide judgment and order dated 21.03.2006, relevant portions of which are reproduced hereunder for ready reference;