STATE OF GUJARAT Vs. VELUJI SHANTHUJI CHAVDA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) As in all the matters, common question arises for consideration, they are being considered by this common judgement.

(2.) The short facts of the case are that for the project Sujlam Suflam Spreading Project Canal, the land in question was acquired under the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act' for short). The Notification under Section 4 of the Act was published on 3.7.2004 and the land in question is located at Village Padhariya, Taluka Mehsana. The Notification under Section 6 of the Act was published on 26.8.2004. The Land Acquisition Officer passed the award on 29.4.2004 and awarded compensation at Rs.13/- per sq. mtrs. As the claimants were not satisfied with the compensation, they raised the dispute under Section 18 of the Act demanding the compensation of Rs.500/- per sq. mtrs. The matters were ultimately referred to the Reference Court for adjudication and the Reference Court, for the reasons recorded in the judgement has awarded the additional compensation of Rs.230/- per sq. mtrs., plus statutory benefits under Section 23(2) and 23(1-A) and solatium under the Act. It is under these circumstances, the present appeals before this Court.

(3.) We may state that in the group of First Appeal No.1545 to 1548 of 2010, the Land Reference Cases were LRC No.329 to 332 of 2008, whereas in the group of First Appeal No.1549 to 1557 of 2010, the Land Reference Cases were LRC No.320 to 328 of 2008.