GENERAL MANAGER Vs. PATEL GOPALBHAI LAXMANDAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Admit. Mr.Prajapati appears in all matters for respondent no.1 and waives notice of admission. On behalf of respondent no.2, Ms.Maithili Mehta, learned AGP appears and waives notice. With the consent of the learned advocates appearing for both the sides, the matters are finally heard.

(2.) All appeals are directed against the judgment and award passed by the Reference Court dated 01.01.2013 whereby the Reference Court has awarded additional compensation at Rs.305 per sq. mtr. plus the statutory benefit of increase in the compensation under section 23(1A), solatium under section 23(2) and interest under section 28 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act ).

(3.) The short facts of the care are that for the project of ONGC, the land at village Santhal, Taluka District Mehsana, were to be acquired. The notification under section 4 of the Act was published on 14.11.2005. The notification under section 6 of the Act was published on 13.10.2006. Thereafter, the award was declared on 07.06.2008 and the Special Land Acquisition Officer awarded compensation at Rs.15 per sq.mtr.. As the original owners-claimants were not satisfied with the compensation, they raised the dispute under section 18 of the Act and demanded compensation at Rs.2000 per sq.mtr. Such disputes were referred to the Reference Court for adjudication being LAR Case Nos.264/11 to 269/11. The Reference Court at the conclusion of the reference, passed the above referred judgment and award. Under the circumstances, the present appears before this Court.