KANJIBHAI ASHABHAI Vs. SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE present appeals arise from the common judgment & order passed by the Reference Court in Land Reference Cases No.119/02 to 123/02 whereby the Reference Court has awarded additional compensation of Rs.24.50 per sq. mtr. for the land under acquisition plus statutory benefits of increase in the compensation and the solatium and the interest.

(2.) THE short facts of the case appears to be that for the project of ONGC, land of different survey numbers located within the revenue area of village Devdi, Taluka Dascroi, District Ahmedabad were acquired under the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"). Notification under section 4 of the Act was published on 13.03.1996. Notification under section 6 of the Act was published on 07.12.1996. The award was passed under section 11 on 08.12.1998 and the Special Land Acquisition Officer awarded the compensation at Rs.4 per sq. mtr. As the original ownersclaimants were not satisfied with the compensation, they raised the dispute under section 18 of the Act which ultimately came to be referred to the Reference Court for adjudication being the above referred references. The Reference Court at the conclusion of the references awarded the additional compensation at Rs.24.50 per sq. mtr. It is under these circumstances, the appellants original claimants have preferred the present appeals before this Court.

(3.) WE have heard Mr.Yatin Soni, learned counsel appearing for the appellants, Mr.Valmik Vyas for respondent No.2 and Mr.Hardik Soni, learned AGP for respondent no.1.