SPECIAL TAHSILDAR L A Vs. E ALAMELU AMMAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Large extent of lands in Meyyur village, Chengalpattu Taluk and District including those that are subject matter of the above appeals were acquired at the requisition of the Department of Atomic Energy to meet the requirements of Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station.

(2.) The notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act was published on 25.5.1998. The Land Acquisition Officer conducted award enquiry, before whom the land owners claimed compensation at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per cent. On the basis of a sale transaction that took place on 11.6.1985, in which an extent of one cent was sold in S.F.No.151 for Rs.100/-, the said Officer fixed the market value at Rs.100/- per cent. Not being satisfied with such fixation, the land owners sought for reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act. In the requisition made to the Land Acquisition Officer to refer the matter to a Civil Court, the Claimants/Land Owners had stated that the market value fixed by the Land Acquisition Officer is too low and the same has to be enhanced. Land Owners put forth different claim in the said requisition, which varied from Rs.500/- to Rs.2,000/-.

(3.) . Before the reference Court, both the parties let in oral and documentary evidence. The reference Court disposed of the references by a common Judgment, which is dated 28th July, 1993, fixing the market value at Rs.700/- per cent. Being aggrieved by such fixation, the appellant/State has preferred the above appeals. In some appeals, respondent/Land Owners have filed cross objections.