UNION OF INDIA Vs. BANT SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS order shall dispose of appeals bearing RFA Nos. 2098, 2314, 2315 of 1997 and 614 of 1998, as common questions of law and facts are involved in these appeals. Union of India has filed appeals seeking reduction of compensation awarded to the landowners for the acquired land.

(2.) THE facts have been extracted from RFA No. 2098 of 1997. Briefly, the facts are that vide notification dated 22.11.1985, issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, 'the Act'), Chandigarh Administration sought to acquire land situated within the revenue estate of village Hallo Majra, Had Bast No. 219, for setting up of Northern Army Command. Notification under Section 6 of the Act was issued on 20.11.1986. THE Land Acquisition Collector (for short, 'the Collector') vide his award dated 30.3.1987, assessed the market value @ Rs.80,000/- per acre. Dissatisfied with the award of the Collector, the landowners filed objections. On reference, the learned court below determined the market value of the acquired land @ Rs.1.95,000/- per acre. It is this award which is impugned in the present set of appeals by Union of India.