ZORA SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This judgment will dispose of R.F.As Nos. 1864, 2173 to 2194, 2201 to 2215, 2221 to 2226, 2321 and 2322 of 1985; 144 to 170, 172, 173 186 to 196, 203 to 214, 217 to 281, 336, 359 to 369, 398, 401, 402, 416 to 439, 447 to 457, 872, 1278, 1333 to 1398, 1400, 1401, 1448, 1455, 1456 to 1489, 1493 to 1536, 1544, 1545, 1572 to 1590, 1592 to 1608, 1639, 1798, 1801, 1802, 2166 to 2170, 2173, 2193 to 2198, 2225, 2226, 2285, 2286, 2309 to 2317, 2342, 2356, 2357, 2391 to 2395, 2421, 2464 to 2575, 2508 to 2720, 2752 to 2757 and 2771 of 1986 filed by the landowners; and R.F.As Nos. 882 to 1194, 1403 and 1404 of 1986 filed by the Union of India and Cross-Objections No. 16-CI of 1987 filed by the landowners in RFA No. 914 of 1986.

(2.) All of them pertain to acquisition of land in pursuance of notification No. 13/2/79-JJ-11(B)/PB/5408/E/ACT/5893 dated 10.5.1979 issued under section 4 of the land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short 'the Act'). Land in the revenue estates of about half a dozen villages in tehsil and district Bathinda was proposed to be acquired through this notification. Separate awards were made by the Land Acquisition Collector in respect of the land acquired in village Bhagu, Mohna, Bhucho Khurd and Bhucho Kalan. The land acquired in these revenue estates forms a compact block. The purpose of acquisition of land was for utilisation of the same for raising of the local cantonment Bathinda. In respect of the land acquired in the revenue estate of village Bhagu, the Land Acquisition Collector made his award dated 30.3.1981. The market value of the same was finally determined by a Division Bench of this Court in Jagir Singh and others v. Union of India, LPA No. 914 of 1984, decided on 17.9.1985, to which reference shall be made in some more detail in the later part of this judgment.

(3.) Land measuring 733, 725 acres equivalent to 5859 Kanals 16 Marlas of village Mohna was acquired. The Special Land Acquisition Collector vide his award dated 31.3.1984 fixed to market value of the same as under :-