UNION OF INDIA Vs. PURAN BANTI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Nearly 372 regular first appeals and cross objections have been listed together for disposal as they arise from common notification but different awards though granting identical amount, of compensation payable to the claimants for acquisition of their lands under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, hereinafter referred to as the Act.

(2.) For the course of action which the Court proposes to adopt in these cases, it is not necessary to discuss the facts in great detail, but reference to the facts of the main cases in a concise manner, would suffice the purpose. Vide notification under Section 4 of the Act dated 15.7.1987 published in the Gazette of Punjab Government dated 24.7.1987, 9630 Kanals 17 Marias of land was proposed to be acquired in eight villages namely, Simbli Gujran, Fatehgarh, Najo Chak, Lahri, Mirzapur, Bias Lahri, Panjupura and Naushera-nal-Bandan, in Tehsil Pathankot, District Gurdaspur. The notification under Section 6 of the Act dated 15.7.1987 was published on 31.7.1987. The Special Land Acquisition Collector, vide his Award No. 3 of 1988-89 dated 31.7.1989 awarded uniform rate of compensation in respect of all the above villages in addition to the compensation payable for construction and trees. The amount of compensation awarded as under:- <TAB> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Nehri, Chahi, Gair- Rs. 35,000/- per acre (Rs. 218.75 per marla). Mumkin Abadi. Barani-I and Barani- II - Rs. 25,000/- per acre (Rs. 160/- per marla). Banjar Qadium and Banjar Jadid - Rs. 12,500/- per acre (Rs. 78/- per marla) Gair Mumkin - Rs. 1,000/- per acre (Rs. 6.25 per marla). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- </TAB>

(3.) Being dis-satisfied with the amount awarded, the claimants filed reference under Section 18 of the Act before the learned District Judge, Gurdaspur. Both the parties adduced oral as well as documentary evidence. The Union of India as well as the State objected enhancement in view of the evidence led while the claimants claimed increase in the amount of compensation by Rs. 3,500/- to Rs. 20,000/- per marla in their respective cases. The learned Additional District Judge dealt with this entire bunch of cases in different groups and passed 32 awards on different dates though awarding the same amount of compensation. The details of the awards passed by the trial Court are as under- <TAB> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sr. LAC No. Name of Parties Date of No. decision ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. 1/91 Puran Banti v. U.O.I. 2.5.1991 2. 30/91 Hardit Singh v. U.O.I. 2.5.1991 3. 48/91 Behari Lal v. U.O.I. 28.4.1992 4. 30/91 Surinder Nath v. U.O.I. 28.4.1992 5. 166/91 Bela Singh v. U.O.I. 2.2.1993 6. 145/91 Pardhan Singh v. U.O.I. 19.4.1993 7. 9/93 Parshottam v. U.O.I. 31.10.1994 8. 20/92 Mali Ram v. U.O.I. 9.5.1995 9. 19/92 Sansar Chand v. U.O.I. 9.5.1995 10. 17/93 Gurdit Singh v. U.O.I. 24.4.1995 11. 10/92 Bishan Lal v. U.O.I. 3.5.1995 12. 136/95 Balvinder Singh v. U.O.I. 23.5.1996 13. 239/95 Sansar Singh v. U.O.I. 6.6.1996 14. 239/95 Thuru Ram v. U.O.I. 10.8.1996 15. 61/93 Amar Singh v. U.O.I. 16.12.1996 16. 64/60/95 Santokh Singh v. U.O.I. 3.3.1997 17. 22/63/92/97 Balwant Singh v. U.O.I. 4.6.1997 18. 58/95 Mangat Ram v. U.O.I. 6.9.1997 19. 254/97 Sawaran Lal v. U.O.I. 10.9.1997 20. 11/92 Mali Ram v. U.O.I. 6.6.1997 21. 41/91 Anand Parkash v. U.O.I 2.11.1995 22. 33/28/92 Suram Singh v. U.O.I. 7.9.1996 23. 9/93 Gurmukh Singh v. U.O.I. 6.4.1998 24. 134/91 Didar Singh v. U.O.I. 9.9.1995 25. 32/91 Bansari Dass v. U.O.I. 2.11.1995 26. 9/92 Sartaj Singh v. U.O.I. 3.5.1995 27. 29/91 Ambo Devi v. U.O.I. 2.5.1991 28. 12/92 Sansar Chand v. U.O.I. 24.4.1995 29. 27/94 Thuru Ram v. U.O.I. 3.3.1997 30. 25/92 Gurdeep Singh v. U.O.I. 28.3.1995 31. 49/91 Hakumat Rai v. U.O.I. 18.4.1995 32. 40/91 Char an Singh v. U.O.I. 28.4.1992 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- </TAB>