(1.) These five appeals arising out of land acquisition cases have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.
(2.) About 22.96 acres of land were acquired vide Declaration No. 39/G-70 L.A. 8, dated 20th September, 1969 for the Anugrah Memorial College, Gaya, The lands are situate in Mauza Katari, Thana No. 132 within the Gaya Municipality. The Collector fixed the compensation at Rs. 10,170/- per acre for the acquired lands, The persons, whose lands were acquired, object to the rate fixed by the Collector and the cases were referred to the Land Acquisition Judges under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act. Before the court, evidence was led on behalf of the State of Bihar as also the applicants, namely, those whose lands have been acquired. Some sale-deeds were also tendered into evidence and applicants (respondeats) also filed certified copies of two judgments which were admitted into evidence. On consideration of the evidence on record, the learned 6th Additional District Judge fixed the value of the lands at Rs. 1,650/- per Katha which comes to roughly about Rs. 54,450/- per acre. He also allowed 10 per cent, on the above amount on account of potential value of the lands and farther held that the applicants were entitled to 15 per cent. on the total amount so calculated on account of compensator nature of the acquisition. The applicants were also held to entitled to interest at Rs. 6/- per annum on the total amount of compensation less already paid or deposited from date of taking possession.
(3.) The State of Bihar has filed these appeals and has challenged the valuation fixed by the learned 5th Additional District Judge. In First Appeal No. 576 of 1975, a cross-objection has been filed by the applicants-respondents, which has been valued at Rs. 20,000/-.