UNION OF INDIA Vs. RAMAVATAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present appeal has been preferred against the judgment and award dtd. 14/3/2014 passed by the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sriganganagar in Reference Case No.63/1980, whereby the reference in terms of Sec. 18 of the Rajasthan Land Acquisition Act, 1953 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act of 1953") has been decided by the Land Acquisition Officer in favour of the claimants and the amount of compensation has been recalculated in terms of the directions issued by the High Court in S.B. Civil Misc. Appeal No.508/1996 (decided on 13/10/2009).

(2.) The facts of the case are that qua the acquisition of land for Suratgarh Military Station, an Award was passed by the Land Acquisition Officer, i.e. Sub Divisional Officer, Hanumangarh on 27/3/1980. In pursuance to the said Award, the award amount was deposited with the Collector and the same was even disbursed to the claimants. However, the land owners preferred an application under Sec. 18 of the Act of 1953 with the prayer for making a reference against the award passed by the Land Acquisition Officer.

(3.) The reference was hence made and vide order dtd. 23/1/1995, the Civil Judge, while deciding the reference, although maintained the compensation amount as awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer but enhanced the amount of solatium to 30% of the market value from 10% and also awarded interest @ 9% per annum for the first year and @ 15% per annum for the subsequent years.