SANT RAM AND ORSversusUNION OF INDIA
- Citation
- 1995 INSC 767
- Decided
- 21 November 1995
- Disposal
- Dismissed
Holding
The Court held that there is no justification to increase compensation further when the entire village's compensation has already been fixed, and therefore dismissed the appeal.
Summary
The appellants, Sant Ram and others, challenged the compensation awarded for their land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Collector initially fixed compensation at Rs. 4,280 per bigha, which was later enhanced by the Additional Judge to Rs. 6,420 and by the Delhi High Court to Rs. 12,000 per bigha. The appellants argued, relying on Gokal v. State of Haryana and Jailal & Ors. v. Union of India, that the market value warranted a further increase to Rs. 13 per square yard. The Supreme Court observed that the entire village's lands had already been fixed at Rs. 12 per square yard (Rs. 12,000 per bigha) and found no justification for a further uplift merely because the appellants pursued an appeal. Consequently, the Court dismissed the appeal without costs, affirming the compensation already determined.
Issues considered
- Whether compensation for land acquired can be further enhanced beyond the amount already fixed for the entire village on the basis of an appeal and alleged higher market value.
Legislation cited
- Land Acquisition Act, 1894s. 4(1)
Subjects
Judgment
A SANT RAM AND ORS
•·
v.
UNION OF INDIA
NOVEMBER 21, 1995
B [K. RAMASWAMY AND K.S. PARIPOORNAN, JJ.]
Land Acquisition Act, 1894 :
Compensation for lands acquired-Detemiined for the entire village at
C a pmticular rate-No justification for enhancing the compensation in respect
of a p01tion of the same lands on mere pursuing the remedy by way of appeal.
I~ respect of certain land acquired, the Collector determined the
compensation @ Rs. 4, 280 per Bigha. The Additional Judge enhanced the
D compensation to Rs. 6,420 per bigha. The High Court further enhanced it
in appeal by judgment and decree dated July 10, 1984 to Rs. 12,000 per
bigha. Still dissatisfied the appellants preferred the present appeals.
Dismissing the appeals, this Court
E HELD : For the lands in Shahbad Mohammeddpur village which is
now part of the lands in the present case, compensation was determined
@ Rs. 12 per sq. yd., i.e., Rs. 12,000 per bigha. The lands are claimed to
be no par with the lands in Nangal Dewat. But when the lands in the entire
village has been determined at Rs. 12 per sq. yd., there is no justification
F in further increasing the compensation to the appellants' lands on mere
pursuing the remedy by way of appeal. [541-G-H]
Gokal v. State of Haryana, [1992] Supp. 2 SCC 69 and Jailal & Ors.
v. Union of India, CA No. 830/81 decided by Supreme Court on February
23, 1981, referred to.
G
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No~ 241 of .
1985 Etc.
From the Judgment and Order dated 10.7.84 of the Delhi High Court
H in RF.A. No. 46 of 1979.
540
SANTRAMv. U.0.1. 541
P.P. Juneja for the Appellants. A
Ms. Shashi Kiran for B.K. Prasad for the Respondents.
The following Order of ,the Court was delivered :
B
CA. No. 241185
Notification under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894
(for short 'the Act') was published in the Union Gazette on February 21,
1973. The Collector in his award dated May 25, 1974 determined the .
compensation @ Rs. 4,280 per Bigha rounded to Rs. 50 per sq. yd. The C
Additional Judge by his award and decree dated August 8, 1978, enhanced
the compensation to Rs. 6,420 per bigha. The High Court further enhanced
it in appeal by judgment and decree dated July 10, 1984 to Rs. 12,000 per
bigha. Still dissatisfied therewith, the Appellants filed this appeal by special
leave. D
Shri P.P. Juneja, learned counsel appearing for the appellants con-
tends that this Court in Gokal v. State of Hmyana, [1992] Supp 2 SCC 69
had taken judicial notice of constant rise in the prices and fixed the market
value at different rates depending upon the year of acquisition. The .E
appellants' lands are also situated within the master plan of the Delhi
Development Authority. They are also entitled to compensation @ Rs. 13
per sq. yd. In Jailal & Ors. v. Union of India, C.A. No. 830/81 decided on
February 23, 1981, this Court found that the market-value of Nangal Dewat
Notified under section 4(1) published on December 3, 1971 would fetch
F
@ Rs. 13 per sq. yd.
Having given consideration to the pursuasive arguments of Mr. P.P.
Juneja, we think it is difficult to accept the contention. It is seen that for
the lands in Shahbad Mohammeddpur village is now part of the lands in
this case, compensation was determined @ Rs. 12 per sq. yd. i.e., Rs. 12,000 G
per bigha. The lands are claimed to be on par with the lands in Nangal
Dewat. But when the lands in the entire village has been determined at Rs.
12 per sq. yd., we do not think we would be justified in further increasing
the compensation to the appellants' lands on mere pursuing the remedy by
way of appeal. H
542 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1995) SUPP. 5 S.C.R.
A The appeal is accordingly dismissed. No costs.
IN CA. /95 (@ SLP (C) No. 14912/89)
Leave granted.
In view of the above judgment made in C.A. No. 241 of 1985, the
B
appeal is dismissed. No costs.
G.N. Appeals dismissed.
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