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Supreme Court of India

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusMALLINATH AND ORS.

Citation
1995 INSC 645
Decided
30 October 1995
Disposal
Appeal(s) allowed

Holding

Section 23(1‑A) of the Land Acquisition Act, as amended by Act 68 of 1984, does not apply to awards made before the amendment, and claimants are not entitled to the additional amount.

Summary

The State of Karnataka appealed against the award made by the Collector in a land acquisition proceeding involving Mallinath and others. The issue was whether Section 23(1‑A) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, as amended by the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act 68 of 1984, which provides for additional compensation, could be applied to awards that were made before the amendment came into force. The Supreme Court examined the date of the Collector's award and held that the amendment could not be applied retrospectively. Consequently, the claimants were not entitled to the additional amount under Section 23(1‑A). The Court allowed the State's appeal, set aside the High Court and appellate Court orders to that extent, and confirmed the original award otherwise. No costs were awarded.

Issues considered

  • Whether Section 23(1‑A) of the Land Acquisition Act, as amended by Act 68 of 1984, is applicable to awards made prior to the amendment.
  • Whether claimants are entitled to additional compensation under the said provision for pre‑amendment awards.

Legislation cited

Subjects

Land acquisitionSection 23(1‑A)Amendment Act 68 of 1984Additional compensationRetrospective applicationSupreme Court

Judgment

A                          STATE OF KARNATAKA
                                    v.
                           MALL!NATH AND ORS.

                               OCTOBER 30, 1995

B               [K. RAMASWAMY AND B.L. HANSARIA, JJ.J

         Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (as amended by Land Acquisition (Amend-
    ment) Act 68 of 1984:

C        S.23( IA)-Additional benefits-Held, not applicable in respect of
    award made prior to Amendment Act 68 of 1984.

          On the question of applicability of S.23(1-A) of the Land Acquisition
    Act, 1894, partly allowing the appeal filed by the State, this Court

D         HELD : Since the award of the Collector was made much prior to
    the Amendment Act, 68 of 1984, the claimants are not entitled to the
    payment of additional amount under S.23(1A) of the Land Acquisition,
    1894. (557-B]

          CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION                  Civil Appeal Nos. 9900-
E 9904 of 1995.
         From the Judgment and Order dated 11.7.86 of the Karnataka High
    Court in M.F.A. Nos. 810, 1173, 1174, 1223 & 1224 of 1986.

          M. Veerappa and K.H. Nobin Singh for the Appellant.
F
          The following Order of the Court was delivered :

           It is stated in the affidavit filled by Matru Lal Kashyap, clerk of Shri
    Veerappa, the learned counsel for the petitioner, that on instructions from
    the Assistant Commissioner, Bijapur, Somawa Patil, the second respon-
G   dent herein had left behind her son Mallinath who is respondent No. 1 in
    SLP (C) No. 14220/86 as her legal representative and that since Mallinath
    is already on record, there is no need to bring him on record separately as
    legal representative. He is transposed as legal representative. Since he is
    already representing the estate of his deceased mother Somavva Patil, it is
H   accordingly recorded.
                                             556
                                STATE v. MALLINAIB                        557

             i.-eave granted.                                                    A
           The controversy hinges upon the applicability of section 23(1-A) of
     the Land Acquisition Act (for short, 'the Act') as amended by Act 68 of
     1984. Since the award of the Collector wa> made much prior to the
     Amendment Act, the claimants are not entitled to the payment of addition-
     al amount under Section 23(1A) of the Act.                                  B
           The appeals are allowed to the above extent and the orders of the
     High Court and the appellate Court are set aside to that extent. In other
     respects, the award stands confirmed. No costs.

     R.P .                                                    Appeal allowed.




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