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NON-REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 3268-3269 OF 2011 ABHINASH CHAND & ORS.                      Appellant(s)

                               VERSUS STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH & ORS.           Respondent(s)

J U D G M E N T

KURIAN, J. 1. An extent of 51 marlas of land was acquired by  the  first  respondent  for  the  purpose  of  Railways.  The Land Acquisition Collector awarded compensation  of Rs. 1050 per marla against the claim of Rs.6,000/-  per marla made by the appellants.   2. Dissatisfied,  the  appellants  approached  the  Reference  Court and  taking note  of the  average of  three  exhibitables  provided  by  the  appellants,  the  value was fixed at Rs. 7,900/- per marla.   3. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for  the  appellants and  Mr. R.  S. Suri,  learned senior  counsel appearing for the Railways and the learned  counsel appearing for the State of Himachal Pradesh,  we are of the view that the Reference Court was not  justified in ignoring the document dated 10.07.1984,  wherein the land value had been fixed at Rs. 9,000/-  per marla.  The Reference Court itself has taken note  of  the  potential  value  of  the  land,  since  it  is

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situated  near  to  the  District  Hospital.   We  are  informed  that  the  acquired  land  has  since  been  included in the Municipal limits.  Since Section 4(1)  notification  was  of  the  year  27.12.1985,  the  appellants shall also be entitled to more than 10%  increase.     4. Having  regard  to  the  entire  facts  and  circumstances of the case, we are of the view that  the  interest of  justice would  be advanced  and the  statutory requirements would also be met if the land  value is fixed at least at Rs. 10,000/- per marla.   5. The appeals are, accordingly, allowed by fixing  the land value at Rs. 10,000/- per marla.  6. The appellants shall also be entitled to all the  statutory benefits.   

No costs.          .......................J.

             [ KURIAN JOSEPH ]  

.......................J.               [ ROHINTON FALI NARIMAN ]  New Delhi; March 02, 2016.