- (1.) This appeal is directed against judgment dated 7.4.2006 of the Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court whereby the appeals preferred by the Respondents under Section 54 ofthe Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, "the Act") were partly allowed and market value of the acquired land fixed by the Reference Court was enhanced from 87,000/- to 1,74,000/- per acre.
(2.) The land belonging to the Respondents was acquired vide notification dated 5.7.1979 issued under Section 15 of the Karnataka Improvement Board Act for developing S. Nijalingappa layout (Shamanur, Stage-II). The Land Acquisition Officer fixed market value of the acquired land at 16,709/- per acre in respect of some parcels of land and 22,545/- per acre for other parcels of land.
(3.) The Respondents did not feel satisfied 40 with the determination made by the Land Acquisition Officer and filed applications under Section 18 of the Act. Thereupon, the Collector made reference to the Court of Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division), Davangere. After examining the oral and documentary evidence, the Reference Court fixed market value of the acquired land at 87,000/- per acre.;