- (1.) - Ten acres of land belonging to the appellant had been acquired under the Land Acquisition Act. The Land Acquisition Officer awarded compensation at the rate of one rupee one paise per sq. ft. On a reference under Section 18 of the Act, the Court enhanced the rate of compensation to Rs. 2.25 per sq. ft. On appeal by the State, the High Court by the impugned judgment reduced the compensation to Rs. 2.00 per sq.ft.
(2.) The reason stated by the High Court for so reducing the rate of compensation was that the acquired area was a compact plot of 10 acres which was laid out as building sites with fully formed roads and drainage. The High Court held that since the roads and drainage occupied apart of the area acquired, proportionate deduction in compensation ought to be made.
(3.) Counsel for the appellant submits that what was acquired was a compact area of 10 acres. The fact that roads and drainage had been laid out does not reduce the value of the land acquired. In fact the appellant had incurred expenditure in preparing the land as building sites, and the High Court ought to have accepted his contention that he was entitled to higher compensation.;