S.B.SINHA, J. - (1.) APPELLANTS were owners of agricultural lands situated in village Jharoda Kalan, New Delhi. The subject matter of these appeals is a Notification dated 14th July, 1982 issued by the Union of India expressing its intention to acquire the land in the said village
(2.) THE Land Acquisition Collector made an award on 10th August, 1983 categorizing the acquired lands in three categories, i.e. 'A', 'B' and 'C' and fixed the market value thereof at the rate of Rs.5,800/- per; Rs.4,800/- per bigha; and Rs.2,400/- per bigha respectively. The awardees not being satisfied with the said award filed applications for reference before the District Collector. References having been made, the Reference Court vide its Award dated 22nd July, 1987 assessed the fair market value of the acquired land at Rs.9,750/- per bigha. Still not satisfied, the appellants preferred appeals before the High Court seeking enhancement of compensation for acquisition of their lands at the rate of Rs.27,750/- per bigha.
(3.) BEFORE the High Court a contention was raised that in a Lok Adalat Settlement, the market value of similarly situated land was fixed at Rs.22,000/- per bigha at the instance of the Union of India, pursuant whereto a Division Bench passed a decree on the said basis. A Division Bench of the High Court by its order dated February 28, 2003, however, on the basis of its earlier decision, assessed the fair market value at Rs.11,500/- per bigha.;