Allowed

Gafoor Sab v. The Govt. of Telangana State through the Special Deputy Collector (L.a.)

Telangana HC15 Sept 2022LAAS/246/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court of Telangana, in an appeal filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, allowed the claimants to enhance the market value of their land from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 26,044 per acre. The Court held that once a market value is fixed for specific lands to ensure equal compensation among similarly situated owners, the settlement must be uniform regardless of individual claims.

What did the court decide?

Enhancement of the market value of the acquired land to Rs. 26,044 per acre along with consequential statutory benefits; impugned order of the Reference Court set aside.

Gafoor Sab Vs The Govt. of Telangana State through the… — Land Acquisition | Telangana HC (2022)

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IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD

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THURSDAY THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY TWO

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE JUSTIGE G. SRI DEVI AND

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THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE M.G.PRIYADARSINI

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L.A.A.S. NO: 246 OF 2018

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Appeal under section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, against the order and decree dated 30-10-2012, made in L.A. OP. NO. 12 OF 2008 (New), L.A.Op.No 54 of 2006 (Old), on the file of the Court of the Senior Civil Judge, Zaheerabad.

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Between:

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'1. Gafoor Sab, S/o. Raj tvlohd(C-2)(died) per 1.R.10 to 12

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Shamshuddin, S/o. Gafoor Sab (C-'10)Resident of Mamidipaily village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(Medak) District.

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Moulana, S/o. Gafoor Sab. dt. (C-1 1)Resident of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(lVedak) District.

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Waheed, S/o. Gafoor sab(C-12) Added as per orders in lA. 79/08, dt.22.04.2008Resident of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(l,4eda k) District

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Moinuddin, S/o [Vloulan Sab (C-3) (died) per L.R.

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Ameena Begum, W/o. IVoinuddin. (Wife)Resident of Mamidipafiy village, Raikode lvlandal, Sangareddy(Medak) District.

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Ameena Bee, W/o. Khaja Sab (C-a) (died) per L.R. C-17

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Asha Bee, W/o. lsmail Sab(C-'l 7) added as per orders in lA. /08 dt. 9.7.2008 Resident of tVamidipally village, Raikode Mandal,

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...APPELLANTS/CLAIMANTS No. C-10,11,12 & 17 (C-3 died per LRs)

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AND

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1 The Govt. of Telangana State through the Special Deputy Collector (L.A.), Land Acquisition Officer, Singoor Project, Sangareddy.(Revenue Divisional Officer)

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...RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT

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Raj Mohammed, S/o. Shamsheer Ali(C-1 ) (died) LR., C-7 to C-9

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Mahaboob Sab, S/o Shamsheer Ali(C-5)

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lsmail Patel, S/o. Zainuddin (C-6) ((died) per L.R.C-13 to 16

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I$t a I

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I iI t II ) f I I tI I j I : I

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lr4d. Sarvar, ;/o. Raj Mohd(C-7)

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Md. Osman, S/.r. Raj Mohd(C-8)

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7 Md Basheer S/o Raj tr/ohd(C-9)

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Sakeena Ber , W/o. lsmail Patel(C-13)

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9 ChoteL4iya, iicr. lsmai Patel. (C-.14) Added as per orders, n ll\ 80/08, dt 22.4.2008

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10.1,4ohiuddin, S o lsmail Patel(C-15)

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1 1. Yadulla. S/o. srnail Patel(C-16)

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(RespondenUCle mants No.2 to '1 1 are proforma parties anc not recessary respondents)

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NTS

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. RESP :II,IDEINTS/CLAIMA

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Counsel for the Apl ellants: Sri VENKATRAM REDDY MANTtTR

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Counsel for the Res pondent No.1: Govt. pleader for appeak;

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The Court deliverec the following:

I aIi I t

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THE HON'BLE JUSTICE G. SRI DEVI

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AND

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THE HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE M.G.PRIYADARSINI

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L.A.A.S.No.246 of 2O18

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LUDGMENT: (Per Hon,ble Justice G. Sridevi)

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The appettants are the ctaimants in L.A.O.p.No.12 of 200g on the fite of the Senior Civit Judge, Zaheerabad (for short ,,the reference Court"). They fited this appeat against the order and decree of the reference Court, dated 30.1O.ZO1?, seeking enhancement of the compensation in respect of the acquired tand.

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For the purpose of submergence in Singoor project, the lands of the ctaimants were acquired by issuing draft notification dated 22.04.1981 under Section 4 (i) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short "the Act) fottowed by the dectaration under Section 6 of the Act. After due enquiry, the Land Acquisition Officer passed the award on 22.09.19g6 fixing the value of the acquired tand at Rs.4,500/- per acre of dry B.C. tands and Rs.3,500/- per acre for chetka lands atong with other statutory benefits. Aggrieveci thereby, the ctaimants sought for reference under Sectron 18 of the Act for enhancement of compensation of the [and. The reference Court by an order, dated j0.10.20,l2

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2 (ilitl..l rncl I{CI'. J Llas 2,16_2018

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attowed the^{e1'erencein part enhancingthe corr 1'renr;ationat} Rs.12,000/'^{p, 'r acre for dry B.C.and chatka landsl'lot satisfied} with the said )nhancement,^{tlle claimantshave conr(l up with the} present appee .

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Heard tr at'ned^{counsel for the ctaimantsand Sri D'l'iran, the} learned Assisl lnt^{Government Pleaderfor Appealsapp(]aring on} behatfofthe.espondentNo.l.Perusedthemateri.liav.liLableon record.

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The Lea ned counsel^{for the ctarmants lrasarg1r red that the} reference Co rt^{ought to have enhancedthe cotrtren;ation at} Rs.30,000i^- t:r acre^{on par with the prevail.ing -rark']t vatue,} since atl the trnds^{of varrousvittages are acqurred f')r th(] purpose} of Singoor^{pr rject.. lt is contendedthat thr claitn''rnt:'used to} raise commer iaI^{cropssuch as chitti, tobacco, ptltst:;cc'tton etc'} and used to^gr t^{the income not less tharr Rs.8,000/'tcRs'10,000/-} per acre pel anllum wh'ich^{has not beetr consi:t'reclby the} reference CoL^-t. lt^{is tastty contendedthat in respe.t of the lands} situated in^{Rr ipatLyViltage acquiredfor the /ery 'i']re purpose,} the Land Acq^{risition Officerpassed the awarrl ot.t '"1"1 986 fixing} the compensi tion at^{Rs'5,000iper acre antl on -':fertlnce,the}

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--7.'

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3 GSD, J and MGP, J Laas_246 2Ol8

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reference Court enhanced the same to Rs.12,000/- per acre. 0n further appeat, this Court vide judgment dated 31.01 .2018 in L.A.A.S.No.669 of 2010, basing on its earlier judgment dated ?8.06.2011 in A.S.No. 1967 of 2002, enhanced the market vatue of the acquired land from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.26,044l- per acre. By placing a copy of judgment of this Court in L.A.A.S.No.669 of 2010, the learned counsel for the appettants prayed for enhancement of compensation at the market vatue of Rs.26,0441- per acre on the ground that the acquired lands are atso situated very near to the said Raipatty vittage and are having the same potentiatity.

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The learned Assistant Government Pteader for AppeaLs has not disputed the factum of enhancement of compensation from Rs.'12,000/- to Rs.26,0441- per acre by this Court in L.A.A.S.No.669 of 2010 dated 31.01 .2018. He has atso admitted that the acquisition of the [and therein is also for simitar purpose.

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ln the circumstances, basing on the vatuation fixed by this Court in 1.A.A.5.No.669 of 2010 dated 31.01.201 8 and for the reasons stated therein, this Court is inctined to enhance the market vatue of the acquired land to Rs.76,044/^- per acre.

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4 C lil). .l and MGP. J L,aa; 246 Z0l8

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ln the e:;utt, the appeal is attowed^{setting iL:;ide the order} dated 30.'10. 012^passed in^{L.A.O.P.No.12of 2008 on the fite of} the Senior C vit Judge, Zaheerabad.^{The market. r'atue of the} acquired lan I is hereby enhanced to^Rs.26,041- l)er^acre, together wit r at. consequentjaI^{statutory benefitsas per the} amended Act^-hr:re sha[[ be^{no order as to costs.}

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Miscettr neous^petitions, if any^{pending,shaL[stand ctosed.}

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,TRUE COPY//

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S(l/- B.Si. CHIRANJEEVI JOINT REGISTRAR /l _ / rr"--

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SECTION OFFICER

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To,

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The Senior⁽ iv I Judge, Zaheerabad lr/edak (with recorc s)

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One CC to I ri VE:NKATRAIV REDDY IMANTUR, Advocate [C)PUC]

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Two CCs tc CIP FOR APPEALS, High Court for thr, litate of Telangana, Hyderabad [ )L T]

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Two CD Cop e:;

kam r\ \'

HIGH COURT

GSD,J & MGP,J

DATED:1510912021,

'r'j :1/t/.. '-.
?..: rr
l"
<br>i'l'.. 2 I l]An 20n

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JUDGMENT

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LAAS.No.246 ot 2( 1e

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PARTLY ALLOWIN ] [.AAS WITHOUT COSTS

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6)
't - -O)-'.L) 1$no ,

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IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD

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THURSDAY THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY TWO

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE G. SRI DEVI AND

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THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE M.G.PRIYADARSINI

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L.A.A.S. NO: 246 OF 2018

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Between:

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GafoorSab, S/o. Raj Mohd(C-2)(died)^perL.R.'10 to 12

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Shamshuddin, S/o. Gafoor Sab^{(C-10)Resident} of Mamidipally^village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(Medak) District.

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Moulana, S/o. Gafoor Sab. dt. (C-11)Resident of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(Medak) District.

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Waheed, S/o. Gafoor sab(C-12) Added as per orders in lA. 79/08, dt.22.04.2008Resident of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(Medak) District.

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Moinuddin, S/o Moulan Sab (C-3) (died)^per L.R.

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Ameena Begum, W/o. Moinuddin.^{(Wife)Resident} of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal, Sangareddy(lt4edak) District.

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Ameena Bee, W/o. Khaja Sab (C-+) (died)^per L.R. C-17

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Asha Bee, W/o. lsmail Sab(C-17) added as^per orders in lA. /08 dt. 9.7.2008 Resident of Mamidipally village, Raikode Mandal,

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...APPELLANTS/CLAIMANTS No. C-10,11,12 & 17 (C-3 died per LRs)

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AND

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The Govt. of Telangana State through the Special Deputy Collector^(L.A.), Land Acquisition Oflicer, Singoor Project, Sangareddy.(Revenue Divisional Officer)

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...RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT

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Raj Mohammed, S/o. Shamsheer Ali(C-1) (died) LR., C-7 to C-9

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Mahaboob Sab, S/o Shamsheer Ali(C-5)

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lsmail Patel, S/o. Zainuddin (C-6)^{((died) per} L.R.C-'13 to¹⁶

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Md. Sarvar, S/o. Raj Mohd(C-7)

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Md. Osman, S/o. Raj Mohd(C-8)

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Md. Basheer, S/o. Raj tt/ohd(C-9)

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8- Sakeena Bet \iVlo. ismaii p atel(C-13)

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n 8llrzyrll r /o rsmaiparer (C-14) Added as per order; n l,a 80/08, dt

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1 0. Mohrudciin, S/ ). lsna jl patel( c-15)

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1 1. Yadulla. S/o. I ilrail patel(C-1 6)

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(RespondenUC;lair ranr.. respondents) '"'^{No 2 to} I1 are proforma pa

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...i8$si,tliiii.itrii,flo*r.

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,^Appearunder sg616. . oecree dated 30.11) ,r,^{,!^:! the} Land Acquisition "rzoiiio,il^{:: ,1,:1} : i, il:tJ;*,,""u#illSh:i[,ii:l"o ug:,i",!i

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ORDER ; This 6pp,;3| c,lrrring on for hearing an( appeal, the Judgrnent 'oon^{perusirl3'the' grounds} of nrl [)ecree of the Lower the case and upol h_oa inJ lhe arguments of sri "a' ;::.:"t the tnateriel papers in Advocate for the aopell: MANruR, ,t and Gp rbr Appears ;;-":)n'ffi:;uoo"

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That the La rd A,rquisitr(

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Appeal suit be and hereby si atlc,wed'

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1. Than ie orr er ctrrteo :ci on the fire o rhe .senior -10-2012 passed in L A o P No.12 cf 2008 is Judge Zaheerabad is set ir,srde;

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1. That the ma k€.t ,u,ru o "'u" to Rs. 26 04 the acquired land be and here5y is *nhanced (Rupees

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^ nty six Thousand Forty Four only) per

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acre rogethe with ail coJ: arnendr>d Ac rsequential statutory benefits a{i [:er the

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That thr:re sh rll be no orrjer as to cost in this Land Acqu sirion Appeal.

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To,

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//TRUE COPY//

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t'^.,Pd,tnt i j H'#i! +EiH I :-)- -' SECTION OFFICER

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The Sen jor Crvil JuCg( Z'aheerabad Medak at Zaheerabad

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Two CD Copies

Ji..{.(

HIGH COURT - -/

GSD,J - & MGP,J

DATED:1 5/09/ 1022

r DECREE

LAAS.No.246 f 2018 f-

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(

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('). - Y.r%.1

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PARTLY AI.LO VING LAAS WITHOUT COSTS

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)

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VRS,J&TA,J

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L.AA.S.No.669^ot 2010

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ll ii I I I I I i

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HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE V. RAMASUBRAMANIAN

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AND

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HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE T. AMARNATH GOUD

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L.A.A.S.No.669 of 2010

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JUDGMENT: M

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ubramanian. Jl

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The land owner has come up with the above appeal^under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, seeking enhancement of compensation, over and above what was^granted by^the Reference Court under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition^{Act, '1894.}

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Heard Mr. M. Venkataram Reddy, learned^counsel lor^the appellan', and the learned Government Pleader for^Appeals (Telangana).

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3 An extent of Ac.1.30 guntas of land in Survey^No-100/38 and an extent of Ac.1.06 guntas of land in Survey^No.100/5Din B Raipally village was acquired by the Govemment for subrnergenceⁱⁿ Sinooor Prciect. The Land Acouisition Officer, Sinqoor. oassed an , ^.{ - ,l_. _-award on 07-04-1986, fixing the compensation at^{Rs.5.000/-per} acre

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The land owner sought reference and the matter^was referred to the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Sangareddy^{in O.P.No.49} of 1997. The reference Court enhanced the compensation^from Rs.5,000/- per acre to Rs.12,000/-^per acre. The Land^Acquisition Officer has accepted the enhancement. However, the land^owner has come up with the above appeal seeking enhancement^to Rs.20,0001 per acre.

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VRS J E^-A J L /\ A S ) tti.t oitOtO

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Th ruqh the appellant was satisfied with an enhanc erienr to Rs'20 000A )e'acre at the time when she fired the abo,/( .ppeal. she found to her good fortune and to the misfortune ct the S ta.e -at in a connecr )d appeal, this Court enhanced the ccmpens.rj on to Rs.26,044^ [ )r acre. Therefore, the appellant seeks the sar€ reliei.

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It is , cnceded that by a ludgment dated 28-0(i-20i 1 Frr, ssed in A.S.No 191 I of 2002, the compensation was enh.rnce(j l),, this Court from Rs 12,000/- per acre to Rs.26,044^ peT ac[,) nr res tr)(:ct of the Iands in he very sairie village acqurreC for ir ,:ry s amr purpose under ihe vgry same notificaticn. Ho,r,s.;_-. ri . ::.n_t(rusly contended by re learned Govsrnmsnl pi-ads for r1a: r.r r tt arl the appellant, havir 7 restricted her claim t: Rs.2C,0CCi ir.j .rcir, (Er.no[ seek anything m,lre. ln sJppod of his con:eli;,:., .,r.r lelr.red Governmr:n1 pl, aoer pressect. into ser,ir,:e the ludgnre:: ,t, aI.Cll]er Division Bench , I' thjs Court in LAAS.Nos.621 . ( j22 ..r,., 2r of 2(l t0 daled 01-02-201/. In the said case. tl^is CcLiii .er",i..t .:. re( u,:,st for enhancemen k, Rs.26,044/- on in,, ,j.i_rLi.a ti ai iitc .r: pel .r.ts therein had restr )ted their claim tc Rs.25 010. pef .:(,rc I ir,.re.()r -, it is contended b1 the learned Government pleader that a lontng .ire appellants to go beyond the claim made in the memo.andun , ,i appeal, may open (he flood gates.

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We have ;arefully considered the above subn.lssi( jns

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The law ir settled to the effect that a reference Co.tn cr trir: Court dealing wift an appeal under Section 54 of the A,lt, rs r o: bound by what a cl irnant seeks or what the Land Acquisitic,n Offlce r has awarded. The rndeavour under Sectton .lg of the Act is not t()

VRS,J&TA,J

LAA.S No.669 of20iO

decide the dispute in an adversarial litigation. The endeavour under Section 1'l A of the Act on the part of the Land Acquisition Otflcer, under Section 18 of the Act on the part of the Reference Court and under Section 54 oflhe Act on the part of this Court is to find out the correct amounl of compensation payable for the land. Once such a compensation has been arrived at by one Court, irrespective of whether a claimant has sought more or less, the benefit should be made available. The logic is simple. The amount fixed as compensation is actually on the basis of the market value determined by this Court. Once the mark_-i vai,:t as flxed by this Court in one case at Rs.26,044/- per acre, n.) clai:r;It can be paid less than lhe market value on the ground ihaf they lve.e happy with lhe said amount.

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The flood gate theory cannot also i;e appired ir^ case of land acquisition. This is for the simpre reason that irrder- secticir 2g A of the Act, all persons inlerested. ..--.' in the iands ccvered by ihe same notification, can seek the very same an]cufti nf compelsation as determined for one of lhe craimants. Thei'eicrs the e,.,eniirarity that the State seeks to avoid can never be avoided in the light of Section 28 A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

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Therefore, the appeal is allowed, enhancing the compensation to Rs.26,044/- per acre. The appellant shall pay the difference in court fee before the certified copy of the decree is handed over to the appellant. The appellant will also be entitled to a other statutory benefits as provided in law.

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VRS,J&TA,J

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