Headline Court Revises Compensation for Acquired Land in Village Chhalera Bangar. Enhanced Compensation Reflects Fair and Balanced Estimation Based on Land Potential and Market Conditions


Summary of Judgement

The compensation for land acquired in Village Chhalera Bangar for industrial development. The court analyzed various factors such as the characteristics of the land, future potentiality, and market sentiment. After considering a sale deed as a reference and applying deductions, the compensation was estimated at INR 201 per sq. yd. However, the court revised this to INR 403 per sq. yd. based on a balanced and reasoned estimation. The decision also addressed the maintainability of miscellaneous applications and the applicability of Section 28A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The court emphasized ensuring fair and equitable compensation for all landowners and invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to enhance the compensation rate uniformly.

Analysis of Compensation Based on Guesstimation

i. Characteristics of the Land:

  • Land intended for planned industrial development
  • Proximity to developed areas and national landmarks
  • Largely undeveloped agricultural land requiring significant infrastructure investment

ii. Future Potentiality:

  • Location amidst developed areas and near critical infrastructure
  • Substantial future potential requiring development

iii. Market Sentiment:

  • Economic reforms in early 1990s India led to market optimism
  • Anticipation of industrial and commercial development in the National Capital Region

Calculation of Compensation

  • Sale deed dated 22.02.1989 valued a smaller plot at INR 446 per sq. yd.
  • Applied 55% deduction for larger, undeveloped land
  • Estimated value: INR 201 per sq. yd. (446 * 0.45)

Final Determination

  • Compensation determined at INR 201 per sq. yd.
  • Fair and balanced estimation considering all relevant factors

Conclusion

  • Compensation fixed at INR 201 per sq. yd. for land in Village Chhalera Bangar
  • Interest to be paid as per the Land Acquisition Act, 1894

Maintainability of the Miscellaneous Applications

Arguments and Judgement:

  • Miscellaneous applications sought parity with Bir Singh (supra) compensation
  • Court deemed it unfair to deny just compensation due to external factors
  • Invoked Article 142 to enhance compensation for justice

Applicability of Section 28A of the 1894 Act

  • Section 28A ensures non-discrimination in compensation
  • Court did not delve deeply into Section 28A due to procedural non-compliance and independent revision of compensation rate

Conclusion

  • Three sets of cases: landowners' appeals, NOIDA's appeals, miscellaneous applications
  • Compensation enhanced to INR 403 per sq. yd.
  • Appeals and miscellaneous applications disposed of in aforementioned terms

Directions:

  • Enhanced compensation to be deposited with the Reference Court within eight weeks
  • Disbursement to claimants at the earliest

Case Title: New Okhla Industrial Development Authority Versus Harnand Singh (Deceased) through LRs & Ors.

Citation: 2024 LawText (SC) (7) 105

Case Number: CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3674-3675 OF 2023 WITH CIVIL APPEAL NO.3676-3688 OF 2023 CIVIL APPEAL NO.3869 OF 2023 M.A. NO.2424 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.9732 OF 2014 M.A. NO.2663 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.36027 OF 2009 M.A. NO.2404 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.28146 OF 2009 M.A. NO.2305 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.23068-23070 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2402 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.23900 OF 2009 M.A. NO.2600 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2602 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2598 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2601 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2603 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2597 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2604 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2596 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2416 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2418 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2412 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.30610 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2413 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.20397 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2417 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2414 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2423 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2422 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2415 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2421 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2420 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2419 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.25328-25360 OF 2010 CIVIL APPEAL NO……….. OF 2024 [ARISING OUT OF SLP (C) NO.20251 OF 2023] M.A. NO.2606 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2605 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 M.A. NO.2411 OF 2019 IN SLP (C) NO.23068-23070 OF 2010 M.A. NO.274 OF 2021 IN SLP (C) NO.9732 OF 2014 M.A. NO.2607 OF 2023 IN SLP (C) NO.29597-29639 OF 2010 CIVIL APPEAL NO. ……….. OF 2024 [ARISING OUT OF SLP (C) NO. ……… OF 2024] [ARISING OUT OF DIARY NO (s). 9072 OF 2024]

Date of Decision: 2024-07-10