In Brief
Land owners challenged a High Court judgment fixing compensation for 67 acres acquired in two adjacent Punjab villages for housing at Rs. 8,20,000/- per acre (Alladad Chak) and Rs. 6,26,000/- per acre (Machhi Joan). The Supreme Court enhanced compensation for both villages to Rs. 9,72,000/- per acre by adopting a comparable 16-kanal sale deed (Rs. 8,40,000/- per acre), deducting 20% for development costs, and adding 15% for three years' appreciation. The Court held that since both villages were acquired as a single block for identical housing purposes with similar land potential, they deserved equal compensation rather than differentiated rates. The judgment emphasizes proper scrutiny of comparable sales evidence and exclusion of transactions post-notification."
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