In Brief
Land owners appealed against compensation of Rs.4 lakhs per acre awarded for 32 acres in Village Sohana acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by notification dated 26.10.1990. They contended that compensation for subsequent acquisitions in 1991 and 1993 were higher and should be used as reference. The Supreme Court held that market value cannot be retrospectively adjusted using subsequent acquisition valuations, especially when intervening notifications and development activities occurred. Geographical proximity is essential for comparison; villages 2+ km apart cannot be treated as adjoining. Since compensation for the same notification in Village Lakhnaur remained unchallenged, it validly established the market value. Appeals dismissed."
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