In Brief
The appellants claimed enhanced land compensation under Section 28A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, first applying in 1992. The Collector decided the application in 2000, even though the underlying reference court awards were pending in High Court appeal. When the High Court subsequently enhanced compensation in 2009, the appellants filed a fresh application. The High Court rejected it as a second application, which Section 28A forbids. The Supreme Court held that while only one Section 28A application is permitted, the Collector must keep applications pending until all appeals are finally decided. Since the Collector breached this principle, the Court remanded for fresh consideration by the Collector based on the final appellate judgment of 2009.
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