In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed whether sale deeds should be used as evidence to determine land compensation when land is acquired for public purposes. Appellants owned 13.7 bighas acquired for a Sub-Divisional Office construction in Delhi in 1973 and sought enhanced compensation. The Court held that while the appellants' sale deed (Rs. 7,000/- per bigha) could not be relied upon due to lack of evidence showing similarity with the acquired land, the respondents' sale deed from the same village showing Rs. 2,000/- per bigha was appropriately considered. Applying 15% annual escalation from 1971 to 1973, the Court enhanced compensation to Rs. 2,600/- per bigha, allowing the appeal.
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