In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed the proper valuation of agricultural land acquired by Karnataka for industrial expansion. The Special Land Acquisition Officer had assessed compensation at Rs. 500 per Gunta; the Reference Court raised it to Rs. 21,000 per Gunta; and the High Court reduced it to Rs. 10,250 per Gunta. The Court found the Reference Court's assessment was supported by evidence—the Land Acquisition Officer's findings on the land's development potential, its location in a well-developed area near major roads and industries, and ten exemplar sale deeds of adjacent land (ranging from Rs. 7,250 to Rs. 57,000 per Gunta). The Court held the High Court's reduction was unjustified, restored the market value at Rs. 21,000 per Gunta, applied a reasonable 10% development charge deduction, and fixed final compensation at Rs. 18,900 per Gunta."
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