In Brief
Landowners challenged the use of blank consent forms executed in 1989 to justify land acquisition by the state in 1996-97. The forms lacked essential details, had blank columns filled in later, and offered Rs. 50 per square meter but stated Rs. 3.12 in the blank sections. The landowners expressly rejected the agreement in 1995 by seeking reference. The High Court struck down the reference, but the Supreme Court held that relying on old, blank consent forms years after execution, and after the landowners' clear repudiation, was unjust. A reference remained maintainable, and compensation was payable at 1996 market rates, not 1989 agreed rates.
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