In Brief
A 37-acre plot in Nashik, acquired by the Municipal Corporation in 2017, had been partially occupied without formal proceedings since 1972. The original owner sold the land to the appellant in 2011 for ₹1.17 crore. The Collector awarded ₹8.69 crore; the Reference Court enhanced it to ₹20.20 crore based on comparable sales in the vicinity. The High Court reduced it back to the Collector's award and denied rental compensation. The Supreme Court upheld the enhanced compensation, finding the Reference Court correctly applied the statutory valuation method under the 2013 Act. Rental compensation was denied because the original owner retained actual possession throughout. However, the appellant was awarded 8% annual interest on the purchase amount from 2011 to 2017 as equitable mesne profits. The High Court's adverse observations and costs were expunged.
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