In Brief
Shankarrao Bhagwantrao Patil acquired land in Maharashtra in 1984/1992 through private negotiations; the State formally acquired it in 1999 under the Land Acquisition Act. The Reference Court awarded compensation at Rs. 70 per square feet, but the High Court reduced it drastically to Rs. 317 per square meter (Rs. 29 per square feet), finding houses existed on comparable properties sold. The Supreme Court restored the Reference Court's award of Rs. 70 per square feet, holding the High Court's reduction unjustified. The Court also awarded 9% interest on compensation from the date of possession (1984/1992) until formal notification (1999), recognizing the landowners' deprivation of land use during this interim period as compensation for use and occupation.
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