In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed twelve civil appeals challenging a High Court judgment that enhanced compensation for land acquired by the Hoshiarpur Improvement Trust under the Land Acquisition Act 1894 to Rs. 2,000 per Marla plus statutory benefits. The key issue concerned whether a one-third deduction from assessed market value (Rs. 3,000 per Marla) for development charges was justified. The Court held that when large tracts are acquired for development, appropriate deductions for roads, open spaces, and development costs must be made, with the percentage varying based on land characteristics. Sale instances of small plots cannot support valuation of large tracts without deductions. The High Court's methodology was upheld as applying settled legal principles correctly, requiring no Supreme Court intervention.
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