In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside a High Court judgment that had relied on circle rates (prescribed for stamp duty) to determine compensation in land acquisition cases. The Court held that circle rates cannot be the sole basis for determining market value, as they are designed for stamp duty purposes and may not reflect actual property values considering the nature and location of the land. Market value must be assessed using objective criteria and scientific methods by statutorily appointed expert committees. The Court remitted the cases to the High Court to permit parties to adduce additional evidence before the Reference Court for a proper determination of compensation.
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