In Brief
The Union of India (Railways) appealed against a High Court judgment that increased land acquisition compensation from Rs. 10,64,800 per acre to Rs. 15,97,200 per acre by reducing developmental deductions from 50% to 25%. The land in question comprised approximately 10,100 acres acquired for a railway line. The Supreme Court held that the Reference Court's 50% deduction was justified because the acquired land was a large, undeveloped parcel lacking comparable sales evidence from similar-sized plots. The exemplar sale deed concerned only small pieces with distinct advantages not present in the acquired land. The High Court failed to provide adequate reasons for reducing the deduction. The Court restored the Reference Court's award.
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