In Brief
Land owners appealed against a High Court order that reduced compensation for acquired land (from Rs. 264 per sq. meter to a lower rate) by relying on an award from a different village (Julund) without allowing the owners to challenge the comparison. The Supreme Court held that using judgments from other land acquisition cases as evidence of market value requires formal application under civil procedure rules, recorded reasons, and proof that the lands are similarly situated. The Court found the High Court erred by not following proper procedure and by comparing lands in different locations without giving appellants a chance to show differences. The Supreme Court restored the Reference Court's award of Rs. 264 per sq. meter and set aside the High Court's judgment.
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