In Brief
The Supreme Court determined compensation for approximately 1,500 acres of land acquired in 2002 for an industrial township near Delhi (phases II-IV), covering six villages with varying property valuations. While landholders sought enhancement based on developed plot allotments, the Court rejected such evidence as unreliable for valuing raw agricultural land. Using the base rate of Rs. 20 lakhs per acre established in an earlier 1994 acquisition (Pran Sukh), the Court applied 8% cumulative annual escalation to yield Rs. 37.54 lakhs per acre for two higher-value villages and Rs. 28.77 lakhs per acre for three lower-value villages. Lands on National Highway No.8 received 50% additional enhancement. Severance charges were denied, as the acquired land's development benefited rather than harmed the retained portion.
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