THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A.GOPAL REDDY and THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY A.S.No.1320 of 1999, A.S.No.32 of 2000 And A.S.No.3520 of 2003 COMMON JUDGMENT: (Per Honourable Sri Justice A.Gopal Reddy) These appeals under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short “the Act”) by the Land Acquisition Officer-cum-Revenue Divisional Officer, Warangal are filed questioning the enhancement of compensation by the II Additional Senior Civil Judge, Warangal in O.P.No.123 of 1989, dated 14.12.1998, O.P.No.138 of 1989, dated 19.12.1998 and O.P.No.18 of 1990, dated 25.11.1999 respectively. Different extents of land belonging to the claimants situated at Waddepally and Vangapahad villages of Warangal Districts along with other lands were acquired for formation of 100’ Municipal road through Waddepally. Draft notification under Section 4(1) of the Act invoking urgency clause, was published in A.P. Gazette on 26.05.1981. The LAO after complying due formalities passed the award on 23.09.1986 fixing the market value of the acquired land at Rs.5,000/- per acre. The claimants not satisfied with the fixation of the market value sought for reference of the matter to the civil Court under Section 18 of the Act. On reference being made to the civil Court, to prove the market value, the 2nd claimant in O.P.No.123 of 1989 himself was examined as P.W.1 and Exs.P1 to P3 were marked. On behalf of the Referring Officer, RDO was examined as R.W.1 and Exs.B1 and B2 were marked. Under Ex.A1, the land in Sy.No.1/2 of the same village was acquired by the Government through the same notification. The reference Court after placing reliance upon Ex.A4 under which 300 square yards of land sold at Rs.16/- per square yard, fixed the market value of the acquired lands, which were also invited through the same notification, at Rs.15/- per square yard. It is brought to our notice that the Land Acquisition Officer feeling aggrieved by the fixation of the market value at Rs.15/- per square yard in O.P.No.158 of 1990 dated 5.03.1998, preferred A.S.No.2354 of 1998. A Division Bench of this Court by order dated 17.04.2001 while dismissing the appeals confirmed the fixation of market value at Rs.15/- per square yard. It is now fairly well settled that the previous award passed by the reference Court covered by the same notification, determining the market value of the land can be taken as a basis for fixation of market value (see Bhag Singh and others v. Union Territory of Chandigarh, AIR 1993 SC 222). In view of the same, we do not see any merit in the appeals preferred by the Land Acquisition Officer. Accordingly, the Appeals are dismissed confirming the fixation of market value at Rs.15/- per square yard. There shall be no order as to costs. ___________________ (A.GOPAL REDDY, J.) _____________________ (G.V.SEETHAPATHY,J.) 21.04.2010 Js.