Case: PIYARA SINGH Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

The Section 4 Notification with which we are concerned in one group of cases was issued on 19.12.2002, whereas the Section 4 Notification in the second group of cases was issued on 30.11.2004. By an award dated 16.12.2005 by the Land Acquisition Collector, an amount of Rs. 125/- per square yard was awarded which was enhanced by the District Judge to Rs. 525/- per square yard for village Khairpur and Rs. 490/- per square yard for village Vaidwala.3. In appeal to the High Court by the impugned judgment dated 02.09.2015, the High Court referred to the potential of the acquired land as follows:It is admitted case of the parties that the acquired land is situated within the municipal limits of Sirsa town. Sector-20, Part-I, Sirsa and HSIDC colony are adjoining to the acquired land. Government offices like Mini Secretariat, Court complex, banks, etc. are close to the acquired land. The basic amenities were available close to the acquired land. It is sandwiched between Hisar-Sirsa road (NH No. 10) and Sirsa-Barnala road leading to Punjab, a State highway. Bus Stand, Sirsa, Shahid Bhagat Singh Stadium, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, are in the vicinity of the acquired land.4. Ultimately insofar as the acquisition of 2002 was concerned, the High Court relied upon two sale-deeds namely Exts. P5 and P6 which were sale deeds registered on 15.11.2000 for sale of land measuring one kanal each at an average price of Rs. 823 per square yard. The High Court then went on to add at the rate of 12 per cent per annum(simple)for a period of two years which would make it a sum of Rs. 1020/- per square yard and then went on to apply a cut of 40 per cent on the ground that the aforesaid sale-deeds were for a small area of one kanal each whereas the acquisition was for 305 acres. This being the case, the High Court ultimately arrived at a figure of Rs. 612/- per square yard for lands acquired under the notification dated 19.12.2002. Insofar as the second acquisition was concerned, namely, under the Notification dated 30.11.2004, the High Court worked upwards for a period of 2002-2004 this time granting an increase of 12 per cent per annum on a cumulative basis which amount came to a figure of Rs.768/-.

Reasoning: 6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we are of the view that the justice of these cases will be met if 12 per cent increase is granted cumulatively from the year 2000 itself and if no cut at all is applied. We are of this view inasmuch as the High Court itself recognises the potential of this land which has been set out by us earlier in this judgment. Also, the reasoning of the High Court for applying a cut of 40 per cent does not commend itself with us for the simple reason that what has been acquired is only roughly 1 kanal to 1 acre per person which ultimately totes up to 305 acres which is acquired by the State. Therefore, it is clear that there is no small versus large chunks of land on the facts of the present case. The Ex. P5 and P6 which are sale instances of one kanal, the same amount for the land as has been acquired will ,therefore, have to be applied without applying any cut.