Mohinder Singh and Another vs State of Punjab and Another

Rajesh Bindal, J.—This order will dispose of RFA Nos. 138 and 139 of 1996, as the same arise out of common acquisition. By filing the appeals, the landowners are seeking enhancement of compensation on account of acquisition of land..

Briefly, the facts of the case are that vide notification dated 10.3.1989, issued u/s 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, ''the Act''), State of Punjab acquired 109 kanals and 12 marlas of land, situated in the revenue estate of Malerkotla, Hadbast No. 58, for construction of 400 KV Sub Station at Malerkotla. The same was followed by notification dated 16.2.1990, issued u/s 6 of the Act. The Land Acquisition Collector (for short, ''the Collector''), assessed the market value of chahi land @ Rs. 1,20,000/- per acre. Dissatisfied with the award of the Collector, the land owners filed objections. On reference u/s 18 of the Act, the learned court below assessed the market value of the acquired land @ Rs. 1,40,000/- per acre. It is this award which is impugned in the present appeals.

A perusal of the paper book shows that this court in RFA No. 2170 of 1995 Nikka vs. State of Punjab and another decided on 9.11.2010, upheld the award of the learned court below. Considering the aforesaid fact, prima facie, no case for further enhancement is made out. However, as counsel for the appellants is not present, the appeals are dismissed in default.