UOI v. Charan Singh & Ors

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + LAA No. 69/2007. LAA No. 409/2007 & CM No. 17649/2007 LAA No. 729/2008 & CM No. 11072/2008. LAA No. 730/2008 &CM No. 11075/2008. LAA No. 734/2008. LAA No. 740/2008 & CM No. 11365/2008. LAA No. 758/2008 &CM No. 11541/2008 LAA No. 759/2008 &CM No. 11544/2008. LAA No. 765/2008 & CM No. 11663/2008. LAA No. 766/2008 & CM No. 11666/2008 LAA No. 769/2008 & CM No. 11673/2008. LAA No. 801/2008. LAA No. 815/2008. LAA No. 900/2008 & CM No. 13682/2008 LAA No. 551/2008. LAA No. 834/2008 & CM No. 13167/2007 LAA No. 835/2008 & CM No. 13170/2008. LAA No. 838/2008 & CM No. 13178/2008. LAA No. 839/2008 & CM No. 13181/2008 LAA No. 862/2008 & CM No. 13310/2008. LAA No. 865/2008 & CM No. 13325/2008. LAA No. 250/2007 & CM No. 5881/2008 LAA No. 512/2008 & CM No. 6505/2008. LAA No. 523/2008 & CM No. 6637/2008. LAA No. 529/2008 & CM No. 6818/2008 LAA No. 547/2008 & CM No. 7088/2008. LAA No. 570/2008. LAA No. 626/2008 & CM No. 8922/2008. LAA No. 665/2008 & CM No. 9691/2008. LAA No. 666/2008 & CM No. 9694/2008 LAA No. 667/2008 & CM No. 9697/2008. LAA No. 669/2008 & CM No. 9704/2008. LAA No. 702/2008 & CM No. 10214/2008 LAA No. 704/2008 & CM No. 10266/2008. LAA No. 810/2008 & CM No. 12278/2008. LAA No. 646/2008 & CM No. 9194/2008 LAA No. 391/2007 & CM No. 17273/2007. LAA No. 393/2007 & CM No. 17279/2007. LAA No. 394/2007 & CM No. 17282/2007 LAA No. 395/2007 & CM No. 17285/2007. LAA No. 1/2008 & CM No. 7/2008. LAA No. 5/2008 & CM No. 19/2008. LAA No. 8/2008 & CM No. 38/2008. LAA No. 12/2008 & CM No. 50/2008. LAA No. 13/2008 & CM No. 53/2008. LAA No. 14/2008 &. CM Nos. 56/2008 & 12818/2008. LAA No. 15/2008 & CM No. 59/2008 LAA No. 260/208 & CM No. 12822 & 793/2008. LAA No. 261/2008 & CM No. 800/2008. LAA No. 262/2008 & CM No. 806/2008 & 13968/2008. LAA No. 263/2008 & CM No. 809/2008 LAA No. 298/2008 & CM No. 1471/2008. LAA No. 349/2008 & f CM No. 2741/2008.LAA No. 375/2008&CM No. 3533&13883/2008 ^ LAA No. 376/2008&CM No. 3537/2008.LAA No. 391/2008& CM No. 3561/2008. LAA No. 397/2008 & CM No. 3763/2008 LAA No. 398/2008 & CM No. 3766/2008. LAA No. 402/2008 & CM No. 3774/2008. LAA No. 403/2008 &. CM No. 3778/2008 LAA No. 405/2008 & CM No. 3795/2008. LAA No. 415/2008 & CM No. 5877/2008. LAA No. 416/2008 & CM No. 5900/2008 LAA No. 417/2008 & CM No. 5878/2008. LAA No. 418/2008 & CM No. 5893/2008. LAA No. 419/2008 & CM No. 5884/2008 LAA No. 420/2008 & CM No. 5885/2008. LAA No. 421/2008 & CM No. 5902 & 10005/2008. LAA No. 422/2008 & CM No. 5897/2008 LAA No. 423/2008 & CM No. 5892/2008. LAA No. 424/2008 & CM No. 5903/2008. LAA No. 439/2008 & CM No. 5890/2008 LAA No. 440/2008 & CM No. 5901/2008. LAA No. 441/2008 & CM No. 5876/2008. LAA No. 442/2008 & CM No. 5889/2008. LAA No. 451/2008. LAA No. 459/2008. LAA No. 460/2008 LAA No. 461/2008. LAA No. 462/2008. LAA No. 463/2008 LAA No. 502/2008 & CM No. 10022-23/2008. LAA No. 503/2008. lAA No. 673/2008 & batch Page! of 4 Certify that the digital file and physical file have been compared and the digital data is as per the physical file and no page is missing. LAA No. 504/2008. LAA No. 505/2008. LAA No. 506/2008 &CM No. 8842^ 43/2008. LAA No. 507/2008. LAA No. 511/2008.LAA No. 543/2008&CM No. 7077 &10865/2008. LAA No. 586/2008. LAA No. 588/2008, LAA No^ 591/2008.LAA No. 592/2008. LAA No. 595/2008. LAA No. 605/2008. LAA No. 607/2008. LAA No. 632/2008 &CM No. 9079/2008. LAA No. 633/2008 &CM No. 9084/2008. LAA No. 634/2008 &CM No. 9087/2008. LAA No. 639/208 &CM No. 9303/2008. LAA No. 642/2008 &CM No. 9176/2008.LAA No. 643/2008 & CM No. 9180/2008. LAA No. 644/2008 & CM No. 9183/2008. LAA No. 645/2008 &CM No. 9188/2008. LAA No. 672/2008. LAA No. 707/2008 & CM No. 10881/2008. LAA No. 717/2008 & CM No. 11022/2008. LAA No. 718/2008 & CM No. 11025/2008 LAA No. 719/2008 & CM No. 11045/2008. LAA No. 721/2008 & CM No. 11050/2008. LAA No. 725/2008 & CM No. 11060/2008 LAA No. 726/2008 & CM No. 11063/2008. LAA No. 727/2008 & CM No. 11066/2008. LAA No. 728/2008 & CM No. 11069/2008 LAA No. 389/2007 & CM No. 17268/2007. LAA No. 392/2007 & CM No,. 12380 & 17276/2007. LAA No. 404/2007 & CM No. 17632/2007 LAA No. 405/2007 & CM No. 17637/2007. LAA No. 406/2007 & CM No. 17641/2007. LAA No. 407/2007 & CM No. 17643/2007 LAA No. 408/2007 & CM No. 17646/2007. LAA No. 410/2007 & CM No. 17653/2007. LAA No. 411/2007 & CM No. 17656/2007 LAA No. 2/2008 & CM No. 10/2008. LAA No. 3/2008 & CM No. 13/2008, LAA No. 4/2008 & CM No. 16/2008. LAA No. 6/2008 & CM No. 23/2008, LAA No. 7/2008 & CM No. 26/2008. LAA No. 10/2008 & CM No. 44/2008, LAA No. 16/2008 & CM No. 62/2008 LAA No. 17/2008 & CM No. 66/2008, LAA No. 18/2008 & CM No. 69/2008, LAA No. 283/2008 & CM No. 1388/2008. LAA No. 285/2008 & CM No. 1393/2008, LAA No. 288/2008. LAA No. 297/2008 & CM No. 1468/2008, LAA No. 306/208 & CM No. 1913/2008. LAA No. 307/2008 & CM No. 1916/2008, LAA No. 308/2008 & CM No. 1924/2008 LAA No. 312/2008 & CM No. 2006/2008. LAA No. 313/2008 & CM No. 2012/2008. LAA No. 314/2008 &. CM No. 2020/2008. LAA No. 315/2008 & CM No. 2027/2008, LAA No. 316/2008 & CM No. 2031/2008 LAA No. 317/2008 & CM No. 2035/2008. LAA No. 321/2008 & CM No. 2082/2008, LAA No. 322/2008 &CM No. 2086/2008.! LAA No. 323/2008 & CM No. 2089/2008. LAA No. 350/2008 & CM No. 2745/2008. LAA No. 395/2008 & CM No. 3756/2008. LAA No. 400/2008. LAA No. 409/2008. LAA No. 427/2008 & CM No. 4370/2008 LAA No. 428/2008 & CM No. 4374/2008. LAA No. 429/2008 & CM No. 4379/2008, LAA No. 430/2008 & CM No. 4383/2008. LAA No. 433/2008 & CM No. 4460/2008, LAA No. 450/2008 & CM No. 4841/2008, LAA No. 9/2008 & CM No. 41/2008. LAA No. 86/2007, LAA No. 95/2007. LAA No. 107/2007. LAA No. 108/2007. LAA No. 111/2007, LAA No. 117/2007 & CM No. 4042/2008. LAA No. 176/2007. LAA No. 191/2007. LAA No. 194/2007 & CM No. 9640/2007. LAA No. 195/2007 & CM No. 9641/2007. LAA No. 238/2007 & CM No. 5894/2008 LAA No. 239/2007 & CM No. 5875/2008. LAA No. 240/2007 & CM No. 5886/2008. LAA No. 241/2007 & CM No. 5896/2008. LAA No. 242/2007 & CM No. 5879/2008. LAA No. 243/2007 & CM No. 5898/2008, LAA No. 244/2007 & CM No. 5880/2008. LAA No. 245/2007 & CM No. 11205/07 5887/2008. LAA No. 246/2007 & CM No. 5895/2008. LAA No. 247/2007 CM No. 5888/2008 LAA No. 248/2007 & CM No. 5891/2008. LAA No. 249/2007 & CM No. & 5899/2008. LAA No. 252/2007. LAA No. 253/2007 & CM No. 8092/2008, /AA No. 673/2008&batch , Page 2 of f L 1AA No. 254/2007. LAA No. 255/2007. LAA No. 256/2007 &CM No. 2233/2008.LAA No. 257/2007.LAA No. 259/2007.LAA No. 260/2007,LAA No. 261/2007. LAA No. 262/2007. LAA No. 263/2007 LAA No. 264/2007. LAA No. 269/2007. LAA No. 270/2007, LAA No. 271/2007. LAA No. 277/2007 &CM No. 12154/07&5882/2008 LAA No. 279/2007 &CM No. 5883/2008. LAA No. 295/2007. LAA No. 304/2007.LAA No. 367/2007.LAA No. 374/2007.LAA No. 384/2007 LAA No. 385/2007 &CM No. 17234/2007. LAA No. 398/2007, LAA No. 401/2007.LAA No. 20/2008 &CM No. 367/2008. LAA No. 253/2008, LAA No. 276/2008. LAA No. 327/2008 &CM No. 2164/2007 LAA No. 336/2007. LAA No. 347/2008 & CM No. 2680-81/08 LAA No. 371/2008. LAA No. 840/2008 &. CM No. 13185/2008 LAA No. 841/2008 &CM No. 13188/2008. LAA No. 843/2008 &CM No, 13195/2008. LAA No. 864/2008 & CM No. 13316/2008 LAA No. 881/2008 & CM No. 13511/2008. LAA No. 886/2008 &CM No. 13527/2008. LAA No. 887/2008 &CM No. 13533/2008. LAA No. 889/2008 & CM No. 13538/2008. LAA No. 890/2007 &CM No. 13511/2008.LAA No. 867/2007 &CM No. 13421/2008. LAA No. 869/208 &CM No. 13426/2008, LAA No. 11/2008 & CM No. 47/2008 LAA No. 877/2008 & CM No. 13493/2008. LAA No. 949/2008 and LAA No. 950/2008 % Ved Prakash & Ors. etc. etc. through : VERSUS Union of India &. Ors. etc. through lAA No. 673/2008 & batch Reserved on : October 16, 2008 Pronounced on : October 23, 2008 . . . Appellants Mr. S.K. Rout with Mr. Parminder Sehrawat and Mr. M.P. Siddiqui, Advocates for the appellants in LAA Nos. 551,460, 461,462,502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 511, 581

¶586588, 5^1, 592, 595, 605, 607, 400, 409/2008, ' 86, 176, 295! 304, 374/2007& 371/2008 Mr. Deepak Khosla with Mr. Sumit Jain for the appellants in LAA Nos. 69/2007, 451, 459, 4/2008, 95, 117, 176, 191, 194, 195,269, 270, 271, 304 & 367/2007 Mr. B.S. Kharb for the appellants in LAA Nos. 107, 108 and 111/07 . , . Respondents Mr. Mr. S.K. Rout with Mr. Parminder Sehrawat and Mr. M.P. Siddiqui, Advocates for the respondents in Page 3 of .41 LAA Nos. 729, 758, 759, 766, 769, 834, 835, 839, 547, 810, 394, 5, 8, 15, 261, 263, 349, 391, 397,398,416,417,418,419, 424, 439, 441, 632, 634, 639, 707, 717, 728, 10, 17, 306, 314, 315, 316, 317, 321, 430/08, 239, 240, 241, 248/2007 & 327/2008. Mr. Mukesh Gupta for the DDA in LAA 729, 758 & 707/08. Ms. Shobhana Takiar with Mr. Gauran Sarin and Ms, SupriyaJuneja for the.DDA. Mr. D.K. Pandey for counsel . for the respondent No.l in LAA 726/2008. Mr. S.S. Dalai for the UOl in LAA f Nos. 250/07, 523, 415, 416, 417, 418,419,420,421,422,423, 424, 439, 440, 441, 442/2008, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244,245,246,247,248,249, 277 & 279/2007. CORAM:- THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN SINGH

¶1Whether Reportersof Local newspapersmay be allowed to see the Judgment?

¶2To be referred to the Reporter or not? ^

¶3Whetherthe Judgmentshould be reportedin the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J. For orders, see LA.A. No. 673/2008. JUDGE (MANMOHAN SINGH) JUDGE October 23, 2008 1AA Nn. 673/2008&batch Page 4of4 n IN THE HIGH COURTOF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + lA A. No. 673 of 2008 with LAA No. 69/2007, LAA No. 409/2007&CM No. 17649/2007 1AA Nn. 729/2008 &CM No. 11072/2008,LAA No. 730/2008 &CM No. 11075/2008.LAA No. 734/2008,LAA_No^740/2008. &CM No. 11365/2008.LAA No. 758/2008&CM No. 11541/2008 LAA No. 759/2008&CM No. 11544/2008.LAA No. 765/2008 &CM No. 11663/2QQ8.LAA No. 766/2008&CM No. 11666/2008 LAA No. 769/2008 &CM No. 11673/2008,lAA No. 801/2008. LAA No. 815/2008, LAA No. 900/2008 &CM No. 13682/2008 LAA No. 551/2008. LAA No. 834/2008 &CM No. 13167/2007 LAA No. 835/2008 &CM No. 13170/2008, LAA No. 838/2008 & CM No. 13178/2008.LAA No. 839/2008 &CM No. 13181/2008 LAA No. 862/2008 &CM No. 13310/2008. LAA No. 865/2008 & CM No. 13325/2008. LAA No. 250/2007 &CM No. 5881/2008 LAA No. 512/2008 &CM No. 6505/2008. LAA No. 523/2008 & CM No. 6637/2008. LAA No. 529/2008 &CM No. 6818/2008 LAA No. 547/2008 & CM No. 7088/2008. LAA No. 570/2008. LAA No. 626/2008 & CM No. 8922/2008. LAA No. 665/2008 & CM No. 9691/2008. LAA No. 666/2008 & CM No. 9694/2008 LAA No. 667/2008 & CM No. 9697/2008. LAA No. 669/2008 & CM No. 9704/2008. LAA No. 702/2008 & CM No. 10214/2008 LAA No. 704/2008 & CM No. 10266/2008. LAA No. 810/2008 & CM No. 12278/2008. LAA No. 646/2008 & CM No. 9194/2008 LAA No. 391/2007 & CM No. 17273/2007. LAA No. 393/2007 & CM No. 17279/2007. LAA No. 394/2007 & CM No. 17282/2007 LAA No. 395/2007 & CM No. 17285/2007. LAA No. 1/2d08 & CM No. 7/2008. LAA No. 5/2008 & CM No. 19/2008. LAA No. 8/2008 & CM No. 38/2008. LAA No. 12/2008&CM No. 50/2098. LAA No. 13/2008 & CM No. 53/2008. LAA No. 14/2008 & CM Nos. 56/2008 & 12818/2008. LAA No. 15/2008 & CM No. 59/2008 LAA No. 260/208 & CM No. 12822 & 793/2008. LAA No. 261/2008 & CM No. 800/2008. LAA No. 262/2008 & CM No. 806/2008 & 13968/2008, LAA No. 263/2008 & CM No. 809/2008 LAA No. 298/2008 & CM No. 1471/2008. LAA No. 349/2008 & CM No. 2741/2008. LAA No. 375/2008 & CM No. 3533 & 13883/2008 LAA No. 376/2008 & CM No. 3537/2008. LAA No. 391/2008 & CM No. 3561/2008. LAA No. 397/2008 & CM No. 3763/2008 LAA No. 398/2008 & CM No. 3766/2008. LAA No. 402/2008 & CM No. 3774/2008. LAA No. 403/2008 & CM No. 3778/2008 LAA No. 405/2008 & CM No. 3795/2008. LAA No. 415/2008 & CM No. 5877/2008. LAA No. 416/2008 & CM No. 5900/2008 LAA No. 417/2008 & CM No. 5878/2008. LAA No. 418/2008 & CM No. 5893/2008. LAA No. 419/2008 & CM No. 5884/2008 LAA No. 420/2008 & CM No. 5885/2008. LAA No. 421/2008 & CM No. 5902 & 10005/2008. LAA No. 422/2008 & CM No. 5897/2008 LAA No. 423/2008 & CM No. 5892/2008. LAA No. 424/2008 & CM No. 5903/2008. LAA No. 439/2008 & CM No. 5890/2008 LAA No. 673/2008 & batch Page1of 26 LAA No. 440/2008&CM No. 5901/2008.LAA No. 441/2008&CM No. 5876/2008, LAA No. 442/2008 &CM No. 5889/2008, LAA No. 451/2008. LAA No. 459/2008. LAA No. 460/2008 !AA No. 461/2008. LAA No. 462/2nnR/LAA No. 463/2008 LAA No. 502/2008 &CM No. 10022-23/2008.LAA No. 503/2008, LAA No. 504/2008. LAA No. 505/2008. LAA No. 506/2008 &CM No. 8842-43/2008. LAA No. 507/2008. LAA No. 511/2008, LAA No. 543/2008 &CM No. 7077 &10865/2008. LAA No. 586/2008, LAA No. 588/2008. LAA No. 591/2008.LAA No. 592/2008. LAA No. 595/2008, LAA No. 605/2008. LAA No. 607/2008. LAA No. 632/2008 &CM No. 9079/2008. LAA No. 633/2008 & CM No. 9084/2008. LAA No. 634/2008 & CM No. 9087/2008. LAA No. 639/208 & CM No. 9303/2008. LAA No. 642/2008 & CM No. 9176/2008. LAA No. 643/2008 & CM No. 9180/2008. LAA No. 644/2008 & CM No. 9183/2008. LAA No. 645/2008 & CM No. 9188/2008. LAA No. 672/2008. LAA No. 707/2008 & CM No. 10881/2008. LAA No. 717/2008 & CM No. 11022/2008. LAA No. 718/2008 & CM No. 11025/2008 LAA No. 719/2008 & CMNo-11045^008. LAA No. 721/2008 & CM No. 11050/2008. L^No. 725/200y& CM No. 11060/2008 LAA No. 726/2008 & CM No. 11063/2008. LAA No. 727/2008 & CM No. 11066/2008. LAA No. 728/2008 & CM No. 11069/2008 LAA No. 389/2007 & CM No. 17268/2007. LAA No. 392/2007 & CM No. 12380 & 17276/2007. LAA No. 404/2007 & CM No. 17632/2007 LAA No. 405/2007 & CM No. 17637/2007. LAA No. 406/2007 & CM No. 17641/2007. LAA No. 407/2007 & CM No. 17643/2007 LAA No. 408/2007 & CM No. 17646/2007. LAA No. 410/2007 & CM No. 17653/2007. LAA No. 411/2007 & CM No. 17656/2007 LAA No. 2/2008 & CM No. 10/2008. LAA No. 3/2008 & CM No. 13/2008. LAA No. 4/2008 & CM No. 16/2008. LAA No. 6/2008 & C No. 23/2008. LAA No. 7/2008 & CM No. 26/2008. LAA No. 10/2008 & CM No. 44/2008. lAA No. 16/2008 & CM No. 62/2008 LAA No. 17/2008 & CM No. 66/2008. LAA No. 18/2008 & CM No. 69/2008. LAA No. 283/2008 & CM No. 1388/2008. LAA No. 285/2008 & CM No. 1393/2008. LAA No. 288/2008. LAA No. 297/2008 & CM No. 1468/2008. LAA No. 306/208 & CM No. 1913/2008. LAA No. 307/2008 & CM No. 1916/2008. LAA No. 308/2008 & CM No. 1924/2008 LAA No. 312/2008 & CM No. 2006/2008. LAA No. 313/2008 & CM No. 2012/2008. LAA No. 314/2008 & CM No. 2020/2008. LAA No. 315/2008 & CM No. 2027/2008. LAA No. 316/2008 & CM No. 2031/2008 LAA No. 317/2008 & CM No. 2035/2008. LAA No. 321/2008 & CM No. 2082/2008. LAA No. 322/2008 & CM No. 2086/2008. LAA No. 323/2008 & CM No. 2089/2008. LAA No. 350/2008 & CM No. 2745/2008. LAA No. 395/2008 & CM No. 3756/2008. LAA No. 400/2008. LAA No. 409/2008. LAA No. 427/2008 & CM No. 4370/2008 LAA No. 428/2008 &CM No. 4374/2008. LAA No. 429/2008 &CmTS^ 4379/2008. LAA No. 430/2008 & CM No. 4383/2008. iAk No. 433/2008 & CM No. 4460/2008. LAA No. 450/2008 & CM No. 4841/2008. LAA No. 9/2008 & CM No. 41/2008. LAA No. 86/2007. LAA No. 95/2007. LAA No. 107/2007. LAA No. 108/2007. LAA No. 111/2007. p LAA No. 673/2008 &batch Page of 26 LAA No. 117/2007 & CM No. 4042/2008. LAA No. 176/2007. LAA No. 191/2007. LAA No. 194/2007 & CM No. 9640/2007. LAA No. 195/2007 & CM No. 9641/2007. LAA No. 238/2007 & CM No. 5894/2008 LAA No. 239/2007 & CM No. 5875/2008. LAA No. 240/2007 & CM No. 5886/2008. LAA No. 241/2007 & CM No. 5896/2008. LAA No. 242/2007 & CM No. 5879/2008. LAA No. 243/2007 & CM No. 5898/2008. LAA No. 244/2007 & CM No. 5880/2008. LAA No. 245/2007 & CM No. 11205/07 & 5887/2008. LAA No. 246/2007 & CM No. 5895/2008. LAA No. 247/2007 & CM No. 5888/2008 LAA No. 248/2007 & CM No. 5891/2008. LAA No. 249/2007 & CM No. 5899/2008. LAA No. 252/2007. LAA No. 253/2007 & CM No. 8092/2008. LAA No. 254/2007. LAA No. 255/2007. LAA No. 256/2007 & CM No. 2233/2008. LAA No. 257/2007. LAA No. 259/2007. LAA No. 260/2007. LAA No. 261/2007. LAA No. 262/2007. LAA No. 263/2007 LAA No. 264/2007. LAA No. 269/2007. LAA No. 270/2007. LAA No. 271/2007. LAA No. 277/2007 & CM No. 12154/07 & 5882/2008 LAA No. 279/2007 & CM No. 5883/2008. LAA No. 295/2007. LAA No. 304/2007. LAA No. 367/2007. LAA No. 374/2007. LAA No. 384/2007 LAA No. 385/2007 & CM No. 17234/2007. LAA No. 398/2007. LAA No. 401/2007. LAA No. 20/2008 & CM No. 367/2008. LAA No. 253/2008. LAA No. 276/2008. LAA No. 327/2008 & CM No. 2164/2007 LAA No. 336/2007. LAA No. 347/2008 & CM No. 2680-81/08 LAA No. 371/2008. LAA No. 840/2008 & CM No. 13185/2008 LAA No. 841/2008 & CM No. 13188/2008. LAA No. 843/2008 &CM No. 13195/2008. LAA No. 864/2008 & CM No. 13316/2008 LAA No. 881/2008 & CM No. 13511/2008. LAA No. 886/2008 & CM No. 13527/2008. LAA No. 887/2008 &CM No. 13533/2008. LAA No. 889/2008 & CM No. 13538/2008. LAA No. 890/2007 &CM No. 13511/2008.LAA No. 867/2007 &CM No. 13421/2008. LAA No. 869/208 & CM No. 13426/2008. LAA No. 11/2008 & CM No. 47/2008 LAA No. 877/2008 &CM No. 13493/2008. LAA No. 949/2008 and LAA No. 950/2008 % Ved Prakash <St Ors. etc. etc. through : LAA No. 673/2008 & batch Reserved on : October 16. 2008 Pronounced on October -2.3. 2008 . . . Appellants Mr. S.K. Rout with.. Mr. Parmlnder Sehrawat and Mr. M.P. Slddiqui, Advocates for the appellants In LAA Nos. 551, 460, 461, 462, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 511, 581

¶586588, 591,592, 595, 605, 607, 400, 409/2008, 86,176, 295, 304, 374/2007 & 371/2008 Mr. Deepak Khosia with VERSUS Union of India & Ors. etc. through : Mr. Sumit Jain for the appellants in LAA Nos. 69/2007, 451, 459, 4/2008, 95,117,176,191,194, 195, 269, 270, 271, 304 & 367/2007 Mr. B.S. Kharb for the appellants in LAA Nos. 107,108 and 111/07 . . . Respondents Mr. Mr. S.K. Rout with Mr. Parminder Sehrawat and Mr. M.P. Siddiqui, Advocates for the respondents in LAA Nos. 729, 758, 759, 766, 769, 834, 835, 839, 547, 810, 394, 5, 8,15,261,263, 349, 391, 397, 398, 416, 417, 418, 419, 424, 439, 441, 632, 634, 639, 707, 717, 728,10,17, 306, 314, 315, 316, 317, 321,430/08, 239, 240, 241, 248/2007 & 327/2008. Mr. Mukesh Gupta for the DDA in LAA 729, 758 & 707/08. Ms. Shobhana Takiar with Mr. Gauran Sarin and Ms. Supriya Juneja for the DDA. Mr. D.K. Pandey for counsel for the respondent No.l in LAA 726/2008. Mr. S.S. Dalai for the UOI in LAA Nos. 250/07, 523, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 439, 440, 441, 442/2008, 238, 239, 240, 241,242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 277 &, 279/2007. CORAM:- THE HON'BLEMR. JUSTICEA.K. SIKRl THE HON'BLEMR. JUSTICEMANMOHANSINGH LAA No. 67^/mnR ^ h.f.h "sk

¶1WhetherReportersof Local newspapersmay be allowed to see the Judgment?

¶2To be referredto the Reporteror not?

¶3Whetherthe Judgmentshouldbe reportedin the Digest? A.K. SlKRl. J.

¶1All these appeals are filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafterreferred to as the 'Act'), In the appeals filed by the land owners (hereafter,for the sake of brevity, referred as such) they are seekingfurtherenhancementin the compensationthan what is awarded by the referencecourt under Section18 of the Act. On the other hand, in all the appealsfiled by the Union of India (for short, 'UOl'), the prayer made is to reducethe compensationon the plea that the compensationawarded by the learned ADJ is on a higher side.

¶2Vide Notification dated 6.6.1991 issued under Section 4 of the Act, large tract of land situate in revenuevillage Kakrola was notified for acquisitionfor public purpose viz. "for the planned developmentof Delhi". It was followed by Declaration under Section 6 of the Act and thereafter Award No. 1/93-94 came to be passed by the Land AcquisitionCollector (LAC). Total land of this village acquired was 8723 bighasand 16 biswas. In the award the LAC classifiedthe lands into three categories. He awarded Rs.4.65 lacs per acre (Rs.96,875/- per bigha) for Block-A land. For determining this market value, he followed the recommendations of the Joint Secretary (Land & Building), Delhi Administrationcontained in letter dated 3.5.1990 lAA No. 673/2008 & batch Page5 of 26 wherein mininnum price of the agricultural land had been fixed, in respect of Block-B land, market value was fixed at Rs.38,000/- per bigha, whereas for the land falling in Block-Ccategory, market value was fixed at Rs..32,000/- per bigha by the LAC.

¶3The land owners were not satisfied with the said fixation of market value of their land and, therefore, sought references under Section 18 of the Act. The learned ADJ answered those references vide his I * Award dated 6.5.2003. He did away with the categorization of the land into three blocks and fixed uniform market value for the entire land. As per the said award it was decided that fair price and market value of the land in dispute as on the date of Notificiation was Rs.l,25,000/- per bigha. Both the land owners as well as UOI challenged the said award by filing appeals in this Court. These appeals were decided by orders dated 24.5.2005 whereby Award dated

6.5.2003 of the learned ADJ was set aside and the matters were remanded back to the reference court with a direction to adjudicate the matters afresh after allowing the parties to lead further evidence.

¶4After remand of the cases, the petitioner in LAC No. 462-A/2005 (nevv/), 39/1997 (old) led further evidence by producing as many as six witnesses. No additional evidence was adduced by the UOI.

¶5The learned ADJ has decided these references vide his Award dated

4.3.2008 fixing the market value of the land in question at Rs.l,09,500/-. These appeals are preferred against the said Award LAA No. 673/2008 &batch nxk fixing the aforesaid compensation,as pointed out in the beginning. Before we advert to the evidenceon record and the submissionsof counsel for the parties, it would be necessaryto take note of some material facts.

¶6When these references were decided earlier vide Award dated

6.5.2003,the learned ADJ had placed relianceupon two sale deeds, both dated 4.1.1989as per which the land in the said villagewas sold at Rs.1,60,000/-per bigha. The Division Bench, while setting aside that Award vide its order dated 24.5.2005, had held that fair market value of the land could not be based on two sale deeds, inasmuch as one of the sale deeds related only to 1 bigha of land and another sale deed was executed in peculiar circumstances,i.e. for getting better qualityof water for putting bore-wellfor taking water to his land for the purpose of cultivation.

¶7The land owners have placed strong reliance on the following evidence

(a) Exhibit PW-8/A, which is a Circular No. FE.33(1) 86 dated

25.9.1989 issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) fixing pre-determined rates in respect of alternative allotment of residential plots in different areas of Delhi/New Delhi. For residential plots falling in west zone, rate of Rs.730/- per sq.mtr. is fixed effective from 1.4.1989 to 31.3.1990. i

(b) Exhibit PW-l/A, which is again a letter dated 18.11.1993 issued by the Joint Director (IL) of DDA addressed to the Additional lAA No. 673/2008 & batch Commissioner(W), Delini Water Supply and SewerageDisposal Undertaking (DWSSDU). Vide this letter, certain lands are allotted to DWSSDU for construction of pumping station in Najafgarhtownship. The rate fixed for allotment of the said land is Rs.20 lacs per acre.

(c) Exhibit PW-2/1, which is letter dated 24.1.1992 of the Ministry of Urban Development (Land Division),Government of India, addressed to the L&DO, Nirman Bhawan, as well as Vice Chairman, DDA. Vide this communication, the price of Government land for allotment to various social, cultural and charitable and other organizations in Delhi and New Delhi were fixed. In respect of west zone, the rate fixed is Rs.39 lacs per acre.

(d) Exhibit PW-2/2 to 2/4 as per which Ministry of Urban Development has fixed the market rates of lands in different areas of Delhi/New Delhi under the control of L&DO which shows that each time higher rates were fixed for the land in West Delhi.

¶8The perusal of the impugned Award rendered by the learned ADJ would show that the learned ADJ made the policy of the Government of India for fixation of minimum prices of agricultural land in respect of land of Union Territory of Delhi (Exhibit R-1) dated

3.5.1990 as the basis for fixation of the market price. As per this policy, the Governm.ent had fixed Rs.4.65 lacs per acre (Rs.96,875/- LAA No. 673/2008 & batch XT per bigha),the minimumprice for the agriculturalland for the area in question as on 3.5.1990. The learned ADJ noted that Notification under Section4 ofthe Act in the presentcase was issued on 6.6.1991, i.e. 13 months afterthe commencementofthe aforesaidpolicydated

3.5.1990. He accordinglygranted further enhancementin the value fixed by the Governmentfor the said period of 13 months at 12% p.a., which amountcomes to Rs.l2,593.75p. In these circumstances, the market value is fixed at Rs.1,09,468.75p. or Rs.1,09,500/- per i bigha. The thought process of the learned ADJ, in this behalf, is reflectedin para 22 of the Award,which reads as under "22. As discussed above, Hon'ble High Court of Delhi has already held that sale deeds which were filed by the petitioners cannot be consideredfor fixing the price and market value of the land in village Kakrola. At the same time, the Hon'ble High Court has also observedthat appreciationfor the period for 13 months has to be considered. In these circumstances and keeping in view that the Land Acquisition Act is welfare legislation,the argumentsof Id. counsel for the Union of India seems to me not convincing as LAC himself awarded the compensation on the basis of the Government Policy. Therefore, there is no reason to deny the enhancement of appreciationfor the period of 13 months. 1am, therefore, of the view that petitioner is entitled for appreciation of 13 months over and above the value fixed by LAC. On calculation the amount of interest for 13 months @ 12% on Rs.96,875/- cornes to Rs.12,593.75. If both the sums are added the total amount comes to Rs.1,09,468.75 or say 1,09,500/- for a bigha."

¶9Mr Deepak Khosia led the team of lawyers appearing for the land owners and made frontal attack to the impugned award. His submission was that total reliance on the aforesaid Government Policy dated 3.5.1990 ignoring other evidence produced by the land owners was clearly erroneous, inasmuch as by that policy the Government had fixed 'minimum price for agricultural land'. His LAA No. 673/2008 & batch submission is that once there was sufficientevidence in other forms indicating higher market value than the one prescribed in the said GovernmentPolicy,the courts should give due weightageto the said evidence as well, which was not done by the learned ADJ. He referred to the aforesaid four documents. First two documents, namely Ex.PW-8/Aand Ex.PW-l/Awere producedeven at the earlier stage beforethe remand of the cases by the High Court. Othertwo documentswere produced in the form of additionalevidence after the remand.

¶10He submittedthat as per Ex.PW-8/Ait was clearthatthe ratesof land in West Delhi, even for allotment of alternative land in respect of those whose land had been acquired, was fixed at Rs.730/- per sq.mt. His argument was that though it was developed land and, therefore, development chargescould be deducted therefrom, as per the SupremeCourt judgmentin the case of LandAcquisitionOfficer, Kammarapaily Village, Nizamabad District, A.P. v. Nookaia Rajamailu & Ors., 2003 (12) SCC 334, the maximum deduction which could be made was 53% and even if that is done, the market value of the subject land would come to Rs.340/- per sq.mt. As againstthis, the land ownerswere grantedcompensationof Rs.l09/- per sq.yd. only.

¶11He further submitted that Ex.PW-l/A was the document as per which land was allotted by the DDA to another Government body in the same area wherebythe land was allotted at Rs.20 lacs per acre in the JAA No. 673/2008 &batch Page ^0of 26 year 1992 whereas the compensation granted to the land owners by the learned ADJ worked out to Rs.4.65 lacs per acre. Though the notification in the instant case was dated

6.6.1991 and even if some deductions were to be made therefrom, the market value would be much higher. He further submitted that sufficient evidence was produced to show that the aforesaid land allotted to DWSSDU was under developed land. In this behalf, he referred to the evidence of PW-1, namely, Tehsildar, who had deposed that at the time of handing over the land to DWSSDU, it was undeveloped land. He also referred to the testimony of PW-6 Shri Raj Pal Singh, Sector Officer of Horticulture Division of the DDA, who had brought the record relating to the expenditure incurred by the DDA for development of the aforesaid land given to the DWSSDU as per i v^hich total expenditureincurredwas about Rs.l9 lacs. Pointingout to the statement of PW-7 Shri Prem Chand, Patwari (Land Management) in DDA, Mr. Khosla submitted that even as per this witness no amount was spent on the development of the said land. On this basis, his submissionwas that Ex. PW-l/A could be considered as basis for fixing the marketvalue of the land in question.

¶12In respectof third documentrelied upon by the learned counsel for the land owners, namely, Ex.PW-2/1,it was argued that scheduleof rctes fixed by the L&DO in the year 1992 for West Zone was Rs.39 lacs, which was much higher than the market value fixed by the learned ADJ. He also argued that the subject land acquired by the Governmenthad high future potentialvalue keepingin view that the lAA No. 673/2008&batch Pagg n of 26 surrounding area had already been developed by the DDA and it was also a relevant factor, as held by the Supreme Court in the case of Smt Tribeni Devi and Ors. v. The Collector, AIR 1972 SC 1417.

¶13He also submitted that upward trend in the land rates was clearly proved from Ex.PW-2/2to 2/4, which could not be ignored by the learned ADJ. On the aforesaid basis, the argument of learned counsel appearing for the land owners was that the rate demanded by the land owners was valid and justified.

¶14Mr. Sanjay Poddar countered the aforesaid submission of Mr, Khosia by putting his defence with all vehemence. He relied upon certain sale deeds produced by the respondents which are Ex. R-2/1 to R-2/7. All these sale deeds are dated 15.6.1990 and relate to the land in the same village. The area of land covered by each sale deed is 2 bigha and the total sale consideration was Rs.1,94,000/- for 2 bigha. Same is the position in respect of all other sale deeds. On this basis, he submitted that the market value of the agricultural land, as is manifest from the sale deeds which are of the same period when Section 4 notification was issued, would be Rs.97,000/- per bigha. His submission was that when the documentary evidence in the form of sale deed of the same village, same period and same land, i.e. agricultural land was available, it was not necessary and/or proper to ' look into any other evidence, much less the documents relating to neighbouring villages. He referred to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Shakuntabbai

(Smt) & Ors. v. State of at-lAANo. 673/2008 & batch Page12pf 26 Maharashtra,

(1996) 2 SCC 152 in this behalf. He further submitted that in any case the land owners could not rely upon the documents produced by them as they all relate to developed lands, whereas the land acquired was undeveloped. He submitted that no evidence was led as to how much amount was spent fixing the value by the DDA i and L&DO etc.

¶15in respect of Ex.PW/2/1 to 2/4, further submission was that L&DO has fixed the rates, that too of developed land, for the purpose of calculatingunearned increasewhich could not be the basis for fixing the market value. He also argued that no evidence was produced to suggest that the acquired land had better potentiality. No evidence was led to show the comparison of the acquired land with the lands in respect of which Ex.PW-8/A, PW-l/A and PW-2/1 to 2/4 were issued by the DDA/L&DO. No evidence was also led on the advantagesas well as disadvantages,locationor potentiality. These documents,therefore,could not be considered,as held by this Court Raj Devi&Ors. v. Union of India, (145) 2007 DLT 438 {LA.A. No. •» 417-420/2006&. batch decided on 31.7.2007}, He furthersubmitted tha I: evidence of PWs. 5, 6 &. 7 was not correctlyread by learned nsel for the land owners. He, thus, contended that the market value should be fixed on the basis of sale deeds, namely Ex.R-2/1 to 2/7, as held by this Court in Omwativ. Union ofIndia&Ann, 2006

(90) DRJ 324 {LA,A No, 94/2006&batch decidedon 27.4.2006},as per which the value would be less than what is awarded by the reference court. LAA No. 673/2008&batch Pagg ]3of 26 COL

¶16His further submissionwas that the approach of the learned ADJ in giving 12% p.a. increaseon the rates fixed by the Governmentvide letter dated 3.5.1990was not correct as there was no principleof law that for the purpose of calculatingthe value as on the date of notificationissued under Section 4 of the Act it was necessaryin all the cases to give enhancement@12% p.a., as held by the Supreme Court in MehtabSingh&Ors. etc. etc.v. Stateof Haryana,AIR 1995 SC 667. His further submission was that in any case in Omwati (supra) the increase was given @ 11.5% and not 12%. On this premise, he pleaded for reduction in the compensationawarded to the land owners.

¶17In rejoinder, apart from other arguments advanced by Mr. Khosla, his main plea was that the sale deeds produced by the respondent also could not be considered as they relate to small parcel of land, namely, 2 bigha, which was precisely the reason for this Court to discardthe sale deeds produced by the land owners in its order dated

24.5.2005.

¶18We have considered the aforesaid submissions of learned counsel for the parties with reference to the record of these cases and the evidence produced. We may first discuss the documents on which reliance is placed by the learned counsel appearing for the land owners.

¶19It is not in dispute that none of these documents relate to the land in village Kakrola. It is also not in dispute that all these documents LAA No. 673/2008 & batch Page14of 26 relate to fully developed area, in fact, except Ex.PW-l/A, which relates to allotment of land by the DDA to DWSSDU, with which we shall deal with separately,other documentsconcernthe area which is constructed area and the development was undertaken long ago. Mr. Poddar is also right in his submissionthat none of the witnesses have been examined to compare the advantages, potentiality, situation of the land in question vis-a-visthese documents. In Jasrath V. Union of India and Union of India v. Ranbir Singh & Ors., (130) 2006 DLT 700, this Court had refused to act upon such documents. which is manifest from the following observations contained therein:- "40. Having heard the learned Counsel appearing for the parties at some length on this aspect of the matter, we have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the brochure Ex.X cannot be treated as a determinative factor for determining the fair market value of the acquired land at the relevant time but I it certainly is a relevant piece of evidence, which the court would have to location and oth evidence to sho adjacent areas w question had examine particularly in relation to potential, er aspects. It would also be a relevant piece of N what kind of prices were prevailing in the hich were fully developed and that the land in Peen acquired for completing the larger residential scheme of Rohini by providing essential amenities m, drainage and water treatment plant. Thus, excluded from the zone of consideration for ng this issue. As far as the respondents are an hardly deny the said document and all that on behalfof the respondent is that it is a price i.e. sewage syste Ex.X cannot be ultimately decid concerned they c has been argued of a developed ^jrea and thus is not comparable as it includes of costing. Both these submissions are but as already noticed this document is a desirable indicator in relation to various factors essentiallyto be considered bv the court in terms of the above judgment, therefore, Ex.X has to be looked into and treated as a relevant piece of evidenc for fixing the particularly whe instances and various elementfs factually correct e but certainly not a determinative evidence market value of the land in question and n other direct evidence by way of sale jiljdicial pronouncements in relation to the acquired land itself are available on record. XX XX XX

¶44The claimantt; also claim that the smaller plots in the same vicinity can be nhade the basis for fixation of rate for larger LAA No. 673/2008&batch <51 area acquiredand there is no prohibitionin law. The Court is required to fix reasonableand fair market value in terms of Section 23 of the Act and for this purpose they have placed relianceon the judgmentof the Supreme Court in the case of RavinderNarain and Anr. v. Union of India (2003) 4 SCC 481.

¶45The potentialof the land as on the date of acquisitionis a relevant factor and in some cases could form major basis for considering the claim of the claimants. The development charges would be deducted only for compensation being granted for a developed land and the Court has to take into considerationthe future potentialon accountof its location.In this regard, reliancehas been placed upon the judgmentof the SupremeCourt in the case of HasanaliWalimchand(dead) by Lrs. V. State of Maharashtra(1998) 2 SCC 388 where the Court held as under:-

¶6The High Court has noticed in the impugned judgment and order that the "location" of the land indicates that it has building potential but fell into an error in ignoringthat factor by observing : There is no record of any income being received by any of the landowners. These lands must, therefore, be valued as agricultural land with no potentiality whatsoever in the foreseeable future

¶7We are unable to find any justification for such observation and finding. The above finding of the High Court is contradictory to the earlier finding based oh the location of the land. It is no doubt correct that the reference court was influenced by sale transactions in respect of developed land and it failed to make any deduction for development of land while enhancing the compensation, but the High Court fell into error in ignoringthe future potential of the land in question and instead resting its finding as realized potential only. The evidence on the record clearly establishes that the acquired land did have future potential on account of its location. It is not denied that the area around the city of Ahmednagar is fast developing and the land in question was located only at a short distance of about one and a half miles from Ahmednagar town.

¶48We have discussed in great detail that Exh. X and Exh.X-1 even read in conjunction with Resolution dated 24th December, 1980 are relevant factors for determining the potential, location and as a guiding factor to the value of the surrounding land to the acquired land. This by itself cannot be treated, to be a determinative factor for awarding compensation to the claimants. In fact for varied reasons, we would decline to fix compensation on the basis of this brochure. Firstly, the claimants have failed to lead any supporting evidence in that behalf. No witness has corpe and LAA No. 673/2008 & batch Page16bf 26 stated that the acquired land is identicallysituatedand has the same facilitieslike the land covered under Exh.X. Furtherthere is no direct evidence of comparable lands and/or the land having identical potential to the land covered under the scheme.Onus of this kind was certainlyupon the claimantsand they have failed to discharge their onus in this regard. Secondly, the valuation fixed by this Court on the basis of Exh.X in its earlier judgment dated 4th September, 2001 has already been set aside by the Supreme Court with specific i observationthat the High Court had fallen in error in fixingthe I market value of the land on the basis of Exh.X. Thirdly, in ^ variouscasesthe SupremeCourt has alreadystatedthe law that compensationof an undevelopedland cannot be decided on the sole basis of the rates relatable to the developed land, particularlywhen otherevidenceis availableon record.

¶20Moreover, insofar as schedule of rates fixed by the L&DO is concerned,not only that is in respect of fully developed residential, coitimercialand industrialplots, the purposefor fixing those rates is to larrive at unearned increase. In Karan Singh & Ors. v. Union of i India, 55 (1994) DLT 511, this Court had not accepted identical evidence for fixing the market value holding that it was not a relevantpiece of evidencefor this purpose. Followingobservations in this behalf would be apposite "17. We are not satisfiedthat production of copy of schedule of rates only fjxed by the Ministry of Works and Housing (Land Division) will be relevant piece of evidence for determining the market value and ultimately assessing the amount of compensationunder the Act when there are well known principles for determining the amount of compensation.The well known principlesare aksi bituced in Koyappathodi v. State of Kerala (AIR 1911 SC 2027) as follows: "It is settled law that the methods of valuation to be adopted in ascertaining the market value of the land as on the date of the notification are (i) opinion of experts (ii) the price paid within a reasonable time in bona fide transaction of the purchase or sale of the lands acquired or the lands adjacent to the lands acquired or the lands adjacent to the lands acquired and possessing similar advantages and (iii) a number of years purchase of the actual or immediately prospective profits of the lands acquired. These methods, however, do not preclude the LAA No. 673/2008 <S batch - ; sgL _ • Court from taking any otiier special circumstances obtainedin an appropriatecase into consideration.As the object being always as near as possible in an estimateof the marketvalue in arrivingata reasonablecorrectmarket value, it may be necessaryto take even two or all those matters into account inasmuch as the exact valuation is not always possible as no two lands may be the same either in respect of the situation or the extent or the potentialitynor is it possible in all cases to have reliable material from which that valuation can be accurately determined."

¶21The aforesaidjudgmenthas been affirmed by the SupremeCourt in Karan Singh &Ors. etc. v. Union of India, (1997) 8 SCC 186. We may also note that in the case of U^P. Jai Nigam, Luclcnowthrough its Chairman & Anr. v. M/s. Kaira Properties(P) Ltd., Luclcnow& Ors., AIR 1996 SC 1170, the SupremeCourt did not find favour with the argumentthat the marketvalue ofthe land be fixed on the basis of circle rate fixed by the Collectorfor the purposeof levy of stamp duty. Similarview is taken by the Apex Court in RanvirSingh&Anr. V. Union ofIndia, (2005) 12 SCC 59.

¶22This leaves us with one document, stronglyrelied upon by the land owners, namely, Ex.PW-l/A, as per which the land is allotted to DWSSDU in the year 1992 at Rs.20 lacs per acre. However, the distinguishingfeature is that the land covered by the transactionwas of another village,namely, Najafgarh. It is also not in dispute, and in fact accepted by the appellants' own witness, that this village was urbanized prior to 1974. On the contrary, the land of the land owners which is acquired and falls in village Kakrola was never urbanized under the provisions of Section 507 of the Delhi Municipal \ Corporation Act. The land owners have also not led any evidence LAA No. 673/2008 & batch ' which would evince that both the lands are comparable. As already mentionedabove, the price of developedland cannot be compared with the under developed land. No doubt, the land owners have produced three witnesses, namely PW Nos. 5 to 7, on the basis of which it was sought to be argued that there was hardly any i. • ' ; • expenditureincurred by the DDA on the developmentof this land. However, whereas PW-5, Deputy Director,New Lease Branch, DDA has mentioned that the land in question was a pond which was / transferred to HorticultureDepartment of the DDA and Horticulture Department had put fencing of that land and also planted plants thetleon. He has also stated that some amount was spent by the i Horticulture Department for completion of those works but he was not aware of the actual expenditure.^ PW-6, Section Officer from Horticulture Division, on the other hand, produced PW-l/A collectively as well as Annexures PW-1/1 to 1/6 showing the expjenditureincurred. These details would indicate that a sum of Rs.9,06,806/- was incurred on labour. The annexure would indicate I • that this expenditure comprises of the wages paid to beldar for work of Mali and watch &. ward. Other annexure indicating expenditure of Rs.l,74,058/- reflects that that amount was spent on fencing, I installation of hand pump, pump set and supply of plants. Another sheet, which demonstrates total expenditure of Rs.8,30,097/- towards supply of good earth, manure, sinkingof tube well, fencing, sprinklers and the like. However, these expenses cannot be indicativeof the total amount spent as for gettingthe aforesaidwork LAA No. 673/2008&batch , Page 19 of26 done permanent staff of the Horticulture Branch is also required. How much amount out of the salaries paid to them is to be charged to this projectcannot be ascertainednor any evidenceto that effect is led. There would be other infrastructural and overhead expenditure. Therefore, much credence cannot be given to the aforesaid amount spent.

¶23Also for the reasons we have indicated about the other documents, it would not be safe to rely upon Ex. PW-l/A to,arrive at the market value of the land at the relevant period.

¶24Therefore, in view of the aforesaid discussion, we are of the opinion that the aforesaid documents cannot form the basis for fixing the market value of the land. At the same time, these would be relevant pieces of evidence from the point of view of potential, locationand effect of prevalent price of developed land surroundingthe acquired land. In this behalf, we may quote again from the Division Bench judgment of this Court in the case oi Jasrath (supra) "49. Besides the fact that Exh. X cannot be taken to be a determinative evidence for fixing the market value of the land but it is certainly a relevant piece of evidence which the Court would have to look into while determining the controversy between the parties from the point of view of potential, location and effect of prevalent price of developed land surrounding the acquired land. With these observations, we would reject the plea of the claimants that compensation should be determined exclusively on the basis of Exh. X."

¶25Normally, the sale instances of the acquired land are best piece of evidence and if such evidence is available, that can be relied upon for the purpose of fixation of the market value. As pointed out above, lAA No. 673/2008 & batch Mr. Poddar, learned counsel for the respondents,relied upon certain sale;deeds CEx.R-2/1 to 2/7). At the same time, it is also not possible to r^ely upon sale deeds producedby the respondentsin the form of Ex. iR-2/1 to 2/7. These may be 7 sale deeds in respect of 2 bighas each, but they are of the same date, which means that these are the I sale deeds of a very small area. When on an earlier occasion the market value of the land was fixed on the basis of two sale deeds produced by the land owners, this Court vide its order dated

24.5.2005 discardedthe same on the ground that they were related to a small area, which is clear from the following observations ! therein 1 "10. The aforesaidclearly shows that in.so far as Exhibit PW-4/1 is concerned, the same has been executed for a peculiar requirement of the purchaser, who did not have sweet water for that purpose purchased a small piece of land for irrigation of the land located nearby. This can hardly be taken as basis for determination of the land value in view ,of the peculiar facts in which the Sale Deed was executed.

¶11In so far as Exhibit PW-1/1 is concerned, the peculiar facts have been set out. The land is measuring only one bigha and in the circumstances set out in respect of which that document has been executed, 'we are of the considered view that it is not possible to determine the market value of a large track of land measuring more than 8723 bighas on the basis only of that document." Once we reject the sale deeds produced by the land owners, on the parity of reasoning it is difficult to accept the sale deeds produced by the respondents, which also relate to small piece(s) of land. ,

¶26Where does the aforesaid discussionleads to? Obviously, neither the evidence relied upon by the land owners nor the sale deeds relied LAA No. 673/2008 &batch upon by the UOI can be the foundationfor measuringthe market value. At least they cannot be taken to be determinativeevidence for fixing the marketvalue. However,their other relevancyin terms of Jasrath(supra) shall be taken into considerationappropriately.

¶27This leads our discussion to the policy letter dated 3.5.1990 of the Government of India fixing minimum price of agriculturalland. The learned ADJ for this purpose referred to the judgment of this Court in the case of Omwati (supra) wherein the Supreme Court had made the following observations qua such policy decisions fixing minimum value of the land "15, Such policy decisions of the government cannot be • treated as a substantive piece of evidence. They are documents prepared by the Government after due verification and surveys, but the documents itself does not refer to any distinct piece of evidence which was considered by the government for determining the minimum price payable for acquisition of agricultural land. At the same time, this policy decision of the Government cannot be treated to be either entirely inadmissible or irrelevant for the purpose of determining the controversy in issue. This reflects the conscious decision of the appropriate government not to allow registration of the sale deeds, wherein the agricultural lands anywhere in Delhi are proposed to be sold below the specified rate i.e. Rs.4.65 lacs per acre (i.e. Rs.1,11,778.84 per bigha). This value was fixed in the year 1990. We do not intend to say that the government is bound by this price and the petitioners must get this price, but with such variations that are permissible in law, this would be some kind of a guideline for the court to arrive at just and fair market value of the land at the relevant time."

¶28It is, thus, clear that such policy decisions of the Government cannot be treated as substantive piece of evidence. No doubt, in the absence of any other cogent evidence produced, which would indicate the market value of the land in question, the Court can rely upon such policy decision. We also should not be unmindful of the LAA No. 673/2008 &batch fact that the rate fixed in the aforesaid policy decision is the 'minimumprice' the agriculturalland. Therefore, it would only provide some kind of a guidelinefor the court to arrive at just and fair market value of the land at the relevant time. When other evidence is produced, though cannot be made the basis of fixing market value, that at least would indicate that the market value of the land was higher than the aforesaid minimum price fixed by the Government. Therefore, some latitude towards that has to be given in arriving at fair market value.

¶29Though we have already noted above that documents relied upon by the land owners cannot be considered as determinative evidence for fixing the market value of the land, but their relevancy is still to be kept in mind from the point of view of potential, location and effect of prevalent prices of the developed land surrounding the acquired land and this much peep into these documents is permissible. When we look into the documents from this angle, it becomes clear that the land price, even of agriculturalland or in the said vicinity, was more, than the minimum price fixed by the Government in its policydated 3.5.1990.

¶30We are, therefore, of the opinion that the land owners would be entitledto the compensationat rates marginallyhigherthan the rates fixed by the Governmentvide policydated 3.5.1990and it would be safe to add 10% more value than the one fixed by the Government indicatingthe minimum price. LAA No. 673/2008&batch Pagg 23 of 26

¶31It would be of interest to note that if we apply another yardstick and look into the matter fronn another angle, we may arrive at the same result. As noted above, the respondents have heavily relied upon sale deeds which are of 2 bighas each. As per these sale deeds, the sale consideration for 2 bighas was Rs.1,94,000/-. However, Rs.15,520/- was spent on the stamp duty, etc. as well, which has to be added to the sale price. After adding that amount, the price of 2 "bigha would be Rs.2,09,520/-. On this basis, value of one bigha would be Rs.1,04,760/-. If we take the sale deeds into consideration, , i ^ _ which are of 2 bighas each, the sale deeds produced by the land owners will also have to be taken into consideration. As per the sale deed dated 4.1.1989, for one bigha the sale price was Rs.l,60,000/-. When we take average of the two sale deeds, one produced by the lane owners and the other by the respondents, the amount would work out to little more than Rs.l,20,000/-. We may clarify that t thes^ sale deeds are not made the basis of awarding the compensationas they are discardedon the ground that they relateto small area of land. The only purpose was to point out that the market value fixed by us at Rs.l,20,500/- would be reasonable.

¶32The only questionthat remainsto be consideredis as to whetherthe trial court was right in givingappreciationthereupon@12% p.a. for a ppiod of 13 months, inasmuch as, the policy letter is dated

3.5.1990 whereas Section 4 notification is of 6.6.1991. Mr. Poddar argued that in the case of MehtabSingh (supra), the SupremeCourt had indicated that it was not necessary in all the cases to give LAA No. 673/2008&batch Pagg24 of 26 enhancement @ 12% p.a. However, Mr. Khosia, learned counsel for the land owners, rightly pointed out that the comments of the Supreme Court in that case were in respect of the land in Haryana. Position in Delhi is totally different. It has been established on record, judicial notice whereof is taken in various judgments, that there is a consistent upward trend in the market rates of lands in Delhi. It is for this reason that in number of judgments, this Court has accepted the formula of increase of rates @ 12% p.a. We may again refer to the earlier orders dated

24.5.2005 passed in these appeals while remanding the case back to the learned ADJ. The aforesaid Government policy was taken note of by the Division Bench and following pertinent observations were made in respect thereof "7. The aforesaid referred to Government policy has been considered by this Court in Tei Ram v. Union of India & Anr.. Ill (2004) DLT 465 for fixation of the land value. It may, however, be noticed at this stage that in the present case, the acquisition is about a year later of fixation of the land price, which would require appropriate enhancement."

¶33Thus, the court had opined even at that stage that appropriate enhancementwill be required. This is preciselythe course of action adopted by the learnedADJ. We are, therefore,of the opinionthat the land owners would be entitledto appreciationof 13 months @ 12% p.a. and the learned ADJ rightly determinedthe market value on that basis.

¶34On this reckoning,we are ofthe opinionthat the market priceofthe land in questionas on 3,5.1990should be Rs.96,875+ Rs.9,685. In LAA No. 673/2008&batch Pagg25 of 26 this manner, as on

3.5.1990, the market value would be Rs.V,06,560/-. We are of the opinion that the learned ADJ rightly held that appreciationof 13 months @12% is to be given. By applying this formula, market value of the land as on the date of notificationunder Section 4 of the Act would be Rs.1,20,500/-P^r

¶35In these circumstances,the appeals of the land owners are partly allowed by enhancing the compensation from Rs.1,09,500/- to Rs.1,20,500/-. These appeals are allowed in the aforesaid manner with proportionatecosts. The appellantsshall also be entitledto all other statutory benefits,,as awarded, by the learned ADJ. All the i pending applicationsalso stand disposed of. As a consequence,the appeals preferred by the UOl are also dismissed. October , 2008 LAA No. 673/2008 & batch ^OCSIKrI) JUDGE (MANMOHANSINGH) JUDGE