State Of Haryana & Anr vs Shiv Lal & Ors

State of Haryana & Anr. ...Appellant(s)

Versus

Shiv Lal & Ors. ...Respondent(s)

WITH

CIVIL APPEALS NO.132, 97, 113, 145, 272, 116, 125, 62-85, 127-131 & 330 OF 2005

CIVIL APPEALS NOS. 631 TO 677 OF 2009 (Arising out of S.L.P.(C) Nos.7723/2008, 6209/2007, 2302/2008, 18605/2008, 18606- 18639/2008 & 7066-7074/2008)

ORDER

Delay condoned in S.L.P.(C) Nos.18606-639/2008.

Leave granted in Special Leave Petitions.

In this batch of Civil Appeals, the State has filed eleven appeals out of a

total of 17 appeals. The remaining appeals have been filed by the claimants for

enhancement of compensation.

A short question which arises for determination is - whether belting

method is applicable to the acquired lands falling in municipal area abutting the

abadi of Rewari?

...2/-

C.A.No.58/2005 etc...contd...

-2-

Facts in Civil Appeal No.58/2005 in the case of State of Harayana & Anr.

Vs. Shiv Lal & Ors.:

The learned Additional Judge had evolved and applied the belting system to

the lands in question categorising/dividing the said lands into three separate and

distinct categories. For category 'A', the learned Additional District Judge awarded

the rate of Rs.8,00,000/- per acre; for category 'B', he awarded the rate of

Rs.7,00,000/- per acre and for category 'C', he awarded the rate of Rs.4,00,000/- per

acre. This was challenged by way of First Appeal in which the learned Single Judge

of the High Court reduced the above three categories into two categories and,

consequently, awarded the rate of Rs.7,04,367/- per acre for category 'A' and

Rs.6,00,000/- per acre for category 'B'. Against the decision of the learned Single

Judge of the High Court, the matter was carried in L.P.A. which stood dismissed,

hence, this Civil Appeal by the State.

The main contention of the State is that the learned Single Judge had erred

in reducing the number of categories from three to two. We do not find any merit in

this argument for the following reasons:

...3/-

C.A.No.58/2005 etc...contd...

-3-

Firstly, in the case of Pawan Kumar & Anr. Vs. Land Acquisition Collector

(L.P.A.No.387/2001 decided on 15.5.2006), it has been held by the High Court that belting system is not applicable to municipal areas abutting the abadi. In the said

judgment, the Division Bench has held that the land in question falling within the

municipal area abutting the abadi had great potential. As stated above, this decision

has not been challenged by the State by filing a special leave petition. It has become

final. Consequently, two sets of decrees would result - in one set of cases, the

claimants would get compensation on the basis of belting system (if the State succeeds

in its Civil Appeal) and in the other set of cases, the claimants would get

compensation at higher rate on the basis that belting is not applicable. The judgment

and decree passed by the High Court in Pawan Kumar's case has now become final

as the State has not challenged the said judgment.

Before us, it was argued that if this Court upholds the applicability of the

belting system as done by the learned Additional District Judge in the case of State of

Haryana Vs. Shiv Lal, then the law declared by the High Court

..4/-

C.A.No.58/2005 etc...contd...

-4-

in Pawan Kumar's case would need reconsideration. We do not find any merit in this

argument for the simple reason that the judgment and decree passed by the High

Court in Pawan Kumar's case has become final. Lastly, it may be pointed out that

under the notification issued under the Land Acquisition Act, in these cases,

compensation has been unconditionally paid to all the claimants in 2001 and

onwards. In the circumstances, on account of inconsistent decrees coming into the

field, we do not wish to interfere in the Civil Appeal(s) filed by State of Haryana. As regards appeal(s) filed by the claimant(s) for enhancement, we find no

reason to interfere as the High Court has correctly applied the belting system of

valuation to the facts of the case.

Accordingly, all the Appeals and cross appeals are dismissed, with no order

as to costs.

...................J. (S.H. KAPADIA)

...................J. (H.L. DATTU) New Delhi, February 03, 2009.