Surender Singh v. State of Haryana (and connected batch of land acquisition appeals)
Background
This order sends the case back; it does not decide the dispute. More than 150 appeals concerned compensation for land acquired in 15 villages of Haryana for the KMP Expressway.
Decision Breakdown
This is not a final decision on the dispute. The Court held that neither the Reference Court nor the High Court had properly determined the market rate, for want of evidence on matters such as each village's potential and distance from developed areas. It set aside both awards and sent all the cases back for fresh determination.
Lesson Learnt
There is no final ruling on the compensation. Land value must be fixed on proper evidence for each village.