SITA DEVI WD/O MUKAND LALversusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.
- Citation
- 1995 INSC 860
- Decided
- 7 December 1995
- Disposal
- Disposed off
Holding
Under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, a landowner is entitled to solatium at 30% of enhanced compensation and interest at 9% for one year and 15% thereafter on the enhanced compensation, but not to adjust these amounts against the principal compensation, nor to interest on solatium, nor to the additional amount under s.23(1‑A).
Summary
Sita Devi, widow of Mukand Lal, appealed against the State of Haryana challenging the award of compensation for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Collector’s award (26‑Nov‑1976) and the reference court’s award (10‑Jan‑1985) raised questions about entitlement to solatium, interest, and additional compensation under sections 23(1), 23(1‑A), 23(2) and 28. The Supreme Court held that the appellant is entitled to solatium at 30% of the enhanced compensation and interest at 9% for one year and 15% thereafter, as provided by s.23(2) and s.28, but she cannot adjust these amounts against the principal compensation under s.23(1), nor claim interest on solatium or the extra amount under s.23(1‑A). The appeal was disposed without costs.
Issues considered
- Whether a landowner is entitled to solatium and interest on enhanced compensation under s.23(2) and s.28 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
- Whether interest and solatium can be adjusted against the principal compensation determined under s.23(1).
- Whether interest on solatium is payable.
- Whether the additional amount under s.23(1‑A) is payable.
Legislation cited
- Land Acquisition Act, 1894s. 11, s. 23(1), s. 23(1-A), s. 23(2), s. 26, s. 28
Subjects
Judgment
SITA DEVI WD/O MUKAND LAL A .·
v.
STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.
DECEMBER 7, 1995
[K. RAMASWAMY AND B.L. HANSARIA, JJ.] B
Land Acquisition Act, 1894 :
Ss.23(1), 23(1-A), 23(2), 2S-Acquisition of lanli-Compensa-
tion-Solatium-Award made by Collector on 26.11.1976 and by reference C
court on 10.1.1985-Held, land owner entitled to benefits under the ss.23(2)
and 28, but not to benefits under ss.23(1) and 23(1-A).
The appellant filed the appeal against the judgment of the High
Court in the case arising out of the award of the Collector dated 26.11.1976
and the reference court dated 10.1.1985. D
Disposing of the appeal, this Court
HELD : The appellant is entitled under s.23(2) of the Land Acquisi·
tion Act, 1894 to solatium at 30 per cent on enhanced compensation, and
interest at 9 per cent on enhanced compensation for one year from the date E
of taking possession of the land and 15 per cent thereafter till the date of
deposit into Court. But she not entitled to adjust interest and solatium
from the principal amount of compensation determined under s.23(1) and
deposited on the respective dates. She is neither entitled to interest on
solatium nor to additional amount under s.23(1-A). [326-D-E; C-D]
F
Prem NaJh Kapoor & Ors. v. National Fertilizers Corporation Ltd. &
Ors., [1996] 2 SCC 71, relied on.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 11932 of
1995.
G
From the Judgment and Order dated 20.2.90 of the Punjab &
Haryana High Court in C.R. No. 2651 of 1989.
S.M. Ashri for the Appellant.
Mrs. Sheela Goel and AK. Goel for the Respondents. H
325
326 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1995] SUPP. 6 S.C.R.
A The following Order of the Court was delivered :
Leave granted.
The award of the Collector under Section 11 is of the Land Acquisi-
tion Act, 1894 is dated November 26, 1976. The award of the reference ·
B Court under Section 26 is dated January 10, 1985. Therefore, the appellant
is entitled to the payment of enhanced interest and solatium under Sections
28 and 23(2). The controversy raised in this matter is covered by the recent
judgment of this Court delivered on November 29, 1995 [C.A. @ SLP
8494/87] in Prem Nath Kapoor & Ors. v. National Fertilizers Corporation Ltd.
& Ors.
c
In other respects, the appellant is not entitled to adjust interest and
solatium from the principal amount of compensation determined under
Section 23(1) and deposited on the respective dates. He is also not entitled
to interest on solatium. Equally, the appellant is not entitled to additional
D amount under Section 23(1-A) at 12 cent per annum from the date of
notification till date of award or of taking over possession, whichever is
earlier. The appellant is entitled under Section 23(2) to solatium at 30 per
cent on enhanced compensation. Equally, the appellant is entitled to
interest at 9 per cent on enhanced compensation for one year from the
date of taking possession of the land and 15 per cent thereafter till date of
E deposit into court.
Appeal is accordingly disposed of. No costs.
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