ORDER

Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act 1 of 1894 (for short, the Act ) was published on January 29, 1982 acquiring a total extent of 193 kanals 3 marlas of land situated in village Lamin in Punjab State for construction of Hydel Channel. The Land Acquisition Collector awarded compensation at the rate of Rs. 16,000/- per acre and also awarded 5% additional amount thereon with solatium and interest. On reference the Additional District Judge in his award and decree dated December 13, 1983 enhanced the compensation to Rs. 30,000/- per acre. On appeal, the High Court reduced the compensation to the amount awarded by the Land Acquisition Collector by judgment and decree dated February 25, 1985. Thus, this appeal by special leave.

2. It is contended by the learned counsel for the appellants that the High Court has committed grievous error in reducing the compensation from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 16,000/- per acre. It is contended that Exts. A-12 and 13, the sale deeds of February 12, 1981 and 30th March, 1981 respectively executed one year prior to the date of acquisition would show that the market value of which land commanded was Rs. 40,000 per acre; even the sale deeds Ex. A-14 dated March 23, 1981, Ex. A-15 dated July 1, 1981 which commanded market value was Rs. 60,000/-, though of smaller extent of 5 bighas each; hence, the market value will not less than Rs. 40,000/-. Therefore, the additional District Judge was right in granting compensation at the rate of Rs. 30,000/- per acre. In support thereof, he placed reliance also on another judgment in respect of land in the neighbouring village wherein the same learned Judge had confirmed the market value at the rate of Rs. 30,000/- per acre in respect of the cultivable Chahi land. We find no force in the contention of the learned counsel. It is seen that none of the persons connected with documents Ex. A-12 to 15 has been examined. It would also be seen that one Kanal was sold in the same village under Exts. A-12 and 13 respectively which worked out to Rs. 40,000/- per acre or Rs. 5,000/- per kanal. The High Court has rightly pointed out that no prudent cultivator would purchase one kanal of land for the purpose of cultivation. In other words, the purchase for the purpose of cultivation would be uneconomical and not valid one. Looked at from another angle, it is common knowledge that it would take long time for publication of the notification under Section 4(1). In the meanwhile it would be known to the villagers that the land would be under acquisition. Therefore, it would be obvious that these documents were brought into existence to inflate the market value. Obvious, therefore, none of the persons connected with the documents has been examined. There is no proof of passing of the consideration thereunder or the circumstances in which the documents came to be executed. Under these circumstances, all the documents are inadmissible in evidence and cannot be looked into. If they are excluded, the only other evidence is the oral evidence. It is not in dispute that the land situated in the neighbouring village and acquired for the same purpose fetched compensation at the rate of Rs. 15,000/- per acre in respect of the Chahi land and Rs. 9,000/- and Rs. 10,000/- for Baravi land etc. That judgment of the High Court has become final. Under those circumstances, the High Court was well justified in relying upon that document and in upholding the award of the Collector but with modification as indicated :

"The Land Acquisition Collector has not been able to point out any distinction between the value of land in village Uchi Bassi, Lamin and Jamalpur. For village Uchi Bassi, this Court has allowed market price for Chahi land at the rate of Rs. 15,000/- per acre, and still lesser for inferior quality of agricultural land. Hence it wi