ORDER

Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894) (for short, the Act ) was published on September 25, 1979 acquiring large tracks of land for urbanisation within the municipal limits of Panipat. The Land Acquisition Officer in his award dated April 7, 1981 determined the compensation at the rate of Rs. 24,960/- per acre for Block I and Rs. 19,992/- per acre for Block-II. On reference, the Additional District Judge enhanced the compensation by his award and decree dated January 24, 1984 to Rs. 18/- per sq. yd. On further appeal by the State as well as the claimants, the High Court enhanced the compensation to Rs. 21.25/- per sq. yd. without any deductions for developmental charges. The High Court has also granted additional amount under Section 23(1A) of the Act. Thus, these appeals by special leave.

2. Shri Sehgal, learned senior counsel for the appellants contended that the notification relied upon by the District Judge relates to third acquisition dated October 10, 1978 while the acquisition in this case is of September 25, 1979. Therefore, the learned Judge ought to have granted escalated charges rather than what was granted in the earlier cases