JUDGMENT

V.N. Khare, J.-A large track of land in the village Manakunnam in the district of Cochin was sought to be acquired for setting up a bottling plant by the respondent - Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. A notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act ) was issued on 23.8.1990 which was followed by issue of notification under Section 6 of the Act on 22.2.1991. The appellants land measuring 7.13 acres is covered by the aforesaid notifications. The Collector on 5.5.1992 gave an award and offered compensation to the claimants @ Rs. 1225/- per acre Rs. 500 per cent. The claimants to sought reference for enhancement of the compensation. The Additional Sub-Judge, Ernakulam enhanced the compensation to @ Rs. 7000/- per cent. Aggrieved, the respondents filed appeals before the High Court. The High Court was of the view that the compensation awarded by the reference court was on higher side and, therefore, reduced the compensation to @ Rs. 4000/- per cent for the wet land and Rs. 6500/- for dry land. In that view of the matter, the appeals filed by the respondents were allowed. The cross-objections filed by the claimants were rejected by the H