Judgment

Altamas Kabir, J.—Leave granted in Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 6309/04.

2. 9 Hectares 75 Ares and 12 Ca of land situated in Keezhaveli Village at Karaikal, Pondicherry, in Ward No. G, Block No. 3, spread over 11 town survey numbers was sought to be acquired for the construction of a stadium to provide playground facilities for the students of Schools and Colleges situated at Karaikal. Notifications under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’), were published in the Official Gazette on 26th December and 28th December, 1989, respectively, upon receipt of the approval of the government.

3. The market value of the lands was fixed by the Collector at Rs. 2,550/- per Are upon treating the same as ‘Wet’ lands. Several claimants whose lands were involved in the acquisition proceedings asked for references to be made under Section 18 of the aforesaid Act and the references were all taken up for consideration by the Additional District Judge, Pondicherry, as the Reference Court. By its Award dated 24th January, 1994, the Reference Court classified the lands in question as having potential value as house sites and fixed the market va