Judgment :

Dr. Mukundakam Sharma, J.

1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 27.11.2002 passed by the Madras High Court whereby the High Court reversed the order passed by the Reference Court by reducing the amount of compensation granted by the Reference Court to the appellant from Rs. 17/- per sq. feet to Rs. 9/- per sq. feet.

2. Before we deal with the contentions raised before us, brief facts leading to the filing of the present appeal are required to be stated. For providing house sites at Adi Dravidas, land measuring an extent of 3.90 acres comprised in Survey No. 118/A in Palangudi Village was acquired by the Government of Tamil Nadu by issuing a notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act which was published on 23.9.1992. The Land Acquisition Officer awarded a sum of Rs. 1.72 per sq. ft. for the acquired land. At the instance of the aggrieved land owner, i.e. the appellant, reference was made under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act before the Additional Sub Court, Trichy.

3. Before the Reference Court, the appellant adduced documentary evidence in the form of Sale Deeds Exs. A1 to A4 and examined two witnesses. The Revenue also pr