Judgment :

1. The land to the extent of 486.61 acres in Village Mewla Maharajpur, Tehsil and District Faridabad was acquired pursuant to a Notification dated 7-9-1992 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (“the Act”, for short). The Land Acquisition Officer awarded compensation at the rate of Rs.1,96,000 per acre by the award dated 8-2-1995. The claimant landowners, not being satisfied with the amount of compensation so awarded, sought reference under Section 18 of the Act for enhancement of compensation. The Reference Court, on the basis of the evidence that was placed before it, awarded compensation for the lands acquired at the rate of Rs. 325 per square yard.

2. The claimants as well as the State were not satisfied with the amount of compensation awarded by the Reference Court. Consequently, both of them filed appeals before the High Court. The learned Single Judge of the High Court, on consideration of the material placed on record, in the light of the submissions made on behalf of the parties, passed the order reducing the compensation from Rs. 325 per square yard to Rs. 90 per square yard. The claimants filed appeals before the Division Bench of the High C