JUDGMENT :

R.M. Lodha, J.

1. Delay in filing applications for substitution is condoned.

2. Applications for substitution are allowed.

3. Permission to file special leave petitions is granted.

4. Delay in filing the special leave petitions is condoned.

5. Leave granted in SLP(C) Nos. 22324 of 2013, 5405 of 2014, 16788 of 2014 and S.L.P.(C)@ CC No. 12129 of 2013.

6. In this group of appeals, the question for consideration is whether there is any scope for enhancement of compensation with regard to the subject lands.

7. The subject lands pertain to five different notifications published on 04.06.1980, 13.03.1981, 22.06.1982, 05.07.1982 and 10.02.1983 and are located in Sectors 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 Part-I near Karnal bypass and so also Karnal Kunjpura Road.

8. Learned senior Counsel and learned Counsel appearing for many of the Appellants heavily relied upon the decision of this Court in the group of matters, lead matter being Civil Appeal No. 2187 of 2013 arising from Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No. 17615 of 2008, 'Subhash Subhash Chander and Ors. v. State of Haryana and Anr.' given on 19.02.2013. They submitted that matter in Subhash Chander's case (supra) pertains to four notifications dated 04.06.1980 (Sector-6), 13.03.1981 (Sector-3), 22.06.1982 (Sector 9) and 05.07.1982 (Sectors-7 and 8). Most of the subject lands were acquired under the notifications which were under consideration in the matter of Subhash Chander (supra).

9. As regard notification dated 10.02.1983 (Sector 12, Part-I), learned Counsel submits that the subject land therein is within the municipal area and has a better potential than the land in Sectors 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

10. In Subhash Chander's case (supra), this Court noted the judgment of the High Court to the following extent:

In absence of sufficient material of comparable rates, the market price can be determined by periodical increase formula approved by the Apex Court in the case of Sahaswan, District Badaun (supra). If the formula approved by the Apex Court in Sahaswan, District Badaun (supra) is to be applied with 1973 year as the base, the market value of the land in the year 1980 comes to Rs. 58.45/-, in the year 1981 comes to Rs. 66.21/- and in the year 1982 comes to Rs. 76.21/-. The land being big chunk, 1/3rd of the development purposes, for roads, parks and public utilities. Therefore, the rate per square yard comes to Rs. 39.17/- as on the date of notification dated 4.6.1980 and Rs. 44.37/- per square as on the date of notification dated 13.3.1981 and at Rs. 51.07/- per square yard as on the dates of notifications dated 22.6.1982 and 5.7.1982. Accordingly, the market price of the land under different acquisition notifications is assessed at Rs. 39/- per square yard in respect to land acquired for Sector 6 (represented by notification dated 4.6.1980) and Rs. 44/- for Sector 3 (represented by the notification dated 22.6.1982 and 5.7.1982). These appeals are accordingly allowed with costs and Respondents are directed to calculate the compensation for the acquired land at the above rates. The Appellants are also entitled to solatium and interest as determined by the Reference Court on the amount determined herein.

11. As per Subhash Chander's decision, the market value of the land in the year 1980 was determined at Rs. 58.45 per square yard, year 1981 at Rs. 66.21 per square yard, and year 1982 at Rs. 76.21 per square yard.

12. In the Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (Civil) No. 22324 of 2013, learned Counsel for the Appellant placed before us a list of dates, which refers to a sale deed (Exhibit P-6) dated 09.04.1980 for sale of 15 bighas for Gurudwara on G.T. Karnal Road Bypass, at the rate of Rs. 35,000/- per bigha, i.e., at the rate of Rs. 46.54 per square yard. The acquisition of land pursuant to the notification dated 04.06.1980 is in very close proximity with the sale deed dated 09.04.1980. If that is taken as a comparable exemplar for determination of market value for the land acquired u