The appellant is said to be the absolute owner of land bearing survey no.266/3, measuring 24 guntas of Koppal. The same was notified for acquisition as per notification dated 29.3.2010, under Section 4 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, (hereinafter referred to as ‘the LA Act’, for brevity) for the purpose of construction of a 250 bed hospital. The Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) had passed an award on 4.2.2012 fixing the market value of the land at Rs.2,88,000/- per acre, on the basis of sale statistics. The appellant had filed a petition under Section 18(1) of the LA Act seeking enhancement of the market value at Rs.1.50 crore per acre. The reference court had, while holding that the subject land had the potential of being developed as non-agricultural land, proceeded to assess the market value at Rs.100/- per sq.ft. and also deducted 60% of the same towards 'development charges' etc. It is that award which is under challenge in this appeal.

2. It is contended on behalf of the appellant that the reference court has ignored Exhibit - P11, which was a sale deed in