JUDGMENT

Two parcels of land of the appellant in these cases comprised in Re.Sy.No.219/39 of Thrikkadavoor Village were acquired for the purpose of construction of National Highway Bye- pass, Kollam. Notification under Section 4 (1) of the Act was published on 26.03.1996. The Land Acquisition Officer fixed the land value at Rs.24,985/- per Are. Dissatisfied with the land value fixed by the Land Acquisition Officer, reference was sought. The reference court enhanced the land value. The appellant approached this Court by filing L.A.A Nos.699 of 2012 and 700 of 2012. This Court disposed the appeals by remitting the cases for fresh disposal by the reference court. Thereafter, the reference court passed the impugned common judgment. The land value was re-fixed as Rs.49,655/- per Are in both cases. Discontented with the enhancement granted by the reference court after remand, these appeals were filed.

2. During the pendency of these appeals the reference court considered some other references remitted by this Court arising from the same acquisition. Properties involved in these cases fall within the highest category, category No.I – dry land having Panchayath road access. In L.A.R No.17