Timelines for filing references under the Land Acquisition Act can be interpreted based on knowledge of the award, and compensation can be accepted under protest while pursuing appeals.

JUDGEMENT

This first appeal under Section 96 of C.P.C. read with 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 has been filed against the Award dated 25/10/2021 passed by XI District Judge, Gwalior in MJC (Land Acquisition) No.401/2018 by which reference filed by respondent has been allowed.

2. It is submitted by counsel for the parties that so far as the ground raised by appellants with regard to the fact as to whether reference was barred by time or not and whether respondent had accepted compensation amount without Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRINCEE protest or not is concerned, same has already been decided by this Court by order dated 23.06.2025 in the case of State of M.P. And Others Vs. Lokendra Singh in FA. No.264/2021, therefore, for the aforesaid grounds are duly covered by order passed by this Court in the case of Lokendra Singh (supra) However, it is submitted by counsel for appellants that Reference Court should not have awarded compensation amount by relying upon the Collector guidelines.

3. Per contra, it is submitted by counsel for respondent that so far as the Collector guidelines issued by Collector can be guidelines for ascertaining market value and thus, the Reference Court did not commit any mistake by relying upon the Collector’s guidelines.

4. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

5. So far as the question as to whether Reference was barred by time and whether respondent had accepted compensation amount without any protest or not is concerned, this Court in the case of Lokendra Singh (supra) has held as under:

“1. This appeal, under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short “the Act”) , has been filed against the order/Award dated 13.07.2020 passed by Additional Judge to the Court of First Additional District Judge, Gohad, District Bhind in Land Acquisition MJC Case No. 16 of 2015 by which reference filed by respondent has been allowed.

2. It is not out of place to mention here that against the award passed by Land Acquisition Officer, a reference was made under Section 18 of Land Acquisition Act. By impugned award, the Trial Court has enhanced the compensation amount. It was informed by Counsel for the parties, that being dissatisfied by the award passed by the Reference Court, the Land owners have also filed First Appeal. Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRINCEE

3. As a general practice, all the appeals arising out of one judgment and decree or award should be heard analogously, but in the present case, it was submitted by Counsel for appellant, that the State has not questioned the quantum of compensation and the appeal is being pressed only on two grounds i.e., that the reference was barred by time and since, the respondent/land owner had received the compensation amount therefore, the reference is not maintainable.

4. In view of the grounds of attack, this Court is of the considered opinion, that large number of appeals are pending but since, the question for consideration in both the appeals, i.e., by the State and the land owners, are not overlapping each other and the appeal filed by the State can be decided without adversely effecting the ground regarding quantum of compensation which is the subject matter of appeal filed by land owner, therefore, the appeal filed by the State is being decided.

5. The facts necessary for disposal of present appeal, in short, are that a notification was issued for acquisition of 2.52 hectares of land for construction of canal and accordingly in Land Acquisition Case Number 21/2012-13/A-82, Award dated 17/9/2013 was passed and Land Acquisition Officer awarded compensation @ ₹4,30,167 per hectare. Being aggrieved by the said Award, respondent preferred an application under Section 18 of the Act on 23.08.2014. The matter was referred by Collector to District Court for answering the reference. The Additional Judge to the Court of First Additional District Judge, Gohad,