IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH RFA-2605-2010 (O&M) and XOBJR-73-2025 (O&M)

and other connected cases Date of Decision: February 20, 2026 HARYANA STATE AND ANR. .....Appellants Versus BALBIR SINGH AND ORS. ........Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA Present: Mr. Abhinash Jain, DAG, Haryana. Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Advocate for the landowners in RFA-5501 to 5504 of 2010, RFA-5569 of 2010 and RFA-6889-2011.

Mr. A.K. Singh Goyal, Advocate for the landowners in RFA-2871 to 2884 of 2010, RFA-4933-2010 and RFA-6958-2011.

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HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL)

CM-806-CI-2025 This is an application for bringing on record the legal heirs of respondent No.2 who has unfortunately died on 18.08.2016 For the reasons mentioned in the application, the same is allowed, subject to all just exceptions and the applicants as mentioned in paragraph 2 of application are ordered to be impleaded as legal representatives of deceased-Dhupa-respondent No.2.

Amended memo of parties be taken on record.

CM-807-CI-2025 Allowed as prayed for, subject to all just exceptions. Amended memo of parties is taken on record.

CM-814-CI-2025 in XOBJR-73-2025 This is an application seeking condonation of delay of 173 days in re-filing the cross-objections.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the contents of the application which is supported by an affidavit, the same is allowed and delay of 173 days in re-filing the cross-objection is hereby condoned.

CM-815-CI-2025 in XOBJR-73-2025 This is an application seeking condonation of delay of 1 day in filing the cross-objections.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the contents of the application which is supported by an affidavit, the same is allowed and delay of 1 day in re-filing the cross-objection is hereby condoned.

CM-816-CI-2025 in XOBJR-73-2025 Allowed as prayed for, subject to all just exceptions.

RFA-2605-2010 and XOBJR-73 of 2025 Vide this common order, a batch of 45 connected Regular First Appeals(s) and cross objection(s) shall stand disposed of, details whereof are mentioned in the footnote of the judgment. For convenience, the facts are drawn from RFA-2605-2010 and XOBJR-73-2025.

2. By way of present appeal(s), challenge has been laid to the judgment dated 02.09.2009 passed by the learned Additional District Judge, Hisar (for short ’Reference Court’) whereby the reference petition filed under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) by the respondents-landowners, seeking enhancement of compensation was partly allowed.

3. Briefly stating, certain land, situated within the revenue estate of village Umra, Tehsil Hansi, District Hisar, Hadbast No.119 was acquired for the public purpose, namely, for construction of Depal Sub Minor vide notifications dated 23.04.2002 and 21.06.2002 issued under Sections 4 and 6 respectively of the Act. The Land Acquisition Collector (for short ‘LAC’) passed Award No.4H dated 29.08.2002 assessing the market value at the rate of Rs.1,40,000/- per acre for Nehri land, along with other statutory benefits.

4. Aggrieved of the aforesaid award dated 29.08.2002, respondents-landowners sought reference under Section 18 of the Act pleading that the price of acquired land was not less than Rs.10,00,000/- per acre as the same was situated near to Hansi town and many factories were situated near the acquired land thus, having a high potential value.

5. Upon notice, the same was contested by the appellant-State by way of filing a written statement. It was pleading that the amount of compensation awarded by the LAC was just, reasonable, fair and adequate. Moreover, the factum of any factory been located near the acquired land was denied by the appellant-State.

6. On the basis of pleadings of the parties, the following issues were framed by learned Reference Court:-

“1. What was the market value of the acquired land on the date of publication of notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition