The Supreme Court ने राज्य Chhattisgarh द्वारा दायर याचिका को खारिज कर दिया, जिसमें लगभग 25 वर्षों तक Public Works Department द्वारा कब्जा किए गए संपत्ति वाले भूमि मालिकों को दी गई अधिक क्षतिपूर्ति और ब्याज को सीमित करने की मांग थी।
मुख्य विकास
- The bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi ने हाई कोर्ट के आदेश को बरकरार रखा, जिसमें राज्य को Rs 5,380 per square metre की क्षतिपूर्ति देने का निर्देश था।
- The Court ने राज्य की चुनौती को “absolutely frivolous” कहा और राज्य पर ₹2 lakh की लागत लगाई।
- Interest on the compensation is to be paid at 9% per annum for the first year and 15% thereafter, starting from the date of filing of the eviction suit (2 September 2006).
महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य
The dispute originated in Durg district, where the PWD took possession of land in 1986 for road construction without formal acquisition. The illegal occupation was uncovered during demarcation on 3 May 2006, prompting landowners to file an eviction suit under the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code.
In 2010, the State issued a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The initial award in June 2011 fixed compensation at Rs 4,308 per square metre based on 2009‑10 guideline rates.
On a reference under Section 18, the Reference Court enhanced the amount to Rs 5,380 per square metre, applying the 2010‑11 rates and directing interest as mentioned above.
UPSC प्रासंगिकता
This case illustrates the interplay of judicial review, land‑acquisition policy, and state‑level administration—core top