RFA-1999-1996 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 104/2 RFA-1999-1996 Date of Decision: 22.07.2026 State of Punjab and another …Appellants Versus Gurdev Singh and others …Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL Present: - Mr. Gunjan Mehta, Additional Advocate General, Punjab *** JAGMOHAN BANSAL, J. (Oral) 1. The appellant-State through instant appeal is seeking setting aside of award dated 17.11.1995 whereby learned Additional District Judge, Patiala (hereinafter to be referred to as ‘Reference Court’) has enhanced amount of compensation awarded by Land Acquisition Collector (for short ‘Collector’). 2. The State Government issued notification dated 16.04.1988 under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short ‘1894 Act’) for acquisition of land situated at village Hulka, Tehsil Rajpura, District Patiala. The said notification was followed by notification dated 13.05.1988 issued under Section 6 of 1894 Act. 3. The Collector vide award dated 28.04.1989, in terms of provisions of 1894 Act, awarded compensation to the tune of ₹60,000/- per acre for Chahi land, ₹50,080/- per acre for Rousli land and ₹35,040/- per acre for Gair Mumkin land. Feeling dis-satisfied from aforesaid award, MOHIT KUMAR 2026.07.22 15:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. RFA-1999-1996 -2- landowners preferred petitions before the Collector which were referred to Reference Court under Section 18 of the 1894 Act. 4. The landowners as well as State, in support of their contentions, led their evidence. The State attempted to justify market value determined by Collector, however, landowners vehemently pleaded that value of their land has been assessed on lower side. 5. The Reference Court, appreciating evidence led by both sides, by impugned award adjudicated reference petition. The Reference Court has assessed market value of acquired land @₹1,75,000/- per acre. In this way, the Reference Court has enhanced market value @ ₹60,000/- per acre for Chahi land, ₹50,080/- per acre for Rousli land and ₹35,040/- per acre for Gair Mumkin land to ₹1,75,000/- per acre. The State is in appeal before this Court. 6. Learned counsel for the appellant-State submits that Reference Court has determined amount of compensation on the basis of award dated 15.02.1994 passed in the case of another landowner whose land was acquired along with land of present respondents. The State is not having any record to confirm whether award dated 15.02.1994 was ever challenged or if challenged, was ever set aside by this Court. 7. Heard the arguments and perused the record. 8. It is undisputed that claim of respondents herein is at par with claim of landowners in award dated 15.02.1994 passed in ‘Dharam Singh and others v. State of Punjab and another’. In the absence of any evidence that award dated 15.02.1994 has been disturbed by this Court, there seems no reason to interfere with impugned award. MOHIT KUMAR 2026.07.22 15:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. RFA-1999-1996 -3- 9. In the backdrop, this Court is of the considered opinion that present appeal deserves to be dismissed and accordingly dismissed. (JAGMOHAN BANSAL) JUDGE 22.07.2026 Mohit Kumar Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No MOHIT KUMAR 2026.07.22 15:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment.