Calcutta High Court Dismisses Appeals Challenging Land Acquisition Compensation, Affirms Tribunal’s Judgments
In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court, comprising Hon’ble Justice Partha Sarathi Sen and Hon’ble Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, has dismissed a series of appeals filed by Bharat Petroleum challenging the compensation awarded in land acquisition cases. The court affirmed the judgments and decrees passed by the Land Acquisition Tribunal, emphasizing that the appellants were not entitled to notice under Section 8(2) of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948.
Delivering the judgment, Hon’ble Justice Partha Sarathi Sen stated, “The appellants have failed to raise objections before the Land Acquisition Collector during the compensation assessment process. As per Section 8(2) of the 1948 Act, the service of notice is restricted to the Collector when objections are raised regarding the amount of compensation. Therefore, the present appellants, being the requiring body, are not entitled to notice in the land acquisition cases.”
The appeals revolved around the increase in the value of the acquired land, as determined by the Land Acquisition Tribunal, which the appellants deemed unreasonable. They argued that the tribunal had erred in relying on certain exhibits during the assessment process. However, the court found that the reliance on exhibits was justified as they provided a clear picture of the prevailing land valuation on the day of acquisition.
Furthermore, the court noted that the appellants’ reliance on the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, was misplaced, as the present cases were governed by the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948. The court distinguished the cited decisions and ruled that the appellants had not obtained the necessary leave from the court before filing the appeals, rendering them defective.
The judgment reaffirms the principle that the Land Acquisition Tribunal’s decisions should be respected unless there is a clear error of law or fact. The ruling will have significant implications for land acquisition cases and sets a precedent for the interpretation of the relevant provisions under the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948.
The court’s decision has also granted the appellants the liberty to withdraw the remaining deposited amount, along with interest, from the office of the Learned Registrar General, High Court at Calcutta. The judgment serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the legal procedures and obtaining the necessary permissions before filing appeals.
Date of Decision: 13th June 2023
Bharat Petroleum VS Md. Sayeedul Islam Mir and Anr.
