The Special Land Acquisition Officer v. Siddappa Ujanappa Madar

The Registry's report dated August 14, 1995 indicates that S.S. Typai, the sole respondent in SLP (C) No. 9906 of 1987 (present SLP),was dead H as per the postal endorsement. We, therefore, directed the learned counsel 748 •· .... SPL. LANDACQN. OFFICER v. S.U. MADAR 74Y for the petitioner-State to take steps to bring on record the legal repre- A sentatives of the sole- respondent. The Special Land Acquisition Officer, National Highways, Dharwad, in his letter dated 17th October, 1995 had stated that said S.S. Tyapi is still alive and he is presently running a tea shop near bus depot at Gangavati. Under these circumstances, the vostal endorsement obviously is incorrect. Therefore, there is no need to bring B the legal representatives of the respondent on recorcl. Leave granted. The controversy in case is not longer res intergra. The applicability of the provisions of Sections 23(1-A), 23(2) and 28 of the Land Acquisition C Act, 1894, as amended by the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act (Act 68 of 1984), is in question in this matter. These points have already been covered by two Constitution Bench decisions of this Court in Union of India v. Raghubir Singh, [1989] 3 SCR 316 and K.S. Paripooman v. State of Kera/a, [1994] 5 SCC 593. In view of these Constitution Bench judgments the appeal is to be allowed. Consequently, the benefits granted· pursuant D to the Amendment Act stand set aside. The respondents are entitled to interest @ 6% per annum and also solatium @ 15% on the enhanced compensation. The appeal is accordingly allowed but, in the circumstances, without E costs. G.N . Appeal allowed.