Here's a story from Karaikal where the court decided on how much a piece of land is worth. Let's dive into the twists and turns of this case!
The Union of India, represented by the Secretary to Government (Revenue) in Puducherry, wanted to take over land in Kurumbagaram, Karaikal. This was back in 2005, and the goal was to give free house-site plots to SC/OEBC families. They announced this on December 5, 2005, to acquire the land.
The land in question was classified as wetland, and the person in charge of valuing the land initially said it was worth Rs. 1,500/- per Are. The total payment was Rs. 2,83,558/-. The owner, A. Arokiamary, wasn't happy with this valuation and argued that the land was in a prime location surrounded by homes and factories.
"The acquired land is located within a fully-developed residential and industrial locality."
A. Arokiamary presented three sale records showing higher land values nearby. The court agreed these were more accurate, showing an average value of Rs. 7,525/- per Are. The court initially set the payment at Rs. 5,268/- per Are after a 30% reduction for development.
The Union of India wasn't satisfied and challenged the decision, arguing that the original valuation was correct. However, Justice Dr. A.D. Maria Clete found that the land's value should be higher due to its prime location and reduced the reduction to 10%.
On December 18, 2025, the court decided to increase the payment to Rs. 6,773/- per Are. A. Arokiamary would also receive legal benefits like extra amounts and compensation for inconvenience.
"The compensation is enhanced from Rs. 5,268/- per Are to Rs. 6,773/- per Are."
The court ruled that the landowner should receive a higher payment that matches the true market value, ensuring fair treatment. This case highlights the complexities of land acquisition and the importance of accurate valuation.
