K. KANKARATHNAMMA AND OTHERS vs STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court held that under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the court's jurisdiction to determine compensation arises solely from a reference made to it. The court found that the absence of such a reference constituted a lack of inherent jurisdiction, which could not be waived by the State's failure to object during proceedings. Consequently, the court ruled it had no authority to determine the amount of compensation, thereby upholding the Land Acquisition Officer's award.