THE ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL OF W.B. vs THE COLLECTOR

The Supreme Court addressed the valuation of land under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, specifically Sections 4, 11, 18, and 23. The Court held that the market value of the land must be determined based on the best evidence available, including prices of comparable land sold at the time of the notification. The Court affirmed the District Court's enhancement of the market value to Rs.200 per decimal but did not grant further enhancement or solatium, leaving the applicability of higher rates under the U.P. Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, 1972, and the Central Amendment Act, 1982, open for future consideration due to pending cases.