SPL. TEHSILDAR LAND ACQN. VISHAKAPATNAM vs SMT. A. MANGALA GOWRI

The Supreme Court held that under Section 23(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the market value of land must reflect just and fair compensation, determined by the price a willing vendor could expect from a willing purchaser at the time of notification. The Court found that the High Court erred in ignoring relevant sale transactions, concluding that the prevailing market value of the land in question was Rs.6 per sq. yard, rather than the Rs.10 awarded by the lower courts. The appeal was allowed, and the compensation was adjusted accordingly.