UNION OF INDIA ETC. vs SUNIL CHANDRA SAHA & ANR. ETC.

The Supreme Court held that in land acquisition cases, both claimants and the Land Acquisition officer failed to provide legally admissible evidence regarding the market value of the land as of the notification date. The Court emphasized the necessity for appellants to have notice and the opportunity to present evidence in rebuttal concerning compensation claims. Consequently, the appeals were allowed, the previous award and decree were set aside, and the cases were remitted to the reference court for proper disposal with a directive to consider all relevant evidence.