Vijayadevi Navalkishore Bhartia & Anr vs Land Acquisition Officer & Anr

The Supreme Court held that under Section 11(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, the Commissioner does not possess the jurisdiction to reappraise evidence and alter the valuation determined by the Collector. The Court emphasized that the role of the Commissioner is limited to approving or disapproving the award, not to act as an appellate authority. Consequently, the Court set aside the Commissioner's order which reduced the compensation, thereby upholding the Collector's valuation of Rs.130 per sq. meter as valid and appropriate.