AS/951/2010 of THE LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER/ Vs P.VISWANATHAN on 29 October 2026

1. P.Viswanathan, 48a, 5th Street, 100 Ft. Road, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore. V.Mayilsamy (deceased)

2. Nanjammal, D/o.Late Chinna Palaniappa Mudaliar, Kurumpapalayam Post, Aachipatti, Pollachi, Coimbatore District.

3. Puvatthal, D/o.Late Chinna Palaniappa Mudaliar, Pannimadai, Coimbatore Taluk.

4. Chinna Kanni, D/o.Late Chinna Palaniappa Mudaliar, Pannimadai, Coimbatore Taluk.

5. Krishnasamy, S/o.Late Chinna Palaniappa Mudaliar, Pannimadai, Coimbatore Taluk.

6. K.Ramaraj, Subramaniya Nivas, 4, Kanniya Chetti Street, Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai-600053.

7. Sargunavathiammal, W/o.Late Duraisamy Naidu, 224, D.Thadagam Road, Venkittapuram, Coimbatore.

8. Sakunthala, D/o.K.Ramaraj, Subramaniya Nivas, 4, Kanniya Chetti Street, Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai-600 053.

9. N.Krishnamoorthy, S/o.Neelakanda Iyer, 13, Kalidoss Road, Ram Nagar, Coimbatore.

10. N.R.Krishnamoorthy, S/o.Ranganatha Sasthri, 92, Kokale Street, Ram Nagar, Coimbatore.

11. Srisarguru Bhagavan Namaseva Samithi, A.Sellapathy, Secretary, 92, Kokale St., Ram Nagar, Coimbatore. Swaminathan (deceased)

12. Rangaswamy, S/o.Arumugam, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore District. Bramalingam (deceased.) Marudhachalam (deceased) Subbiah (deceased)

13. Maruthappan, S/o.Ayyasamy Gounder, 10-3/54, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Kalveerampalayam, Bharathiar University Post, Coimbatore.

14. Ganesan, S/o.Late Arumuga Gounder, 10-3/12, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Kalveerampalayam, Bharathiar University Post, Coimbatore.

15. Maruthappa Gounder, S/o.Late Arumuga Gounder, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Swaminathan (deceased)

16. Shanmugham, S/o.Ummudisamy, 5/10, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

17. Krishnasamy, S/o.Thirumalaisami, 5/11, Chinnasamy Gounder Street,

Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

18. Karunakaran, S/o.Viswanathan, 519, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Namasivayan (deceased)

19. Ponnusamy, S/o.Chinnappan, 59A, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

20. Angamuthu, S/o.Chinnappan, 59A, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Chinnappan (deceased)

21. Sando Chinnappa Devar Trust, 13, Dr.Nayar Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-17.

22. Karuppusamy, S/o.Marudhappa Gounder, 10-1/15, Marudhamalai Road, Kalveerampalayam, Bhrathiar University Post, Coimbatore-46.

23. Palanisamy, S/o.Marudhappa Gounder, 10-1/15, Marudhamalai Road, Kalveerampalayam, Bharathiar University Post, Coimbatore-46.

24. Chinnasamy, S/o.Marudhappa Gounder, Kalveerampalayam, Coimbatore-46.

25. Thottanna Gounder, S/o.Lakshmana Gounder, 50, Mahalakshmi Kovil Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

26. Karuppusamy, S/o.Ramaswamy Gounder, 10/13, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Kalveerampalayam, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

27. Thenammal, 10/13, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Kalveerampalayam, Bharathiar University Post, Coimbatore-46.

28. Karuppakkal, 10/13, Mahaliamman Kovil Street., Kalveerampalayam, Bhrathiar University Post, Coimbatore.

29. Thottanna Gounder, S/o.Anjanna Gounder, 10/3, Mahaliamman Kovil Street, Kalveerampalayam, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

30. C.Ponnuswamy, S/o.Chinnappan, Chinnappa Illam, Velliyagiri Nagar, Navavur Division, Coimbatore-46.

31. C.Angamuthu, S/o.Chinnappan, Chinnappa Illam, Velliyagiri Nagar,

Navavur Division, Coimbatore-46. Maragatham (deceased)

32. Bhakiyam, W/o.Late Swaminathan, 5/11, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

33. Sowtharavalli, D/o.Swaminathan (late), 5/11, Ramalinga Gounder Street., Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

34. Gnapongothai, D/o.Swaminathan (late), 5/11, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Thirupurasundari (deceased)

35. Angammal, D/o.Late Swaminathan Pandaram, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

36. Subbulakshmi, D/o.Late Swaminatha Pandaram, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

37. Sachithanantham, So.Late Swaminatha Pandaram, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Thirunavurkkarasu (deceased)

38. Dhanushkotiammal, W/o.Late Bramalingam, 5/15, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

39. B.Karthikeyan, S/o.Late Bramalingam, 5/15, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

40. Moorthy, S/o.Late Bramalingam, 5/15, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

41. Rukmani, D/o.Late Bramalingam, Palacodu, Kerala.

42. Subbulakshmi, W/o.Late Subbian, 54, Mahaliamman Street, Kalveerampalayam, Coimbatore.

43. S.Mahesh, S/o.Late Subbian, 54, Mahaliamman Street, Kalveerampalayam, Coimbatore.

44. Vimala, D/o.Late Subbian, 54, Mahaliamman Street, Kalveerampalayam, Coimbatore.

45. Dhanalakshmi, W/o.Late Thirunavukkarasu, 14, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

46. Arulmozhi, D/o.Late Thirunavukkarasu, 14, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

47. Kiruttika, D/o.Late Thirunavukkarasu, 14, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

48. Swaminathan, S/o.Late Thirunavukkarasu, 14, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

49. A.Panchalingam, H/o. late Thiripurasundari, Old No.13, New No.17, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

50. C.P.Ravikumar, S/o.late Thiripurasundari, Old No.13, New No.17, Chinnasamy, Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

51. Santhakumari, D/o. Late Thiripurasundari, Old No.13, New No.17, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

52. M.Sivagnasundaram, S/o.Late Marudhachalam, 28, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

53. Parvathy, W/o.Late Marudhachalam, 28, Ramalinga Gounder Street,

Vadavalli, Coimbatore. Nithiyanandam (deceased)

54. T.Karpagam, W/o.Late Nithiyanandam, 28, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

55. N.Kumaravel, S/o.Late Nithiyanandam, 28, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

56. Elavar N.Umasankari, D/o.Late Nithiyanandam, 28, Ramalinga Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

57. S.Rajini, W/o.Late Namasivayam, 7/10 A, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

58. N.Vadivel, S/o.Late Namasivayam, 7/10 A, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

59. N.Viswanathan, S/o.Late Namasivayam, 7/10, A.Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

60. N.Ramathilagam, D/o.Late Namasivayam, 7/10 A, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore.

61. N.Kirubakkaran, S/o.Late Namasivayam, 7/10 A, Chinnasamy Gounder Street, Vadavalli, Coimbatore. ...Respondents 1 to 61/ Claimants

62. The Registrar, Bhrathiar University, Coimbatore. ...Respondent No.62/ Beneficiary PRAYER:- Appeal suit filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 praying to set aside the Order dated October 29, 2007 passed in L.A.O.P. No.106 of 1986 by the I Additional Sub Court, Coimbatore. For Appellant :Ms.D.Chitra Maragatham, Government Advocate For Respondents :Mr.V.Anandhamoorthy for Respondents 2 to 5, 14 to 16, 18, 26 to 28 30, 31, 33 to 41, 45 to 55, 58 to 61 :Mr.R.Bharath Kumar for Respondents 13, 22, 24, 42, 43 and 44 :Served, no appearance - Respondents 56 & 57 :Not ready in notice - Respondents 1,6 to 9, 11,19 to 21, 30,31,48,60 & 62 : Passed away - Respondents 10,12,17,23,25,27, 29 & 32

J U D G M E N T

R.SAKTHIVEL,J. This Appeal Suit has been filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by 'the Land Acquisition Officer' ['L.A.O.' for short] assailing the quantum of compensation awarded in the Land Acquisition Original Petition in L.A.O.P No.106 of 1986 by 'the I Additional Subordinate Court, Coimbatore', which is the Reference Court under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and shall hereinafter be referred to as 'Reference Court'. FACTS LEADING TO THE FILING OF THIS APPEAL SUIT:

2. An extent of 165 Acres 15 Cents of patta land in Vadavalli Village, Coimbatore Taluk was inter-alia acquired for the establishment of Bharathiyar University at Coimbatore. The aforesaid extent was split into 3 blocks for administrative convenience. The present Appeal Suit relates to Block No.1 consisting of an extent of 40 Acres 46 Cents as detailed hereunder: Survey No. Extent as per Revenue Records [in Acres] Extent as proposed in 4 (1) Notification and as per Subdivision Records [in Acres] 306/1A 2.13 2.13

306/1B 2.12 2.12

0.16 0.16

4.26 4.26

0.52 0.52

1.94 1.94

3.12 3.12 306/3B 0.83 0.83

1.53 1.53 308/1A 1.92 1.92 308/1B 2.00 2.00

2.97 2.97

4.07 4.07

2.33 2.33

2.33 2.33

2.97 2.97

5.24 5.24 Total 40.46 40.46

3. All the aforesaid 40 Acres 46 Cents are all Government manavari dry lands subject to full assessment.

4. For the aforesaid 40 Acres 46 Cents, Section 4 (1) Notification was issued on January 9, 1980. Section 5 (A) enquiry was conducted in four sessions between June 30, 1980 and August 16, 1980. The

Government overruled the objections raised at the time of Section 5 (A) enquiry and approved the Section 6 Declaration and the same was published in the Government Gazette on September 1, 1982. After issuing notice to the land owners and interested persons, L.A.O. conducted Award enquiry and fixed compensation for irrigation wells, dwelling houses, trees, etc. For fixing the market value of the dry lands under acquisition, L.A.O. called for statistics of sales of all lands in and around Vadavalli Village relating to a period of three years prior to the date of Section 4 (1) Notification i.e., for a period from January 9, 1977 to January 9, 1980, and accordingly L.A.O. gathered 362 sale instances from Sub-Registrar Office. As per Serial No.153 of the said sales data, an extent of 1 Acre in Survey No.364 of Vadavalli Village was sold for Rs.5,000/- vide Sale Deed dated June 8, 1979 [Document No.1428 of 1979 on the file of Joint-I Sub- Registrar Office, Coimbatore]. Taking the said Sale Deed as the Exemplar Sale Deed, L.A.O. assessed Rs.5,000/- per Acre as the market value of the lands under acquisition and passed Award No.1 of 1984 dated January 18, 1984.

5. Dissatisfied with the assessed market value and the total compensation awarded vide the said Award, the land owners preferred an application before L.A.O. to refer the matter to Court under Section 18 of

the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 seeking higher compensation. Accordingly, L.A.O. referred the matter to the Reference Court on June 1, 1984 vide L.A. No.2 of 1978.

6. The Reference Court took cognizance of the reference in L.A.O.P. No.106 of 1986. To be noted, for some other nearby lands in Vadavalli Village, L.A.O. had fixed the same compensation amount and that matter was also referred to the Court. The said reference was taken on file as L.A.O.P. No.105 of 1986, and heard jointly with L.A.O.P. No.106 of 1986. On the side of the claimants, Ganesan / Claimant No.19 in L.A.O.P. No.106 of 1986 and R.Subramanian / Claimant No.97 in L.A.O.P. No.105 of 1986 were examined as C.W.1 and C.W.2 respectively and Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.5 were marked. On the side of Referring Officer / L.A.O., N.Sulokshana, Special Tahsildar, Coimbatore Taluk, was examined as R.W.1 and one Susila from the Estate Maintenance Department of the Beneficiary - University was examined R.W.2 and Ex-R.1 to Ex-R.5 were marked.

7. After hearing both sides, the Reference Court found that the acquired lands are situate abutting the Coimbatore - Marudhamalai Main Road whereas the land covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed is located

away from the said Main Road slightly in the interior and accordingly held that the L.A.O. was not right in choosing the same as the Exemplar Sale Deed. Further, found that L.A.O. had taken the lowest sale price found in the sales data. Further, the sale under the Exemplar Sale Deed appears to be an urgent sale under a necessity and hence, cannot be said to reflect a true value. Further, the land covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed does not have proper road access. Further, as per Ex-C.1 - Sale Deed dated July 11, 1977, an extent of 2 ½ Cents in Survey No.158/1 in the nearby Somayampalayam Village was sold for Rs.5,500/-; and as per Ex-C.2 - Sale Deed dated September 9, 1982, an extent of 8 Cents in Survey No.297/1 of the same Vadavalli Village was sold for Rs.24,000/-; and as per Ex-C.3 - Sale Deed dated February 29, 1984, an extent of 4 Cents 254 sq. ft. in Survey No.158/1 of the nearby Somayampalayam Village was sold for Rs.45,828/- i.e., at the rate of Rs.10,000/- per Cent approximately. Considering the above, and also considering the fact that there is a steep and steady increase in the land rate in the vicinity as evident from a conjoint reading of Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3 and also considering the potential of the acquired lands and also by stating that there are Judgments of High Court and Supreme Court that in appropriate cases the Court may fix 10% above the market price evident from Exemplar Sale Deeds, the Reference

Court assessed the market value of the lands under acquisition at the rate of Rs.3,300/- per Cent in addition to the statutory benefits of 30% Solatium under Section 23 (2) and 12% Additional Compensation under Section 23 (1-A) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, along with interest as per the said Act.

8. Feeling aggrieved by the Order of the Reference Court, L.A.O. has preferred this Appeal Suit.

ARGUMENTS:

9. Ms.D.Chitra Maragatham, learned Government Advocate appearing for the appellant / L.A.O. would argue that L.A.O. gathered 362 Nos. of sale instances and upon meticulous consideration, based on the soil quality, nature of land, proximity to the main road, etc., fixed the sale instance in Serial No.153 as the Exemplar Sale Deed, land covered whereunder is in Survey No.364 situate close to the acquired lands. It is a normal sale and the acquired lands and the land covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed are comparable ones. On the other hands, out of the Sale Deeds considered by the Reference Court, the properties covered under Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.5 - Sale Deeds are all house plots whereas the

acquired lands are dry lands, and hence not comparable. Further, Ex-C.2 to Ex-C.5 - Sale Deeds are all dated post the Section 4 (1) Notification and hence, cannot be taken into consideration. Further, the house plots covered under Ex-C.1 and Ex-C.3 - Sale Deeds are situate in a different village namely Somayampalayam Village. Only when there exist no data in the village to which the acquired lands belong, Sale Deeds from nearby villages must be considered. In the present case, there exist sale data from the Vadavalli Village and hence, sale data from Somayampalayam Village is not to be considered. The Reference Court failed to consider the above aspects and erred in awarding a higher compensation. Accordingly, she would pray to allow the Appeal Suit, set aside the Order of the Reference Court and confirm the Award of L.A.O.

10. On the other hand, Mr.V.Anandhamoorthy appearing for Respondents 2 to 5, 14 to 16, 18, 26 to 28, 30, 31, 33 to 41, 45 to 55, 58 to 61, and Mr.R.Bharath Kumar appearing for Respondents 13, 22, 24, 42, 43 and 44, which respondents are all land owners / claimants, would make the following submissions:

10.1. The acquired lands, though dry lands, are situate abutting the Coimbatore - Marudhamalai Main Road. At the time of acquisition itself,

the acquired lands had the famous Marudhamalai Temple, Colleges including Government Law College, Schools, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and other Universities, Central Government Sugarcane Breeding Center, etc., all within 5-8 Kms radius and thus had enormous potential for growth.

10.2. Somayampalayam Village and Vadavalli Village are both adjacent villages. Moreover, the acquired lands are more closer to the Somayampalayam Village. In fact, for the purpose of establishing Bharathiyar University, land has been acquired from Somayampalayam Village as well. Hence, there is no bar to consider Ex-C.1 and Ex-C.3 - Sale Deeds relating to lands in Somayampalayam Village.

10.3. As evident from Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3 - Sale Deeds, land was sold at the rate of Rs.2,200/- per Cent in 1977, Rs.3,000/- per Cent in 1982 and Rs.10,000/- per Cent in 1984. Ex-C.2 and Ex-C.3 were executed just after the Section 4 (1) Notification and the same can be considered for analysing the market value. A steady and steep increase in land price in the vicinity could be observed from Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3.

10.4. The Reference Court upon rightly considering the above aspects and the materials placed on record, fairly assessed the market value at Rs.3,300/- per Cent and awarded a just and fair compensation. There is no need to interfere with the same. Accordingly, the learned Counsels appearing on behalf of the land owners, would pray to dismiss the Appeal Suit.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

11. Upon hearing either side and perusing the materials available on record, the following points arise for consideration in this Appeal Suit:

(i) Whether L.A.O. is right in choosing Ex-R.5 - Sale Deed dated June 6, 1979 registered as Document No.1428 of 1979 on the file of Joint-I Sub-Registrar Office, Coimbatore, found in Serial No.153 of the sales data, as the Exemplar Sale Deed ?

(ii) Whether the award of compensation by the Reference Court at the rate of Rs.3,300/- per Cent besides statutory benefits and interest, is just, fair and reasonable ?

(iii) Is there any warrant to interfere with the Order passed by the Reference Court ?

DISCUSSION AND DECISION: Point No.(i):-

12. Perused Ex-R.3 - Sales Statistics consisting of 362 Sale Deeds as well as Ex-R.5 - Exemplar Sale Deed in Serial No.153 thereof. Perusal of Ex-R.3 - Sale Statistics would show that, out of the total 362 sale instances contained therein, most of them were sale of house plots. Further, R.W.1 - Special Tahsildar in her evidence has admitted that most of the lands in the vicinity of the acquired lands were already developed into house plots at the time of acquisition. These show that the acquired lands, though dry lands, have good potential for immediate development and growth in terms of value. Further, in the Award, L.A.O. has stated that the aforesaid 40 Acres 46 Cents in Block No.1 is situate abutting the Coimbatore - Marudhamalai Main Road and that the lands are compact and contiguous and hence it would not be proper to divide the lands by their proximity to the road. In other words, L.A.O. has stated that the acquired lands are contiguous and stretch along the Main Road with higher frontage and lesser depth and as the frontage to depth ratio is high, there is no need to classify the lands based on their proximity to the Main Road. In Ex-R.4 - Topographical Sketch, the acquired lands have been traced in green.

Perusal of the same would fortify the aforesaid statement made by L.A.O in the Award.

13. Whereas, In Ex-R.3, under the remarks columns [Column No.13] against Serial No.153, L.A.O. has remarked as hereunder: "Genuine and reasonable sale in the Block. May be adopted for valuation. Slightly in interior to the road margin."

13.1. Further, in Ex-R.4 - Topographical Sketch, the property covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed has been traced in red and it can be seen that the same lies slightly away from the acquired lands traced in green, in the interior. Further, the land covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed is an extent of 1 Acre in the total 5 Acres 77 Cents in that survey number. It does not appear to have proper access facilities. Further, perusal of the recitals contained in the Exemplar Sale Deed would give an impression that the sale was made under a urgent family necessity; the vendor sold off the 1 Acre to clear his daughters' debts in bank. Hence, there is an element of uncertainty in whether the sale price in the Exemplar Sale Deed reflects the true market value or not. Further, there are relatively better sale matches (Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3) than the sale under Exemplar Sale Deed as discussed infra. In these circumstances, in view of the immediate growth potential of

the acquired lands and their proximity to the Main Road as well as in view of their other features like the high frontage, this Court is of the considered view that the property covered under the Exemplar Sale Deed cannot be said to be the best among the available, for comparison with the acquired lands. Hence, the Reference Court rightly held that L.A.O. is not justifiable in choosing Ex-R.5 as the Exemplar Sale Deed. This Court finds no warrant to interfere with the said finding. Point No.(i) is answered accordingly in favour of the claimants and against L.A.O. Point No.(ii):-

14. In Ex-C.1 - Sale Deed dated July 11, 1977, a house plot measuring 2 ½ Cents in Survey No.158/1 of Somayampalayam Village was sold for Rs.5,500/- i.e., at the rate of Rs.2,200/- per Cent. In Ex-C.2 - Sale Deed dated September 9, 1982, a house plot having proper layout was sold for Rs.24,000/- i.e., at the rate of Rs.3,000/- per Cent. The said property is said to be in Survey No.297/1 of Vadavalli Village and is of an extent of 8 Cents. That apart, under Ex-C.3 - Sale Deed dated February 29, 1984, an extent of 1996 sq. ft. in Somayampalayam Village was sold for Rs.45,828/- i.e., at the rate of about Rs.10,000/- per Cent.

15. There is no serious dispute with regard to the fact that Vadavalli Village and Somayampalayam Village are adjacent villages. Hence, the argument that the land covered under Ex-C.3 lies in a different village loses its force. Further, though Ex-C.2 and Ex-C.3 were executed after Section 4 (1) Notification, it can be considered in support of the fact that there is a steady and steep increase in land rate in the vicinity of the acquired lands.

16. In the year 1977, that is to say, about three years prior to the date of acquisition itself, market value of house plots in the vicinity of the acquired lands was around Rs.2,200/- per Cent. The acquired lands have an attractive and distinguishable special feature, compared to the properties under Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3 - Sale Deeds as well as that covered under Exemplar Sale Deed, which is the higher frontage to depth ratio along the Coimbatore - Marudhamalai Main Road. In view of the same, though the acquired lands are dry lands and the properties under Ex-C.1 to Ex-C.3 are house plots, this Court is of the view that they can be compared directly. In addition, the acquired lands are well connected to the city by road and public transportation and have immense and immediate growth potential as stated above.

17. In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the market value fixed by the Reference Court at the rate of Rs.3,300/- per Cent for the acquired lands appears to be just, fair and reasonable. Point No.(ii) is answered accordingly in favour of the claimants and against L.A.O. Point No.(iii):-

18. In view of the foregoing narrative, this Court is of the considered view that there is no warrant to interfere with the Order passed by the Reference Court. Accordingly, this Court is inclined to dismiss the Appeal Suit. Point No.(iii) is answered accordingly in favour of the claimants and against L.A.O.

CONCLUSION:-

19. Resultantly, the Appeal Suit is dismissed as devoid of merits. The compensation awarded by the Reference Court is confirmed. Appellant / L.A.O. is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation fixed by the Reference Court, less the amount if any already deposited / paid, along with proportionate accrued interest at the rate fixed by the Reference

Court, to the credit of L.A.O.P. No.106 of 1986 before the Reference Court, within 2 months from today. In view of the facts and circumstances of this case, there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Civil Miscellaneous Petition is closed. (C.V.K.,J.) (R.S.V.,J.) 29-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking Order Neutral Citation: Yes/No JRS

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN J. AND R.SAKTHIVEL J. JRS To

1. The I Additional Sub Court, Coimbatore.

2. The Registrar, Bharathiyar University Coimbatore. A.S. NO.

AND C.M.P. NO. 2415 OF 2018 29 -10-2026