Supreme Court Ruling on Market Value, Severance Charges, and Statutory Benefits in Land Acquisition

sketch of the Supreme Court of India
Case
SURINDER AHUJA AND ANR. v. STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR. (Supreme Court of India, 29-09-2026)
Law
Land Acquisition Act, Constitution of India, Indian Evidence Act.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Detailed examination of market value determination under Section 23(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, emphasizing project-wide parity and rejecting radial step-down models.
  • Application of the principle that evidence cannot travel beyond pleadings regarding claims for uncompensated fruit trees under Section 18 references.
  • Legal interpretation of severance charges under Section 23(1) thirdly, clarifying that calculation must be based on remaining unacquired land value.
  • Reiteration that statutory solatium and additional interest under Sections 23(2) and 23(1A) apply exclusively to bare land market value, excluding auxiliary assets.
  • Evidentiary rules requiring authors of private valuation reports to depose for admissibility.