Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 28 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Ramesh Singh (deceased) & Ors.; Respondents: Srinivas Reddy & Ors.
- The matter arose from SLP(C) applications (Diary No. 24335/2019) and a contempt petition (Civil No. 844/2021) linked to a High Court order dated 23‑10‑2018.
- The substantive judgment dated 20 September 2004 directed the District Collector, Ranga Reddy District, to determine market value of the petitioners’ property as on 01‑10‑2004 and to pay compensation equivalent to full market value plus all benefits entitled to owners under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
- The High Court, while disposing of the contempt petitions, confined the market‑value determination to 01‑10‑2004 and limited relief to compensation alone, contrary to the original judgment.
- The petitioners contended that the High Court’s restriction altered the substantive judgment, which a contempt court cannot do.
- The Supreme Court examined paragraph 64 of the impugned order, which reiterated the original directive for full market‑value compensation and associated benefits.
- The Court noted that the ex‑gratia amount of Rs 2,00,000 per acre had been deposited with the Deputy Collector/Mandal Revenue Officer of Serilingampally Mandal, but the assignees had refused the cheque, leaving the amount with the officer.
- The Court reaffirmed the Full Bench decision in L.A.O. v. M. Pandu, holding that assignees are entitled to compensation and benefits on par with full owners, irrespective of possession or the mode of acquisition.
Final Outcome
- The Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s observations in paragraph 64 to the extent they restricted market‑value determination to 01‑10‑2004 and limited relief to compensation alone.
- The petitioners are entitled to all benefits as contained in the 20 September 2004 judgment, i.e., full market‑value compensation and all owner‑equivalent benefits.
- Respondents (including the Government of Andhra Pradesh) must ensure full compliance with the 20 September 2004 judgment within two months of this order; failure to do so permits the petitioners to approach the Court for further appropriate orders.
- The appeals and the related contempt petition are disposed of.
- All pending applications, if any, are also stood disposed of.
Topics: Land Acquisition, Compensation, Supreme Court Order