High Court Kerala High Court

K.S.E.Board vs K.Katheesu on 12 February, 2008

Kerala High Court
K.S.E.Board vs K.Katheesu on 12 February, 2008
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

CRP No. 2261 of 2002()


1. K.S.E.BOARD, REP.BY SECRETARY,
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs



1. K.KATHEESU, AGED 60 YEARS,
                       ...       Respondent

2. K.MOOSA, AGED 46 YEARS,

3. KL.SULAIKA, AGED 40 YEARS,

4. K.IBRAHIM, AGED 37 YEARS,

5. K.ABDULLA, AGED 35 YEARS,

                For Petitioner  :SRI.C.C.THOMAS, SC, K.S.E.B

                For Respondent  : No Appearance

The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.T.SANKARAN

 Dated :12/02/2008

 O R D E R
                                                    K.T. SANKARAN, J.

                          ...................................................................................

                                              C.R.P. No. 2261   OF  2002

                          ...................................................................................

                                       Dated this the  12th February, 2008


                                                            O R D E R

For drawing high tension electric line, trees were cut from the property

belonging to the respondent. Compensation was awarded by the Board. Dissatisfied

with the amount of compensation awarded, the respondent filed O.P.(Ele. )No. 574 of

1999 on the file of the Addl. District Judge, Thalassery. The court below disposed of the

Original Petition along with six other connected cases.

2. Though the claimant disputed the age and yield of the fruit bearing trees as

assessed by the Board, the court below was not inclined to accept the contention raised

by the respondent. As regards enhancement of compensation in respect of fruit bearing

trees, the court below relied on the decision of the Full Bench in Kumba Amma vs.

K.S.E.B. {2000 (1) K.L.T. 542 (FB)) and had taken 5% as annual return. The court

below rightly held that the Deputy Chief Engineer was not justified in reducing the value

of the trees curt and removed, as assessed by the Deputy Tahsildar. A direction was

therefore issued to restore the value as assessed by the Deputy Tahsildar .

3. The respondent had claimed compensation on account of diminution of land

value. A 220 K.V. line was drawn through the property of the respondent. The court

below held that 20% of the market value of the land can be taken as basis for fixing

compensation on account of diminution of land value. The respondent claimed

Rs.15,000/- per cent as land value. The Commissioner reported that the land value

would be between Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000/- per cent. The court below fixed the land

value at Rs.1500/- per cent. 20% of the amount of the land value was granted as

C.R.P. No. 2261 OF 2002

2

compensation on account of diminution of land value and thus Rs.300/- per cent was

awarded as compensation for diminution of land value. It cannot be said that the order

passed by the court below is unjust, illegal or arbitrary. The amount of compensation

fixed by the court below is not on the higher side. The court below had relied on the

decision of the Full Bench in Kumba vs. K.S.E.B. [2000(1) K.L.T. 542(FB)]. The legal

principles applied in the case are correct and proper. No interference is called for in this

Revision.

Accordingly, the Civil Revision Petition is dismissed. No order as to costs.

K.T. SANKARAN,

JUDGE.

lk

C.R.P. No. 2261 OF 2002

3

K.T. SANKARAN, J.

………………………………………………

C.R.P. No. 2261 OF 2002

…………………………………………………

Dated this the 12h February, 2008

O R D E R