JUDGMENT

Rama Pal, J.-The question to be decided in this appeal relates to the rights of the beneficiary of an acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act ) to resist withdrawal of acquisition proceedings.

2. In the course of the arguments before us, we were of the view that the original records pertaining to this case should be produced. This was directed on 14th September 2000. The entire records have admittedly not been produced by the State Government. We have been informed by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State that one of the files pertaining to the case has been destroyed on 3rd February, 2000.

3. On the basis of the records we have found that the appellant is a Society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1961. It has 360 members all of whom are State Government Employees belonging to the Schedule Castes of Adidravida and Adikaranataka. It wanted to provide house sites for its members all of whom are houseless. In 1983, the appellant approached the Government to acquire 15 acres of land at Maralur village. The land belonged to respondents Nos. 5 to 7 herein.

4. By a letter dated 10.1.1983 the Planning A