JUDGMENT

UNTWALIA, J.:— These three appeals by special leave arise out of a common judgment of the Gujarat High Court and in them are involved some common questions of law as to the interpretation of certain provisions of the Bombay Merged Territories and Areas (Jagirs Abolition) Act, 1953 - Bombay Act No. XXXIX of 1954 - hereinafter referred to as the Act or the Jagirs Abolition Act. The three appeals have been heard 1723 together and are being disposed of by this judgment.

2. On coming into force of the Act on and from 1st August, 1954 the Jagirs of the Jagirdars were abolished and certain properties comprised in the jagirs vested in the State. The Jagirdars filed before the Collector applications for award of compensation under the Act in respect of certain properties. The Jagir Abolition Officer authorised to act as the Collector under the Act awarded some compensation to the Jagirdars in respect of some items of the properties, refused in respect of some and made his award on the 30th July 1963. The Jagirdars (which expression would include their heirs also) filed an appeal under Section 16 of the Act before the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal, Ahmedabad. The Tribunal modified the awa