(1) THIS is an appeal from the order of the Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissing in limine a writ petition filed by the appellant by a short order. Leave to appeal was granted by the order of this court dated 13/02/1975.

(2) IN the writ petition, the appellant had challenged the validity of a notification issued under S. 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 dated 14/01/1969. It is not now necessary to go into the grounds on which the validity had been challenged because Shri Rajinder Sachar appearing for the appellants has confined his arguments before us to a very short point. The contention raised by him is that out of an area of 1300 sq. yards. acquired from the appellant, only about 700 sq. yards. has been utilised for the purpose of constructing a new road and the balance of 600 sq. yards. has been given away by the State government to M/s Weldon Inks, who had set up their industry near the plot in question. The contention urged is that it is not permissible for the government to acquire land ostensibly for a public purpose but to allot a portion thereof capriciously to some other private party.

(3) WE have considered this contention urged on behalf of t