JUDGMENT

C.K. Thakker, J.—These two appeals arise out of the judgment and order dated September 8, 1998 passed by learned Single Judge of the High Court of Karnataka in Writ Petition No. 5580 of 1998 and confirmed by the Division Bench in Writ Appeal Nos. 5051-5052 of 1998 on October 28, 1998.

2. By the impugned order, the High Court upheld the contention of the original petitioners and quashed notification dated November 13, 1997 issued by the State of Karnataka under sub-section (1) of Section 28 of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

3. To appreciate the controversy raised in the appeals, it is necessary to state relevant facts. The respondents are heirs and legal representatives of deceased Akkahonnamma who died somewhere in the year 1993. She was the owner of land bearing Survey No. 113/3 admeasuring 2 acres, 37 gunthas situated in Devarayapatna, Tumkur Taluk. In the year 1978, the Industrial Area Development Board, Karnataka (‘Board’ for short) acquired 120 acres of land of different survey numbers situated in Devarayapatna for the purpose of establishing a Watch Factory, namely, H.M.T. Ltd. (appellant herein). The land