JUDGMENT

P.K. Balasubramanyan, J.—Forty-three writ petitioners, the contesting respondents in these appeals, approached the High Court of Madras with W.P. No. 1109 of 2000 praying for the issue of a writ of mandamus directing the State of Tamil Nadu, its officers and the Tamil Nadu Housing Board to re-convey the lands comprised in Survey Nos. 237, 238/1, 238/2 and 238/3 in all 2.43 acres, in Padi village presently in Ambattur Taluk and for passing such further orders as deemed by the court to be fit and proper. The Writ Petition was filed through a power of attorney. It was stated that the properties belonged to one Maniappa Naicker and it was inherited by his four sons and their successors. It was asserted that the writ petitioners were the absolute owners of the property as legal heirs and are in lawful possession and enjoyment of the said property. The writ petitioners were in joint possession and they were the joint owners of the property. The land was sought to be acquired for housing purposes. It was conceded that a notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act was published on 12.7.1975 followed by a declaration under Section 6 of that Act on 29.11.1978, follo