Judgment :-

S.B. Sinha, J.

1. These appeals involving similar questions of fact and law were taken up for hearing together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. By reason of a notification dated 3.02.1970, the State of Maharashtra expressed its desire to acquire a large chunk of land situated in 96 villages for the purpose of forming new twin city near Bombay called as `New Bombay Project. By reason of the said notification, 53 acres of land, i.e., 5300 sq. m. belonging to the appellants herein and situated in village Wahal in the District of Raigad, Maharashtra was sought to be acquired.

A declaration in terms of Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act (for short "the Act") was made on 21.05.1971.

3. A notice under Section 9 of the Act was issued pursuant whereto the claimants - appellants filed their applications for payment of enhanced compensation.

4. The Land Acquisition Collector made its award. Aggrieved by and dissatisfied therewith, the appellants filed applications before the Collector for reference in terms of Section 18 of the Act pursuant whereto reference was made to the Court of District Judge in the year 1986.

5. Before the Reference Court, the par