Judgment :

1. Leave granted. Whether the State Government is under an obligation to return the acquired land to the owners after the purpose of acquisition is accomplished is the question which arises for consideration in this appeal filed against the order dated 21-1-2008 passed by the Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Leelawanti v. State of Haryana (CWP No.9152 of 2007, order dated 21-1-2008 (P&H).

2. One Shri Radha Krishan owned several parcels of land in Village Shodapur, Tehsil Madlauda, District Panipat. After the death of Radha Krishan in 1972, land owned by him was inherited by his legal heirs including Appellant 4, Satish Chander (son); Appellant 5, Smt Seeta Devi (daughter) and Appellant 6, Swaran Lata (daughter). Some of the other heirs of Radha Krishan bequeathed their shares to his grandchildren (Appellants 2 and 3) by executing separate wills. A general power of attorney was also executed in favour of Appellant 1, Smt Leelawanti @ Savita Rani, wife of Appellant 4 Satish Chander.

3. In 1976, the State Government acquired the appellants’ land for construction of brick kiln for feeder and return channels in Village Shodapur. Notifications under Secti