JUDGMENT

Abhay Manohar Sapre, J.

1. These appeals are directed against the final judgment and orders passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay dated 11.10.2007 in First Appeal Nos.2673, 2678­2695, 2697­2708, 2710­2712 and 2674­2677 of 2006 and order dated 23.08.2007 in First Appeal No.1241 of 2007.

2. A few facts need mention hereinbelow for the disposal of these appeals, which involve a short question.

3. The appellants are the landowners (claimants) whereas the respondents are the State of Maharashtra and its authorities in the proceedings before the Trial Court out of which these appeals arise.

4. In exercise of powers under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), the State of Maharashtra issued a notification on 03.03.1994 for acquiring land measuring 26,554.39 hectares situated in village Sanjegaon, Taluka Igatpuri District Nasik (MH). The purpose of acquisition of the land in question was construction of Mukane Dam. This was followed by issuance of declaration under Section 6 of the Act on 17.06.1994. The appellants’ land in