( 1 ) THIS appeal, under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent of the Court, has arisen in a proceeding under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India. Petitioner-appellant herein, Gas Authority of India Limited, has filed the petition questioning the order of the competent authority under the Petroleum Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 in respect of determination of compensation to the land owners.

( 2 ) THE petitioner-appellant is a statutory authority. In the process of laying gas pipelines from Tatipaka to Kakinada, covering a distance of 103 K. Ms. during the year 1990-91, it is alleged, certain lands belonging to respondents 2 to 186 were involved. It appears, after declaration under Section 6 and the process of laying pipelines commenced, the competent authority under the Act issued notices to all the land owners calling upon them to file their claim petitions, either personally or through their advocates for compensation. According to the petitioner-appellant, the competent authority determined the compensation payable to each of the owners and owners were also paid compensation. It is stated, however, that the then competent authority, Ch.