( 1 ) THESE two sets of cases, viz. , M. F. As, 767/74, 79, 131, 188 and 243 of 1975 and C. R. Ps. 1442/74 and 475 and 984 of 1975 though arise in different sets of circumstances, but involve a common question of law and hence would admit of determination by a common judgment.

( 2 ) THE short question that falls for determination in these cases is, as to whether the provisions of rules 8 and 9 of Order IX of the Code of Civil Procedure are applicable to reference proceedings before the Civil Court of original jurisdiction launched under S. 18 of the Land Acquisition Act (Central Act 1 of 1894) (hereinafter referred to as the 'act' ).

( 3 ) BEFORE proceeding with the consideration of the legal point aforesaid, it would be desirable, at this stage, to take note of a few relevant facts which can be stated thus:- After references had been made under Section 18 of the Act by the Collector and the Court was seized of the matter, at one stage or the other of the said proceedings, the claimants absented themselves which led to the dismissal of the concerned references in default. The claimants applied to the Court under O. IX, R. 9 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil