H.L. GOKHALE, J.:---Can proceedings for acquisition of land lawfully taken be challenged by filing a writ petition after any number of years ? What should be the approach of the Government and its Ministers when an application for withdrawal of land from acquisition is made to the Government ? These are some of the important questions which arise in these three writ petitions.

2. These three writ petitions bearing Nos. 670/96, 3620/98 and 3874/98 are concerning the acquisition of a large plot of land admeasuring 1 Hector 34 Ares bearing Survey No. 559/A2/B2 situated in Bibwe-Wadi area of Pune City. These petitions have been heard together and are being decided together.

3. Writ Petition No. 670 of 1996.

Writ Petition No. 670/96 is filed by one Shri Pralhad Lokram Dodeja and his brother Bansidhar Lokram Dodeja, both of whom owned this plot of land. The third petitioner is M/s. Mutha Associates through its partner Shri Shantilal Mutha, who claims to have acquired the development rights over this land from petitioners No. 1 and 2. The first four respondents to this petition are the State of Maharashtra and its officers whereas the respondent No. 5 is the Agriculture Produce Mark