Pushpa V. Ganediwala, J.

Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith and heard finally with the consent of Shri M.G. Bhangde, Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners and Shri V.P. Maldhure, AGP for the respondents State.

2. In this petition, the petitioners sought to declare the land acquisition proceeding initiated under section 6 notification dated 18.12.1995 in respect of land Gat No. 176, Mz. Khelbar, Area 1.47 Hectare, Tq. Jalgaon Jamod, District - Buldhana (hereinafter referred to as 'subject land or said land') as lapsed and the Award No. 1/11994-95 dated 07.09.2017 passed in the said proceedings by respondent No. 2 - Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) be set aside.

3. It is stated that the petitioner Nos. 1 to 9 were the erstwhile owners of the subject land and petitioner Nos. 10 and 11 are the purchasers of the same from petitioners No. 1 to 9 vide registered deed of Conveyance dated 29.03.2006 for the consideration of Rs. 3,00,00,000/-(Three crores).

4. In the year 1976, the aforesaid property was reserved in the Development Plan (D.P.) for Jalgaon-Jamod for the purposes of Civil Court, Jalgaon-Jamod vide reservation No. 14. However, the said purpose did not survive as