JUDGMENT :

1. The challenge raised in these writ petitions is to the preliminary notification dated 26.06.2019 issued under Section 11(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (for short, the Act of 2013) as well as notification dated 20.06.2020 issued under Section 19 of the Act of 2013. During the pendency of the writ petitions, the Special Land Acquisition Officer passed his award on 16.12.2020 and hence by amending Writ Petition Nos. 2127 of 2020, 1292 of 2021 and 1349 of 2021 a challenge is also raised to the final award. Similar challenge is also raised in Writ Petition No.733 of 2023.

Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and heard the learned counsel for the parties.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

2. The facts relevant for adjudication of these writ petitions are as under:

Samadhi of Shri Gajanan Maharaj Deosthan is located at Shegaon, District Buldana. It is visited by numerous devotees throughout the year. Keeping in mind the huge rush of devotees, the State of Maharashtra had on 26.11.1991 issued a Government Resolution thereby sanctioning a Special Development Plan for Shegaon as a Pilgrimage Centre. Municipa