1. In all these applications, which have been heard together, a common question of law arises for determination, namely, whether the notifications of the State Government under Sec.4 of the Land Acquisition Act, dated the 19th January, 1961 which are annexures A and B to the applications, are legally valid.

2. Annexure A relates to an area of 407.85 acres of land in the city of Patna in villages Mainpara, Rajapur, Dujra and Dhakanpura, and it is stated in the notification that the land is required by the Government at the expense of the Patna Improvement Trust for a public purpose, namely, for the development of residential neighourhoods to provide for housing facilities for various income groups along with various local services and modern amenities to facilitate planned growth of the city of Patna. Annexure B relates to an area of 54.04 acres located in the City of Patna, and it is stated in this notification that the land is required for the development of residential neighbourhoods to provide for housing facilities for various income groups along with various local services and modern amenities to facilitate planned growth of the city of Patna.

3. The case of the petiti