( 1 ) THIS Rule is directed against a notification under Section 4 and a declaration made under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for acquisition of a large tract of land with the apparent purpose of establishment of a modem slaughter house. The case was argued, on behalf of the petitioners, with a good deal of political fervour, not quite appropriate before a Court of law. In showing cause, the respondents took up an attitude of bureaucratic infallibility, which was unhelpful in resolving the dispute. I, therefore, asked Mr. Jajneswar Majumdar, the learned Additional Government Pleader, to help me as amicus curiae. His arguments were more helpful than the lines of argument adopted (sic) on behalf of the petitioners or on behalf of (sic) respondents.

( 2 ) THE circumstances leading to the present dispute are hereinafter briefly recounted. On February 18, 1960, there was published, in the Calcutta Gazette, a notification, under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, whereby a large number of plots of land, measuring in all 106. 19 acres, in village Mrigala, Police station Chanditala, District Hooghly were notified for acquisition "for a public pu