( 1 ) THIS application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by seven legal practitioners who ordinarily act, plead and practice in the Judges' Court at Alipore and also before the Civil authorities connected with requisition and acquisition of properties in the district of 24 Paraganas. Empowered with Vakalatnamas they have been representing their clients at every stage of acquisition proceedings, under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and receiving payments on their behalf. By an order dated Dec. 21, 1982 the Additional District Magistrate (L. R.) 24 Paraganas intimated all concerned that all payments to awardees of Land Acquisition Cases would be made by Account payee cheques direct to the parties on proper identification and not through Lawyers. Aggrieved by the above order the petitioners filed this writ application on Feb. 8, 1983.

( 2 ) FOR expeditious hearing of the application the Court directed the petitioners to serve copies of the application upon the State of West Bengal and the other respondents. When the writ application was pending hearing, some awardees filed an application for being added as parties in the main wri