JUDGMENT :

BIBEK CHAUDHURI, J.

1. For the purpose of making provision for new freight terminal facilities for South Eastern Railways at Sankrail in the district of Howrah, land acquisition proceedings were initiated under LA case No. 4 (Act II) of 1980-81, 5 (Act II) of 1980-81, 9 (Act II) of 1980-81, 1(Act II) of 1985-86, 1 (Act II) of 1988-89, 3 (Act-II) of 1988-89, 4 (Act-II) of 1988-89 and 5 (Act II) of 1988-99 pursuant to the provision of West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 (hereinafter described as the 1948 Act) for acquisition of several agricultural lands measuring about 212.3 acres in total, lying and situated at different dag numbers of Mouza-Chaturbhuj Kati, Mashila, Sankrail Jala and Kolora under police station Sankrail in the district of Howrah. Amongst the said lands, petitioners’ agricultural land were also proposed to be acquired. On initiation of acquisition proceedings, notices for requisition of the land of the petitioners’ were issued under the provision of Section 3(I) of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 by the