( 1 ) THIS petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks the quashing of the acquisition proceedings pursuant to notification dated November 13, 1959 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acqisition Act, 1894, declarations dated December 6, 1966 January 2, 1969 under Section 6 of the Act culminating in an Award No. 60/83 dated January 17, 1983 for the acquisition 30 bighas 6 biswas of land belonging to the petitioner situate in village Mehrauli.

( 2 ) THE facts are not in dispute. In 1959 respondent No. 2 issued a notification No. 15 (lll)/59/lsgdated November 13,l959 under section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) notifying that land admeasuring 34070 acres and marked with blocks and description specified in the notification was required by the Government at the public expense for public purpose, namely, the planned development of Delhi. The said notification covered, inter alia, the land of village of Mehrauli but specifically excluded from the purview of the acqisition proceedings "government land and evacuee land".

( 3 ) THE land bearing khasra Nos, 1452, 1455, 2278/1456-1455, 1458 to 1460, 2006/1462, 1531, 13