AR. Lakshmanan, ag. C.J.

Heard Mr. K.C. John, Sr. Advocate and Mr. N. Sankara Menon for petitioners, Mr. T.M. Yousuff, Addl. Advocate General and Smt. Molly Jacob, Government Pleader for the State and Mr. Babu Varghese, Standing Counsel for Water Authority.

2. The Original Petitions were filed by the petitioners challenging the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the respondents by Ext. P2 and P2(a ) as barred by limitation. Exts. P2 and P2(a ) are the notifications issued under S.4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Central Act 1 of 1894), hereinafter referred to as the 'Act' for acquiring the lands specified therein situated in Aluva East and West Villages, Thrikkakara North, Vazhakkalaand Edapally South Villages. The lands are needed for a public purpose viz., "for Adhoc Augmentation of Kochi Water Supply Scheme". A notification in the gazette was issued by the Special Tahsildar (LA) General Ernakulam on 25.7.1996 (Ext. P2) in accordance with the provisions of sub-s.(1) of S.4 of the Act. In view of the urgency of the case, the Board of Revenue in its Order No. LIZ (C) 6-19762/96 K.Dis. dated 22.7.1996 under sub-s.(4) of S.17 of the said Act has directed that