The petitioners seek a writ of Mandamus directing the Collector of Baramulla to tender the amount of compensation awarded to them, under the Land Acquisition Act and also to retrain him from altering the award already made by him. The petitioners aver that proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act were taken for compulsory acquisition of their land for the purpose of the construction of an approach road to the New Sopore Bridge. The land acquisition proceeding are said to have culminated in an award made by the respondent on 15th June 1960. As the amount of compensation exceeded Rs.5000, the award was forwarded by the respondent to the Revenue Minister as required by Rule 52 of the Rules framed under the Land Acquisition Act. The Revenue Minister is alleged to have approved the award, by his order dated 24th December I960. In spite of this the respondent is alleged to, have refrained from tendering the amount of compensation due to the petitioners according to the award. They have, therefore, approached this Court for the aforesaid writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, direction or order to the respondent.

(2) The respondent admits that he was the Land Acquisition Collect

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