(Writ appeals filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, against the common order of the learned single Judge dated 31.7.2002 made in W.P.Nos.15453/1995, 15455/1995 and 15454/1995 respectively).

Common Judgment: (N. Paul Vasanthakumar, J.)

These writ appeals are filed against the common order passed by the learned single Judge in W.P.Nos.15453 to 15455 of 1995 dated 31.7.2002. The appellants/writ petitioners, in their respective writ petition, challenged the Award dated 19.8.1994, passed under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The learned single Judge negatived the contentions of the writ petitioners and consequently dismissed the writ petitions, against which the present writ appeals are preferred.

2. (a) Mr. G. Masilamani, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants/writ petitioners made two legal submissions. Firstly the learned Senior counsel contended that the Land Acquisition Officer, who passed the Award, failed to follow the procedures contemplated under Section 9(2) of the Land Acquisition Act in respect of giving 15 days time to appear for the award enquiry. The second contention is that prior approval was not obtained by the Officer from the appropriate