In these writ petitions notifications issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act,1894 (Central Act) (in short, "the Act") in G.O.Ms.No.638 Housing and Urban Development [L.A.3(2)] Department dated 18.07.1995 is challenged by the petitioners in respect of their lands to an extent of 1.72 and 2.58 acres comprised in Survey Nos.295/1, 296/2 and 296/5 and 296/2B, 296/5B, 295/1 and 296/5 in Kalapatti village, Coimbatore District.

2. The petitioners in these writ petitions are the owners of the above said extent of lands and after purchase, they have been in possession of the said lands. Land acquisition proceedings under the Act has been initiated by the respondents to acquire lands to an extent of 14.00.5 hectares in Kalapatti Village for the purpose of construction of houses under Neighbourhood Scheme. Notification under Section 4(1) of the Act was issued in G.O.Ms.No.190 dated 25.02.1994, however, it was published after four months in the Tamil Nadu Government gazette on 15.06.1994.

2(a). The second respondent was appointed by the Governor to discharge the functions of the Collector under Section 5-A of the Act. The second respondent has also conducted enquiry