1. This writ petition is directed against the proceedings of the respondents under the provisions of Act 31 of 1978, whereby the property of the petitioners mere acquired for the purpose of formation of a pathway to the burial ground for the benefit of Adi Dravidare of Thekkal Naickenpatti Village, Pappiredipatti Taluk in Dharmapuri District.

2. The factual matrix necessary for the disposal of the writ petition are an under:

The property in Survey No. 150/10 in Thekkal Naickenpatti Village, having an extent of.70 hectares absolutely belongs the petitioners. When they came to know of the proposal of the respondents to acquire the said property for the purpose of Adi Dravidars of the area, they have submitted a representation to the first respondent on 212. 1996. However without considering the said representation the second respondent issued a notice under Rule 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Lands for Harijan Welfare Scheme Rules 1979. In response to the said notice, the petitioners have submitted their objection. Subsequently the first respondent had published a notification in the-District Gazette on 16. 1998 under Section 4(1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Lan