1. Heard Mr.V.Ravi, learned Special Government Pleader for the appellants and Mr.A.S.Vijay Anand, learned counsel appearing for the claimants.

2. These appeals are filed by the Managing Director of National Highways Department, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Special Tahsildar, National Highways Department, Chennai challenging the common judgment and decree dated 24.11.2003 passed in various LAOPs starting from 10 of 1993 by the Additional District Judge, Fast Track Court No.3, Chengelpet District at Poonamallee.

3. The lands of the respondents/claimants were acquired for the purpose of laying by-pass road from linking NH-45 with NH-7. The acquiring authority granted compensation at the rate of Rs.400/- per Cent. The land owners objected to the low rate of compensation and the matter was referred for determination of market value by the Reference Court under section 18(1) of the Land Acquisition Act. The Reference Court registered the various references as LAOP numbers.

4. The following table will indicate the case number of the LAOPs and the corresponding appeals. Sl.No. APPEAL No. L.A.O.P. No. 1 650/2007 10/1993 2 651/2007 11/1993 3 652/2007 12/1993 4 653/2007 13/1993