JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records and quash Award No.3/1999 dated 20.12.1999 passed by the 3rd respondent as being arbitrary, unconstitutional, malicious, illegal, null and void and consequently direct respondents to return/reconvey the property measuring 6 acres in S. No.183/2 in Kayalpattu Village, Cuddalore Taluk, Cuddalore District to the petitioners.)

Common Order

1. By the present petitions, acquisition pertaining to the year 1998-1999 is being put in issue on the ground that the relevant provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, have not been followed, resultantly the acquisition is bad in law and, therefore, the award should be quashed and the lands should be reconveyed back to the petitioners, as the said lands have not been utilized, for the purpose for which it was acquired till date.

2. It is the case of the petitioners that they are agriculturists and their lands were sought to be acquired for the purpose of Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Ltd. A large extent running to hundreds of acres were notified to be acquired by the respondents for