ORDER

1. By way of the notification dated 15.09.2006 published under Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 ('the Act, 1956' for short), the respondents sought to acquire the lands of the petitioners herein for widening of National Highway No.7 and also to create amenities on National Highway No.7. A declaration under Section 3D of the Act, 1956 has been published on 27.06.2007. Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petitions are filed challenging the said acquisition.

WP No. 24929 of 2022

2. The case of the petitioners is that their properties border the national highway and are not required for road widening and that the respondents/authorities have sought to acquire around 17 acres of land in and around the lands of the petitioners in the guise of providing certain amenities and are actually doing real estate business. It is further submitted that even though 3D declaration was issued in the year 2007, no developmental activities has taken place till now and that the petitioners are still in possession of the properties concerned and are tilling the lands. It is also submitted that the petitioners have not been paid any compensation so far and for that reason, it is prayed