COMMON ORDER

Two petitions, with diametrically opposite prayers, but with one vision, one to grant patta and the other to pay compensation for the lands acquired have been filed by the petitioners, who claim to be the owners of the lands, which were acquired for the purpose of the 10th respondent for expansion of the refinery project, more than five decades back.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that their ancestors owned the subject lands as also the lands comprised in S. No.300/2 to an extent of 1.10 acres in Sathangadu Village, Tiruvotriyur Taluk. The lands in S. No.300/2 was originally acquired for the purpose of Oil Refinery Project at the request of the Madras Refinery Ltd., (thereafter known as Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. – for short ‘CPCL’) and towards the said acquisition, award was passed in Award No.2/67 dated 20.5.1967 and, thereafter, compensation was also paid, which has been received by the petitioners’ ancestors.

3. It is the further case of the petitioners that the subject lands were purchased by the petitioners’ ancestors in the year 1964 by execution of registered sale deed and the revenue records in respect of the subject property stands in the name of B