- (1.)This Writ Appeal is filed against the order of the learned Judge in W.P. No. 264 of 1987.
(2.)The appellants have filed the said writ petition, challenging the validity of the land acquisition proceedings initiated u/S.4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). Notice u/S. 4(1) of the Act was published on 26-7-1978. The Declaration was published on 3-6-1980. Thereafter, it does not appear that any steps were taken by the Department to proceed with the acquisition. As a matter of fact, it is stated in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition as follows :-
"The petitioners were not given any notice regarding the subsequent proceedings under Ss. 9, 10 and 12 of the Act, and an Award appears to have been passed on 22-9-1986 behind the back of the petitioners. The entire proceedings are null and void and they are liable to be quashed."
The acquisition proceedings were challenged on number of grounds.
(3.)The learned Judge, however, dismissed the writ petition, by order dated 15-9-1987, holding that the petitioners before him moved the Court belatedly, and that fact disentitled them from getting any relief from the Court. Aggrieved by that, the present writ appeal is filed.