K. Ramaswamy, J. - (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment and decree dated November 11, 1992 made in A. S. No. 2470/86 by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for shot, the 'Act') was published in the State Gazette on July 27, 1978 for public purpose, namely, construction of Residential-cum-Commercial Complex is Saroonnagar, Phase-II in outskirts of Hyderabad city by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority. The total extent of the land notified for acquisition was 25 acres 12 gunthas. After conducting enquiry under Section 5A declaration under Section 6 was published on May 3, 1979. The respondent filed Writ Petition No. 2510/82 in the High Court to quash the notification under Section 4(1). A learned single Judge by Order dated June 30, 1983 directed the Land Acquisition Officer (LA0) either to pass an award or issue notification under Section 48 withdrawing the acquisition within a period of six weeks from that date. In furtherance thereof, the LAO by his award dated August 6, 1983 determined the compensation @ Rs, 10,000/- per acre. On reference under Section 18, the District Judge by his award and decree dated March 31, 1986 determined the compensation @ Rs. 30/- per square yard. On appeal it was confirmed by the Division Bench of the High Court. Hence this appeal by special leave.
(3.) It may be relevant to notice at this stage that the lands are within the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration covered by Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act, 1976 (for short, the 'Ceiling Act') which came into force on February 17, 1976. The respondent filed the statement under Section 6 thereof. By notification dated November 27, 1982, the competent authority under the Ceiling Act issued notice under Section 9 of the Act determining excess vacant land to be acquired by the Government. By further State Gazette notification dated February 23, 1983 published under Section 10(3) of the Ceiling Act the competent authority declared the acquired land notified on November 4, 1982 in the State Gazette under Section 10(1) of the Act as excess land with effect from the said date to be deemed to have been acquired by Land vested in the State Government and that it stood vested absolutely in it free from all encumbrances.;