Surya Kant, J. - (1.) NOTICE of motion. On our asking, Mrs. Jaspal K. Gurna, Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of respondent No. 1; Mr. Rishi Kaushal, Advocate, for respondent No. 2 and Mr. P.S. Bajwa, learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent No. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners has handed -over two copies each of the petition to learned State counsel and learned counsel for respondent Nos. 1 & 2.
(2.) IN view of the nature of order which we propose to pass, no reply -affidavit is required to be filed by the respondents. The petitioners are residents of villages Suchetgarh, Kalerkhurd, Gurdas Nangal, Jappowal, Fateh Nangal, Lehal, Rania and Kadian, Tehsil and District Gurdaspur. Their land situated within the revenue estate of villages Babri, Rania, Lehal, Bidipur, Churchak, Jaffarwal, Shahpur and Suchetgarh, Tehsil and District Gurdaspur, has been acquired by respondent Nos. 1 & 2 under the National Highways Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as '1956 Act').
(3.) THE awards were passed by the Sub Divisional Magistrate -cum -Land Acquisition Collector, Gurdaspur on various dates, the details of which is given in para No. 2 of the writ petition.;