UNION OF INDIA Vs. SPECIAL TEHSILDAR ZA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The short facts leading to these appeals are us under: For the Rocket Launching Station located at Sri Hari Kota of Indian Space Research Organisation, Department of Space, Government of India an area of about 37,792 acres of land was acquired sometimes in 1970s. Consequent to the expansion of space programmes certain lands at the southern tip of Sri Hari Kota Island in the Marimanal village in Pooneri Taluka Chengai Anna District, Tamil Nadu, were acquired. The extent of these lands, with which we are concerned, was about 5394 acres.

(3.) For the purpose of acquiring the aforesaid lands, the Department of Space, Government of India approached the State of Tamil Nadu. This was done pursuant to the Notification No. 4(1)/65 dated 23-4-1969 which had been issued under Article 258(1) of the Constitution of India whereby President of India had entrusted to the Government of Tamil Nadu, with their consent, the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in relation to acquisition of lands for the purpose of the Union in the said State. Accordingly, Notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') was issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 3-11-1982.