EXECUTIVE ENGINEER Vs. SPECIAL LAND ACUISTION OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) All the above-numbered appeals are ordered to be admitted. Mr. A.J.Patel, learned Senior Counsel waives service of notice on behalf of the claimants in each appeal. At the joint request of learned Counsel appearing for the parties, the above-numbered appeals are taken-up for final hearing today.

(2.) All the above-numbered appeals, which are filed under section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 read with section 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 are directed against common judgment and award dated February 20, 1998 rendered by the learned 2nd Extra Assistant Judge, Kheda at Nadiad in Land Reference Cases No.1325/94 to 1334/94, 1365/94 to 1381/94, 1456/94 to 1464/94, 1474/94 to 1484/94, 1667/94 to 1679/94, 1861/94 to 1875/94, 2038/94 to 2045/94, 2194/94 to 2200/94, 2202/94 and 667/96. All the above-referred to Land Reference Cases were consolidated with Land Reference Case No. 2201/94, wherein common evidence was led by the parties.

(3.) Though the claimants have filed cross-objections, they have not paid court fees and Civil Applications No. 316/99 to 408/99 are filed requesting the Court to pass an appropriate order either to deduct the amount of court fees payable on the cross-objections from the amount payable to the claimants in their respective claims or to direct the acquiring body to make the payment of court fees on the cross-objections of the claimants and deduct the same from the amount of compensation ultimately found payable to the claimants or direct the acquiring body to deposit at least 75 percent of the amount awarded by the reference Court and permit the claimants to withdraw the same without furnishing any security whatsoever.