SAKUNTHALA Vs. GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Aggrieved by the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the respondents, the petitioners have filed the above writ petitions on various grounds.

(2.) In both the writ petitions the total extent involved in the acquisition proceedings is 12 cents. The lands in Survey Nos. 17/13 and 17/16 an extent of 6 cents owned by the petitioner in W.P. No. 3969 of 91 and another 6 cents owned by the petitioner in W.P. No. 3976 of 91 were sought to be acquired by Madras Metropolitan Development Authority for widening Nesapak-kam Road. In both the writ petitions even though the petitioners have raised several contentions, on the basis of various averments in the counter-affidavit filed by the respondents, learned Counsel for the petitioner confined his submisions and raised the following points :-

(3.) On the other hand, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the third respondent has submitted that inasmuch as the petitioners did not submit their objections within 30 days as per Section 5-A(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, it is not open to the petitioners to contend that there is violation of Rule 3(b). He also submitted that the Land Acquisition Officer, 2nd respondent has conducted fair enquiry after giving proper opportunity to the petitioners.