MARIA PLATILDA AFONZOE DIAS Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. S.D. Lotlikar, learned Senior Advocate with Mr. T. Sequeira, learned Advocate for the petitioners and Mr. Sagar Dhargalkar, learned Additional Government Advocate for Respondent-State.

(2.) The challenge in this petition is to the Notification dated 21st March, 2013 issued under Section 4 and the Notification dated 21st April, 2014 issued under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 ( the said Act ) proposing to acquire 345 m2 of the Petitioner No.1 property bearing survey Nos.121/2 of Village Betalbatim, Salcete, Goa, 65m2 and 55m2 of the plots of the petitioner No.2 bearing survey No. 121/4 and 121/6 respectively and 75 m2 and 15m2 of Survey No. 121/5 and Survey No. 121/7 respectively of the plots belonging to the petitioner No.3 for the purported public purpose of construction of road at Thonwado, Bhimwado, Gonsua in Betalbatim village (Addl. Area) of Salcete Taluka.

(3.) Upon coming to know of the Notification under Section 4 the petitioners filed their objections to the proposed acquisition under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred as 'the said Act'). By the said objection following contentions were raised that the proposed acquisition was not in the public interest but was intended to serve private interest of one Mrs. Ramila Cecilia Gerson Rebelo e Barros, wife of Mr. Agnelo Regis Barros, who was an Assistant Engineer attached Public Works Department, Fatorda, Margao.