(1.) RULE returnable forthwith. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.
(2.) THESE three writ petitions can be disposed of by common judgment as the only question involved in these three petitions is whether the Collector has any jurisdiction to adjudicate upon an application made by a person interested who has not accepted the Award, so as to determine the correctness of the compensation awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act ). The land of the petitioners in these petitions came to be acquired for rehabilitation of the project affected persons from the village Kumbharkinhi, Taluka Darwha, District Yavatmal, the particulars of which are as under: <FRM>JUDGEMENT_260_BCR5_2002Html1.htm</FRM>
(3.) THE proceedings were initiated vide Land Acquisition Case No. 35/47/97-98 of Darwha and the respondent No. 2 passed the Award under section 11 of the said Act, which was communicated to the petitioners by notice under section 12 (2) on 14-12-1999. The petitioners received the amount of compensation under protest and being dissatisfied by the said Award, made a written application to the Collector as required under section 18 of the said Act, requesting that the matter be referred by the Collector for the determination of the Court for the correct valuation and to grant enhanced compensation.