SARVA REDDY AND OTHERS Vs. SPECIAL DEPUTY COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are assailing the orders of the Respondent dated 10-12-1987 rejecting their applications for reference under Sec. 18 of the Land Acquisition Act.

(2.) The grievance of the petitioners is that the Award proceedings have not been served on the petitioners and therefore the applications filed by them are within time. Hence, the petitioners submit that the action of the Respondent in rejecting the application for reference on the ground of delay is absolutely illegal and without jurisdiction.

(3.) The Respondent filed counter stating that the Award was pronounced on 25-7-1985 and all the petitioners were present. Further it was also stated in the counter that Sec. 12 (2) notices were also served to the individuals on the same day. In view of this, he submits that the action of the Respondent is quite legal and valid in rejecting the applications filed under Sec. 18. It is not in dispute that the Respondent passed an Award on 25-7-1985. The relevant portion of the counter is extracted below: