BURDWAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Vs. ARIFA KHATUN AND ANOTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present revisional applications arise out of the same land acquisition proceedings and as such have been clubbed together for hearing. The private opposite parties, being the award-holders in proceedings for enhancement of compensation under reference within the contemplation of Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the "LA Act"), obtained awards of enhancement in connection with the same acquisition proceedings. The Burdwan Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as the "BDA") was the requiring body for whom the land-in-question was acquired from the land holders-private opposite parties.

(2.) The backdrop of the acquisition is that in June, 2004, the BDA issued a notice inviting expression of interest for choosing a private partner for implementation of a public-private partnership project for construction and development of a satellite township over an area of about 257.5 acres of land near Burdwan town. In response to such notice, Bengal Shrachi Developers Private Limited (hereinafter referred to as "BS"), a joint venture company, expressed interest to be an associate with the BDA for the project.

(3.) In or about April and May, 2005, the District Magistrate, Burdwan and Joint Secretary (Ex-Officio), Land and Land Reforms Department, issued twelve separate notifications under Section 4 of the LA Act, notifying the land required for such project. In or about December, 2005 and January, 2006, the Land and Land Reforms Department issued twelve separate declarations under Section 6 of the LA Act, in respect of such land.