ROMESH SAZWAL Vs. STATE OF J&K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE land of the petitioners situate at Rangrath, Tehsil Badgam, particulars whereof are mentioned in the writ petition, was acquired by the Government in the year, 1980, for establishment of Industrial Estate, and award thereto announced by the Collector Badgam on 8 -9 -1980. It was provided therein that the compensation shall be paid to the owners of the acquired land as per the entries in the revenue record. It is averred in the writ petition that the land in question was not previously acquired or compensated for and nor got escheated to the Government under the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act.

(2.) THE petitioners have made representations to the respondents from time to time, copies whereof have been placed on the file, for making payment of compensation to them. Allegedly, the payments have not been made to them, and hence the writ petition.

(3.) THE respondents were noticed and Mr. B. A. Khan Chief Government Advocate appeared for them. Despite numerous opportunities given to him, he failed to file any counter affidavit. That being so, the averments made by the petitioners in the writ petition, which are supported by an affidavit, have remained un -rebutted. The record too has not been produced by the respondents for the perusal of the court, though a direction was given in this behalf.