THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.10244 of 2010 ORDER: The Government issued a notification dated 14-02-2008, under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act (for short ‘the Act’), proposing to acquire various extents of lands in Aloor Village Gattu Mandal, Mahabubnagar District, for the purpose of Jawahar Lift Irrigation Project. The lands in Sy.Nos.73, 74, and 75 of that village were also notified. The award enquiry is in progress. The petitioners on the one hand, and respondent No.4, on the other hand, submitted claims for compensation. The nature of claims made by the petitioners is elaborated in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition. The grievance of the petitioners is that the Land Acquisition Officer, the 1st respondent herein, is not referring the matter to the Civil Court, under Sections 18 and 30 of the Act, and that he is taking steps to pay the compensation to respondent No.4, to their exclusion. The 4th respondent filed a counter-affidavit, asserting his claim vis-à-vis the land. On behalf of the respondents 1 to 4 also, a counter-affidavit is filed. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition, and learned counsel for the 4th respondent. The very fact, that rival claims are made by the petitioners, on the one hand, and respondent No.4, on the other hand, opposing each other in the matter of payment of compensation, discloses that there is a serious title dispute. The 1st respondent is not conferred with the power to resolve such disputes. He has to refer the matter under Section 30 of the Act, to a Civil Court. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that the 1st respondent shall refer the matter, in relation to lands in Sy.Nos.73, 74, and 75 of Aloor Village, to the competent Civil Court, under Section 30 of the Land Acquisition Act, showing the petitioners and the 4th respondent as the claimants. This exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.28-02-2011. KO