IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.7439 of 2011 1. CHANDRA SHEKHAR PRASAD SINGH 2. RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SINGH RESIDENT OF VILLAGE AND P.O. BADALPUR ANCHAL, POLICE STATION MATIHANI, BEGUSARAI 3. RAJ NARAYAN THAKUR SON OF LAXMI THAKUR 4. RAM NARAYAN THAKUR SON OF HARI NARAYAN THAKUR 5. NAND KISHORE SINGH SON OF LATE RAM KHELAWAN SINGH 3 TO 5 ARE RESIDENT OF VILLAGE MOHAN BIGHA, P.S. MUFFASIL, BEGUSARAI …PETITIONERS Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR 2. THE COLLECTOR-CUM-DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, BEGUSARAI 3. THE LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, BEGUSARAI 4. THE ANCHAL ADHIKARI, MUFASSIL, DISTRICT BEGUSARAI …RESPONDENTS For the petitioners : M/s. V.Nath : Waliur Rahman : Sushant Praveen For the State :Mr. R.B.Mahto, Sr. Advocate, A.G. :Mr. Krishna Chandra, AC to AG ----------- 03. 13.05.2011 Petitioners pray for a direction upon the respondents (competent authority) for transmitting the objection filed on their behalf for adjudication by a competent court in terms of the provisions contained in section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’). Said prayer of the petitioners seems to have been rejected on the ground that the objections were filed belatedly. The order passed by the respondent-District Land Acquisition Officer itself records that petitioners may, if so advised, file appropriate suit. It appears from the pleading made in the application that petitioners are disputing the valuation of the land acquired by the State-respondents. They are thus raising a grievance for 2 payment of enhanced compensation. Section 18 of the Act provides remedy. In that view of the matter, this Court directs that respondent-District Land Acquisition Officer shall consider the claim of the petitioners afresh and refer the matter under section 18 of the Act for adjudication of the claim in accordance with law. Orders contained in Annexures 1 & 2 shall not preclude the respondent-District Land Acquisition Officer from passing a fresh order on the claim of the petitioners. The application stands disposed of. hr ( Kishore K. Mandal )