HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.32831 of 2010 ORDER: An extent of about Acs.2.04 cents of land owned by the petitioners in Gollapalem Village, Bheemunipatnam Mandal, Visakhapatnam District was acquired way back in the year 1982 by initiating proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short ‘the Act’). An award was passed on 27.3.1982. Petitioners state that they are not aware of the proceedings at all. Earlier they made a representation to the respondents with a prayer to withdraw the proceedings by pleading several reasons. When the same was not considered, they filed W.P. No.16036 of 2010. The writ petition was disposed of on 26.7.2010 directing the District Collector to pass appropriate orders on the representation. Through endorsement dated 10.11.2010, the District Collector, i.e., the 2nd respondent took the view that the proceedings have assumed finality with the passing of the Award, though the compensation was not paid to the petitioners. The contention of the petitioners that the possession is still with them was taken into account and it was observed that symbolic delivery and other related matters shall be dealt with under a different Act. Petitioners state that they made a representation on 31.1.2011 to the 1st respondent with a prayer to issue a notification under Section 48(1) of the Act, withdrawing the entire proceedings. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned counsel for the respondents. The undisputed facts as of now are that the Award was passed in respect of the land in question. But the compensation was not paid to the petitioners. There is some uncertainty as to the possession over the land. Petitioners assert that they are still in possession of the land. It is also held that the very purpose for which the land was acquired ceased to exist since house sites were allotted at a different place to the eligible beneficiaries. The 1st respondent is conferred with the power under Section 48 of the Act to order withholding of the proceedings. That can be done if only the possession of the land was not taken. The various contentions urged by the petitioners in their representation dated 31.1.2011 need to be considered by the 1st respondent. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to pass orders on the representation dated 31.1.2011 submitted by the petitioners within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. ____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY,J DATE: 25th February, 2011 pnb