IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.6375 of 2011 Date of decision: 08.04.2011 Jang Singh and others …..Petitioners versus The State of Punjab and others ……Respondents CORAM: Hon’ble Mr.Justice Jasbir Singh Hon’ble Mr.Justice Rakesh Kumar Garg Present: Mr.Gurjinder Singh Thind, Advocate for the petitioners Jasbir Singh, J. (Oral) This writ petition has been filed with a prayer that a writ of mandamus be issued, directing the respondents to pronounce an award in response to the notifications issued, under Sections 4 and 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (in short, the Act). Admittedly, at an earlier point of time, by filing a CWP No.10215 of 2006 titled as Jang Singh and others v. the State of Punjab and others, the petitioners came to this Court with a prayer that the directions be issued to the authorities to formally acquire their land, which had already been used for a public purpose. On 17.8.2006, the writ petition was disposed of by passing the following order:- “The only prayer of the petitioner is that a writ in the nature of mandamus be issued directing the respondents to issue notification under section 4 and 6 of the Land Civil Writ Petition No.6375 of 2011 Acquisition Collector so that land of the petitioners can be acquired and compensation can be paid to them. A reply has been filed on behalf of respondent No.4 wherein it has been averred that the documents are being prepared for publication of the notification under section 4 and 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and that necessary formalities would be completed in approximately 8 months’ time. In view of the fact that process for acquisition of land of the petitioners has already begun, the present writ petition has been rendered infructuous and the same is disposed of as such.” Thereafter, when nothing was done, the petitioners filed a Contempt Petition No.1532 of 2008, which was disposed of on 10.12.2008 by observing as under:- “Vide order dated 17.8.2006, the writ petition has been rendered infructuous on the basis of the reply filed by the respondents that the notification under Section 4 and 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 would be issued on completion of the necessary formalities within eight months (approx). In the reply filed in this contempt petition it is stated that the said notification already stands issued and the further process is on. In view of the above, contempt proceedings are dropped.” Now, it is grievance of the petitioners that despite notifications having been issued under Sections 4 and 6 of the Act, award has not been passed, however, before approaching this Court, the petitioners have not gone to the authorities concerned. 2 Civil Writ Petition No.6375 of 2011 Under the circumstances, we dispose of this writ petition by directing the Land Acquisition Collector – respondent No.3 to treat this writ petition as a representation and take appropriate action as per law. If the petitioners are entitled to any relief, the same be granted to them after meeting out the requisite formalities. It is further directed that in case respondent No.3 wishes to reject claim of the petitioners, a speaking order be passed. Needful shall be done within two months from the receipt of a copy of this order. (Jasbir Singh) Judge 08.04.2011 (Rakesh Kumar Garg) gk Judge 3