The respondent minister had designated for compulsory acquisition land owned by the appellants. Land designated under section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1992, could not be sold, disposed of or leased without the prior written consent of the respondent, but where that consent was refused, the owner could call upon the acquiring authority to acquire the land forthwith, compensation being payable in such circumstances. The appellants argued that the act of designation was unconstitutional as it amounted to the compulsory acquisition of property without compensation.