exception to the doctrine of merger so as to do complete justice to the parties. E. CONCLUSION AND DIRECTIONS 54. We, thus, deem it appropriate to allow these appeals and dispose of the matter in the following terms and directions: i. The Appeals are allowed; the impugned judgment dated 15.07.2008 of the High Court, which is under challenge in this batch of appeals, is hereby set aside; ii. If there is any other judgement or order of the High Court which is passed following the main judgement dated 15.07.2008, thereby quashing or adversely impacting the subject acquisition, such judgements or orders are also deemed to be set aside; iii. In case no ‘award’ for the land owned by the Respondents was passed earlier, the same shall be passed expeditiously, and in any case within a period of 3 (three) months in accordance with the provisions of the 1894 Act; iv. If an award in respect of the Respondent’s land has already been passed under the 1894 Act, in that event, there will be no