Judgment

NATARAJAN, J. :- This appeal by special leave arises out of and is directed against the dismissal of Civil Misc. Writ No. 72/77 filed by the appellant by the High Court of Allahabad by judgment and order dated 31-3-1977. The facts are not in controversy and the only question for consideration in the appeal is whether the High Court was in error in affirming the view taken by the Prescribed Authority and the Appellate Authority (the District Judge, Mathura) that an extent of 12.35 acres, which the appellant claimed to have transferred to his daughter; by means of a registered gift deed, has also to be reckoned in computing the total extent of land in the appellants holding for determination of the ceiling area in his holding under the Uttar Pradesh Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act (hereinafter the Act) 1960.

2. In response to a notice issued under Section 10(2) of the Act, the appellant contended that he was not in possession of 23.61 acres of surplus agricultural land as set out in the notice and that the authorities had failed to notice that he had transferred by means of a registered deed of gift dated 7-1-1972 an extent of 12.35 acres of land to his invalid daug