Judgment

JUDGMENT - The short question that arises for consideration in this appeal is if the High Court was justified in quashing the orders passed by the appellants Nos. 2 to 4 and issuing directions to grant ryotwari patta to the respondents approximately 340 acres of land. The respondents claimed rights under Andhra Pradesh Muttas (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Regulation, 1969. Section 5 of the Regulation entitled the ryot in a Mutta for grant of ryotwari patta, in respect of agricultural land, held by him if he was found in lawful possession for a continuous period of not less than one year immediately before the notified date. Mutta under the regulation is defined to mean a village or a group of villages held by a Muttadar. The learned single Judge found that the respondent was a ryot of the abolished Rampamutta and having been lawfully inducted into possession on 1st February 1951 in pursuance of the permission issued by Madras Government through G. O. dated 13th November 1950 and was continuing for more than eight years preceding 26th October 1970 the date of notification issued under Regulation II of 1969 abolishing mutta he was entitled to ryotwari patta under