ELIPE DHARMA RAO, J.

( 1 ) IMPUGNING the order passed by the state Government in G. O. Ms. No. 751, dt. 171-8-1990 by which the State government accorded permission to the custodian of Sri Swami Hathiramji Mutt, tirupathi, Chandragiri Taluk, Chittoor district for sale of land measuring a total extent of Ac. 25. 36 gts. belonging to the mutt at the rate of Rs. 22,000. 00 per acre in favour of the sitting tenants i. e. , an extent of ac. 14. 36 cents in Sy. No. 51/1 in favour of smt. M. Changamma and an extent of ac. 11. 00 cents in Sy. No. 54/2 in favour of sri T. Muniswamy Naidu by registered sale deeds dt. 25-10-1990 and dt. 15-10-1990 vide document Nos. 881 and 859 of 1990 respectively by relaxing the ban on sale of temple lands, this writ pctuion is filed seeking writ of certiorari to quash the said order. Before adverting to the contentions raised, it is necessary to notice few facts of the case.

( 2 ) RESPONDENTS 4 and 5 were the sitting tenants of Sri Swamy Hathiramji Mutt, which owns immovable property worth crores of rupees. Originally, they were granted permanent lease by the then mahant. After the death of the then mahant a suit in O. S. No. 6 of 1966 was filed before the

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