JUDGMENT

The facts relating to the present case are - Sri Swamy Hathiramji Mutt (for short “the Mutt”) Tirupati was the absolute owner of Ac.3.80 cents in Sy.No.396 and Ac.4.62 cents in Sy.No.435 aggregating to Ac.8.42 cents of land in Kattamanchi Village, Chittoor Mandal and District. This land was initially leased out to one M. Pachiappa Mudaliar by way of a public auction conducted on 10.09.1971 for an annual rent of Rs.1700/- for a period of six years and the same was approved by the then Commissioner, Endowments Department. Since the said M. Pachiappa Mudaliar defaulted in payment of lease amount, O.S.No.344 of 1975 was filed by the Mutt in the District Munsif Court, Chittoor, for recovery of lease amount and possession of the property. While the suit was pending disposal, Sri M. Pachiappa Mudaliar inducted the petitioner into the possession of the land by way of an unregistered agreement dated 19.12.1979. After coming into possession of the land, the petitioner obtained a fresh lease with the Mutt for a period of six years from 19.12.1979 to 18.12.1985 on an annual lease amount of Rs.4525/- and the same was approved by the Commissioner, Endowment Department, by proceedings in