IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
D. RAMESH, J.
Lalitesh Kumar Katragadda – Petitioner
Versus
State of Andhra Pradesh – Respondent
Writ Petition No. 8280 of 2020
Decided On : 22-12-2022
Constitution of India, 1949 - Article 226 – Urban Land (ceiling and Regulation) Repealed Act, 1999 – Section 3 – Urban Land (ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 – Section 10, 8 – Vacant Land Tax - allotments of land – Power of High Court to issue Certain writs – Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking to a direction calling for records relating to order of 1st respondent - Revenue (Land-IV) Department consequently direct respondents to pay damages – Held, Learned Advocate General with regard to misrepresentation of fact is also not in conformity with conditions where condition stipulates that if any allotment shall be subject to withdrawal of all litigations filed either by occupant of excess land, or the excess land holder - Learned Advocate General - Court is not inclined to go into the aspect of power of review or revision of orders on ground of fraud because in instant case impugned orders are not issued on ground of fraud - Writ petition is allowed.
ORDER :
1. This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to a direction calling for the records relating to the order of the 1st respondent passed in G.O.Ms. No. 115 Revenue (Land-IV) Department dated 23.4.2020 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to pay the damages.
2. It is submitted that property admeasuring an extent of Ac. 0.82cents and an extent of Ac. 6.00acres of land in Sy. No. 81/1 and 83/3 corresponding to Sy. No. 81/3P and governed by Patta No. 165, Marripalem, Visakhapatnam originally belonged to one J. Bhuvaneshwar Das. The State Government u/Sec. 3(a) of the Urban Land (ceiling and Regulation) Repealed Act, 1999 issued G.O.Ms. No. 747 dated 18.06.2008 for allotment of excess land which was taken by the Government under the Principal Act, 1976 to the land owners/declarants/third parties subject to the conditions mentioned in the G.O. The legal heirs of the original owner made applications to the Government for allotment of land. The Special Officer, Urban Land Ceiling, Visakhapatnam had sent individual reports on each of the legal heir's application and the same were considered by the Government and issued G.O.Ms. No. 926 dated 31.8.2009 for an extent of 20,465.10 sq. yds and G.O.Ms. No. 123 dated 01.8.2009 for an extent of 2686.1 sq. yds. After issuance of G.O. in favour of the allottees, all the allottees have executed a registered agreement of sale cum General Power of Attorney with possession and petitioner was put in possession. A compound of fencing wall is constructed around the entire allotted area and there are various fruit bearing trees and the petitioner has also constructed two temporary structures. Considering the possession of the petitioner, GVMC also imposed Vacant Land Tax. Petitioner also made an application to GVMC seeking permission for construction of a function hall and the same was granted vide B.A. No. 13849/2015/ACPIV/G2 dated 20.4.2016 with certain conditions.
3. It is further stated that one Yellapu Nageswara Rao S/o Late Appa Rao, claiming to be in possession is also claiming title to the property on the basis of an unregistered sale deed and has filed WP No. 5419/2011 in this Hon'ble High Court questioning the order issued by the government in GOMs. No. 926 dated 31.08.2009 wherein they sought for a declaration that the issuance of GOMs. No. 926 dated 31.08.2009 is without jurisdiction and contrary to GOMs. No. 747 dated 18.06.2008 and also sought for a consequential direction to regularize the land in favour of the writ petitioners therein. The petitioners therein have raised certain objection with regard to the suppression of facts. However, the Hon’ble Court without going into the merits of the contention raised, the Hon’ble Court observed that:
4. After dismissal of the WP No. 5419/2011, the writ petitioner in there Mr. Y. Nageswara Rao have made a representation to the Hon’ble Minister for Revenue on 21.02.2013 with a reference to the order passed in W.P. No. 5419/2011 and requested the authorities to set aside GOMS No. 926 issued in favour of the vendors of the present writ petitioner, the Hon’ble Minister has forwarded the same to the 2nd respondent herein and who in turn has forwarded to the 3rd respondent herein for enquiry. The 3rd respondent made an enquiry and submitted a report to the Government. Basing on the said report, the 1st respondent herein issued a show cause notice dated 05.10.2013 to petitioner’s vendors as to why G.O.Ms. No. 926 should not be cancelled. On that, one of the vendors has filed contempt case in the Hon'ble High Court in C.C. N
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Possession of land must be actual and not symbolic; unauthorized dispossession during litigation renders such actions void under the Urban Land Ceiling Act.
The court held that disputed questions of title and possession cannot be resolved in a writ petition, and the petitioners were entitled to remain in possession of the land despite ULC proceedings.
The cancellation of land allotment was invalid as the respondents failed to follow due process and were estopped from questioning the allotment after five years of acquiescence.
The court emphasized the necessity of adhering to principles of natural justice, ruling that all parties must be included in property disputes to ensure fair adjudication.
Section 41 says that where with the consent, express or implied, of the persons interested in immovable property, a person is the ostensible owner of such property and transfers the same for consider....
Land declared surplus under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act vests in the State, rendering any subsequent transfers void, and the principle of 'fraud vitiates all' applies to claims made a....
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