1. In this application under Arts. 226 and 227 of the Constitution the petitioners have prayed for issuance of a writ of certiorari quashing the order dated the 27th Aug. 1974, passed by the Additional Member, Board of Revenue (respondent No. 1) in a proceeding under S. 16 (3) of the Bihar Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling Area and Acquisition of Surplus Land) Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). A copy of the impugned order has been marked as Annexure-5.

2. The facts are short. On the 24th April, 1970. Ragho Singh (respondent No. 5). sold the land in question to Vidyabati (respondent No. 6). The registration of the sale deed was completed on the 24th April, 1970. On the 19th June, 1970 respondent No. 6 in her turn executed two sale deeds in respect of the entire area purchased by her from respondent No. 5. half and half in favour of petitioners 1 and 2; copies whereof have been marked as Annexures 1 and 2 respectively. The sale deeds executed on the 19th June, 1970 were presented for registration on the 4th Aug. 1970, and the registration was completed on the 9th Sept. 1970. In the meantime, however, on 21-7-70 respondent No. 4 Thakur Singh, a co-sharer and adjo