G. N. Prasad, J.

This application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution is directed against the order of the Collector of Patna (respondent no. 7), in the first instance; that of the Commissioner, Patna Division, Patna (respondent no.6) on appeal, and finally that of the Member, Board of Revenue (respondent no. 5) in revision, concurrently rejecting a petition filed by the petitioners under Section 16 (3) of the Bihar Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling Area and Acquisition of Surplus Land) Act, 1961 Bihar Act 12 of 1962 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Ace). The relevant facts are not in dispute and may be briefly stated as follows :

2. On the 23rd October, 1962, two sale deeds were executed and registered in favour of Prasidh Narain Singh (respondent no. 1); one for Rs. 400/- by Swaroop Singh (respondent no. 2, since deceased, and represented by his legal representatives) in respect of .03 acre of land comprised in plot no. 738 in village Sadabh, Pergana Masaurha, police station Bikram, district Patna, and the other for Rs. 650/- by Shrimati Lalmati Devi respondent no. 3) in respect of .03 acre of land in plot no. 738 as well as 10 acre of land in plot no. 2661 sit