In all the aforesaid three writ petitions, common orders, passed by the Member, Board of Revenue i.e. revisional court and Additional Collector i.e. appellate court, are under-challenge and as such, with the consent of the parties, all the aforesaid three writ petitions were heard together and are being disposed of by this common order.

2. Petitioners purchased land appertaining to Khata No.71, Plot No.1196 and Plot No.1197 measuring an area of 19 decimals and land appertaining to Khata No.219, Plot No.1198 measuring an area of 4 ½ decimals, Mauza Bharko through three registered sale-deeds. After the deed was registered, the respondents 2nd set claiming right of pre-emption preferred three applications, vide Case No. 3/1970-71, 5/1970-71 & 6/1970-71 under Section 16(3) of the Bihar Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling Area and Acquisition of Surplus Land) Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) in the court of Sub-Divisional Officer, Banka (hereinafter referred to as the “S.D.O.”).

3. The pre-emption application was filed in compliance with the provision of the Act and as such, notices were issued. In the said preemption case, petitioners raised an objection that the pu