( 1 ) THE order passed by the Dy. Collector at Valsad (the first authority for convenience) on 12/09/1984 in R. T. S. Revision no. 17 of 1984 as affirmed in appeal by the Collector at Valsad on 2 8/05/1985 in R. T. S. Appeal No. 7 of 1984 as affirmed in revision by the Special Secretary, Revenue Department at Ahmedabad on 27/04/1989 in Revision Application No. 302 of 1985 is under challenge in this petition under Art. 227 of the Constitution of India. By the impugned order, the Dy. Collector at Valsad declared the sale in respect of the land bearing survey No. 81 admeasuring 9 Acres 12 Gunthas situated in village tanachhia, taluka Dharampur. district Valsad (the disputed land for convenience) entered into between the petitioner and respondent No. 1 to be illegal and invalid.

( 2 ) THE facts giving rise to this petition are not many and not much in dispute. The disputed land originally belonged to respondent No. 1. The petitioner purchased it from him by a registered sale deed executed on 15/05/1978. The necessary mutation entry in the revenue records with respect thereto was posted on 15/09/1978 and was certified by the competent officer on 17/08/1979. It appears that mo