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2023 Supreme(Gau) 1056

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI, ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH
DEVASHIS BARUAH, J.
Smti Anjali Devi, W/o. Sriram Singh & Ors. - Petitioners
Versus
The State of Assam, Represented by the Secretary, Revenue Department Govt. of Assam & Ors. - Respondents
WP(C) No. 6491 of 2013
Decided On : 19-09-2023

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. S. Dutta, Sr. Advocate, Mr. P. Kataki.
For the Respondent: Mr. R. Borpujari, Standing Counsel, Mr. B. K. Bhagawati.

Headnote:

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 107 - Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 – Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 226 - Allotment of land - Vacate possession over land - Petition has been filed challenging notice issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner whereby Petitioners were directed to vacate their possession over land belonging to Respondent No.4 on basis that said land was allotted in name of Respondent No.4 – Held, Rights of Respondent No.4 over land is still in embryo, Court is not interfering with said allotment order - However, grants liberty to Petitioners to approach Respondent Authorities to seek settlement over land under their occupation, provided till such time, settlement is not made in favour of Respondent No.4 - Direction has been issued taking into consideration that Government had already taken a decision to allot land in question - Court further directs that in eventuality, Petitioners seek settlement of land under their occupation prior to settlement granted in favour of Respondent No.4, Deputy Commissioner and Revenue Department shall duly consider same as per extant Land Policy and Regulations - Court sets aside impugned notice issued by Respondent No.3 - Writ petition disposed of.

JUDGMENT :

1. The instant writ petition has been filed by the Petitioners challenging the notice dated 28.10.2013 issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, North Lakhimpur whereby the Petitioners were directed to vacate their possession over the land belonging to the Respondent No.4 on the basis that the said land was allotted in the name of the Respondent No.4 by virtue of the Government Letter No.RSS/102/2012/34 dated 12.06.2013.

2. The facts which has arisen for consideration before this Court is that the Petitioners herein alleged that the father of the Petitioner No.2 -Late Sriram Singh was working at Ananda Tea Estate, P.O. Pathaliapar in the year 1960. He occupied a Government land measuring 18 Lechas by erecting a thatch house. The said land was situated within the North Lakhimpur Town, Ward No.6. On 01.06.1970, Late Sriram Singh was appointed as the Organizer of Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha i.e. the Respondent No.4. Thereupon, Late Sriram Singh constructed the Office of the Respondent No.4 in the adjacent land covering 3 Kathas and the said office was functioning under the guidance of Late Sriram Singh. On 17.05.2010, Late Sriram Singh expired. On 20.11.2010, the President as well as the Secretary of the Respondent No.4 issued a notice to the Petitioner No.1 to vacate the premises. The Petitioner No.1 submitted her reply on 01.12.2010 stating that the said land which was occupied by the Petitioners do not belong to the Respondent No.4 and the construction was made by her husband i.e. Late Sriram Singh and the land was never allotted to the Respondent No.4. It further reveals from the allegations in the writ petition that on account of various disturbances being caused by the members of the Respondent No.4, a proceeding under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short “Cr.P.C.”) was initiated against the members of the Respondent No.4. Finally, the said proceedings was brought to the notice of the Respondent No.3 i.e. the Additional Deputy Commissioner, North Lakhimpur, Lakhimpur as the Respondent No.4 had filed an application for allotment of the land in their favour. The Petitioners also approached the Additional Deputy Commissioner i.e. the Respondent No.3 for adjudication and the Respondent No.3 visited the disputed land and asked the Executive members of the Respondent No.4 for relinquishment of the demand of 18 Lechas of land which was under the occupation of the Petitioners. It is the further case of the Petitioners that the members of the Respondent No.4 went on causing disturbance in the peaceful enjoyment of the Petitioners in the said 18 Lechas of land. Finding no other alternative, a legal notice dated 13.09.2011 was issued to the President and Secretary of the Respondent No.4 for not causing any disturbance to the peaceful possession of the Petitioners in respect to the 18 Lechas of land. The Petitioners had also averred that they had been regularly paying the land revenue for the period 2012-2013 to the Mouzadar of Lakhimpur Mouza. The Circle Officer, North Lakhimpur Circle had also issued a certificate certifying that the Petitioner No.1 was occupying 18 Lechas of land covered by Dag No.275 under BDJ No.357, Lakhimpur Town, 1st Part under North Lakhimpur Revenue Circle. These documents are made part of the records as Annexure V & VI to the writ petition.

3. It further reveals from the records that the Petitioner No.2 submitted an application under Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding allotment of the Government land in favour of the Respondent No.4. The Respondent No.3 vide a communication dated 28.05.2012 informed the Petitioner No.2 that the proposal has been received from the Circle Officer, North Lakhimpur Revenue Circle for reservation of a plot of land measuring 0 Bigha 3 Katha 0 Lecha covered by Dag No.275 and 276 of North Lakhimpur 1st part Map under Lakhimpur Mouza in favour of the Respondent No.4. This document has relevance taking into account that the proposal was only i

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