J&K SPECIAL TRIBUNAL AT JAMMU
Vinod Gupta, J.
Behari Lal -Appellant
Versus
Guran Ditta -Resopndent
File No. STJ-74-08 [Revision petition against the order dated 28.1.2008 passed by Director Land Records with powers of Commissioner Agrarian Reforms, Jammu.]
Decided On : 30-09-2008
Land Revenue Act - Jurisdiction - Section 8, 11, 15 - The court held that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear any revision against the order of correction of revenue entry passed by any revenue officer under the provision of Land Revenue Act, 1996 (1939 A.D.). The impugned order was found to be passed under the provisions of Land Revenue Act and not under the Agrarian Reforms Act. The court emphasized that no power had been granted to the Minister, Government, or the Tribunal to hear any such appeal or revision petition against the order passed by any revenue officer under the provision of Land Revenue Act.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner filed a revision petition against the order passed by the Director, Land Records Jammu, which set aside the revenue entry recorded in favor of the petitioner and directed the restoration of the original possession of land.
Finding of the Court:
The Tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear any revision against the order of correction of revenue entry passed by any revenue officer under the provision of Land Revenue Act, and the petitioner is not affected by the impugned order.
Issues: Jurisdiction of the Tribunal to hear the revision petition against the order of correction of revenue entry passed by the Director, Land Records Jammu.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the impugned order was passed under the provisions of Land Revenue Act and not under the Agrarian Reforms Act, and emphasized that no power had been granted to the Minister, Government, or the Tribunal to hear any such appeal or revision petition against the order passed by any revenue officer under the provision of Land Revenue Act.
Final Decision: The revision petition is dismissed, and the record of the court below is to be sent back and the file of the Tribunal be consigned to record after due completion.
2. The brief facts of the case are that the respondent Guran Ditta filed an application for correction of Khasra Girdawari pertaining to land comprising Khasra Nos: 297/33,311/100,312/100,312/100,320/146 and 147 measuring 42 kanals 4 marlas situated at village Chak Jaralan,Tehsil Bishnah. It is also asserted that the Naib-Tehsildar Bishnah without conducting any spot inspection changed the Khasra Girdawari of the above said land on Fard Badar in violation of circular issued by the Financial Commissioner, J&K Jammu although petitioner is still in possession of land. On this application, the Learned Director Land Records after making enquiry set aside the entry recorded by the Naib-Tehsildar, Bishnah and directed the Patwari Halqa to restore the original possession which existing prior to 9.2.2001. The Learned Director also directed Tehsildar, Bishnah for holding a fresh enquiry on spot after affording sufficient opportunities of being heard to all the interested parties including all bothers of the respondent Guran Ditta in presence of prominent citizens of locality. It was also ordered to initiate disciplinary action against erring Naib-Tehsildar.
3. The petitioner challenged the correctness of the impugned order of Learned Director Land Records, Jammu by way of this revision petition on the ground that the order has been passed without jurisdiction and against the principles of natural justice.
4. I have heard the Learned counsel for the parties and have perused the record on the file.
5. A preliminary objection has been raised by the Learned counsel for the respondent about the maintainability of this revision petition. He has argued that no revision lies before the Tribunal against the order under Land Revenue Act. On the other hand the Learned Counsel for the petitioner has contended that the order passed by the Learned Director Land Records with powers of Commissioner Agrarian Reforms (Appeals) Jammu is without jurisdiction and he was not competent to entertain such application and he could hear only appeals under the Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976. He could not assume jurisdiction on application.
6. The Learned Director Land Records, Jammu has passed the order on an application filed by the respondent for correction of revenue entry in the record. He is a Revenue Officer with a rank of Collector. Thus under Section 8 of the Land Revenue Act,1996 (1939 A.D.), he has General Superintendence and control over Revenue Officers working under him. Thus the order passed by the Director Land Records Jammu was under the provisions of Land Revenue Act and not under the Agrarian Reforms Act. There is no provision in the Agrarian Reforms Act 1976 for correction of revenue entry for the period subsequent to the year 1971. Thus the impugned order has not been passed under the provisions of Agrarian Reforms Act but under the provisions of Land Revenue Act.
7. Under Section 3 of the J&K Special Tribunal Act, 1988 this Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear appeals, revisions or review petition which under any law lies to the Government or a Minister or any such appeals, revisions and review petitions for which law has been enacted by the legislatures.
8. From this provision, it is clear that this Tribunal shall exercise jurisdiction, power and authority to hear only such appeals, revisions and review petitions which are provided to the Government or a Minister under the Law where from that appeal, revision or review lies and also if speciall
AI
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.