Gokulakrishnan, J.

1. The appellant which is the Idol of Sri Ranganathaswami Devasthanam, Srirangam, represented by its Executive Officer, claims patta under Section 5(2) (it) of Act XXX of 1963 The respondents numbering six claim patta under Section 8(i) of the said Act. Respondents are represented by Mr. Kumar, the learned Counsel. The lands involved in this case are situated in Easamakorai Village, Lalgudi Taluk, Tiruchirapalli District They measure 2 88 acres in survey field S. No 74/1971 and 1.16 acres in survey field S. No. 74/2. Even though the respondents claim patta under Section 8(1), during enquiry by the Settlement Tahsildar, they contended that the land has been lawfully transferred in their favour and as such they are entitled to patta under Section 8(2) (ii). The Settlement Tahsildar, Tiruchirapalli granted patta to the respondents herein under Section 8(2) (i) (b). Aggrieved by the said order, the appellant herein preferred C.M.A. No. 48 of 1975 before the Minor Inams Abolition Tribunal. Tiruchirapalli, while the respondents herein independently preferred appeals in C.M.A. No. 117 to 121 and 131 of 1975 contending that the patta ought to have been issued unde