The Chief Justice.-This application relates to the office of the karnam of Tangatur Village, Ongole taluk, Guntur District. One Ramakrishnayya was the holder of this office till 23rd November 1922, when he died. He left behind him two sons. The first respondent Venkatappa was then a major and the petitioner Purushotham a minor. The first respondent renounced his right to the office by a letter addressed to the Revenue authorities and the petitioner was recognised as the karnam of the village by an order of the Sub-Collector, dated 4th February 1923. As he was a minor he was registered as karnam with his paternal uncle as deputy. He attained majority in due course and took charge of the office in 1927 and ever since that date he has been discharging the duties of his office. While so, on 6th March, 1950, the Government passed an order purporting to be in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(c) of the Madras Restoration of Village Officers (Validation) Act (Madras Act XVIII of 1939) directing that the first respondent be appointed as karnam in the place of the petitioner, the existing incumbent. The petitioner seeks to have this order of Government quashed.

Madras Act XVI

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