P. VELMURUGAN, J.

1. This appeal is filed against the order dated 23.01.2009 passed by the learned single judge in W.P. No. 1863 of 2003.

2. Originally, larger extent of agricultural land was purchased by the vendor of the respondent by name A. Heera vide sale deed dated 17.01.1962 on the file of the Sub Registrar, Tambaram vide Document No. 92 of 1962. The respondent purchased 1acre and 2 cents of land from a larger extent of agricultural lands belonged to A. Heera, by registered sale deed dated 13.12.1980 on the file of the Sub Registrar, Tambaram vide Document No. 6010 of 1980.

3. The case of the appellants is that, A. Heera, residing at 20/2, Nellan Ponnappa Mudali Street, Chennai, had filed return in Form-I, under Section 7(1) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978, [herein after referred to as Principal Act] on 21.01.1977, with a request for exemption of the land mentioned in the return, from the operation of the Principal Act. During the enquiry by the competent authority, it was found that the land sought to be exempted was the subject matter of a civil litigation. Therefore, a report had been sent to the Director of Urban Land Ceiling and Ur