JUDGMENT

B.N. MAHAPATRA, J. — This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to opposite party no.1-Sub-Registrar-cum-Stamp Collector, Khurda to return the original sale deed No.2814/2007 to the petitioner and for quashing the notice dated 16.2.2008 under Annexure-3 by which the opposite party no.1 directed the petitioner either to deposit the deficit amount of stamp duty and registration fee as calculated by him or else to contest the matter to be referred to the next higher forum.

2. Short facts giving rise to this writ petition are that for maintenance of day-to-day affairs of Shree Lord Jagannath Temple, the Managing Committee after receipt of approval of the Government of Orissa for sale of the property in question pub¬lished a sale notice bearing No.142 dated 8.1.1996 inviting applications from prospective purchasers. Pursuant to the said notice, prospective purchasers applied for the same. On 8.6.1996, an open auction was held. In the said open auction, the present writ petitioner became the highest bidder and knocked the bid at Rs.41,000/- per acre. As per Section 16(2) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, the Government of Orissa, through the Law Depart¬ment acc