J.S. Khehar, J. (Oral) - The petitioner addressed a communication (Annexure P-1) to the Assistant Collector, Agrarian, Abohar, depicting his ownership in respect of 484 kanals 8 marlas of land in village Mehrajpura and Sitogunno on the appointed date i.e. 24.1.1971. He also expressed his ownership alongwith his wife over 166 kanals 13 marlas of land as mortgagees. It is, therefore, clear that the petitioner acknowledged ownership over 631 kanals 01 marla of land as on 24.1.1971. The aforesaid land was classified as Nehri, Barani, Banjar Jadid and Gairmumkin. On the basis of the aforesaid classifications, when converted into land of first quality, it was concluded that the land owned by the petitioner was equal to 15.6720 hectares.

2. While determining the issue of release, the Collector, Abohar, by his order dated 29.10.1976 arrived at the conclusion that the petitioner was entitled to retain 7 hectares of first quality land as his permissible area. On the basis of the aforesaid conclusion, he held that land measuring 8.6720 hectares of first quality in the hands of the petitioner was surplus. Accordingly, a notice under Section 9(1) of the Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972 (he