[2008 (10) ADJ 409]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : RAN VIJAI SINGH, J.
KALIKA PRASAD AND OTHERS ..............Petitioners
Versus
BOARD OF REVENUE AND OTHERS .........Respondents
(Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 17015 of 2001, decided on 20th November, 2008)
(B) U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Rules, 1952—Rules 115-N(1), 115-L, 115-P(3) and 115-P(4)—Application for cancellation of allotment of land for abadi site—Filed by person in occupation of landlord since prior to abolition of Zamindari, which was given to him by Zamindar for plantation of trees and trees more than 50 years old are standing on it—Should be decided in accordance with Rule 115-N(1)—Decision ignoring Rule 115-N(1) and without making enquiry as required by Rules 115-P(3) and 115-P(4)—Against law—Application for cancellation—Found maintainable—Matter remanded for adjudication afresh in accordance with law after giving opportunity of hearing to applicant and after holding enquiry required under relevant provisions. [Paras 23 to 25, 30 to 32 and 35 to 38]
Hon’ble Ran Vijai Singh, J.—This writ petition has been filed for issuing a writ of certiorari quashing the judgment and order dated 15.2.2001 and 30.7.1996 passed by Board of Revenue in Reference No. 96 of 1996-97 and Additional Collector (Administration) Kanpur Dehat (hereinafter referred to as respondent No. 2) in case No. 140/1995-96 under Rule 115-P of U.P.Z.A & L.R. Rules. Vide order dated 30.7.1996 the respondent No. 2 has rejected the application of the petitioner dated 1.12.1993 for cancelling the allotment of abadi site over an area measuring about 10 biswansi situated in plot No. 267 which old number happened to be 322 and by subsequent order dated 15.2.2001 the Member Board of Revenue has rejected the reference made by Additional Commissioner, Kanpur Division Kanpur while exercising his Revisional power under Section 333 of U.P. Zaminadari Abolition & Land Reforms Act,1950 (in short U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act) in Revision No. 40/96-97, Kalika Prasad and others v. Brijendra Kumar and others. The Revision was filed against the judgment and order dated 30.7.1996.
2. The facts giving rise to this case are that an area of 10 biswansi situated in plot No. 267 was allotted to the respondent No. 5 for abadi site by the respondent No. 4 i.e., Land Management Committee. The petitioners have filed an application for cancellation of the said allotment under Section 122-C (6) of U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act read with Rule 115-P of U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Rules on the ground that the allotted area was given by the Zamindar to the petitioners since before the abolition of Zamindari for plantation of the trees and over the disputed land more than 50 years old trees belonging to the petitioners are standing and the land was not vacant, therefore, no allotment could be made. It has also been stated that the allotment was irregular as the respondent No. 5 do not fall under the eligibility criteria and the procedure prescribed under the rules for allotment has also not been followed. The said application was rejected by the Collector by the impugned order dated 30.7.1996 on the ground that the land is recorded as banjer in the revenue record and the possession of the petitioners over the disputed land, prima facie appears to be unauthorised. It has also been held that the petitioners have no right over the land in dispute. Since the allotment in favour of respondent No. 5 was made in accordance with law, therefore, that cannot be cancelled in this proceeding.
3. Aggrieved from the order dated 30.7.1996 the petitioner has filed a Revision No. 40/96-97 under Section 333 of U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act before the Additional Commissioner, Kanpur Division, Kanpur. The Additional Commissioner has found that the Zamindar has given permission on 22nd May,1949 for plantation of trees. Therefore, the petitioner’s right over the planted trees is established. But so far as the title is concerned the Divisional Commissioner has held that the land shall belong to the Gaon Sabha, however, the possession of the petitioner cannot be said to be illegal, or unauthorised as he has entered into the possession only after the permission of Zamindar since before the commencement of U.P.Z.A.& L.R. Act. Hence he made a reference to the Board of Revenue for allowing the application dated 1.12.1993 filed by the petitioners for cancellation of the allotment over the plot No. 267.
4. The Member Board of Revenue has rejected the reference made by the Additional Commissioner (Administration) Kanpur Division Kanpur vide order dated 15.2.2001 and maintained the order passed by the Collector the respondent No. 2 dated 30.7.1996. In doing so, learned Member has observed that in case the permission was granted by the Zamindar for plantation of the trees since prior to the Zamindari abolition then why the petitioner has not taken any steps to get recorded his name on the basis of that permission. The Member Board of Revenue has taken the view that the petitioner has no locus standi to challe
AIR 1952 SC 319 (Para 30)-Relied on
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