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1996 Supreme(All) 1041

HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
S.P. Srivastava, J.
Ram Dhiraj - Appellants
Versus
Board Of Revenue U P At Allahabad - Respondents
Decided on : Sep 13, 1996

Advocates appeared:
B.G. Bhai, Tripathi,

The deeming clause in Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, presuming admission as Bhumidhar with non-transferable rights, is limited to proceedings under Section 122-B and does not create a title in itself.

Headnote:

U. P. ZAMINDARI ABOLITION AND LAND REFORMS ACT - SECTION 122-B (4-F) - SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION IN THE CONTEXT OF LAND TENURE RIGHTS.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioners, belonging to a Scheduled Caste, claimed benefits under Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, seeking correction of revenue entries and recognition as 'Asankramaniya Bhumidhar' of disputed land. The Sub-Divisional Officer initially granted their request, but the Additional Commissioner and Board of Revenue set aside this order, directing a fresh inquiry.

Finding of the Court:

The Court held that the petitioners' claim to be recorded as 'Asankramaniya Bhumidhar' was based solely on Section 122-B (4-F) of the Act. It clarified that the deeming clause in this provision, which presumes admission as Bhumidhar with non-transferable rights, is limited to proceedings under Section 122-B and does not create a title in itself.

Issues: 1. Whether the petitioners satisfied the eligibility criteria under Section 122-B (4-F) of the Act to be deemed as Bhumidhar with non-transferable rights. 2. Whether the Board of Revenue's order quashing the Sub-Divisional Officer's initial order and remanding the case for a fresh inquiry was justified.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The Court relied on its previous decision in Ramdin v. Board of Revenue, holding that the deeming clause in Section 122-B (4-F) is confined to proceedings under Section 122-B and does not create a title in itself. 2. The Court found that the petitioners' claim was based solely on this provision and that the Sub-Divisional Officer's initial order was manifestly illegal. Therefore, the Board of Revenue's order quashing this order and remanding the case for a fresh inquiry was justified.

Final Decision: The Court dismissed the petitioners' writ petition, upholding the Board of Revenue's order. It directed the Sub-Divisional Officer to conclude the proceedings in accordance with the law, considering the observations of the Additional Commissioner and the decision in Ramdin v. Board of Revenue.

Judgment :

S. P. Srivastava, J.

1. Heard the counsel for the petitioners and the learned Standing Counsel representing the respondents.

2. PERUSED the record.

Feeling aggrieved by the orders passed by the Additional Commissioner and the Board of Revenue in the proceedings initiated against the petitioners under the provisions contained in Section 122-B of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act whereunder accepting the recommendation of the Additional Commissioner, the Board of Revenue, has, after setting aside the order passed by the Sub- Divisional Officer dated 27-3-90 remanded the case to the Sub-Divisional Officer for deciding the same in consonance with the provisions of law keeping in view the provisions of Section 122-B (F) of U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, they have now approached this Court seeking redress praying for the quashing of the order passed by the Additional Commissioner and the Board of Revenue.

3. THE facts in brief, shorn of details and necessary for the disposal of this case lie in a narrow compass. THE petitioners had moved an application dated 20-12-88 claiming benefits contemplated under Section 122-B-4 (F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act praying for the correction of the revenue entries in respect of the land in dispute and recording of their names as "asankramaniay Bhumidhar" thereof. Proceeding on the basis of the report of the Lekhpal and the supervisor Kanoongo submitted to the Sub-Divisional Officer, the said officer had, indicating that the petitioners were entitled to the benefits contemplated under Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, directed for the correction of the revenue entry in respect of the land in dispute which was shown as 'nai particultivable Banjar' land in the name of the aforesaid persons showing them as Asankramaniya Bhumidhar Varg 2'.

4. SUBSEQUENT to the passing of the order dated 29-4-89 the Gaon Sabha passed a resolution dated 18-6- 89 praying for the setting aside of the order dated 29-4-89 and initiated proceedings for the ejectment of the petitioners. On the basis of the said resolution an application for the purpose was filed by the Gaon Sabha but the said application was rejected by the Sub-Divisional Officer observing that the order dated 29-4-89 was not liable to be disturbed leaving it open for the Gaon Sabha to proceed in accordance with law.

The Gaon Sabha thereafter filed a revision challenging the order of the Sub-Divisional Officer. The Additional Commissioner came to the conclusion that the entire proceedings culminating in the order dated 29-4-89 were hastely concluded without considering the real implications of the provisions contained in Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act and without realising that one of the plots viz Plot No. 136 had been recorded as Talab and a land of public utility in respect whereof no claim as put forward by the applicants could be entertained. It was also observed that the materials on the record did not lead to an inference that the petitioners were continuing to be in possession on the relevant date. In the aforesaid view of the matter the Additional Commissioner recommended to the Board of Revenue for the setting aside of the order dated 29-4-89 with a direction to the Sub-Divisional Officer to hold an enquiry in the matter and in case the petitioner satisfied the eligibility criteria provided for under Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, in that event consider their claim for being recorded as bhumidhar of the land in dispute.

5. THE Board of Revenue vide its order dated 4-1-96 accepting the reference quashed the order dated 29-4-89 and remanded the case to the trial court with the direction that the matter in question be enquired into and be decided in consonance with the provisions of law keeping in view the provisions of Section 122-B (4-F) of the U. P. Zamind












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