Ram Surat Ram (Maurya), J.

1. Heard Sri A.K. Singh and Sri M.P. Singh, for the petitioners and Standing Counsel and Sri S.C. Verma, for the respondents. The writ petition has been filed for quashing the orders of Consolidation Officer dated 23.12.2005, Settlement Officer Consolidation dated 23.2.2006 and Deputy Director of Consolidation dated 30.5.2006, arising out of title proceeding under U.P. Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1953 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act').

2. The dispute relates to properties of khata 229 (consisting of 687 (area 0-19-0 bigha) and 688 (area 2-9-0 bigha) of village Ghorawal, pargana Barhar district Sonbhadra. In basic consolidation records, the land in dispute was recorded as 'banjar' land. Ram Narain and others (the petitioners) filed an objection (registered as Case No. 1/1/2005-06) under section 9-A(2) of the Act, for recording their names over it, claiming that the land in dispute was in their possession since before date of vesting. Land Management Committee of Gaon Sabha Ghorawal granted a patta dated 5.1.1969, conferring sirdari right over it. Subsequently they have become its bhumidhar. The objection was contested by Town Area Committee G