COMMON ORDER:

These writ petitions are filed by the members of the two branches of the families of Archakas of the 5th respondent-temple. These writ petitions essentially raise the same issues of law and fact and are being disposed of by this common order.

2. Sri Siddeswara Swamy Devasthanam, Dornipadu Village &

Mandal, Kurnool District, the 5th respondent herein, is the owner of various extents of land, including Ac.66.85 cents of land, which was in the possession and enjoyment of the hereditary Archakas of the 5th respondent-temple. In the year 1970, there were certain disputes between the Archaka families and the Endowment Department with regard to the apportionment of the lands. This dispute was resolved by way of a compromise, which was recorded in the proceedings of the Joint Commissioner, Endowment Department in R.Dis.No.19775/70-07, dated 07.04.1971 wherein the share of the Archakas was fixed at Ac.40.78 cents and the share of the temple was fixed at Ac.26.14 cents. On the basis of these proceedings the Commissioner, Endowment Department issued proceedings in Rc.No.A3/2089/70/4, dated 04.07.1973. In these proceedings, the land belonging to the share of Archakas was split into