HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT JAMMU Reserved on 09.04.2026 Pronounced on:16.04.2026 Uploaded on: 16.04.2026 Pushpa Devi and others …..Petitioner(s)

Through: Mr. R.K.S.Thakur, Advocate &

Ms. Nandita Thakur, Advocate Vs

1. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Govt., Urban Development and Local Bodies, Civil Sectt., Jammu.

2. Director, Local Bodies, Jammu

3. Municipal Committee through its President, Katra

4. Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Katra …..Respondent(s)

Through: Mr. Suneel Malhotra, GA with Mr. Divyanshu Malhotra, Advocate Coram: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE MOKSHA KHAJURIA KAZMI, JUDGE

JUDGMENT

1. The petitioners in the instant petition have invoked extraordinary writ jurisdiction of this Court, vested under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to seek a writ of mandamus thereby directing the respondents to handover the possession of the land measuring 5 kanal 4 marlas comprising in Khasra No.436/268 (3 marlas), Khasra No.437/268 2 kanal 10 marlas), Khasra No.438/249 (11 marlas), Khasra No.439/269 (12 marlas), Khasra No.440/269 (1 kanal 6 marlas) and Khasra No.435/268 (12 marlas) situated at Katra (hereinafter to be referred t