The authority for property mutation decisions lies with the Tahsildar, not the Village Officer.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner has approached this Court aggrieved by Ext.P4 order issued by the 3^rd respondent, wherein the request made by the petitioner for effecting mutation has been declined.

As per the Transfer of Registry Rules, a decision on the application for effecting mutation is to be taken by the Tahsildar (Land Records), but in this case the decision has been taken by the 3^rd respondent Village Officer, who has no authority to do so. Therefore, Ext.P4 order is set aside with a consequential direction to the Tahsildar (Land Records) concerned to finalise the proceedings on the request made by the petitioner for effecting mutation of the property based on Ext.P3 deed, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as the additional 4^th respondent. A decision in this regard shall be taken within an outer limit of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment.

Writ petition is disposed of as above.

Sd/-