The imposition of conversion fees on land applications breaches legal provisions, justifying cancellation of prior fee notices.

JUDGMENT

The above Writ Petition (C) is filed with the following prayers:

"i) Call for the records pertaining to Ext P5 and set aside the same ii) Issue a writ of mandamus, any other writ, appropriate order directing and declare that demanding conversion fees for the applied land (Ext P 3) is against the provisions of law.

iii) Issue a writ of mandamus, any other writ, appropriate order directing the 2nd Respondent/3rd respondent to complete the proceedings on Exhibit P3 (Form P6 application) submitted by the Petitioner within a time frame in the light of exhibit P5, without demanding fee for conversion.

iv) Petitioner also prays that this Honourable Court may be pleased to dispense with the translation of the vernacular documents produced in the vernacular language.

v) Such other relief’s that this Honourable Court may deem fit and proper to grant, in the interest of justice.

vi) Provide cost of the proceedings.”

[SIC]

2. The petitioner is aggrieved by Ext.P5 notice by which the petitioner is directed to pay conversion fee. The petitioner relied the judgment of this Court in The Revenue Divisional Officer v. Dr. A.V. Sajeev [ 2023 (4) KLT 331]. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader.

4. There is no dispute to the fact that the point raised by the petitioner is covered in favour of the petitioner by the judgment of this Court in Dr. A.V. Sajeev ‘s case (supra). If that is the case, Ext.P5 can be set aside, and there can be a direction to process Form-6 application, without insisting conversion fee. Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: i) Ext.P5 is set aside.

ii) The 3^rd respondent/authorised o process Form-6 application, without insisting any conversion fee, if it is otherwise in order, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.

Sd/-