ORDER :

Heard both sides.

2. The writ petitioner is a practising lawyer. His father Thiru.Chandra and his grandmother Kanagavalli purchased the petition-mentioned properties vide sale deeds dated 21.02.1963 and 27.07.1963. The sale deed dated 27.07.1963 was executed by one Balagurumoorthi. The said Balagurumoorthi in turn had purchased the property from one Sambasiva Kothanar vide registered sale deed dated 21.10.1960. Sambasiva Kothanar in turn had purchased the property from Kumbakonam Bank. Vide sale deed dated 22.09.1955, Kumbakonam Bank had purchased the property pursuant to the Court auction sale in O.S.No.25 of 1952 on the file of the Sub Court, Kumbakonam. It is not in dispute that the property formed part of inam estate (Tanjore palace property known as Pudu Diwanvada Thottam). The entire inam village came to vest in the Government on 27.08.1982 following the notification issued under the Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 1963. The petitioner's father and grandmother applied for issuance of settlement patta under Sections 10 and 15 of the Tamil Act 26 of 1963. The Assistant Settlement Officer, Thanjavur vide order dated 07.02.1983 granted settlement patta in respect of survey Nos.74/1, 7