ORDER

Order passed by the S.D.O. (Revenue) Multai, District Betul on 26.10.2021 in Case No.776/A-2/2020-21, upheld by the Additional Collector, Betul, District Betul by order dated 14.6.2022 passed in Case No.27/Appeal/2021-22 and by Additional Commissioner, Narmadapuram in Case No.122/Appeal/2022-23 on 11.1.2023 are under challenge in the instant petition preferred by the owner of agricultural land, situated in Village Kamath, Tehsil Multai, District Betul at Survey No.27, Khasra No.161/3, area 0.140 hectare..

2. By the impugned order, penalty was imposed upon the petitioner for converting the agricultural land for commercial purposes, without obtaining any diversion order under the provisions of M.P. Land Revenue Code, 1959 (in short 'Code, 1959').

3. The short facts of the case are that, undisputedly, the petitioner is owner of land bearing Survey No.27, Khasra No.161/3, area 0.140 hectare of Village Kamath, Tehsil Multai, District Betul, which was recorded as agricultural land in the revenue record and upon the report received from the Patwari, S.D.O. (Revenue) has initiated proceedings against the petitioner under Section 59 (9) of the Code, 1959 upon the allegation that the