The mandatory procedural requirements for issuing notices in land transfer cases must be strictly followed to ensure validity and fairness.

ORDER :

Heard Mr. Ch. Ravinder, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. L. Ravinder, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.1 to 5 and Mr. Ponnam Ashok Goud, learned counsel for respondent No.6. Perused original record.

2. This writ of certiorari is filed to call for the records including the order passed in New Case No.F2/Spl.Tribunal/303/2021 (Old Case No.B/2466/2019 at Old Revenue Court, RDO, Devarkonda), dated 04.02.2021 and review orders passed in new case dated 04.07.2021 by respondent No.2 and consequently allow the appeal filed by the petitioner.

3. CASE OF THE PETITIONER :

i) He is the absolute owner and possessor of agricultural land admeasuring Ac.0.13 guntas in Survey No.382/AA; Acs.4.17 guntas in Survey No.383/AA and Acs.1.05 guntas in Survey No.396/AA, making a total extent of W.P. No.88 of 2022 Acs.5.35 guntas, situated at Koppole Village, Gurrampode Mandal, Nalgonda District.

ii) It is his ancestral property.

iii) Respondent No.6 is his elder brother.

iv) During life time of his father, he distributed the agricultural land in three (03) equal shares among the petitioner, respondent No.6 and another son.

v) When his father was alive, he and his father sold the subject land to respondent No.6 vide agreement of sale deed 10.07.1991 for a total consideration of Rs.69,000/- and he received an amount of Rs.36,500/- as advance and balance shall be payable on or before 01.08.1991.

vi) As per recitals of the agreement, if the amount is not paid by respondent No.6 within the stipulated time, said agreement stands cancelled and the advance amount stands forfeited.

vii) In view of the said clause, the said agreement of sale stood cancelled. W.P. No.88 of 2022

viii) Respondent No.6 did not initiate any legal steps for performance of said agreement of sale before competent Civil Court.

ix) After expiry of their father in the year 1997 and as per the family settlement made when their father was alive, the rights of the petitioner were recognized by Revenue Authorities and his name was also recorded in revenue records and pattadar passbook and title deed were also issued in his favour. Even after introduction of Dharani Portal, latest pattadar passbook-cum-title deed was issued in his favour.

x) Respondent No.6 and another brother also got the latest pattadar passbooks-cum-title deeds in respect of their respective lands.

xi) While so, all of a sudden, the subject land was transferred in the name of respondent No.6 vide proceedings No.B/2662/2017, dated --.10.2019 without giving any notice to the petitioner and without affording an opportunity. W.P. No.88 of 2022 xii) Validation was also done contrary to the provisions of the the Andhra Pradesh Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books Act, 1971 (for short ‘ROR Act, 1971’) by incorporating the name of respondent No.6 in place of the petitioner as pattadar.

xiii) Therefore, the petitioner filed an appeal No.B/2466/2019 before respondent No.2, who dismissed the same vide orders dated 04.02.2021 without affording any opportunity by holding that there is no reason to set aside 13-B Certificate issued in favour of respondent No.6. xiv) As per the orders passed by a Division Bench of this Court in W.P. (PIL) No.20 of 2021, the aforesaid appeal was reopened. After issuing notices to both sides, the matter was heard on 02.07.2021 on which date respondent No.6 did not appear to make his submissions. However, respondent No.2 again dismissed the said review upholding the earlier order dated 04.02.2021. xv) Respondent No.6 submitted certain receipts said to have issued by the petitioner along with agreement of sale dated 10.07.1991. In fact, the petitioner never issued any W.P. No.88 of 2022 such receipts and the same are forged and fabricated. On coming to know the same, the petitioner filed a report with Gurrampode Police Station against respondent No.6 and the same was registered as Crime No.63 of 2020 on 06.07.2020 for the offences punishable under Se