Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 4059 Tel
Judgement Date : 16 November, 2023
THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALOK ARADHE
AND
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.V. SHRAVAN KUMAR
WRIT PETITION No.24037 of 2023
ORDER: (Per the Hon'ble Sri Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar)
Heard Mr. Botla Venkateshwara Rao, learned counsel for the
petitioners.
2. Mr. Parsa Ananth Nageswar Rao, learned Government Pleader
attached to the office of learned Advocate General for respondents
No.1 to 6.
3. Mr. Sunil B. Ganu, learned Senior Counsel representing
Ms. Manjari S. Ganu, learned counsel for the respondents No.7 and 8.
4. This writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus to
declare the proceedings bearing R.C.No.A/270/2023, dated
24.05.2023 issued by the 2nd respondent, District Collector, directing
the 5th respondent, Regional Deputy Director, Survey and Land
Records to conduct survey of the land in Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda
Village, Kukatpally Mandal and to prepare and furnish the location
sketch and sub-division records for taking further necessary action,
on the basis of the application filed, by Sripad Deshpande for and on
behalf of the respondents No.7 and 8, to enter into the schedule
property i.e., Acs.92.56 cents., out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Sy.No.57
of Shamsiguda Village, Kukatpally Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri
District and for taking over the physical possession of the same by HC, J & NVSK, J
fixing boundaries, without considering the objections dated
14.07.2023 and 18.07.2023 submitted by the petitioners to the
respondents No.2 and 5 and without issuing any survey notice to all
the land holders and decree holders in C.S.No.7 of 1958 including the
petitioners herein in Sy.No.57 as required under the A.P.Survey and
Boundaries Act, 1923, as illegal, arbitrary, without jurisdiction and
violative of the principles of natural justice and violative of Articles 14,
21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India, 1950 also in contravention
of the law laid down by this Court in the Judgments dated 16.09.2022
in W.A.No.648 of 2019 and in Akku Laxman Rao Vs. IDPL
Employees Cooperative Housing Society Limited, (2021 SCC On
Line TS 1893): (2021) 3 ALD 305 (DB) confirming the decision dated
10.02.2020 in W.P. Nos.39279 of 2017 and 6761 of 2018 and
consequently to declare all the further and other proceedings and
steps taken pursuant to the said proceedings bearing
R.C.No.A/270/2023, dated 24.05.2023, as illegal and void.
CONTENTIONS OF THE PETITIONERS:
5. It is the case of the petitioners No.1 and 2 that they are the
absolute owners and possessors of the lands admeasuring Acs.0.25
guntas and Acs.0.29 guntas respectively, totally admeasuring
Acs.1.14 guntas, out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Survey No.57 of
Shamsiguda Village, having got the same from Smt. Potireddy
Samrajyam, after her death on 02.05.2015 under a will deed dated HC, J & NVSK, J
17.09.2014, executed by her and registered as document No.152 of
2014 in Book-III on the file of Joint Sub-Registrar, Narasaraopet.
6. It has been submitted that the said Smt.Potireddy Samrajyam
was the absolute owner and possessor of the land to an extent of
Acs.1.14 guntas out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Survey No.57 of
Shamsiguda Village, under the Final Decree dated 04.10.2013 in
Application No.910 of 2013 in Application SR No.6722 of 2011 in
C.S.No.7 of 1958 passed by this Court, being part of the item No.252
of Schedule 'A' annexed to the preliminary decree in C.S.No.7 of 1958.
In terms of the directions of this Court, the Receivers-cum
Commissioners identified the aforesaid extent of the land by
conducting Panchanama and prepared plan by fixing the boundaries
for Acs.1.14 guntas and submitted compliance report dated
25.11.2014 before this Court. The 3rd respondent-Tahsildar, under
the proceedings bearing Lr.No.B/1577/2017, dated 12.08.2017,
submitted to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Malkajgiri Division about
the description of extents and names of the possessors of land in
Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda Village and the name of Smt.Potireddy
Samrajyam, is shown at Serial No.E in the Table, at Page No.4.
7. Similarly, the Petitioner No.3 purchased land admeasuring
Acs.0.11 guntas out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda
Village, Kukatpally Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, under the
Final Decree dated 26.06.2014 in Application No.778 of 2014 in
C.S.No.7 of 1958 passed by this Court, registered as Doc.No.14789 of HC, J & NVSK, J
2014. As per the orders of this Court, the Receiver-cum-
Commissioners conducted panchanama and after demarcation of the
above extent of Acs.0.11 guntas, delivered the possession to the
petitioner No.3 and submitted compliance report dated 01.11.2021.
8. Similarly, the petitioner No.4 was granted Final Decree dated
19.09.2013 in Application No.855 of 2013 in C.S.No.7 of 1958 to an
extent of Acs.110.535 cents out of Acs.274.33 guntas under
Schedule-B and Schedule-B-1, in an application filed by M/s.Anish
Constructions Company and My Palace Mutually Aided Co-operative
Society, the Respondents No.7 and 8 and the 4th petitioner herein was
arrayed as respondent No.2 in the said application. The said final
decree was registered as Doc.No.14215 of 2014 on 29.11.2014 on the
file of the Joint Sub-Registrar, Ranga Reddy.
9. Thereafter, the petitioners No.1 and 5 to 7 have jointly
purchased the land admeasuring Acs.3.15 guntas out of Acs.274.33
guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda Village with schedule of
boundaries, in terms thereof, the Final Decree dated 30.12.2011 in
Application No.519 of 2009 in C.S.No.7 of 1958 was passed by this
Court, from the share holders under the Preliminary Decree dated
06.04.1959 in C.S.No.7 of 1958.
10. It is submitted that the petitioner No.8 originally purchased an
extent of Acs.2.00 guntas out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Sy.No.57 of
Shamsiguda Village from the share holders and the same was allotted HC, J & NVSK, J
to the Petitioner No.8 by the Receivers-cum-Commissioners under the
scheme of partition. But the said land was claimed by the
respondents No.7 & 8. Therefore, the petitioner No.8 amicably settled
the matter with them and the petitioner No.8 is allotted Acs.1.00
guntas and declared as absolute owner of the land admeasuring
Ac.1.00 guntas out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda
Village, which is specifically shown in the schedule and plan annexed
to the Final Decree dated 19.10.2013 in Application No.856 of 2013 in
C.S.No.7 of 1958 passed by this Court to which respondents No.7 & 8
were parties as respondents No.178 and 179.
11. It is submitted that the respondents No.7 & 8 also are claiming
their rights under the Final Decree dated 19.09.2013 in Application
No.837 of 2013 in C.S.No.7 of 1958 for an extent of Acs.92.56 cents
out of Acs.274.33 guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda Village.
It is further submitted that the alleged plan attached to the registered
Final Decree is bogus one and appears to have been inserted at the
time of it's registration surreptitiously without being part of the final
decree.
12. Thereafter, under the guise of said Final Decree with the
fabricated Plan, the respondents No.7 and 8 approached this Court
under Application No.930 of 2013, dated 09.10.2013 to direct the
Receivers-cum Commissioners to deliver the physical possession of
land to an extent of Acs.92.56 cents out of Acs.274.33 guntas in
Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda village. However, the respondents No.7 & 8 HC, J & NVSK, J
have withdrawn thẹ said petition. It is further submitted that there
was no delivery of physical possession of the land admeasuring
Acs.92.56 cents under the alleged plan attached to the registered
Final Decree. It is further submitted that the respondents No.7 & 8
ought to have made F-line application for conducting survey and
Tahsildar is the competent authority to look into the said application
under the applicable circulars and making of an application directly to
the District Collector and who in turn issued the impugned
proceedings directing the RDO to conduct survey that to for the
purpose of delivery of possession to the respondents No.7 & 8 is illegal
and without jurisdiction.
13. It is submitted that prior to the above Final Decree dated
09.10.2013, respondent No.8 filed suit in O.S.No.863 of 2007 for
perpetual injunction in respect of the land admeasuring Acs.73.00
guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda Village, on the file of the learned
I Additional District Judge, Ranga Reddy with a false claim and the
same was dismissed by decree and judgment dated 26.04.2011.
Aggrieved by the said Decree and Judgment, Respondent No.8
preferred Appeal Suit in A.S.No.293 of 2011 before this Court, which
was dismissed by Judgment and decree dated 26.08.2013.
Respondent No.8 challenged the same in Special Leave to Appeal
(Civil) No.29659 of 2013 before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the
same was also dismissed vide order dated 29.11.2013.
HC, J & NVSK, J
14. It is further submitted that by suppressing all the above facts,
the respondents No.7 & 8 under representation dated 05.09.2023
approached the 2nd respondent District Collector with the following
requests i) To delete their extent of Ac.92.56 cents out of Acs.274.33
guntas in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda village from the Prohibited
Properties List 22-A ii) To confirm their possession under a cover of
panchanama and iii) to mutate their names in the revenue records
and issue pattedarpass book and supplementary Sethwar.
15. It is further submitted that the 2nd Respondent-District
Collector in collusion with the respondents No.7 & 8 without any
authority and jurisdiction readily entertained and considered its
application under Endorsement No.E1/1985/2022 dated 01.03.2023
by recording their name in the Dharani to an extent of Acs.92.56
cents without verification and enquiry, the 3rd respondent -Tahsildar
and Joint Sub-Registrar, Kukatpally permitted for registration of the
documents i.e., Development Agreement cum GPA bearing
Doc.Nos.1/2023 and 2/2023.
16. It is further submitted that the collusion between the official
and unofficial respondents is evident from the fact that the
2nd respondent District Collector while permitting registrations in
respect of Acs.92.56 cents recorded the name of the Government for
the remaining extent of Acs.182.11 guntas without entering the
names of the other Final Decree holders in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda
Village in C.S.No.7 of 1958, including the petitioners herein illegally in HC, J & NVSK, J
an arbitrary manner and contrary to the dismissal of the claim of the
Government on the subject lands by the Hon'ble Suprene Court
repeatedly in the orders dated 01.08.2022 and 23.08.2022, only with
a view to facilitate the survey without notice to any of the land owners.
17. It is further submitted that the Respondents No.7 and 8 under
the guise of survey and with the active collusion and support of the
revenue and survey authorities, are trying to grab the petitioners land,
without any right, title and interest much less possession. Therefore,
the petitioners made applications dated 14.07.2023 and 18.07.2023
and approached the 2nd Respondent District Collector with a request
to direct the survey authorities to stop the survey for fixing the
boundaries to an extent of Acs.92.56 cents out of Acs.274.33 guntas
in Sy.No.57 of Shamsiguda Village, without notice to the land holders
but the respondent authorities without considering the objections and
without any notice to the petitioners are trying to conduct survey
without any survey marks, Tippons etc. It is the specific contention of
the petitioners that if the survey is continued by fixing the boundaries
for the purpose of delivery of possession to the Respondents No.7 & 8,
the respondents may dispossess the petitioners from the possession of
aforesaid extents of lands which are in their physical possession
pursuant to the reports submitted by the Receivers-cum-
Commissioners in the C.S.No 7 of 1958 and that they would be put to
serious loss and irreparable hardship.
HC, J & NVSK, J
18. It is further submitted that the impugned proceedings issued by
the District Collector, who is not the competent authority, in respect of
the survey is thus void and cannot have any consequence.
Any proceedings initiated and the steps taken pursuant to the said
proceedings are also illegal and are liable to be declared as without
any authority. The respondents by bringing the JCB have even
illegally demolished the shed structured by the petitioner No.1 in the
land inherited under the will highhandedly on 18.08.2023 under the
guise of survey without having any authority and are threatening to
dispossess the petitioners under the guise of survey on the basis of
the impugned proceedings issued by the District Collector, hence the
petitioners filed the present writ petition.
CONTENTIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS:
19. On behalf of the respondent No.6, Assistant Director, Survey
and Land Records, while denying the averments of the petitioners,
counter affidavit has been filed, inter alia, stating that a representation
dated 19.05.2023 is made by the respondent No.8, to the District
Collector, Medhcal-Malkajgiri, requesting to transfer the schedule
property from Notional Khata to Patta and to carry out corrections in
Dharani Portal. Based on the said application and after conducting
enquiry the District Collector was pleased to recommend for mutation
of the land admeasuring Acs.92.22 guntas in their names and
directed the concerned to conduct a survey for fixing up the schedule
property by metes and bounds in accordance with Traverse Survey of HC, J & NVSK, J
Shamshiguda village. It is further submitted that Mr.Sripad
Deshpande submitted an application dated 05.09.2022 on behalf of
the respondent No.8 for de-notification from prohibited properties list
and effect mutation in revenue records and the said application was
referred to the Government by the District Collector vide letter dated
21.10.2022 and thereafter, permission for de-notification of land
admeasuring Acs.92.56 cents situated in Sy.No.57 was accorded.
20. It is further submitted that as per the directions of the
Tahsildar, the Mandal Surveyor and Deputy Inspector of Survey
Medchal-Malkajgiri conducted survey and also prepared location
maps based on traverse data and village map of Sy.No.57 of
Shamshiguda village, Kukatpally Mandal and the Tahsildar has
forwarded the same to the Assistant Director Survey and Land
Records vide letter dated 21.04.2023, who in turn forwarded the same
to the District Collector vide letter dated 24.04.2023.
21. It is further submitted that as per the report of the Inspector of
Survey, Survey and Land Records, and the location map, it is noticed
that there is a village boundary dispute between four villages i.e.
Bachupally, Shamshiguda, Baghameri and Gajularamaram villages of
Medchal-Malkajgiri district. Survey No.57 of Shsmshiguda village
consisting of Acs.273.33 guntas and the above villages are
surrounding the said Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda village and the land in
Sy.No.57 is overlapping with the said villages.
HC, J & NVSK, J
22. The District Collector Medchal-Malkajgiri, after examining the
sketches and report and noticing that it is a village boundary dispute,
had vide letter dated 24.05.2023 requested the Regional Deputy
Director, Survey and Land Records, Hyderabad under copy to the
Commissioner of Survey Settlement and Land Records, T.S.
Hyderabad to once-again conduct survey of land in Sy.No.57 of
Shamshiguda village Kukatpally Mandal and to prepare and furnish
the location sketch and Sub-division records for taking further
necessary action. It is submitted that the Commissioner & Director,
Survey Settlement and Land Records, TS., Hyderabad with reference
to the proposals submitted by the District Collector and application of
Sripad Deshpande submitted for demarcation of the Sy.No.57,
constituted a survey team under supervision of Regional Deputy
Director, Survey and Land Records, Hyderabad vide proceedings dated
05.07.2023 and 24.07.2023 and after issuing notices to all the
concerned Tahsildars of said four villages have conducted survey from
12.07.2023 to 15.07.2023 and on 26.07.2023 and prepared
panchanama.
23. It is further submitted that as per the letter dated 27.07.2023
addressed by the Tahsildar, Kukatpally Mandal, the petitioners are
not having any title over land in Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda village.
The petitioners No.1 to 5 and 8 submitted objection petitions to survey
and while enclosing the objections, Tahsildar was requested vide letter
dated 24.07.2023 to offer remarks upon title and possession of the HC, J & NVSK, J
objections. The Tahsildar, Kukatpally vide reference dated 27.07.2023
reported that as per the revenue records none of the objection
petitioners are having any legal title over Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda
village.
24. It is further submitted that this Court in Application No.837 of
2013 in C.S. No.7 of 1958 passed final decree dated 19.09.2013 in
favour of the respondents No.7 and 8 in respect of the subject land i.e.
Acs.92.56 cents and pursuant to the representation submitted by the
respondents No.7 and 8 and in compliance with the final decree dated
19.09.2013, the District Collector has issued impugned letter dated
24.05.2023. The Special Commissioner and Director, Survey,
Settlements and Land Records, has issued a circular dated
25.07.2001 with regard to the procedure to be followed for conducting
survey and the District Collector followed the said procedure in the
instance case and accordingly, conducted the survey.
25. On behalf of the respondent No.8, while denying the averments
of the petitioners, counter affidavit has been filed, inter alia, stating
that this respondent along with M/s Anish Construction Company
respondent No.7 acquired the subject property i.e. Acs.100.00
together in Sy. No.57 of Shamshiguda village under an Assignment
Deed dated 16.09.2000 executed by the legal heirs of Late Nawab
Moinuddowla Bahadur. The aforementioned subject land is a part of
Item No.252 of Schedule "A" appended to the Compromise Decree in
Partition Suit. It is submitted that vide order dated 10.10.2000 this HC, J & NVSK, J
Court was pleased to allow application No.1460 of 2000 in C.S. No.7
of 1958 filed by this respondent to recognize the Assignment deed
dated 16.09.2000. By way of execution proceedings bearing E.P.
No.38 of 2002, possession was handed over to this respondent on
28.11.2002 by the Court bailiff from the erstwhile family members of
the Paigah who were the parties to the suit, and the possession has
continued to be with this respondent uninterruptedly. The E.P. No.38
of 2002 was closed on 23.01.2003 and thus proceedings have attained
finality.
26. It is further submitted that the predecessors-in-interest i.e. legal
heirs of Late Nawab Moinuddowła Bahadur [Asman Jahi Paigah) had
also executed a Conveyance Deed dated 03.08.2003 in favour of this
respondent and M/s. Anish Construction Company conveying the
property with specific boundaries which was specific to Shamshiguda
Village, which is the property in the present case.
27. It is further submitted that an application No.837 of 2013 was
filed in C.S. No.7 of 1958 by the respondents No.7 and 8 herein for
passing of final decree in their favour in respect of land admeasuring
Acs.92.56 cents and the said application was allowed by granting final
decree dated 19.09.2013 in Application No.837 of 2013 declaring that
the respondents No.7 and 8 as absolute owners and possessors of
Acs.92.56 cents in Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda village.
HC, J & NVSK, J
28. It is submitted that the then State of Andhra Pradesh was a
party to the Application No.837 of 2013 and had no objection in
passing of the final decree. The then State of Andhra Pradesh
challenged the said order in OSA (SR) No.3744 of 2014 and the same
was dismissed. However, the orders in OSA SR No.3744 of 2014
passed by this Court were carried in an appeal before the Hon'ble
Supreme Court vide SLP (C) No.13454-13456 of 2022 and the Hon'ble
Supreme Court was pleased to dismiss the said SLP filed by the State
of Telangana vide its order dated 01.08.2022. Therefore, even the
Hon'ble Supreme Court has confirmed the title of the respondents
No.7 and 8.
29. It is further submitted that the petitioners No.1, 5 to 7 appears
to have illegally purchased the land under the unregistered Agreement
of Sale from the shareholders under the compromise decree and their
possession is yet to be confirmed as EP filed by them in application
No.488 of 2012 is pending and no orders were passed in the said
application and the panchanama conducted is misconstrued and
improper.
SUBMISSIONS OF THE LEARNED COUNSEL:
30. The learned counsel for the petitioners while reiterating the writ
averments submitted that the respondent No.8 has filed a suit in
O.S. No.863 of 2007 on the file of the I Additional District Judge,
Ranga Reddy District for perpetual injunction in respect of 73 acres of
land in Sy.No.57 of Shamshiguda village Balanagar Mandal and the HC, J & NVSK, J
said suit was dismissed. Thereafter, the respondent No.8 preferred an
appeal in A.S. No.293 of 2011 and this Court by order dated
26.08.2013 dismissed the appeal. In the said appeal, the Division
Bench observed that "As of now, the applications are still pending and
they need to be dealt with, duly taking into account the directions and
guidelines issued by the Division Bench of this Court in O.S.A. No.58 of
2002. Therefore, we find that the appellant is not vested with any right,
title or interest over the suit schedule property as the things stand now."
Further, it is also held that "with due respect to the Bench, which
passed the order in Application Nos.1459, 1460 and 1461 of 2000,
we are of the view that once the common orders passed on 20.10.2000,
as well as the consequential proceedings based on that are specifically
set aside in O.S.A. No.58 of 2002, and the question of the appellant
being in possession of any land does not arise. If such a view is taken,
it amounts to recognition of the violation of the judgment, rendered by a
Division Bench of this Court in O.S.A. No.58 of 2002." Accordingly,
the appeal was dismissed. Eventually, he prayed to pass appropriate
orders.
31. The learned Senior Counsel Sri Sunil Ganu, while reiterating
the averments made in the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the
respondent No.8, submitted that the petitioners No.1 and 2 are
claiming the land in an extent of Ac.1.14 guntas under will deed and
unregistered agreement of sale dated 09.05.2006, which was validated
on 12.09.2011 and on the basis of final decree application No.910 of HC, J & NVSK, J
2013. It is further submitted that in an Application SR No.5357 of
2015 in C.S. No.7 of 1958, the Division Bench of this Court on
23.03.2023, while permitting the applicants to bring on record legal
representatives of respondent No.1, directed that until further orders,
there shall be stay of order dated 19.09.2013/04.10.2013 passed in
Application No.910 of 2013 in Application SR No.6722 of 2011 in C.S.
No.7 of 1958. Further it is submitted that the State has also filed
OSA. No.8 of 2018 against the order dated 19.09.2013 passed by this
Court in Application No.856 of 2013 in C.S. No.7 of 1958 and the
Division Bench of this Court vide order dated 02.01.2023 stayed the
operation of the orders passed in Application No.856 of 2013 in C.S.
No.7 of 1958 date 19.09.2013. He would further submit that the
petitioners cannot claim any manner of right based on unregistered
sale deeds and that they have approached this Court with unclean
hands and in view of the fact that the subject survey has already been
conducted and completed and the cause in this writ petition does not
survive.
32. The learned Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the
official respondents submitted that there are serious disputes pending
and that in the impugned order dated 24.05.2023 directions of the
District Collector is only an internal communication, which cannot be
challenged in a writ petition and that the District Collector direction
was to implement the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated
23.08.2022 in Civil Appeal No.5784 of 2022 (SLP) Civil No.7015 of HC, J & NVSK, J
2022 and also for demarcation of the village boundary disputes and
survey was also conducted as stated hereinabove.
ANALYSIS:
33. On a perusal of the impugned order dated 24.05.2023 a
reference has been taken to the earlier Court orders, the inter se
communication and necessary directions were given for corrections in
the revenue record for implementation of the orders of the Hon'ble
Supreme Court and also referred that the Inspector of Survey, Survey
and Land Records Medchal, Malkajgiri district has reported that as
per remarks the survey was conducted and prepared the location
sketch pertaining to land Sy.No.57 at Shamshiguda village Kukatpally
mandal. It is further referred that as per the report of Inspector of
Survey, Survey and Land Records, there is a village boundary dispute
between the said four villages. Only a reference of the representation
made by the 8th respondent has been taken and ordered for
conducting comprehensive survey of four villages and to prepare and
furnish location sketch and sub-division records.
34. During the course of arguments the learned counsel for the
petitioners referred a circular dated 25.07.2001 and this Court on
08.09.2023 made the following observations:
"Mr. Botla Venkateswara Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners.
Mr. Sripathi Santosh Kumar, learned Special Government Pleader attached to the learned Additional HC, J & NVSK, J
Advocate General for the State of Telangana representing respondents No.1 to 6.
Mr. Sunil B.Ganu, learned Senior Counsel for respondent No.8.
In this writ petition, petitioner has assailed the validity of the order dated 24.05.2023, by which Collector and District Magistrate, Medchal-Malkajgiri District (respondent No.2) has directed Regional Deputy Director, Survey and Land Records (respondent No.5) to conduct the survey of the land in Survey No.57 situated at Shamshiguda Village, Kukatpally Mandal and to prepare and furnish the location in sketch and sub-division records for taking further necessary action.
The challenge is made on the following grounds:
(1) Collector and District Magistrate has no jurisdiction to direct the Regional Deputy Director, Survey and Land Records to conduct survey. It is argued that by virtue of Circular dated 25.07.2001 issued by the State application, can Government, Tahsildar alone, on an application, can direct survey and Mandal Surveyor alone can conduct survey.
(2) Alternatively, it is submitted that in the garb of survey, possession of the land cannot be taken.
(3) The suit seeking the relief of permanent injunction namely O.S.No.863 of 2007 fled by respondent No.8 has been dismissed and the aforesaid decree has been affirmed in appeal by a Division Bench of this Court vide judgment and decree dated 26.08.2013 passed in A.S.No.293 of 2011. Therefore, respondents No.7 and 8 have no right in law to seek survey of the land bearing HC, J & NVSK, J
Survey No.57 situated at Shamshiguda Viliage, Kukatpally Mandal.
However, when a query was put to learned counsel for the petitioners with regard to Circular dated 25.07.2001 issued by the State Govenment, learned counsel for the petitioners prays for an adjournment to enable him to place on record the aforesaid Circular.
List on 15.09.2023."
35. Subsequently, the said circular dated 25.07.2001 was placed on
record. The said circular was issued by the office of the Special
Commissioner and Direcotr, Survey Settlements and Land Records,
A.P. Hyderabad. The said circular pertains to the demarcation of the
lands on the petitions filed by the private parties. Though a specific
plea was taken by the respondent No.6 that the District Collector has
followed the procedure in terms of the said circular, the petitioner had
not chosen to file reply to that extent and in the absence of the same,
questioning the jurisdiction of the Collector and District Magistrate to
direct the Regional Deputy Director, Survey and Land Records to
conduct survey is not sustainable. That apart, the impugned
proceedings dated 24.05.2023 issued for implementation of the orders
of the Hon'ble Suprme Court dated 23.08.2022 in Civil Appeal
No.5784 of 2022 (SLP Civil No.7015 of 2022) and to carry out a
comprehensive survey of the lands as there is a village boundary
dispute between the four villages i.e. Bachupally, Shamghiguda,
Baghameri and Gajularamaram villages in Medchal-Malkajgiri district HC, J & NVSK, J
including the subject survey No.57 of Shamsiguda village.
The subject survey has already been conducted by the authorities
between 12.07.2023 and 26.07.2023 and thereafter, till date no
consequential orders have been passed thereon.
36. Further, the learned counsel for the petitioners placed reliance
in the case of Trinity Infraventures Limited and others Vs. M.S.
Murthy and others 1 at relevant para 124, which reads as under:
"124. There are two more aspects which highlight the abuse of the process of law in this case. They are as follows:
(i) The preliminary decree for partition was passed on 28.06.1963; the Executing Court passed an order on 29.03.1996 in E.P. No. 3 of 1996 directing the Bailiff of the Court to deliver possession of the land in Survey No. 172 of Hydernagar to the decree holder; and thereafter a final decree was passed in Application No. 517 of 1998 on 24.04.1998. Normally a final decree follows a preliminary decree and execution follows the final decree. But strangely, the final decree followed execution, in this case.
(ii) The order passed by the Executing Court on 29.03.1996 in E.P. No. 3 of 1996 directing the Bailiff of the Court to deliver possession of the land in Survey No. 172 of Hydernagar was a specimen of a unique kind. It may be recalled that an application was taken out by the Receiver-cum-Commissioner way back in 1973, in Application No. 19 of 1973, praying for a direction to the Collector to hand over possession of the lands in Survey Nos. 145, 163 and 172 of Hydernagar.
2023 SCC OnLine SC 738 HC, J & NVSK, J
On this application, the High Court passed an order on 05.07.1974, directing the Government to hand over symbolic possession of the lands situate in Survey Nos. 145 and 163 of Hydernagar village measuring acres 220 guntas 18 and acres 175 guntas 6 respectively to the Receiver. But insofar as other lands were concerned (i.e., Survey No. 172), the Court recorded in its order dated 05.07.1974 that the Government was not even in a position to hand over symbolic possession and that therefore it is for the Receiver-cum-Commissioner to take such steps as are available in law. In other words, even symbolic possession of the land in Survey No. 172 was not possible in the year 1974, but actual possession became possible in the year 1996 after the decrees were sold by way of assignments. We do not know what magic was played by Goldstone, like a philosopher's stone16, to make this miracle possible."
37. In the said referred case, the Hon'ble Supreme Court dealt with
the aspects wherein the final orders have been passed and the matter
was at the stage of Execution Petition. Whereas, in the present case,
admittedly, as observed hereinabove, the applications filed by the
petitioners in Application No.910 of 2013 and 856 of 2013 have been
stayed by the Division Bench of this Court vide order dated
23.03.2023 and 02.01.2023, respectively, and the final orders yet to
be passed. Hence, the facts and circumstances of the referred case
are not applicable to the present case.
38. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and
the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, HC, J & NVSK, J
we are of the considered opinion that the cause in the present writ
petition does not survive for consideration of the prayer sought for by
the petitioners for the reason that a comprehensive survey was
already completed and no consequential orders are passed as on date.
Hence, the claim of the petitioners is totally misconceived.
As such, the impugned proceedings Rc.No.A1/270/2023, dated
24.05.2023 issued by the 2nd respondent, District Collector, does not
warrant any interference by this Court and this writ petition is liable
to be dismissed and accordingly dismissed. However, it is made clear
that this Court is not expressing any opinion on the title of the parties
or otherwise in the present order. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall
stand closed.
___________________________ ALOK ARADHE, CJ
___________________________ N.V. SHRAVAN KUMAR, J Date: 16-11-2023 LSK
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