Ashok Bhushan, J. - (1.) These appeals have been filed against the common judgment dated 01.08.2014 of High Court of Bombay dismissing a bunch of writ petitions including those filed by the present appellants.
(2.) It shall be sufficient to notice the facts in Civil Appeal filed by Vasant Ganpat Padave for deciding these appeals.
(3.) One Balwant Sawant was landlord of Survey No.92/2, corresponding to new Survey No. 31 Hissa No.2/10, admeasuring about 0.01.3 H.R. at Village Padavewadi, Taluka & District Ratnagiri. Balwant Sawant died on 10.05.1950 leaving behind Smt. Indirabai Balwant Sawant, his widow as his legal heir and representative. Smt. Indirabai Balwant Sawant, widow became the owner of the said property. Her name was mutated in the Revenue Records. Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948 was amended by Act 15 of 1957. Section 32 as amended provided that on 01.04.1957 (Tillers Day), every tenant shall be deemed to have purchased from the landlord free from all encumbrances the land held by him as a tenant. The predecessor of the appellants were tenants prior to 1956-1957, i.e. prior to 01.04.1957. The proceedings for declaring the appellants as purchaser under Section 32G were initiated during the lifetime of the landlady, Smt. Indirabai Balwant Sawant but the mutation entry No. 1341 recorded that since landlady Indirabai Balwant Sawant is a widow, the proceedings as contemplated under Section 32G are suspended. On 12.05.1975, Smt. Indirabai Balwant Sawant executed last Will and Testament in favour of Anant Mahadev Sawant, respondent No.1. Smt. Indirabai Balwant Sawant died on 07.05.1999. The name of respondent No.1 was mutated in the Revenue Records on 29.02.2000, with regard to which no notice was issued to the appellants, hence they were not aware of either the death of Indirabai or mutation in favour of respondent No. 1.;