M.Y.EQBAL, J. - (1.) IN these writ petitions involving common question of law have been heard together and disposed of by this common order.
(2.) THE writ petitioners have challenged the notice and newspaper publication issued under the direction of respondent No. 2, Minister, Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi calling upon the petitioners to appear on the date fixed for hearing in the land ceiling cases pending against them before the competent authority under the provisions of Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 In WPC No. 3230 of 2003, petitioner's case is that after coming into force of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (in short the said Act) statement in terms of Section 6 of the Act was submitted and it was registered as U.L.C. Case No. 305/76. In that case a draft statement was published and the petitioner filed objection and the matter is pending before the competent authority. Similarly, case of the petitioners of other writ petitions is that their ceiling cases are also pending before the competent authority' for hearing and final disposal. In the meantime respondent No. 2 issued impugned notice directing the petitioners to appear before him for final hearing arid disposal of those cases.
(3.) THE contention of the petitioner is that respondent No. 2 has absolutely no jurisdiction to entertain or hear any matter which is pending before the competent authority under the said Act.;