HARI RAM Vs. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CONSOLIDATION, AZAMGARH AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner apprehend that the Deputy Director of Consolidation may exercise the power under Sec. 48 (3) of the U.P. Consolidation of Holdings Act (hereinafter referred as the Act) in view of the opinion expressed by the Settlement Officer (Consolidation) in the order dated 8-10-1987, a true copy whereof is annexure 3 to the writ petition. According to the petitioner, the Deputy Director of Consolidation will have no jurisdiction to exercise any power under Sec. 48 (3) of the Act as a Notification under Sec. 52 of the Act had been issued on 13th Feb., 1982. He has, therefore, prayed that this Court may intervene and issue a writ in the nature of prohibition to the Deputy Director of Consolidation to forebear from exercising any jurisdiction.

(2.) We find that on 29th Oct., 1987 an objection was preferred by the petitioner before the Deputy Director of Consolidation. The position of law is well settled. The Deputy Director of Consolidation has no jurisdiction to exercise power under Sec. 48 (3) of the Act if a de-notification has already taken place under Sec. 52 of the Act. The Deputy Director of Consolidation, therefore, will first record a finding as to whether a Notification under Sec. 52 of the Act had, in fact, been issued on 13th Feb. 1982. If he finds that such a notification exists and if he also finds that the land which is the subject matter of dispute is covered by the said Notification, he shall desist from exercising any power under Sec. 48 (3) of the Act. With his direction the petition is disposed of finally.

(3.) A copy of this order shall be supplied to the learned counsel for the petitioner on payment of necessary charges within twenty-four hours.