records, the land in question is described as “Bade Jhaad Ka Jangal,” meaning that it could not be private land. It is stated that the land does not belong to the petitioners and appears to be Government leasehold property. Therefore, being Government land, it could not have been transferred to any other person in view of Section 165(7-b) of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959. It is further submitted that, as per Annexure R-4/2, the petitioners’ land does not fall within the area acquired or occupied by respondent No. 4 and is situated at some distance from it. The said reply has been filed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) under affidavit. From the order dated 25.01.2017 passed by the Tahsildar, Katghora, and the documents annexed thereto, it appears that the land in question cannot be said to have been acquired or occupied by respondent No. 4. Even assuming, for the sake of argument, that the land belonged to the petitioners, the sale deed dated 03.07.2007 was not executed in accordance with law and is in contravention of Section 167 of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959. As the land was leasehold, it could not have been sold without prior permission, and it has not been proved that respondent No. 4 is in occupation of the said land.
