Writ petition dismissed regarding petitioners' claim to settle Government Khas land where they resided. Court held Touzi payment is a fine and does not vest settlement rights despite long possession or pending application.
Petition dismissed. Notice to vacate upheld.
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GAHC010048942023
THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
Case No. : WP(C)/1226/2023
FULMATI NESSA AND 2 ORS. W/O- LT. ABDUL HAMID, R/O- CHANDARIA PATHAR, (KISMATPUR), WARD NO. 14, GOALPARA TOWN, P.O.- BALADMARI, DISTRICT- GOALPARA, ASSAM. PIN- 783101.
2: FORIDUL ISLAM S/O- LT. ABDUL HAMID
R/O- CHANDARIA PATHAR (KISMATPUR)
WARD NO. 14 GOALPARA TOWN
P.O.- BALADMARI
DISTRICT- GOALPARA ASSAM. PIN- 783101.
3: HANIF ISLAM S/O- LT. ABDUL HAMID
R/O- CHANDARIA PATHAR (KISMATPUR)
WARD NO. 14 GOALPARA TOWN
P.O.- BALADMARI
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DISTRICT- GOALPARA ASSAM. PIN- 783101 VERSUS
THE STATE OF ASSAM AND 4 ORS. REPRESENTED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM, DEPARTMENT OF HOME, ASSAM, GHY-06.
2:THE SECRETARY GOVT. OF ASSAM DM (LR) DEPARTMENT ASSAM DISPUR GHY-06.
3:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GOALPARA PIN- 783101. 4:THE ASSISTANT SETTLEMENT OFFICER BALIJANA REVENUE CIRCLE DIST.- GOALPARA P.O- BALIJANA PIN- 783129. 5:THE CHANDARIA PATHAR HIGH SCHOOL (VENTURE) REPRESENTED BY ITS HEAD MASTER
GOALPARA TOWN WARD NO. 14 P.O.- BALADMARI PIN- 783101
Advocate for the Petitioner : MR J ISLAM
Advocate for the Respondent : GA, ASSAM
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BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI
ORDER
09.03.2023
Heard Shri J. Islam, learned counsel for the petitioners.
The petitioners who are three in numbers claims to be landless persons and residing in a plot of land covered by Dag No. 351 under Balijana Revenue Circle of Chandaria Revenue Village in the district of Goalpara. Admittedly, the said plot of land is Government land.
The petitioners claim to have been residing on the said plot of land since 1980. The petitioners also claims that revenue has been paid over the said plot on where they are residing by constructing an Assam Type House and the name of the petitioner no. 1 has also appeared in the Chitha of Dag No. 351. The further case is that the petitioner no.1 has applied for settlement of the land which is pending consideration. However, suddenly, vide the impugned notice dated 28.02.2023, the petitioners have been asked to vacate the land within 7 days on the ground that the same would be settled in the name of a school being respondent no. 5.
The learned counsel has submitted that vide long possession, the petitioners have got a right for consideration for settlement, more so, when the application for such settlement is pending. The learned counsel further submits that revenue has been paid by the petitioners.
On the other hand, Shri S. Baruah, learned State Counsel appearing on behalf of the State Respondent submits that admittedly the land in question is Government Khas land over which no right can accrue to the petitioners. He further submits that the settlement is sought to be given to a School for a public purpose.
The aforesaid submission is also endorsed by Ms. G. Hazarika, learned Standing
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Counsel, Revenue Department.
What transpires is that the land in question is admittedly Government Khas land. Though a statement has been made including annexing the receipts of revenue, the said receipts reveal that the payment is on account of Touzi.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the land mark case of State of Assam Vs. Radha Kanoo , reported in (1996) 8 SCC 692 has held that such payment is only in the nature of fine which does not vest an incumbent any right either for settlement or for possession. Possessing a Government land for a long period of time will not give any indefeasible interest for settlement of the said land in favour of an incumbent.
Under the aforesaid facts & circumstances, this writ petition is dismissed.
JUDGE
Comparing Assistant
3 issues framed by the court
Whether long possession of Government Khas land by paying Touzi creates a right for land settlement or indefeasible interest.
Whether a notice to vacate Government land for allotment to a school is maintainable when petitioners reside there.
Whether payment of Touzi on Government land vests any incumbent with right for settlement or possession.
Colour shows how this judgement treated each authority
State of Assam Vs. Radha KanooApplied¶36
(1996) 8 SCC 692 · Who else cites this
1 provisions across 1 enactments
Fulmati Nessa and 2 Ors.
The State of Assam and 4 Ors.
Sanjay Kumar Medhi
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
