Disposed

Parambadan Nadikutty v. State of Kerala

Kerala HC4 Feb 2016WP(C)/6225/2006

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Petitioners challenged the Government notification classifying their Pullipadam land as vested forest, seeking acceptance of land tax. The Court held that determination of vested forest status is a sub judice matter for the Forest Tribunal under Section 8 of the Kerala Private Forest Vesting and Assignment Act, 1971, not for this Court via Article 226.

What the court decided

AI extract

Parambadan Nadikutty Vs State of Kerala — Property and Title | Kerala HC (2016)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT:

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE

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THURSDAY, THE 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2016/15TH MAGHA, 1937

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WP(C).No. 6225 of 2006 (N)

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PETITIONERS :

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PARAMBAN NADIKUTTY, S/O.CHATHAN, P.O.MAPPADAM

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CHERUTHODAN NADY, S/O.VALAYAN, ILAMPUZHA P.O, MAPPADAM

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CHERUKODE ABDUL KAREEM, S/O.MUTHAMMA, MEPPADAM .P.O.

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CHERUTHODAN NADY, S/O.MUNDANKUTTY, NADUVAKKAD

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THEKKUPADAM NADY, S/O.NAGAN, ILAMPUZHA

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CHERUTHODAN NEELANDAN, S/O.INNICHATHAN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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CHUNKATH MIMUNA, W/O.MOIENKUTTY, P.O.MEPPADAM.

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PULATH ALIYIRUMA, S/O.AHAMADKUTTY HAJI, P.O.MAMBAD COLLEGE

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KOZHIPARAMBAN SHOUKATHALI, S/O.KUNJIRAYEEN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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VISHARATH IBRAHIM, S/O.KUNJUMOIDEEN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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PUNNAPPALA MUHAMMED KURIKKAL ALIAS BAPPUTTY, S/O.ALAVI, ELAMPUZHA, PO.MEPPADAM

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KATTUMUNDA AYISHA, D/O.ALAVI, MANNARATHODIKA HOUSE, PALAKKAD

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PATHAYAKKADAVANJAFFAR, S/O.SUBARI, P.O.MEPPADAM

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PUTHENPEEDIKA KUNJU MUHAMMED, S/O.NOT KNOWN, P.O.MAMBAD

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KANIRALA ABOOBACKER, NADUVAKKAD, MAMBAD

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KUNDUPARAMBATH AYISHA, D/O.UMMAR, P.O.MEPPADAM

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KATTUMUNDA ABOOBACKER, S/O.KUNJARIYAN, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KUNNATHODIKA MOOSA, S/O.C.THANKAM, MEPPADAM P.O.

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CHERUKAD BEERAN, S/O.POKKER, MEPPADAM P.O., MAMBAD

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VISHARATH UMMER, S/O.ABOOBACKER, P.O.MEPPADAM

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SETHUMADHAVAN, P.O.MANKADA

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PULLAN ALAVY, S/O.AHAMMED, MEPPADAM P.O.

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LAKSHMIKUTTIAMMA, W/O.KRISHNAN NAIR, MANKADA P.O.

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WP(C).No. 6225 of 2006 (N) -:2:-

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KATTUMUNDA ABDULLA, S/O.KUNJARIYAN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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PAPPAN, PARAKADDAN, S/O.CHATHUTTY, P.O.MEPPADAM, ELAMPUZHA

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UNNIYAPPAN, S/O.NEELANKUTTY, P.O.MEPPADAM

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MOORKHAN KHASIM, S/O.KUNJAHAMMED, MEPPADAM P.O.

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UNNIKADIYA, W/O.MOIDEEN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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MOORKHAN ABDULLA, S/O.KUNJAHAMMED, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KOTHAMANGALAM MARIYAMA, D/O.MOYEENKUTTY, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KOZHIPARAMBAN HASSAN, P.O. MEPPADAM

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MOORKHAN PATHUMMA, D/O.KUNAJAHAMMED, P.O.MEPPADAM

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KEYATH PATHUMMA, D/O.MARAKKAR KEYATH, CHATHANGOTTUPURAM

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KATTUMUNDA KHADEEJA, D/O.ALAVI, CHUNKATHARA

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THEKKUMPADAM KANNANKUTTY, S/O.NADIKUTTY, ELAMPUZHA

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CHERUTHODAN NEELANDAN KUTTY, S/O.KARI, ELAMPUZHA

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KONON CHATAN, S/O.VELLI, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KANDAMPILAKKAL MEKKUTTY, S/O.ALAVI, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KORAMANGALATH ABDULLA, S/O.ALI MEPPADAM P.O

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CHIMINIKKARA KUNJATHAN, S/O.KEERAN, ELAMPUZHA

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PUNNAPPALA MUHAMMED, S/O.KOYIMAR, P.O.MEPPADAM

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AMADEN KOTTAN, S/O.UNNICHATHAN, P.O.MEPPADAM

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MUTHEDAN NAGAN, S/O.UNNIKUNJAN, ELAMPUZHA

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CHERLA NEELANDAN, S/O.AYYAPPAN, PALLIKUNNU, MEPPADAM P.O.

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CHERUTHODAN KOTTAN, S/O.KUNJIKEERAN, MEPPADAM P.O.

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CHERUTHODAN, MATHAN, S/O.KUNJIKEERAN, MEPPADAM P.O.

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KUYARMADI KRISHNAN, S/O.NAGAN, PALLIKUNNU, MEPPADAM P.O.

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CHERUTHODAN CHERIYON, S/O.KOTTAN, ELAMPUZHA

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N.KRISHNAN NAIR, PALLIYALIN HOUSE, S/O.KRISHNAN, PALLIKAPATTA, MANDAD P.O.

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KARICHI, S/O.THEKKUPADAN NAGAN, MEPPADAM P.O

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CHERUTHODAN UNNICHATHAN, S/O.NEELANDAN, ELAMPUZHA, P.O.MEPPADAM

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WP(C).No. 6225 of 2006 (N)

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-:3:-

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CHERUTHODAN GOPALAN, S/O.NEELANDAN, ELAMPUZHA, MEPPADAM.P.O

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PUTHIYAPARAMB KADEESA, D/O.AHAMMED, CHOLAYIL HOUSE, KOLATHUKUNNU, P.O.MAMBAD

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PAPPANGATHOTTATHIL KUNJALI, S/O.MUHAMMED PONGALUR, P.O.MAMBAD

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THAMBAR SEETHIKOYA, S/O.UNNEENKUTTY, MAMBAD P.O.

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MUTHEDATH ABU, S/O.UNNIKAMMATH, P.O.MAMBAD, PONGALLUR

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ACHUPARAMBIL PATHUMMA, D/O.MOOSA, KOLETHUKUNNE, P.O.MAMBAD

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PANTHAR AYISHA, D/O.KUNJAMUTTY, MANNUTHODU HOUSE, MAMBAD P.O.

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PALAKKATHODIKA BEERANKUTTY, S/O.AHAMMEDKUTYY, KOLOTHUKUNNU P.O.MAMBAD

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PARAMBADAN PATHA, S/O.KATI, PARAMBADAN HOUSE, NADUVATH P.O. KADUMUNDA

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PARAMBADAN VELIYAN CHJATHAN, S/O.KANNAR PARAMBDEN HOUSE, NADUVATH P.O, KADUMUNDA

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PUNNAPPALA ABDU KURIKKAL, S/O.KUNJIKOYA KURIKKAL, P.O.MAMBAD COLLEGE

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KONON CHATAN, S/O.RAVI, MAMBAD COLLEGE P.O.

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PULLICHALA ADAMAN, S/O.ALAVI, P.O.MEPPADAM, KADUPPOYIL

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ERANJIKKAL MOIDEENKUTTY, S/O.ABDULLA, P.O.MEPPADAM, KADUPPOYIL

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ERANJICKAL BEERANKUTTY, S/O.ABDULLA, P.O.MAMBAD COLLEGE

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ERANJIKKAL AHAMMEDKUTTY, S/O.ALAVI, MEPPADAM P.O, KADUPPOYIL

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K.P.HASSAN KUTTY, S/O.ALAVI, P.O.PULLIPADAM

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ERANJIKKAL SULAIMAN, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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VALYAPEEDIYAKKAL MOIDEENKUTTY, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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A.ABU, S/O.USMAN, ATHIMANNIL HOUSE, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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P.KUNJALANKKUTTY, PULLIPADAM,

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PANTHA KUNJALAN, S/O.SULAIMAN, PULLLIPADAM P.O.

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M.NADI, MUCLON HOUSE, PULLIPADAM

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PUNNAPPALA MUHAMMED KURIKKAL, S/O.ALAVI, PUNNAPPALA HOUSE, PULLIPADAM

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S.MOIDEEN, S/O.SULAIMAN, SASIYAKON HOUSE, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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EDATHAN AYISHA, S/O.MUHAMMED, EDATHAN HOUSE, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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WP(C).No. 6225 of 2006 (N)

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-:4:-

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KUNNATH M SAMSAN ADAIN, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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PARASURAM KUNNATHU MUHAMMED, PULLIPADAM P.O.

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P.MUHAMMED, S/O.MUHAMMED, PUTHUMALIYEKKAL HOUSE, PULLIPADAM PO

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MURKHAN BEERAN, S/O.HAMSA, MEPPADAM PO. MAMBAD

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THAYYIL AYAMMA, W/O.MOIDEENKUTTY, MEPPADAM P.O., MAMBAD

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CHIRAYIL NEELANDAN, S/O.AYYAPPAN, PALLIKUNNU, P.O.MAMBAD

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CHELAMBI MADHAVN,S/O.NADI, PALLIKUNNU P.O., MAMBAD

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THORAN AMINA, W/O.ABOOBACKER, MEPPADAM P.O.

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THADIYAMPURAM FATHIMA, W/O.KATTADU MUHAMMED, MEPPADAM P.O. MAMBAD

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PETITIONERS 1 TO 86 ARE REPRESENTED BY THEIR POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER

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C.UNNI MOIDU, S/O.IMBICHIN MUHAMMED, RESIDING AT CHITTAMBALAM, NANNAMBRA PANCHAYATH, P.O.THEYYALINGAL, PIN - 676 320 MALAPPURAM DISTRICT

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BY ADVS.SRI.H.BADARUDDIN

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SMT.AYSHA RAHMAN

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RESPONDENTS :

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THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

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THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM.

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THE SUB COLLECTOR, PERINTHALMANNA.

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THE TAHSILDAR, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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THES VILLAGE OFFICER, PULLIPADAMVILLAGE, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPURAM DISTRICT.

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THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

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THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NILAMBUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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THE RANGE OFFICER, EDAVANNA RANGE, NILAMBUR FOREST DIVISION, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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R BY SPL. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.M.A.THOMAS KUTTY

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THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 04-02-2016, ALONG WITH WPC. 17941/2006, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

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WP(C).No. 6225 of 2006 (N)

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APPENDIX

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PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS:

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EXT.P1 : COPY OF THAT REPORT OF TAHASILDAR NILAMBUR DATED 1.8.1998 TO THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM

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EXT.P2 : COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 15.2.1999 OF THE OFFICE OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT, SUB COLLECTOR, PERINTHALMANNA

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EXT.P3 : COPY OF THE DOCUMENT NO.270/1931 OF SUB RESITRY CALICUT

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EXT.P4 : COPY OF THE DOCUMENT NO.1436/1947 OF SOUTH MALABAR SUB REGISTRY

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EXT.P5 : COPY OF THE ASSIGNMENT DEED NO.155/1944 DATED 25.1.1994 OF THE CHENGALPETT SUB REGISTRY MADRAS

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EXT.P6 : COPY OF THE DOCUMENT NO.876/1956

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EXT.P7 : COPY OF ONE OF SUCH JUDGMENT RENDERED BY THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS NO.II (FOREST OFFENCES) MANCHERI IN C.C.NO.49/1992 DT.2.9.1994

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EXT.P8 : COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO.82055/FS2-1/76 AD DATED 11.7.1977

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EXT.P9 : COPIES OF THE RENT DEED AND 'PATTAM' RECEIPTS EVIDENCING THE PAYMENT OF RENT TO THE JENMI, KIZHAKE KOVILAKAM

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EXT.P10 : COPIES OF THE EXTRACT OF REVENUE REGISTER AND REVENUE TAX RECEIPT FOR THE LAND IN QUESTION EVIDENCING THE PAYMENT OF LAND TAX BY THE TENANTS.

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EXT.P11 : COPY OF THAT NOTIFICATION NO.15567/LEG.B1/01/LOW, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DT.3.5.2005.

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EXT.P12 : COPY OF THE NEWS PAPER REPORT IN MALAYALA MANORAMA DAILYRE

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RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS : NIL

/TRUE COPY/

P.A TO JUDGE

A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, J.

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W.P.(C) Nos.6225 & 17941 of 2006

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Dated this the 4^th day of February, 2016

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J U D G M E N T

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The petitioners in these writ petitions have approached this Court claiming that, the land held by them would not form part of the notification issued by the Government under the Kerala Private Forest Vesting and Assignment Act, 1971 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' for short) and also consequently seeks a direction to the Revenue Officials to accept basic tax pertaining to the said lands from the petitioners.

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The land claimed by the petitioners are situated in Pullipadam Village, Nilambur Taluk in Malappuram District. According to the petitioners, the properties are not private forests and also not vested with the Government under the Act. The petitioners would submit that, their assignees were took in possession based on the permission granted by the Government of Madras. They assigned the property in favour of the Mampad Timber Estate Pvt. Ltd. The petitioners also submit that, the Revenue Officials refused to accept the land tax from 1962 onwards and there was no dispute in the title of the property. However, the Sub Collector has cancelled the Thandaper Registration by separate order. The petitioners have produced enormous documents before this Court to establish their title and claim that the land would not

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W.P.(C) Nos.6225 & 17941 of 2006

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¶140

form part of the notification under the Act. The learned counsel for the petitioners also prayed that, if a joint inspection is conducted by the Forest Department with the Revenue Officials, certainly, it can be borne out that, the land would not form part of the notification.

¶141

On the other hand, the learned Government Pleader submits that, the land in question is a part of Nedumcheri Malavaram Vested Forest and governed by the Madras Preservation of Private Forest Act, 1949 and it cannot be released to anyone without sanction of the District Collector. It is further submitted that, the land is forming part of vested forest area coming under the part of VF Block having a total extent of 1376.16 hectors and which has not been cultivated with any kind of agricultural crops.

¶142

The question that, whether the land would form part of the notification or it could be treated as vested forest, is a matter which cannot be decided by this Court by invoking power under Article 226 of the Constitution. The petitioners have an efficacious remedy before the Forest Tribunal under Section 8 of the Act.

¶143

In such circumstances, this Court is of the view that, if the petitioners approach the Forest Tribunal within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, the Forest Tribunal shall consider the claim of the petitioners within a further period of one year. However, if the petitioners fail to move the Forest Tribunal within the stipulated period, the petitioners will not be entitled for

¶144

W.P.(C) Nos.6225 & 17941 of 2006

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¶146

the benefit of this judgment, as the petitioners claim would be barred by limitation.

¶147

This writ petition is disposed of.

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Sd/-

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A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE.

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Parambadan Nadikutty v. State of Kerala

Case brief

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What the court decided

Parambadan Nadikutty v. State of Kerala

Case brief

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