Neutral Citation No. - 2025:AHC:30877 Court No. - 50 Case :- WRIT - B No. - 1216 of 2021 Petitioner :- State Of U.P. Through Collector Respondent :- Board Of Revenue And 5 Others Counsel for Petitioner :- Ram Lakhan Deobanshi Counsel for Respondent :- Dharmendra Singh,Shyam Mani Shukla,Siddharth Shanker Mishra,Ulajhan Singh Bind Hon'ble Chandra Kumar Rai,J. 1. Heard Mr. Abhishek Kumar Srivastava, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the State/ petitioner and Shri Dharmendra Singh, learned counsel for respondent nos. 4 and 6. 2. Brief facts of the case are that plot No. 4 area 0.2132 hectare situated in Village Chamrauli, Tehsil Sadar District Agra was recorded as Marghat (cremation ground) in zild bandobast register. The revenue entry of the aforementioned plot in question was later on made in the name of respondent nos. 4,5 and 6 in the khatauni of 1406 fasli as bhoomidhar with non-transferable right. The proceeding under Section 186 of U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 hereinafter referred as U.P.Z.A. and L.R. Act has been initiated and the same was registered as case No. 9 of 2004-05 before Tehsildar/ Assistant Collector Sadar Agra under Section 186 of U.P.Z.A. and L.R. Act. Tehsildar/ Assistant Collector Sadar, District Agra vide order dated 13.9.2005 directed to record the plot no.4 area 0.2132 hectare as Marghat (cremation ground) in the revenue records. Against the order dated 13.9.2005, appeal under Section 331 of U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act was filed before the Commissioner Agra, Division Agra. The aforementioned appeal was registered as appeal No.128 of 2005. The aforementioned appeal was heard by the Additional Commissioner (Administration), Agra, Division Agra and vide order dated 28.2.2006 the appeal was allowed setting aside the order dated 13.9.2005 in view of the provisions contained under Section 186(5) of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act. Against the appellate order dated 28.2.2006 revision under Section 333 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act was filed by the State before Board of Revenue, Circuit Court, Agra, which was registered as Case No.24 of 2007-08 Computerized Case No C2007010000740 (State Vs. Mangelal) under Section 333 of U.P.Z.A. and L.R. Act, 1950. The aforementioned revision was heard and dismissed vide order dated 15.3.2019. Hence, this writ petition filed on behalf of the State for following relief :- "To issue a suitable writ, order or direction in the nature of certiorari quashing the impugned judgement and order 15.3.2019 passed by respondent no.1 in revision No. 24/2007-08 and impugned judgement and order dated 28.2.2006 passed by respondent no.2 in appeal No. 128 of 2000 (Mangelal Vs. Gaon Sabha and Others)." 3. This Court, vide order dated 10.8.2021 entertained the matter and directed that parties shall not change the nature of land. 4. Learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the petitioners - State submitted that in view of the entry of plot in question as Marghat in the revenue record, there was no illegality in the initiation of the proceedings under Section 186 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act in respect to the plot in question. He further submitted that Tehsildar has rightly passed the order dated 13.9.2005 for recording the plot in question as Marghat after expunging the entry of the respondent nos. 4,5 and 6. He further submitted that no lease can be executed in respect to public utility plot, as such, the claim of respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6 cannot be accepted in respect to the public utility plot. He submitted that the impugned order passed by the Additional Commissioner as well as Board of Revenue are liable to be set aside and the order passed by the Tehsildar dated 13.9.2005 should be affirmed. 5. On the other hand, learned counsel for respondent Nos.4 to 6 submitted that private respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6 are tenure holders of plot No.4 area 125.4 sq. metre, as such, the proceedings under Section 186 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. cannot be initiated in any manner. He further submitted that in view of the provisions contained under Section 186(5) of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act as soon as the notice is contested, the Tehsildar shall dropped the proceedings rather to expunged the entry of plot in question. He further submitted that plot in question was allotted to one Batoi son of Punna Lal Accordingly, the allottee was initially recorded as bhumidhar with transferable rights in the khatauni of 1389 to 1394 fasli. He further submitted that according to the Government Order issued by the authorities, Batoi son of Punna Lal was recorded under category three. He further submitted that respondent Nos.4 to 6 belongs to Scheduled Caste community, as such, rights of respondents No.4, 5 & 6 cannot be taken away in any manner. He submitted that Additional Commissioner has rightly exercised the appellate jurisdiction in setting aside the order passed by the Tehsildar in view of the provisions contained under Section 186(5) of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act which has been maintained in proper manner by Board of Revenue while dismissing the revision filed by the State. He further submitted that no interference is required against the order impugned passed by the Additional Commissioner as well as Board of Revenue and writ petition is liable to be dismissed. 6. I have considered the arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the parties and perused the records. 7. There is no dispute about the fact that proceedings under Section 186 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act has been initiated and respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6 have filed their objections in the proceedings but Tehsildar has passed the order for recording the plot in question as Marghat (cremation ground). There is also no dispute about the fact that appeal filed by the respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6 was allowed by Additional Commissioner setting aside the order of Tehsildar dated 13.9.2005. There is also no dispute about the fact that revision filed by the State/Gaon Sabha before the Board of Revenue has been dismissed vide order dated 15.3.2019. 8. In order to appreciate the controversy involved in the matter, the perusal of Section 186 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act will be relevant which is as under :- "Abandonment (1)-Where a [bhumidhar with non-transferable rights] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977 (w.e.f. 28.01.1977).] (other than a minor, lunatic or idiot) or asami has not used his holding for a purpose connected with agriculture, horticulture or animal husbandry which includes pisciculture and poultry farming for two consecutive agricultural year [the Tahsildar may, on the application of the [Gaon Sabha] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 37 of 1958.] or the landholder or on facts coming to his notice otherwise, issue a notice] to such [bhumidhar with non- transferable rights] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977 (w.e.f. 28.01.1977).] or asami, as the case may be, to show cause why the holding be not treated as abandoned. (2)The application shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed. (3)If the tahsildar finds that the application has been duly made he shall cause to be served on the [bhumidhar with non- transferable rights] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977 (w.e.f. 28.01.1977).] or the asami or publish in the manner prescribed a notice in the form to be prescribed requiring him to appear and show cause on a date to he fixed why the holding be not held as abandoned. (4)If the [bhumidhar with non-transferable rights] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977 (w.e.f. 28.01.1977).] or the asami does not appear in answer to the notice or appears but does not contest it, the Tahsildar shall declare the holding as abandoned and thereupon, except provided in [Section 172] [Substituted by U.P. Act No. 5 of 1957.], the holding shall be deemed to be vacant land [:] [Substituted for the fullstop by U.P. Act No. 28 of 1961.] [Provided that no declaration under this sub-section shall made in respect of a holding or any part thereof, if the same has been mortgaged by the [bhumidhar with non-transferable rights] [Added by U.P. Act No. 28 of 1961.] under sub-section (3) of Section 152 and the mortgage has not been fully redeemed, in which case the Tahsildar shall move the Collector for the realization of the loan in such manner as may be prescribed.] (5)[ If the [bhumidhar with non-transferable rights] [Added by U.P. Act No. 37 of 1958.] or asami appears to contest the notice, the Tehsildar shall drop the proceedings.]" 9. The perusal of sub - Section 5 of Section 186 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act as quoted above fully demonstrate that if the bhumidhar with transferable rights or assami contest the notice, the Tehsildar shall drop the proceedings but in the instant matter, in spite of the fact that respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6 have appeared and filed their objections even then the proceeding has not been dropped and entry of the plot in question has been expunged. 10. The perusal of the order passed by the Additional Commissioner while deciding the appeal will be relevant which is as under :- "न्ययाययालय अपर आययक्त (प्रशयासन) आगरया मण्डल, आगरया। अपपील ससंख्यया-128/2000 जनपद-आगरया। असंतगरत धयारया-186 ज०ववि० अधधवनयम। अपपीलकतयारगण मयासंगगेलयाल आवद गयासंविसभया आवद बनयाम वविपकपी उभयपकक्षों ककी ओर सगे प्रस्तयत तकर्को एविसं अविर न्ययाययालय ककी पतयाविलपी मम उपलब्ध अवभलगेखक्षों कगे अविललोकन सगे स्पष्ट हलोतया हहै वक प्रश्नगत कयायरवियाहपी तहसपीलदयार दयारया धयारया -186 ज०ववि०अधधवनयम कगे अन्तगरत लगेखपयाल ककी आख्यया कगे दृवष्टगत कयायरवियाहपी ककी गयपी हहै जबवक लगेखपयाल ककी आख्यया सयाक्ष्यक्षों सगे समधररत नहहीं हहै और न हपी उसकगे दयारया ऐसया कलोई प्रमयाण पत प्रस्तयत वकयया हहै धजससगे उसककी आख्यया कलो बल वमलतया हलो। अवभलगेखक्षों कगे अविललोकन सगे यह भपी स्पष्ट हलोतया हहै वक अविर न्ययाययालय मम गयाम सभया ककी ओर सगे उप धजलया शयासककीय अधधविक्तया दयारया वदनयासंक 10.2.2004 कलो प्रयाररनया पत प्रस्तयत करतगे हहयगे यह कहया गयया वक लगेखपयाल कया बययान करयायया जयानया न्ययायवहत मम उवचित हलोगया। लगेखपयाल कगे बययान हगेतय वदनयासंक 9.1.2004 एविसं 18.1.2004 तहसपीलदयार दयारया नलोवटिस वनगरत वकयया गयया हहै जलो पतयाविलपी पर उपलब्ध हहै। वकन्तय इसकगे बयाविजजूद भपी लगेखपयाल अविर न्ययाययालय मम बययान हगेतय उपसस्रत नहहीं हहआ हहै। स्पष्ट हहै वक जब तक वकसपी आख्यया कलो न्ययाययालय मम प्रस्तयत कर उसककी पयवष्ट नहहीं करया लपी जयातपी तब तक ऐसपी आख्यया पर वविश्वियास नहहीं वकयया जया सकतया हहै। वकन्तय इसकगे उपरयान्त भपी अविर न्ययाययालय नगे लगेखपयाल ककी आख्यया पर वविश्वियास कर प्रश्नगत आदगेश पयाररत वकयया हहै जलो न्ययावयक दृवष्ट सगे उवचित नहहीं हहै। इसकगे अवतररक्त धयारया - 186(5) ज०ववि०अधधवनयम मम यह व्यविस्रया प्रवतपयावदत ककी गयपी हहै वक यवद प टगेदयार दयारया न्ययाययालय मम उपसस्रत हलोकर नलोवटिस कया प्रवतवियाद वकयया जयातया हहै तलो तहसपीलदयार दयारया उस कयायरवियाहपी कलो समयाप्त कर दगेनया चियावहयगे। उत्तर प्रदगेश जमहींदयारपी वविनयाश एविसं भजूवम व्यविस्रया अधधवनयम ककी धयारया-186 (5) वनम्न प्रकयार पठनपीय हहै:- (5) यवद अससंक्रमणपीय अधधकयार वियालया भजूवमधर यया आसयामपी नलोवटिस कया प्रवतवियाद करनगे कगे धलयगे उपसस्रत हलो तलो तहसपीलदयार कयायरवियाहपी त्ययाग दगेगया। ज०ववि०अधधवनयम ककी धयारया-186(5) कगे ससंगत प्रयाविधयानक्षों कया अनयपयालन अविर न्ययाययालय दयारया नहहीं वकयया गयया हहै अरयारतत् अविर न्ययाययालय दयारया अपपीलयारर्थी कगे वविरूद्ध जलो नलोवटिस जयारपी ककी गयपी हहै, अपपीलयारर्थी अविर न्ययाययालय मम वकसपी तरह अपनगे वविरूद्ध ककी गयपी कयायरवियाहपी ककी जयानकयारपी हलोनगे कगे उपरयान्त न्ययाययालय मम उपसस्रत हलोकर आपधत्त ककी गयपी एविसं प्रश्नगत कयायरवियाहपी कलो डडयाप वकयगे जयानगे ककी ययाचिनया ककी गयपी तलो उस समय वविदयान अविर न्ययाययालय कलो ज०ववि०अधधवनयम ककी धयारया-186(5) कगे ससंगत उपबसंधक्षों कगे अधपीन अपपीलयारर्थी दयारया प्रस्तयत प्रयाररनया पत/आपधत्त कगे आललोक मम कयायरवियाहपी कलो डडयाप कर दगेनया चियावहयगे वकन्तय अविर न्ययाययालय वविवियावदत आरयाजपी कलो गयासंविसभया मम वनवहत कर दपी गयपी हहै जलो तयवटिपजूणर हहै। अपपीलकतयार कगे वविदयान अधधविक्तया दयारया अपनगे तकर्को कगे समररन मम जलो व्यविस्रया प्रस्तयत ककी गयपी हहै उनकगे आललोक मम मम इस वनष्करर पर पहहहुँचितया हहहुँ वक अविर न्ययाययालय दयारया जलो आदगेश पयाररत वकयया गयया हहै विह वनयमयानयकजू ल नहहीं हहै तरया वनरस्त हलोनगे यलोग्य हहै। जहयाहुँ तक वविवियावदत आरयाजपी कगे अन्तरण वकयगे जयानगे कया प्रश्न हहै , तलो उसकगे ससंबसंध मम अविर न्ययाययालय दयारया अधधवनयम कगे सयससंगत प्रयावविधयानक्षों कगे असंतगरत वविधधवितत् कयायरवियाहपी वकयगे जयानगे ककी ससंस्तयवत ककी जया सकतपी रपी। परन्तय इसकगे वविपरपीत प्रश्नगत आदगेश पयाररत कर अविर न्ययाययालय नगे अपनगे कगेतयाधधकयार सगे परगे एविसं तयवटिपजूणर आदगेश पयाररत वकयया हहै जलो सस्रर रहनगे यलोग्य नहहीं हहै। अतत उपरलोक्त वविविगेचिनया कगे आधयार पर मम इस वनष्करर पर पहहहुँचितया हहहुँ वक अपपील स्विपीकयार वकयगे जयानगे यलोग्य एविसं अविर न्ययाययालय दयारया पयाररत आदगेश खसण्डत हलोनगे यलोग्य हहै। आदगेश उपरलोक्त तथ्यक्षों ककी वविविगेचिनया कगे प्रकयाश मम अपपील स्विपीकयार ककी जयातपी हहै एविसं तहसपीलदयार , (सदर) आगरया कया आदगेश वदनयासंक 13.9.2005 वनरस्त वकयया जयातया हहै। वियाद आविश्यक कयायरवियाहपी पतयाविलपी दयाधखल दफ्तर ककी जयाविगे। अविर न्ययाययालय ककी पतयाविलपी वियापस हलो। वदनयासंक: फरविरपी 28,2006 ( लयालजपी प्रसयाद) अपर आययक्त (प्रशयासन) आगरया मण्डल, आगरया । आज यह वनणरय खयलगे न्ययाययालय मम हस्तयाकररत, वदनयासंवकत एविसं उदलोवरत वकयया गयया। ( लयालजपी प्रसयाद) अपर आययक्त (प्रशयासन) आगरया मण्डल, आगरया।" 11. The perusal of finding of fact recorded by the Additional Commissioner fully demonstrates that the jurisdiction exercised by the Tehsildar while expunging the entry of plot in question was against the provision of Section 186(5) of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act. 12. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the present case as well as the provisions contained under the Act, there is no illegality in the impugned order dated 28.2.2006 passed by respondent No.2 - Additional Commissioner, Agra and 15.3.2019 passed by respondent No.1 - Board of Revenue. The writ petition is misconceived and dismissed accordingly. 13. No order as to costs. Order Date :- 4.3.2025 Vandana Y. Digitally signed by :- VANDANA YADAV High Court of Judicature at Allahabad