(1.) Though the matter is coming up for preliminary hearing, with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents, the matter is taken up for final disposal.
(2.) These two petitions are heard together since common questions of law and facts arise for decision making.
(3.) The petitioners in both these petitions claim to have been granted agricultural lands in Sy.Nos.140 and 162 of Mogadampur village, Chincholi taluk, Kalaburagi district, way back in the year 1967. It is contended that by order of the Deputy Commissioner, Kalaburagi, the Tahsildar granted the said lands in favour of the petitioner in W.P.No.225706/2020 and in favour of one Dandu Pochager who is said to be the grand father-in-law of the petitioner. It is submitted that the petitioners are in peaceful possession and enjoyment of the lands in question and have been paying the taxes regularly. However, it is submitted that the taxes for the latest period may not have been paid. Somewhere in the year 2003, the officials of the Department of Forest tried to evict the petitioners on the premise that the lands in question are forest lands. The petitioners were informed that around 60 acres in Sy.Nos.140 and 162 notified as forest lands are allegedly in unauthorized occupation of the petitioners and other villagers. It is submitted that during the said period the names of the petitioners were removed from the revenue records. Nevertheless, it is submitted that the petitioners continued to be in possession and peaceful enjoyment of the lands in question. It is further submitted that off late, the forest officials are making hectic efforts to evict the petitioners from the lands in question. Therefore, these writ petitions are filed with a prayer to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents not to dispossess the petitioners from the lands in question. A prayer is also made seeking a direction to the respondents to re- enter the name of the petitioners in the revenue records.