RAJAH VELUGOTI VENKATA SESHA V RAJAGOPALA KRISHNA YACHENDRA BAL KUMARA RAJAH OF VENKATAGIRI Vs. THE STATE OF ANDHRA (NOW ANDHRA PRADESH AND OTHERS)

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE three writs relate to the leasehold interest of the petitioner in state quarries in tenses in the erstwhile estate or the Rajah of Venkatagiri abolished under the Madras Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act XXVI of 1948, (hereinafter referred to the Act).

(2.) THERE are rich slate quarries in the villages of Rayavaram, Ganugupenta, Potulapedu, Goguladinne, Tummalacheruvu, Chennareddipalli, Talapedu, Gollapalli, Rolagumpadu Mirzapet in Padli Taluk and Kocharlakota in Darsi taluk, Nellore District. The said villages formed part of the Venkatagiri estate. The of Venkatagiri got the entire area prospected through expert geologists and opened up several quarries in the said area. On 10 -1 -1942 it is alleged that he entered in agreements with one B. Nageswararao for the working of the quarries. Under the terms of the agreement, the Rajah agreed to give to the said Nageswara Rao five successive annual leases after which the said Nageswara would be entitled to obtain a lease for a period of 20 years commencing from the termination of the fifth year. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement it is said that five yearly leases were given in favour of the said Nageswararao in respect of Rayavaram village.

(3.) MR . Vedantachari, learned counsel for the petitioner raised various contentions in support of the three writs and we shall proceed to consider them seriatim.