DEBESH DAS Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the above three writ applications since a common issue of law and fact has been raised, the same are taken up together on the consent of the learned counsel for the respective parties.

(2.) In this batch of writ applications, the petitioners have sought to challenge the orders in Annexures-1, 2 and 3 passed under the Orissa Government Land Settlement Act, 1962 rejecting their applications filed for settlement of the land in their favour.

(3.) Shorn of unnecessary details, suffice it is to note herein that each of the petitioners filed OGLS cases before the Tahasildar (Sadar), Sambalpur-Opposite Party No.4 seeking settlement of land in their names on which, they claim to be in occupation/possession as sublessees under the private opposite parties 5 and 6. The said OGLS applications were rejected on 31.07.2002 under Annexure-1 and the appeals preferred by the petitioners before the Sub-Collector, Sambalpur were also dismissed vide order dated 21.04.2003 under Annexure-2. Thereafter the petitioners preferred revision before the Collector, Sambalpur and the said revisions were also dismissed on 26.02.2004 under Annexure-3. Challenging the concurring orders passed by the Tahasildar (sadar), Sambalpur; Sub-Collector, Sambalpur (appellate authority) and Collector, Sambalpur (Revisional authority), the present applications came to be filed.