JAGIR SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner has challenged the appellate order of the Joint Director Panchayats, Punjab, exercising the powers of Commissioner dated June 21, 1985, affirming on appeal the order of the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Patiala exercising the powers of Collector, Patiala, dated December 8, 1985, ordering eviction of the petitioner from the disputed land, in this petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India.

(2.) GRAM Panchayat Dhudir, Tehsil and District Patiala through its Sarpanch filed an application under Section 7 of the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961 (for short the Act) against the petitioner. Notice of the Application was issued to the petitioner. The petitioner took the plea that he was in possession of the disputed land for over 30 years.

(3.) THE District Development and Panchayat Officer Patiala exercising the powers of the Collector under the Act held that the Gram Panchayat was the owner of the disputed land and that the petitioner had failed to prove his possession for thirty years as claimed by him. He accordingly ordered his ejectment from the disputed land. The petitioner unsuccessfully challenged the order of the Collector in appeal before the Joint Director, Panchayats, Punjab exercising the powers of the Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala.