HYDERABAD: In a relief to the petitioners seeking grant of pattas for their lands, the High Court has declared that the Padirikuppam village in Chittoor district of AP is an “Inam Estate” and covered by provisions of Andhra Pradesh Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948.
Justice M S Ramachandra Rao was allowing a petition filed by B Munirathnam Naidu and 11 others challenging the rejection order passed by the joint collector-cum-settlement officer of Chittoor district for grant of pattas to their lands in the village.
The petitioners’ counsel submitted that Munirathnam and his father Krishnam Naidu had purchased the land from the original inamdars of the village and their families had been dependents on the lands but the revenue authorities refused to grant pattas for the lands.
The title documents and the link documents since 1893 showed that the lands were in possession of their ancestors. Hence they had the right to step into the shoes of the original inamdars as their ancestors had purchased a portion of the land from the inamdars’ legitimate share, the counsel argued.
After hearing the case, justice Ramachandra Rao found that the government had issued a notification under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948 declaring that Padirikuppam village as Inam estate and taking it over on June 22, 1963.
Besides, no third party disputed the claim of the petitioners to their title and share in the village claimed by them. The title and interest of B Krishnam Naidu was admitted in 1969 itself and the respondents cannot question it now, the judge ruled.
The judge allowed the petition by setting aside the order of the joint collector, and directed the respondent authorities to grant pattas to the petitioners within six months. Further, he directed the district collector to pay `3,000 to the petitioners towards costs.