WP(C) No. 19 of 2015. Case: Padam Bahadur Tamang and Ors. Vs The Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Sikkim and Ors.. Sikkim High Court
| Case Number | WP(C) No. 19 of 2015 |
| Counsel | For Appellant: Nripendra Nath Das, Ashish Das and Ranjit Prasad, Advocates and For Respondents: Karma Thinlay Namgyal, Senior Government Advocate, Pollin Rai, Assistant Government Advocate |
| Judges | Sonam Phintso Wangdi, J. |
| Issue | Constitution of India - Article 226 |
| Judgement Date | September 17, 2015 |
| Court | Sikkim High Court |
Judgment:
Sonam Phintso Wangdi, J.
-
The Writ Petition involves two sets of properties, the first one of which is described in Schedule 'A' set out in the Writ Petition which pertains to plot numbers 495, 500 and 488/698 in all measuring 1.6020 hectares, as per the new survey record, that correspond to plot numbers 260 and 265 measuring 15.70 acres (as per the Petitioners) that originally stood recorded in the name of one San Maya Tamang, daughter of Pratap Singh Tamang and is presently recorded in the name of the Petitioner No. 1. The second set of land are those bearing plot numbers 498, 499 and 500/697 in total measuring 0.6960 hectare as per the survey record of 1977-79 set out in Schedule 'B'. These plot numbers correspond to plot number 259 measuring 0.91 acre, as per the old survey of 1952-55, which originally belonged to one Ajabir Kami but, subsequently corrected in the name of the Petitioner No. 2 who had purchased it from him.
-
The case of the Petitioners is that these properties were owned and possessed by their predecessors-in-interest and recorded in their names during the old survey operations of 1952-55. However, during the intervening period those were inundated by the river Teesta due to change in its course and when it reverted back to its original course and the land restored, it remained uncultivated and unused. During the last survey operations of 1977-79, it thus got recorded as "Government Forest Land". It is stated by the Petitioners that on their representations, the records in respect of the land were rectified and restored in their names in the revenue records. It is further the case of the Petitioners that later the entire properties were acquired by the State Government for a Hydel Project but, compensation has not been paid to them who were the rightful owners. It is thus essentially prayed that they be paid adequate compensation for the use and occupation as well as damages caused to the land by the User Agency, Respondent No. 5.
-
In the counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the Respondent No. 1, the Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Sikkim, the factual aspect as regards the correction of the revenue records has not been denied. However, in an additional counter-affidavit filed by them, it is stated that the correction of the land records in the names of the Petitioners was done erroneously. As per them, a large number of persons, who had land in the vicinity of...
To continue reading
Request your trial