W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN THURSDAY, THE 7[TH] DAY OF JULY 2022 / 16TH ASHADHA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 27465 OF 2012`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** - `1 DR.LISY MATHEW D/O.MATHEW FERNANDES, TC 76/1771 (1) MAIRA GLOW,KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAMREP. BY HER POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MATHEW FERNANDES, S/O.ALPHONES FERNANDES, TC 76/1771 (1) MARIA GLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 029.` - `2 GEORGE MATHEW SO.MATHEW FERNANDES TC 761771 1 MARIA GLOW KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAMREP. BY HER POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MATHEW FERNANDES, S/O.ALPHONES FERNANDES, TC 76/1771 (1) MARIA GLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 029. BY ADVS. SRI.K.K.DHEERENDRAKRISHNAN SRI.S.RAJEEV` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** - `1 STATE OF KERALA REP. BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.` - `2 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM COLLECTORATE, CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKUNNU,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 043.` - `3 THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OIFFICER THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CIVIL STATION KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 043.` - `4 THE VILLAGE OFFICER PANGAPPARA VILLAGE OFFICE PANGAPPARA` - `THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 581.` -2- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 - `5 THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER KRISHI BHAVAN SREEKARIYAM SREEKARIYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 017.` - `6 THE SECRETARY CORPORATION OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM VIKAS BHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033.` - `7 SRI.ABDUL RASHEED RASHEEDA GANDHIPURAM SREEKARIYAM P.O` - `THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 017.` - `8 GANDHIPURAM RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION GANDHIPURAM SREEKARIYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 017REP. BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY.` ``` BY ADVS. SRI.P.V.ANIL SRI.P.K.MANOJKUMAR SRI.N.NANDAKUMARA MENON SR. ``` ## **`OTHER PRESENT:`** ``` SMT.VIDYA KURIAKOSE, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07.07.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).2322/2013, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` -3- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN THURSDAY, THE 7[TH] DAY OF JULY 2022 / 16TH ASHADHA, 1944 WP(C) NO. 2322 OF 2013`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` ABDUL RASHEED REP. BY POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER ABDUL LATHEEF ``` ``` S/O. MOHAMMED MYTHEEN, RASHEEDA, G.R.A.B. 36, KATTUVILAKAM LANE, GANDHIPURAM, SREEKARYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017, REPRESENTED BY HIS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MR. ABDUL LATHEEF, AGED 56, THOMBODUPUTHEN VEEDU, CHEKKAMKODU, NEDUMANGADU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. ``` ``` BY ADV SRI.P.V.ANIL ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** - `1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.` - `2 THE DISTRICT COLLECTO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695043.` - `3 THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, CIVIL STATION, KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695043.` - `4 THE VILLAGE OFFICER PANGAPPARA VILLAGE OFFICE, PANGAPPARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695581.` -4- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ``` 5MR. PRAKASH AGED 44 YEARS S/O. SHIVANKUTTY CHETTIYAR, HOUSE NO. 3/468, PAZHAVILA VEEDU, GANDHIPURAM, SREEKARYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017. ``` - `6 DR. LIZY MATHEW TC/76/1771(1) MARIAGLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029.` ``` 7GEORGE MATHEW TC/76/1771(1) MARIAGLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. BY ADVS. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.K.K.DHEERENDRAKRISHNAN SRI.S.RAJEEV ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07.07.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).27465/2012, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` -5- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J.** ====================================================== W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ============================================================= Dated this the 7[th ] day of July, 2022 ## **JUDGMENT** These two writ petitions are connected and therefore, I am disposing of these matters by a common judgment. 2. In both these writ petitions, the order No.I125246/10 dated 27.08.2012 of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvananthapurram is challenged. I will narrate the facts in WP(C) No.27465 of 2012 first. The petitioners submitted Ext.P6 complaint before the Revenue Divisional Officer against one Prakash alleging that there is violation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. Consequent to the same, Ext.P9 order was passed by the Revenue Divsiional Officer, directing the above mentioned Prakash to restore back the original position of the water channel within the time specified in the order. The petitioners -6- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 filed WP(C) No.13650 of 2012 to implement Ext.P9 order. This Court disposed of the writ petition as per Ext.P10 judgment. The relevant portion of Ext.P10 judgment reads thus: “ _6. In that view of the matter, there will be a direction to the 2nd respondent to conduct due enquiry and take a decision in the matter after notice to the petitioner, Shri Prakash, whose name is shown in Exhibit P3 and the assignee from Shri Prakash, within a period of six weeks from the date of production of a copy of the judgment along with a copy of the Writ Petition, by the petitioner._ _The Writ Petition is disposed of as above.”_ 3. From the above observation, it is clear that this Court directed to take a decision after notice to the petitioners, Prakash, whose name is shown in the order and the assignee from Prakash. Meanwhile, some of the local residents submitted a complaint before the Revenue Divisional Officer alleging that the petitioners illegally reclaimed the paddy land. -7- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 Both these proceedings were considered together by the Revenue Divisional Officer and Ext.P21 order was passed. In Ext.P21, the following directions are issued. “1. പാങ്ങപ്പാറ വില്ലേ ജിലെ റീ സർവ്വെ 164-21-1-ലെ 9.38 ആർ 164-20-1-ലെ 6.80 ആർ, 164-10-ലെ 5.50 ആർ നിലം നെ ൽകൃഷികക അനുയ ോജ്യമായ രീതിയിൽ അതിർത്തിയിലെ കരിങ്കലല കകൊണ്ടുള്ള അനധികൃത നിർമ്മാണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾപ പൊളിച്ചു മാറ്റി മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ വയൽ പരാതി കക്ഷിയായ ഡ ോ. ലിസി മാത്യു പുനഃ സ്ഥാപിക്കേ ണ്ടതാണ് . 2 പാങ്ങപ്പാറ വില്ലേ ജിലെ റീ സർവ്വെ 164/15-ലെ 7.25 ആർ 164/16-ലെ 6.80 ആർ, 164/21-ലെ 7:02 ആർ നിലം നെ ൽകൃഷികക അനുയ ോജ്യമായ രീതിയിൽ അതിർത്തിയിലെ കരിങ്കലല കകൊണ്ടുള്ള അനധികൃത നിർമ്മാണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾപ പൊളിച്ചു മാറ്റി മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ വയൽ ശ്രീ ജജോർജ് മാത്യു പുനഃസ്ഥാപിക്കേ ണ്ടതാണ്. 3. മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ സർവ്വെ 170/10-2-ലെ 2.42 ആർ മണ യ വസ്തുവിന് ചേ ർന്നുള്ള നീർച്ചാലിലെ ണ നീക്കം ചെ സുഗമമായ നീരരൊഴുകക സാധ്യമാകത്തക്ക രീതിയിൽ എതിർ കക്ഷിയായ ശ്രീപ്രകാശ്/ശ്രീ അബ്ദുൾ റഷീദ് സ്വന്തം ചെ ലവിൽ പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കേ ണ്ടതാണ്. 4 മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തി റ റോഡാക്കിയ കൈ ത്തോട് നഗരസഭ തിരുവനന്തപുരം പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കേ ണ്ടതും, കൈ ത്തോട് പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള ചെ ലവ് ആയത് W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 -8- നികത്തിയ വ്യക്തികളിൽ നിന്നും തിരുവനന്തപുരം നഗരസഭ സെ ക്രട്ടറി ഈടാക്കേ ണ്ടതാണ്. മേൽ ഉത്തരവുകൾ ഈ നടപടിക്രമം കൈ പ്പറ്റി 15 ദിവസത്തിനകം നടപ്പാക്കേ ണ്ടതാണ്.” 4. The petitioners in this writ petition is aggrieved by direction Nos.1 and 2 and the petitioner in WP(C) No.2322 of 2013 is aggrieved by the direction Nos.3 and 4. Ext.P10 is the impugned order in WP(C) No.2322 of 2013. 5. Heard the counsel for the petitioners in these writ petitions and the learned Government Pleader. 6. Admittedly, Ext.P21 order was passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer invoking the powers under Section 13 of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. As per Section 13, the District Collector is the authority to pass appropriate orders. Admittedly, in this case the Revenue Divisional Officer passed the order. Moreover, in **Jafarkhan v. Kochumarakkar [2012 (1) KLT 491]** , this Court observed that -9- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 the District Collector is empowered to order reconversion of land only if reclamation or conversion was made after commencement of the Act. The counsel for the petitioners submitted that the reclamation is permitted to the petitioners’ property as per Gazette Notification bearing No.E16/51965/17 dated 22.01.2021. Whatever that may be, these are matters to be considered by the appropriate authority. Ext.P21 is an order passed by an authority, who is incompetent to pass such order under Section 13 of the 2008 Act. Therefore, the impugned order of the Revenue Divisional Officer is only to be set aside. Therefore, these writ petitions are disposed of in the following manner: 1. The impugned order (Ext.P21 in WP(C) No.27465 of 2012 and Ext.P10 in WP(C) No.2322 of 2013) is set aside. -10- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 2. The District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram, the 2[nd] respondent in WP(C) No.27465 of 2012, will reconsider the entire matter, after giving notice to the petitioners in these cases. 3. The petitioners are free to produce additional documents and statements before the District Collector, if necessary. sd/- **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN JUDGE** das -11- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 27465/2012`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` - `Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO. 2950/2006, DATED 17.07.2006, DATED 17.7.2006, OF THE SUB REGISTRAR OFFICE, KAZHAKKOOTTAM, IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER.` - `Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF SALE DEED NO. 3979/2006, DATED 28.09.2006, OF THE SUB REGISTRAR OFFICE, KAZHAKKOOTTAM, IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER.` - `Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF TAX RECEIPT DATED 26.04.2002 IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER.` - `Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE TAX RECEIPT DATED 26.04.2012 IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER.` - `Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF NOTIFICATION DATED 14.12.2009 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT, NOTIFYING FINAL FARE VALUE FOR THE LAND IN PANGAPPARA VILLAGE IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM TALUK.` - `Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 18.10.2010, FILED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF REPORT DATED 6.11.2010 SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT, ALONG WITH A LOCATION SKETCH.` - `Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF REPORT DATED 8.11.2011 SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 31.03.2012 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` ``` Exhibit P10TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 25.06.2012 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT IN W.P.C NO. 13650 OF 2012. ``` -12- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 - `Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 20.04.2012 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT, AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE 8TH RESPONDENT, BY CERTAIN PERSONS STYLING THEMSELVES AS RESIDENTS IN THE LOCALITY.` - `Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TREES STANDING ON THE PETITIONER'S PROPERTY.` - `Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BARBED WIRE FENCING ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE PETITIONERS' PROPERTY.` - `Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGED BARBED WIRE FENCING ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE PETITIONERS' PROPERTY.` - `Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE BARBED WIRE FENCING ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE PETITIONERS' PROPERTY DUE TO DUMPING OF SOIL BY THE PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST OF THE 7TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P16 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED 10.07.2012 SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT, ALONG WITH COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 11.6.2012 OF THE 8TH RESPONDENT ENCLOSED THEREWITH.` - `Exhibit P17 TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE DATED 25.07.2012 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P18 TRUE COPY OF INJUNCTION ORDER DATED 26.06.2012 IN I.A. NO. 4463 OF 2012 IN O.S. NO. 1056 OF 2012, ON THE FILE OF THE 2ND ADDITIONAL MUNSIFF'S COURT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.` - `Exhibit P19 TRUE COPY OF STATEMENT DATED 9.8.2012 SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER, BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P20 TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT DATED 9.8.2012 SUBMITTED BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT ALONG WITH ITS ENCLOSURE.` - `Exhibit P21 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 27.08.2012 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` -13- W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 2322/2013`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` - `Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO.1996/2012 DATED 14.05.2012 OF SUB REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, KAZHAKKOOTTAM.` - `Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE TAX RECEIPT NO . 0144528 DATED 16.07.2012 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 26.06.2012 IN I.A. NO. 4463/2012 IN O.S. NO.1056/2012 OF 2ND ADDITIONAL MUNSIFF COURT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.` - `Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN O.S.` - `NO.1056/2012 ON THE FILE OF 2ND ADDITIONAL MUNSIFF COURT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.` - `Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF NOTICE NO. 11-25246/10 DATED 30.07.2012 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED 18.10.2010 FILED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT ALONG WITH THE LOCATION MAP NO.1160/10 DATED 06.11.2010 FILED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31.03.2012 BY NO.II-25246/2010 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25.06.2012 IN WP(C) NO.13650/2012 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT` - `Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. II - 25246/10 DATED 27/08/2012 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 20.11.2012 IN WP(C) NO.27465/2012 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.` - `Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED 06.10.2012 EXECUTED BY THE PETITIONER.`