Mahipal vs State Of Rajasthan on 7 March, 2026

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    Rajasthan High Court – Jodhpur

    Mahipal vs State Of Rajasthan on 7 March, 2026

    Author: Kuldeep Mathur

    Bench: Kuldeep Mathur

    [2026:RJ-JD:10752]
    
          HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT
                           JODHPUR
                     S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 2460/2023
    Mahipal S/o Shri Bhanwarlal, Aged About 50 Years, R/o Village
    Daylana Kallan, Tehsil Desuri, District Pali.
                                                                           ----Petitioner
                                          Versus
    1.       State of Rajasthan, Through The Collector, Pali.
    2.       Vikas Adhikari, Panchayat Samiti Desuri, District Pali.
    3.       The Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Daylana Kallan, Tehsil
             Desuri, District Pali.
    4.       Jogaram S/o Shri Nenaji, R/o Daylana Kallan, Tehsil
             Desuri, District Pali.
    5.       Punaram S/o Shri Amraram Ji, R/o Daylana Kallan, Tehsil
             Desuri, District Pali.
                                                                       ----Respondents
    
    
    For Petitioner(s)           :     Mr. Naresh Singh
    For Respondent(s)           :     Mr, Kuldeep Singh Solanki on behalf
                                      of Mr. I.R. Choudhary, AAG
                                      Mr. Ramdev Rajpurohit
                                      Mr. Kunal Bishnoi.
    
    
            HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP MATHUR
                            ORDER
    

    Reserved on:- 25/02/2026
    Pronounced on:- 07/03/2026

    1. The present writ petition under Article 226 of the

    SPONSORED

    Constitution of India has been preferred by the petitioner

    challenging the order dated 29.11.2022 passed by the Collector,

    Pali whereby the revision petition preferred by the respondent

    Nos.4 and 5 was allowed and the Patta No. 2079 dated

    20.04.2018, issued in his favour in respect of an abadi plot

    situated within the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat Daylana Kallan,

    was cancelled.

    2. Facts as disclosed in the writ petition are that the petitioner

    was in old possession of an abadi plot situated within the

    jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat Daylana Kallan. In recognition of

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    such possession, a residential patta was issued in his favour on

    20.04.2018. The petitioner deposited a sum of Rs. 54,556/-

    towards the cost of the patta and a receipt dated 20.01.2018 was

    issued in that regard. Subsequent to the issuance of the patta, the

    petitioner raised construction over the said plot and is residing

    therein. It is also stated that the premises has an electricity

    connection. Photographs of the constructed house have been

    placed on record.

    3. The controversy arose when respondent Nos. 4 and 5 filed a

    revision petition in the year 2022 under Section 97 of the

    Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 before the Collector, Pali,

    seeking cancellation of the patta issued in favour of the petitioner.

    Upon receipt of notice in the revision proceedings, the petitioner

    submitted his written submissions before the Collector. The

    Collector, Pali, vide order dated 29.11.2022, allowed the revision

    petition and cancelled the patta granted to the petitioner. The said

    order is under challenge in the present writ petition.

    4. The record of case further shows that a factual report dated

    25.05.2020 was submitted by the Gram Vikas Adhikari, Gram

    Panchayat Daylana Kallan, to the Vikas Adhikari pursuant to a

    communication from the Office of the Collector, Pali. As per the

    said report, the land was described as abadi land and it was stated

    that pattas had been issued in accordance with the rules.

    5. Learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently submitted that

    the order dated 29.11.2022 passed by the Collector, Pali is illegal,

    arbitrary and has been passed without proper consideration of the

    material available on record. It is submitted that a bare perusal of

    the impugned order would show that the cancellation of the patta

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    has been ordered merely on account of certain procedural or

    clerical irregularities at the level of the Gram Panchayat office,

    even if any such irregularity existed in processing the file, the

    same cannot be attributed to the petitioner nor can he be made to

    suffer for the same. It is contended that the factual report dated

    25.05.2020 as well as the inquiry report dated 21.07.2020 clearly

    indicate that the petitioner was in old possession of the abadi land

    in question and that the patta was issued in accordance with the

    applicable rules.

    6. Learned counsel further submitted that the patta was issued

    taking into consideration the petitioner’s long-standing possession

    over the abadi plot. The existence of construction over the plot

    and an electricity connection are stated to be indicative of such

    possession. It is contended that there was no illegality in issuing

    the patta on the basis of old possession, but this material aspect

    was not adequately considered by the revisional authority. It

    further submitted that the petitioner has raised construction over

    the plot after issuance of the patta and has invested substantial

    amounts therein. He is stated to be residing on the property with

    his family. Cancellation of the patta at this stage, according to the

    petitioner, would result in serious civil consequences and would

    amount to deprivation of property, allegedly violating Articles 14

    and 300-A of the Constitution of India.

    7. Learned counsel contended that respondent Nos. 4 and 5

    had no locus standi to prefer the revision petition under Section

    97 of the Act. It is submitted that the revisional proceedings were

    initiated at their instance without any legal right or interest being

    shown in the subject land. He, thus, implored the Court to quash

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    and set aside the order dated 29.11.2022 passed by the Collector,

    Pali.

    8. Per Contra, learned counsel for the respondents has

    supported the order dated 29.11.2022 passed by the Collector,

    Pali and submitted that the Collector, while exercising revisional

    powers under Section 97 of the Act of 1994, has acted within

    jurisdiction and after due consideration of the factual and legal

    aspects of the matter.

    9. At the outset, it was submitted that the patta in question

    was obtained by the petitioner, who is close relative of the

    Sarpanch, without following the due procedure prescribed under

    the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and the Rules framed

    thereunder. It is contended that there is no material on record to

    establish that the petitioner was in lawful and long-standing

    possession of the land prior to issuance of the patta, nor is there

    any cogent proof to demonstrate that construction existed in

    accordance with law at the relevant time.

    10. Learned counsel submits that Patta No. 2079 dated

    20.04.2018 was issued in violation of the statutory provisions

    governing allotment of abadi land. It is argued that the then office

    bearers of the Gram Panchayat failed to complete the mandatory

    legal formalities before issuing the patta and that valuable land

    was allotted at a nominal price without adherence to the

    prescribed procedure. Such an allotment, it is contended, being de

    hors the Rules of 1996, is void and unsustainable in the eye of

    law.

    11. It is also contended that once the very foundation of the

    patta is contrary to statutory provisions, the petitioner cannot

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    claim any vested right on the basis of such allotment. The plea

    based on investment or alleged residence on the land, according

    to the State, does not validate an allotment which is otherwise

    illegal. Thus, it was prayed that no interference under writ

    jurisdiction of this Court is warranted in the present case.

    12. Heard learned counsel for the parties. Perused the material

    abailable on record.

    13. The relevant portion of the order dated 29.11.2022 is

    reproduced below for ready reference:-

    “cgl mHk;i{k lquh tkdj ml ij xgu euu fd;k x;kA i=koyh
    ij miyC/k nLrkostksa dk xgurk ls v/;;u fd;k ,oa odhy izkFkhZ }kjk
    izLrqr U;kf;d n`”VkUrksa dk voyksdu fd;k x;kA vizkFkhZ dh vksj ls izLrqr
    fyf[kr cgl ds layXu fodkl vf/kdkjh dh tk¡p fjiksVZ esa of.kZrkuqlkj
    ljiap ds Hkkb;ksa] HkkbZ ds iq=] iRuh o ljiap dh ekrk ds uke iV~Vs tkjh
    gksuk crk;k gS ftlesa ikfjokfjd lnL;ksa dks Qk;nk ig¡qpkus dh fu;r ls
    fcuk fof/kd izfØ;k viuk;s iV~Vk tkjh fd;k x;k gS] ds laca/k esa fcUnq fuEu
    gS &
    1- tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vk fu;e 157¼1½ ds rgr iqjkus edkuksa dk
    fofu;ferhdj.k ds rgr fn;k x;k gS tcfd ekSds ij [kkyh Hkw&[k.M gSSA
    2- iapk;r jkt vf/kfu;e 1996 ds fu;e 47 ^^cSBd ds fopkjk/khu
    fo”k; esa tc fdlh lnL; dk /kuh; fgr fufgr gks** dk rRdkyhu
    ljiap }kjk Li”V mYya?ku fd;k x;k gSA
    3- tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vk tkjh djus esa xaHkhj izfØ;kRed dfe;ka j[kh
    xbZ gSA
    fcUnq la[;k 01 ds lanHkZ esa ;g gS fd i=koyh ij miyC/k nLrkostksa
    ds vk/kkj ls ;g Li”V gksrk gS fd vizkFkhZ }kjk fcuk fnukafdr vkosnu fu;e
    157¼1½ esa dCts dk fofu;ferhdj.k dj iV~Vk tkjh djus dk vkosnu fd;k
    gS] ftlds laca/k esa iwoZ Vafdr dk;kZy; fVIi.kh ftl ij nks i`Fkd&i`Fkd
    fnukad dk vadu dj pykbZ xbZ gS ftlesa fu;e 145¼d½ ds vUrxZr Hkwfe ds
    foØ; ds :i esa iV~Vk tkjh djus ckcr~ Vafdr dh gqbZ gSA ftlls
    izFke&n`”V~;k ;g Li”V gksrk gS izkFkhZ dk vkosnu o fu/kkZfjr fely dh
    vknsf”kdkvksa esa fojks/kkHkkl gS tks fd tSj fuxjkuh Hkw&[k.M vkoaVu dh
    izfØ;k ij la’k; mRiUu djrk gSA
    fcUnq la[;k 02 ds lanHkZ esa ;g gS fd cgl ds nkSjku vizkFkhZ ds
    vf/koDrk us vizkFkhZ ,oa rRdkyhu ljiap ds fudV fj”rs dks Lohdkj fd;k
    gSaA blls ;g Li”V gksrk gs fd rRdkyhu ljiap }kjk fudV laca/kh dks tSj
    fuxjkuh iV~Vk tkjh fd;k gS rFkk mDr rF; dksje dh tkudkjh esa yk;k
    x;k gks ,slk dksbZ lk{; vizkFkhZx.k }kjk izLrqr ugha fd;k x;k gS ftlls
    rRdkyhu ljiap dk mDr iV~Vk tkjh djus esa Conflict of Interest vFkkZr~

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    v/;{k@lnL; dk fu.kZ; mldh :fp ls izHkkfor gksuk izFke n`”V~;k izekf.kr
    gksrk gSA
    fcUnq la[;k 03 ds lanHkZ esa ;g gS fd i=koyh ij miyC/k nLrkostksa
    ls Li’V gksrk gS fd tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vk tkjh djus esa xaHkhj izfØ;kRed
    dfe;ka j[kh xbZ gS fd iV~Vk tkjh djus esa nqHkkZoukiw.kZ vuf;ferrk dh vksj
    bafxr djrh gSA izfØ;kRed dfe;ksa ds laca/k esa ;g gS fd tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vs
    ckcr~ vizkFkhZ }kjk vkosnu fu;e 157¼1½ ds rgr fd;k tkrk gS rFkk xzke
    iapk;r }kjk vknsf’kdk,a fu;e 145¼d½ ds lkFk izFke vknsf”kdk ij nks
    i`Fkd&i`Fkd fnukad vafdr dh tkrh gS tcfd izkFkhZ ds vkosnu ij dksbZ
    fnukad vafdr ugha gS rFkk fely dh leLr vknsf”kdk,a iwoZ Vafdr ,oa viw.kZ
    gSA fely esa xzke iapk;r }kjk xfBr lfefr }kjk izLrqr fujh{k.k izi= Hkh
    viw.kZ] vfnukafdr ,oa iwoZ Vafdr gS rFkk iV~Vk tkjh djus dh izfØ;k esa
    fu;e 145 ls fu;e 155 dh ikyuk Hkh ugha dh xbZ gS ¼tSj fuxjkuh Hkw&[k.M
    uhykeh ls foØ; gS blfy, fu;e 145 ls fu;e 155 dh ikyuk vko’;d gS½
    lkFk gh vkifÙk bf”rgkj ckcr~ uksfVl ,d ekg dh vof/k dk gksuk pkfg, Fkk
    tcfd dsoy 07 fnol dk gh uksfVl tkjh fd;k x;k ,oa tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vs
    dh uhykeh esa izkIr jkf”k v{kjs 50]000@& :i;s ls vf/kd gksus ds ckotwn
    Hkh fu;e 154¼3½d ds vuq:i l{ke vf/kdjh ls vuqeksnu dk vHkko gSA vr%
    fcUnq vizkFkhZ ds fo:) r; fd;k tkrk gSA
    vr% tSj fuxjkuh iV~Vk tkjh djus esa izFke&n`’V~;k xaHkhj
    vfu;ferrk ,oa folaxfr;ka izekf.kr gksrh gSA mijksDr foospu ds vk/kkj ij
    rhuksa fcUnq izekf.kr ik;s tkus ls vizkFkhZ ds fo:) r; fd;s tkrs gS blfy,
    fely la[;k 127@30-11-2017 esa ikfjr vkns”k fnukad 20-04-2018 ,oa mldh
    ikyuk esa tkjh iV~Vk la[;k 2079 fnukad 20-04-2018 [kkfjt fd;k tkrk gS
    lkFk gh tSj fuxjkuh izdj.k esa rRdkyhu xzke fodkl vf/kdkjh ,oa vU;
    lacaf/kr ds Lrj ij xaHkhj ykijokgh o vfu;ferrk ikbZ tkrh gSA vr% eq[;
    dk;Zdkjh vf/kdkjh] ftyk ifj’kn] ikyh dks funsZf”kr fd;k tkrk gS fd
    rRdkyhu xzke fodkl vf/kdkjh ,oa vU; lacaf/kr ds fo:) 15 fnol esa lh-
    lh-,- fu;e@lqlaxr fu;eksa esa dk;Zokgh djrs gq, tSj vkjkth dk dCtk xzke
    iapk;r dks lqiqnZ fd;k tkosA”

    14. Having considered the submissions advanced at bar and

    perusal of the record of the case, this Court prima facie finds that

    the patta in question was issued by the Sarpanch of the Gram

    Panchayat to his close relative i.e. the petitioner without

    adherence to the procedural requirements under the Rajasthan

    Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and the rules framed thereunder. The

    allotment was allegedly made at a nominal price, and the

    mandatory formalities prescribed under Rule 145 to 155 of the

    Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules were not completed before

    issuance. It is a settled principle that an allotment or patta

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    granted in contravention of statutory provisions is void ab initio

    and does not confer any vested right, irrespective of subsequent

    possession or development on the land.

    15. Section 97 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act empowers

    the Collector to examine the legality and propriety of pattas issued

    by the Gram Panchayat. The Collector, acting as a revisional

    authority, has the power to correct errors, irregularities, or

    illegality in such issuance. In the present case, the Collector’s

    order cancelling the patta falls squarely within the scope of such

    powers.

    16. The petitioner has relied upon alleged old possession,

    construction, and existence of an electricity connection to support

    his claim. Even assuming possession existed, possession alone

    cannot legalize an allotment issued in violation of statutory

    provisions. It is a settled legal position that a party cannot derive

    a right from possession or investment when the foundational

    allotment itself is unlawful. Any hardship claimed by the petitioner

    cannot override the clear statutory mandate.

    17. Resultantly, this Court does not finds any error of law,

    illegality, or violation of constitutional rights in the order dated

    29.11.2022 passed by the Collector, Pali, warranting interference

    by this Court. Thus, this writ petition is dismissed being devoid of

    any merits.

    18. All pending application(s), if any, also stand dismissed.

    (KULDEEP MATHUR),J

    -Divya/-

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