IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KURIAN JOSEPH FRIDAY, THE 1ST FEBRUARY 2008 / 12TH MAGHA 1929 WP(C).No. 17836 of 2004(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ 1. M.V.VIJAYAN, MULAMKUNNATH, H.NO.228/1. PALLIVASAN PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 2. MICHEL THOMAS, KUNNUMPURATH, H.NO.294/1., PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPPARA, IDUKKI DITRICT. 3. VARGHESE JOSEPH, THERVALLIL, H.NO.406/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 4. THILOTHAMMA RAJAN PUNNAKKAVILAYIL, H.NO.358/1, PALLIVASSALPANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 5. K.K.PURUSHOTHAMAN KALARICKAL, H.NO.244/1. PALLIVASSAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 6. K.C.THANKACHAN KARIKANAT, H.NO.293/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 7. C.M.FRANCIS, CHEPPANATH. H.NO.257/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 8. JANARDHANAN PARATHAZHATH, H.NO.294/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 9. CHANDRAPPAN KOTTAPARA, H.NO.373/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 10. SARADA VIJAYAN METTUMPURATH, H.NO.371/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 11. ELDHOSE K.M. KULANGARAKUDI, H.NO.294/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 12. P.K.VELAYUDHAN PARATHAZHATH, H.NO.360/1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 13. SHYLAJAN PARATHAZHATH, H.NO.1, PALLIVASAL PANCHAYATH, VATTAYAR POST, KURISSUPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.V.V.SURESH RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, IDUKKI DISTRICT, COLLECTORATE,PAINAVU, IDUKKI. 3. THE TAHSILDAR, TALUK OFFICE, DEVIKULAM. 4. THE VILLAGE OFFICER, ANNAVIRATTY VILLAGE, ANNAVIRATTY. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.V.T.K.MOHANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 01/02/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P(C)No.17836/2004 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: EXT.P1 SERIES: TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPIES OF THE PATTAS ISSUED TO THE PETITIONERS BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT. EXT.P2 SERIES: TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPIES OF TAX RECEIPTS ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONERS EXCEPT PETITIONER 3, 5 & 10. EXT.P3. TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE TAX RECEIPT DATED 16-3- 2002 ISSUED TO ONE T.P.VARGHESE BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. / TRUE COPY / P.S.TO JUDGE KURIAN JOSEPH, J. ----------------------------------------- W.P(C) No. 17836 of 2004 ----------------------------------------- Dated this the 1st day of February, 2008 JUDGMENT The writ petition is filed with the following prayers:- i) issue a writ of mandamus to call for the records with respect to the issuance of Ext.P1 series of Patta to the petitioners by the third respondent. ii) issue a writ of mandamus or direction, directing the respondents to issue Pattas with correct Survey Numbers to the petitioners as per Rules. The learned Government Pleader submits that since there was an enquiry with regard to alleged issuance of bogus Patta there is some delay. There will be a direction to the respondents to complete the enquiry within a period of one year from today and thereafter steps shall be taken to redress the grievance of the petitioners within another two months. It is made clear that in case the petitioners are to pay the tax they shall not be made liable for the delay in payment of tax since the delay is not owing to any fault on the part of the petitioner. The writ petition is disposed of as above. (KURIAN JOSEPH, JUDGE) ahg. KURIAN JOSEPH, J. ----------------------------------- W.P(C)No.17836 of 2004 ----------------------------------- JUDGMENT 1st February, 2008