IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON WEDNESDAY, THE 8TH JUNE 2011 / 18TH JYAISHTA 1933 WP(C).No. 15432 of 2011(D) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- P.V.JAYARAJAN RESIDING IN VALAMKUZHI PADOM HOUSE, VALLIYODE, ANJUMOORTHIMANGALAM IN PALAKKD BY ADV. SMT.PRABHA R.MENON RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE TALUK LAND BOARD, PALAKKAD. 2. THE TAHSILDAR,PALAKKAD. 3. STATE OF KERALA, REP.BY IT CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT,THIRUANANTHAPURAM SENIOR GOVT. PLEADER SRI.P.NARAYANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 08/06/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, J -------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.15432 OF 2011 -------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 8th day of June 2011 JUDGMENT The petitioner has approached this Court with the following prayers: i) To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing the 1st respondent Taluk Land Board to hear and pass orders on Ext.P2 option petition filed by the petitioner. ii) To retrain the second respondent from taking possession of the property of the petitioner or distributing the same, in pursuance of the final orders in the ceiling proceedings LB288/1973 before the 1st respondent Taluk Land Board Palakkad, till Ext.P2 petition is finally disposed of and, iii) Pass any further orders or directions which this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and necessary in the case. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, pursuant to the proceedings taken by the Taluk Land Board earlier, the possession of nearly 5.04 acres of land was already taken over, which however stands modified as Ext.P1 judgment dated 27-06-2008, whereby the petitioner is required to surrender only an extent of 2.04 acres of land. The petitioner preferred Ext.P2 representation dated 15-12-2010 referring to the option exercisable by the petitioner as to the exact land to be surrendered. Despite the fact that an extent of 5.04 acres of land has already been taken into possession by the W.P.(C) No.15432/2011 2 concerned respondent, coercive steps are being taken to dispossess the petitioner from other properties concerned, which made the petitioner to approach this Court by filing this Writ Petition. 3. Heard the learned Govt. Pleader as well. 4. Considering the facts and circumstances, this Court finds that, the matter has to be considered and finalized by the 1st respondent passing appropriate orders on Ext.P2 within a reasonable time. Accordingly, the 1st respondent is directed to consider Ext.P2 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within 'three months' from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Needless to say that 'status quo' shall be maintained till such time. 5. The petitioner shall produce a copy of this judgment along with a copy of the Writ Petition before the 1st respondent for taking further steps. Writ Petition is disposed of. vdv P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE