THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE V. ESWARAIAH WRIT PETITION No.873 OF 2008 DATED: 23-01-2008 BETWEEN Shaik Mitayegari Buran Sab, S/o. Yousab Saheb, Occ: Cooli, D.No.67/197, Bose Nagar, Rayachoty Town, Kadapa District and others. …PETITIONERS AND The Revenue Divisional Officer, Kadapa Division, Kadapa, Kadapa District and another. …RESPONDENTS ORDER: Petitioners submits that the Tahsildar, Rayachoty passed orders dated 06.11.2007 in Ref.No.B/386-140/2007 under Section 4(1)(a) of the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977 (for short ‘the Act’) resuming the land of an extent of Ac.7.57 cents in Sy.No.514/2 of Rayachoty village stating that the said land was originally assigned in favour of one Smt. Chapala Narakka and Sri Pachipala Govindu vide DKT.No.119 Am of 1338 Fasli in the year 1929, and the said land was transferred by way of sale deeds, which was subsequently purchased by the petitioners, thus, there is a violation of sub- sections (1) and (2) of Section 3 of the Act. 2. Admittedly, against the said order an appeal lies to the Revenue Divisional Officer under Section 4-A(1) of the Act. Petitioners submit that they have preferred an appeal in Ref.B/1857/2007 against the said order but the appellate authority/RDO rejected the stay application holding that as the case is posted to 22.12.2007 there is no need to grant stay vide order dated 07.12.2007. 3. I am of the opinion that when a statutory appeal is filed, it is just and proper to protect the possession of the petitioners, as it is stated that their predecessors and they have been in long standing possession of the said land. 4. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the first respondent is directed to consider and dispose the appeal, if not already disposed of, as expeditiously as possible and pending disposal of the appeal status quo obtaining as on today with regard to possession shall be maintained. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________ V. ESWARAIAH, J January 23, 2008 DSK