THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.24026 of 2008 ORDER: The petitioners held certain lands, which are within the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration. Therefore, they filed declarations under Section 6(1) of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (for short ‘the Act’). The Special Officer and Competent Authority, Urban Land Ceiling, Hyderabad, the 2nd respondent herein, passed an order, under Section 8(4) of the Act, on 27.03.2006. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioners filed an appeal under Section 33 of the Act before the appellate authority. A notice under Section 10(5) of the Act was issued on 07.02.2007. The Act was repealed by the Parliament, in the year 1999. However, the A.P. State Legislature could not pass resolution till recently. The repeal Act came into force with effect from 28.03.2008. The appeal preferred by the petitioners was closed, as abated, on 01.05.2008. However, the 2nd respondent took the possession of the lands on 08.05.2008, under panchanama. The lands, in turn, were allotted by the Government, to the A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited, the 6th respondent herein, through G.O.Ms.No.955, dated 02.08.2008. The same is challenged in this Writ Petition. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Government Pleader for Assignments. This is another instance of gross misuse of powers by the authorities of the Government. It is a matter of record that the Act stood repealed, vis-à-vis the State of Andhra Pradesh with effect from 28.03.2008. It is only the lands, the possession of which were taken by that time, that would vest in the Government. The possession of the lands of the petitioners was taken on 08.05.2008, under a panchanama. Such a step is illegal, arbitrary and high-handed. Without stopping there, the 1st respondent issued G.O.Ms.No.955, dated 02.08.2008. This further aggravates the arbitrariness. The whole episode is in a very bad taste and reflects the unlimited greed on the part of the Government to grab the properties of the private individuals. The Writ Petition is accordingly allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dated:30.03.2009. GJ