Sanjay K. Agrawal, J
1. Heard.
2. Ude Ram, aboriginal tribe, subsequently died and his LRs have been brought on record as respondents No.5-A and 5-B, filed an application under
Section 170-B of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959 (for short, 'the Code') which was rejected by the Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue). The
Collector has dismissed the appeal against the said order and affirmed the order of the SDO (R). The Board of Revenue allowed the revision filed by
Ude Ram against which this writ petition has been preferred.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the SDO (R) has not made enquiry as contemplated under Section 170-B (3) of the Code, only
statements have been recorded and no opportunity of cross- examination has been given despite in earlier round, the matter was remitted by the
Collector.
4. No one appears for the private respondents though served.
5. Learned State counsel would support the impugned order.
6. Section 170-B (3) of the Code reads as under: -
170-B. Reversion of land of members of aboriginal tribe which was transferred by fraud.
(3) On receipt of the information under sub-section (1) the Sub-Divisional Officer shall make such enquiry as may be necessary about all such
transactions of transfer and if he finds that the member of aboriginal tribe has been defrauded of his legitimate right he shall declare the transaction
null and void and--
(a) Where no building or structure has been erected on the agricultural land prior to such finding pass an order revesting the agricultural land in the
transferer and if he be dead, in his legal heirs,
(b) Where any building or structure has been erected on the agricultural land prior to such finding, he shall fix the price of such land in accordance
with the principles laid down for fixation of price of land in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (No. 1 of 1894) and order the person referred to in sub-
section (1) to pay to the transferer the difference, if any, between the price so fixed and the price actually paid to the transferer:
Provided that where the building or structure has been erected after the 1st day of January, 1984 the provisions of clause (b) above shall not apply:
Provided further that fixation of price under clause (b) shall be with reference to the price on the date of registration of the case before the Sub-
Divisional Officer.
7. The SDO (R) was obliged to make enquiry with regard to transaction as it is the case of the petitioners that the land in dispute was purchased after
due permission from the Collector on 2-1-1977 by Amrita Bai and from Amrita Bai, the petitioners have purchased the land. Non-making of due
enquiry is also apparent from the statements of witnesses recorded by the SDO (R). Only statements have been recorded and opposite party has not
been given opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses which is in teeth of the provisions contained in Section 170-B(3) of the Code, which cannot be
allowed to stand. The matter is remitted to the SDO (R) to afford opportunity of hearing to the parties in accordance with Section 170- B(3) of the
Code and decide the case afresh after hearing the parties, within six months.
8. The writ petition is allowed to the extent indicated herein-above. No order as to cost(s).
