Patna High Court
Uma DeviversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- RAJIV ROY
Holding
The petition is disposed of, with liberty granted to the petitioner to approach the revenue authorities for redress.
Summary
Uma Devi, a long‑time resident of a parcel of land in Begusarai, filed a writ petition seeking a declaration of title and directions to have her name entered in the Jamabandi register, relying on a Gazette notification dated 11‑Nov‑2014 that declared tenancy rights after 30 years of possession. She also requested the authorities to act on her application dated 27‑Jan‑2026 and issue a revenue receipt. The petitioners' counsel argued that the petitioner should be allowed to approach the Collector and other revenue officials for redress. The State counsel raised no objection. The Court granted the petitioner liberty to approach the concerned authorities and disposed of the writ petition without granting any substantive relief, indicating that the matter should be concluded by the end of the year if the petition is re‑filed within eight weeks.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate remedy for a tenant seeking declaration of title and registration of land under the Gazette notification on tenancy rights?
- Whether the High Court can dispose of the writ petition by merely granting liberty to approach revenue authorities without ordering specific relief.
Subjects
- title declaration
- tenancy rights
- land reforms
- Jamabandi
- writ petition
- Bihar
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.3019 of 2026
======================================================
Uma Devi Wife of Vijay Sahni, Resident of Ward No. - 10, Village and P.O.-
Mozafra, P.S.- Beerpur, District- Begusarai.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Chief Secretary, Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Govt. of
Bihar, Patna.
3. The District Magistrate, Begusarai.
4. The Addl. Deputy Collector, Begusarai.
5. The Sub Divisional Officer, Begusarai.
6. The Deputy Collector of Land Reforms, Begusarai.
7. The Circle Officer, Beerpur, Begusarai.
8. The Circle Inspector, Beerpur, Begusarai.
9. The Revenue Halka Karamchari, Mozafra, Beerpur, Begusarai.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Kumar Praveen, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Divya Verma, AC to AAG-3
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY
ORAL ORDER
3 20-04-2026 Heard Mr. Kumar Praveen, learned counsel for the
petitioner and the State.
2. The present petition has been preferred for the
following relief(s):
“A) For the issuance of appropriate
writ/writs, order/orders, direction/directions to the
concerned Respondent authorities to immediately
take action on the application dated 27.01.2026
(Annexure-2) filed by the petitioner before the
Patna High Court CWJC No.3019 of 2026(3) dt.20-04-2026
2/3
concerned respondents for declaration of Title on
the land upon which petitioner and her family
members are residing for last several decades in
the light of Gazette publication dated 11.11.2014
(Annexure-1) issued by the Revenue and Land
Reforms Department of the state govt. regarding
declaration of title of the tenants on the basis of
possession over the land for more than 30 years.
B) For direction to the respondent
concerned to decide the issue raised by the
petitioner expeditiously and after completing the
all formalities and to enter his name in Jamabandi
Register and to issue revenue receipt of the said
land within a reasonable period.
C) For any other relief/reliefs to which
the petitioner is found entitled under the facts and
circumstances of the present case.”
3. After some argument, learned counsel for the
petitioner submits that it will suffice if he is allowed to approach
the respondent authorities including the Collector,
Begusarai/Circle Officer, Beerpur, Begusarai for the redressal of
the grievance.
Patna High Court CWJC No.3019 of 2026(3) dt.20-04-2026
3/3
4. Learned State counsel has no objection.
5. In that background, granting liberty to the petitioner
to take appropriate steps, as recorded above, the writ petition
stands disposed of.
6. If the petition is preferred in next eight weeks, it is
expected that the Collector, Begusarai/Circle Officer, Beerpur,
Begusarai shall be taking the matter to its logical conclusion
preferably by the end of this year.
(Rajiv Roy, J)
Adnan/-
U
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