Written Submission For The Respondent
Written Submission For The Respondent
Written Submission For The Respondent
ANJALI…………………………...……………………….………………PETITIONER
VERSUS
Submitted By: -
TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………...…………….3
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES………………………….…...………………………….4
STATEMENT OF FACTS............…………………….………………………….…..6
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION………………...…………………………….…7
STATEMENT OF ISSUES…………………………………………………………...8
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS…………………………...………………………....9
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED………………………………...………...…………….11
PRAYER…………………………………...……………………………..……..…....32
SC SUPREME COURT
HC HIGH COURT
& AND
Ors. OTHERS
S. SECTION
V. & Vs VERSUS
Ed. EDITION
CASES
TEXT-BOOKS
WEBSITES
1. https://indiankanoon.org/
2. https://casemine.com/
3. www.legitquest.com
1. Petitioner (Anjali), the married daughter of the Coparcener (Roshan Singh; R5) states that
the land in dispute (7000 hectares) is situated in Uttar Pradesh & is an ancestral property.
2. After the death of her grandfather, the land was inherited by his two sons, Malik Singh and
R5 and their sons as well. All of them at that time formed the Hindu Joint Family governed by
Mitakshara law of Hindu coparcenary of which R5 was the ‘Karta’.
3. R5 executed a sale deed dated 16/11/2005, of some portions of disputed land in favour of
one Kundan Singh (R2) and his name was mutated on revenue record along with other co-
sharers.
4. All the members of the Joint Hindu Family consented to the sale deed executed in favour of
R2 except the daughter of the Karta i.e., the Petitioner. She filed an objection dated 4/4/2013
under S.9(2) of the UPCH Act,1953 for the direction to effect a partition of her ¼ th share in
the property and to delete the name of R2 from revenue record, instead add her name along
with other co sharers.
5. According to the Petitioner, the name in revenue record was mutated on the basis of a void
sale deed (dated 16/11/2005), as such the name was liable to be deleted.
6. The Consolidation officer (R4) held that the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 is not applicable
except for the land for which a declaration has been made under S.143 of the UPZALR
Act,1950, and the provisions of H.S.A, 1956 are not applicable to the agricultural land. The
petitioner being a married daughter is not an heir under S.171 of the UPZALR Act,1950.
Hence, the objection filed by the Petitioner was not maintainable and upon such findings, the
objection of the petitioner was dismissed and the land was divided amongst the on record
recorded holders of the land.
7. The Petitioner filed an appeal from the aforesaid order. Settlement Officer Consolidation
(R3) affirmed the findings of Consolidation Officer and dismissed the appeal by order dated
15/3/2014.
8. The Petitioner filed a revision against the aforesaid order, Deputy Director of Consolidation
(R1), by order dated 15/6/2014 dismissed the revision.
9. Hence, this writ petition has been filed in the Hon’ble Court challenging the order dated
15/6/2014 by the Deputy Director of Consolidation (R1).
1
(1) Notwithstanding anything in article 32 every High Court shall have power, throughout the
territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction, to issue to any person or authority, including
in appropriate cases, any Government, within those territories directions, orders or writs, including
writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of them,
for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III and for any other purpose.
ISSUE 2: Who possesses the right to make law over the subject “land and land tenure”?
ISSUE 4: Whether Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was enacted under
Article 253 of the Constitution and has an overriding effect?
(i) Whether Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was enacted in exercise of
powers under Article 253?
(ii) Whether the U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 or Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (as amended in
2005) is applicable to agricultural land?
It is humbly contended before the Hon’ble Court that the instant writ petition filed by the Anjali
[Hereinafter referred to as “the Petitioner”] as against the Respondents is not maintainable
before the High Court of Allahabad, as the Hon’ble Court does not have the requisite
jurisdiction to entertain the petition and no substantive question of law arises in the present
case.
ISSUE 2: Who possesses the right to make law over the subject “land and land tenure”?
It is humbly submitted to this Hon’ble Court that Entry-7 of List III –Concurrent Legislative
List of Government of India Act, 1935 used phrase “save as regards agricultural land”, from
which, it is clear that rights in or over land, and land tenures were within the exclusive domain
of State Legislature under Government of India Act, 1935. In Constitution, Entry-5 of List III–
Concurrent List, uses the phrase “all matters in respect of which parties in judicial proceedings
were immediately before the commencement of this Constitution subject to their personal law”.
From which, it has been again clarified that rights in or over land, and land tenures were within
exclusive domain of State Legislature under Entry-18 of List- II-State List. Thus, State
Legislature alone has jurisdiction to make law in respect of rights in or over land, and land
tenures, under which U.P. Act No. 1 of 19512 was enacted. The words “right in” is a
comprehensive phrase and includes right of inheritance and devolution of interest.
2
Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950
It is humbly submitted to this Hon’ble Court that subject “rights in or over land, and land
tenures” is mentioned in Entry-18 of List-II-State List which includes right of inheritance and
there is no overlapping of the subjects between Entry-18 of List-II-State List and Entry-5 of
List- III-Concurrent List. Under Article 246(3) of the Constitution, State Legislature alone has
jurisdiction to make law in respect of rights in or over land, and land tenures including right of
inheritance. Subject “succession” mentioned in Entry-5 of List III- Concurrent List has a
limited application as provided under Section 14 of Hindu Succession Act, 1956. Even if it is
treated that subject “succession” is falling under Entry-5 of List-III-Concurrent List, assent of
President of India has been obtained in respect of U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 as such in case of
repugnancy also, U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 will prevail over Hindu Succession Act, 1956 under
Article 254(2) of the Constitution.
ISSUE 4: Whether Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was enacted under
Article 253 of the Constitution and has an overriding effect?
It is humbly submitted before this Hon’ble court that; that Amending Act, 2005 intended to
provide the right to Hindu daughters equal with the son in Mitakshara coparcenary property. It
does not intend to provide such right to the daughters/women of other religion living in the
country. There is nothing in the Act 2005 to prove that it was enacted in pursuance of
declaration made before United Nations Organisation. As such Article 253 of the Constitution
has no application. The agricultural land is in exclusive domain of State Legislature and
Parliament has no power to enact any law in this respect. Section 4(2) was only by way of
clarification. On its basis, it cannot be said that after its deletion, Hindu Succession Act, 1956
suo moto applies to agricultural land. Under Section 6, (as amended) daughters are given right
under Hindu Mitakshara Coparcenary Property alone.
It is humbly contended before the Hon’ble Court that the instant writ petition filed by the Anjali
[Hereinafter referred to as “the Petitioner”] as against the Respondents is not maintainable
before the High Court of Allahabad, as the Hon’ble Court does not have the requisite
jurisdiction to entertain the petition [1.1] and no substantive question of law arises in the
present case [1.2].
Supreme Court held that the writ of certiorari can be issued only when the Subordinate
Court has passed some orders without jurisdiction or in excess of its jurisdiction or acting
in fragrant disregard of the law or acting in violation of the principles of natural justice,
thereby occasioning failure of justice.4
In the present writ petition, none of the abovementioned grounds are fulfilled in order to
issue a writ of certiorari calling for records of the case. The writ petition has been filed
only with the oblique motive.
3
Syed Yakoob v. KS Radhakrishnan, 1964 AIR 477, 1964 SCR (5) 64
4
Surya Dev Rai v. Ram Chander Rai and Ors, LAWS(SC)-2003-8-89
“The very conferment of the discretionary power defies any attempt at exhaustive
definition of power. The power is permitted to be invoked not in a routine fashion but in
very exceptional circumstances as when a question of law of general public importance
arises or a decision sought to be impugned before the High Court shocks the conscience.
This overriding and exceptional power has been vested in the High Court to be exercised
sparingly and only in the furtherance of cause of justice in the High Court in exceptional
cases only when special circumstances are shown to exist”.7
5
Maqsoodan v. State of UP, AIR 1983 SC 126
6
State of MP v. Desh Raj, (2004) 13 SCC 199
7
Jamshed Hormusji Wadia v. Board of Trustees, Port of Mumbai, AIR 2004 SC 1815
It is submitted that: -
2.1 Part XI, Chapter-I of the Constitution deals with legislative relations -- Distribution of
Legislative Powers. By Article 245 the territorial operation of legislative power of the
Parliament and the State Legislatures is delimited, and Article 246 distributes legislative
power subject-wise between the Parliament and the State Legislatures. Articles 247, 249,
250, 252 and 253 enact some of the exceptions to the rule contained in Article 246. Relevant
articles are quoted below: -
Article 246 - Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States.
–
1. Notwithstanding anything in clauses (2) and (3), Parliament has exclusive power to
make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I in the Seventh
Schedule (in this Constitution referred to as the "Union List").
2. Notwithstanding anything in clause (3), Parliament, and, subject to clause (1), the
Legislature of any State also, have power to make laws with respect to any of the
matters enumerated in List III in the Seventh Schedule (in this Constitution referred to
as the "Concurrent List").
3. Subject to clauses (1) and (2), the Legislature of any State has exclusive power to make
laws for such State or any part thereof with respect to any of the matters enumerated
in List II in the Seventh Schedule (in this Constitution referred to as the "State List").
4. Parliament has power to make laws with respect to any matter for any part of the
territory of India not included in a State notwithstanding that such matter is a matter
enumerated in the State List.
Article 254 - Inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the
Legislatures of States. –
1. If any provision of a law made by the Legislature of a State is repugnant to any
provision of a law made by Parliament which Parliament is competent to enact, or to
any provision of an existing law with respect to one of the matters enumerated in the
Concurrent List, then, subject to the provisions of clause (2), the law made by
Provided that nothing in this clause shall prevent Parliament from enacting at any time
any law with respect to the same matter including a law adding to, amending, varying
or repealing the law so made by the Legislature of the State.
2.2) Prior to the enforcement of the Constitution, field of legislature of Federal Government
and the State Government were governed under the Government of India Act, 1935
(hereinafter referred to as the "1935 Act").
Seventh Schedule, List 2 Provincial List contained subjects for the provincial
legislature and List 3 Concurrent Legislative List contained subjects for both federal
and provincial legislatures. The relevant entries, under the. "1935 Act" are extracted as
under:
Entry-21 Provincial Legislative List: Land, that is to say, rights in or over land, land
tenures, including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents;
transfer, alienation and devolution of agricultural land; land improvement and
agricultural loans; colonization; Court of wards; encumbered and attached estates;
treasure trove.
Entry-7 Concurrent Legislative List: Wills, intestacy and succession, save as regards
agricultural land."
2.3) Entries relevant for answering the question, under the Constitution read as under:
-
Seventh Schedule
List II - State List
"18. Land, that is to say, right in or over land, land tenures including the relation of
2.4) Entry-7 of List III --Concurrent Legislative List of Government of India Act, 1935
used phrase "save as regards agricultural land", from which, it is clear that rights in or
over land, and land tenures were within exclusive domain of State Legislature under
Government of India Act, 1935. In Constitution, Entry-5 of List III --Concurrent
List, uses phrase "all matters in respect of which parties in judicial proceedings were
immediately before the commencement of this Constitution subject to their personal
law". From which, it has been again clarified that rights in or over land, and land tenures
was within exclusive domain of State Legislature under Entry-18 of List-II-State List.
Thus, State Legislature alone has jurisdiction to make law in respect of rights in or over
land, and land tenures, under which U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 was enacted. The words
"right in" is a comprehensive phrase and includes right of inheritance and devolution
of interest.8
2.5) It is necessary to advert to entry No. 18 in List II and entries Nos. 5 and 6 in List III of
the Vll-Schedule. For facility of reference, those entries are reproduced below:
List II--Entry No. 18... Land, that is to say, rights in or over land, land tenures
including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents; transfer and
alienation of agricultural land improvement and agricultural loans; colonization.
List III--Entry No. 5... Marriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption; wills;
intestacy and succession; joint family and partition; all matters in respect of which
parties in judicial proceedings were immediately before the commencement of, this
Constitution subject to their personal law.
8
Archna vs Dy. Director of Consolidation 64999 of 2014 decided on 27 March, 2015
2.6) Under the Constitution the supportive Legislative entries for all these are in List II of
Seventh Schedule at Item 14 regarding agriculture, Item 18 regarding land and in List
III at Item 42 regarding acquisition and requisitioning of property. Those entries read
with Article 245 of the Constitution permit the State Legislature to enact laws regarding
land and rights in or over land as well transfer and alienation of agriculture land. Further
it enables the State to make laws regarding the acquisition and requisitioning of
immovable property like land.10
2.7) It will be noticed that the Entry read along with Art. 246(3) of the Constitution, has
vested exclusive power in the State to make laws with respect to " rights in or over land
tenures including the relation of landlord and tenant........ The provisions of the Act set
out above, deal with the landlord's rights in land in relation to his tenant, so as to modify
the landlord's rights in land, and correspondingly, to expand the tenant's rights therein.
Each of the expressions " rights in or over land " and " land tenures ", is comprehensive
enough to take in measures of reforms of land tenures, limiting the extent of land in
cultivating possession of the land-owner, and thus, releasing larger areas of land to be
made available for cultivation by tenants.11
9
Jaswant ETC v. Smt. Basanti Devi, Order No. of 86 1968 decided on 02-04-1970
10
Vithalrao Ydhaorao Uttarwar And … v. The State of Maharashtra, AIR977 Bom 99
11
Atma Ram v. State of Punjab, 1959 AIR 519, 1959 SCR Supl. (1) 748
2.9) Entry 18 deals with four main topics: land, transfer and alienation of agriculture land,
land improvement and agricultural loans and colonization. The words ‘rights in’ or
‘over land’ confer very wide power on the State Legislature.13
12
Smt. Prema Devi vs Joint Director of Consolidation, AIR 1970 All 238
13
Jagannath Bakshi Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 1962 AIR 1563 1963 SCR (1) 220
3.1) The legislative field between Parliament and the legislature of any State is divided by
Article 246 of the Constitution. Parliament has exclusive power to make laws with
respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I in the Seventh Schedule, called the
"Union List". Subject to the said power of Parliament, the legislature of any State has
power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List III, called the
"Concurrent List". Subject to the abovesaid two, the legislature of any State has
exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List II,
called the "State List". Under Article 248 the exclusive power of Parliament to make
laws extends to any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent List or State List. This is,
what is called the residuary power, vested in Parliament. The principles summarised,
as are relevant for this case, are quoted below: -
(1) The various entries in the three lists are not "powers" of legislation but "fields" of
legislation. The Constitution effects a complete separation of the taxing power of the
Union and of the States under Article 246.
(2) In spite of the fields of legislation having been demarcated, the question of repugnancy
between law made by Parliament and a law made by the State Legislature may arise
only in cases when both the legislation occupy the same field with respect to one of the
matters enumerated in the Concurrent List and a direct conflict is seen. If there is a
repugnancy due to overlapping found between List II on the one hand and List I and
List III on the other, the State law will be ultra vires and shall have to give way to the
Union law.
(3) The entries in the lists being merely topics or fields of legislation, they must receive a
liberal construction inspired by a broad and generous spirit and not in a narrow pedantic
sense. The words and expressions employed in drafting the entries must be given the
widest-possible interpretation. The allocation of the subjects to the lists is not by way
of scientific or logical definition but by way of a mere simplex enumeration of broad
categories. A power to legislate as to the principal matter specifically mentioned in the
entry shall also include within its expanse the legislations touching incidental and
ancillary matters.
3.2) In view of the aforesaid principles the words "right in or over the land and land
tenure" have to be given widest-possible interpretation and include "right of
inheritance" also. Arguments of the counsel for the petitioner that the word
"succession", under Entry-5 of List III − Concurrent List covers subject inheritance of
"rights in or over land and land tenure" also, is not liable to be accepted. Entry-5 of List
III -- Concurrent List, uses phrase "all matters in respect of which parties in judicial
proceedings were immediately before the commencement of this Constitution subject
to their personal law". Thus, applicability of personal law of succession is limited in
14
W.B. v. Kesoram Industries Ltd., AIR 2005 SC 1646
3.3) A bench of seven judges held that "entries in the three lists of the Seventh Schedule to
the Constitution, are legislative heads or fields of legislation. These demarcate the area
over which appropriate legislature can operate. It is well settled that widest amplitude
should be given to the language of these entries but some of these entries’ indifferent
lists or in the same list may overlap and sometimes may also appear to be in direct
conflict with each other. Then, it is the duty of the court to find out its true intent and
purpose and to examine a particular legislation in its pith and substance to determine
whether it fits in one or the other of the Lists, The Lists are designed to define and
delimit the respective areas of respective competence of the Union and the States. They
neither impose any implied restriction on the legislative power conferred by Article 246
of the Constitution, nor prescribe any duty to exercise that legislative power in any
particular manner. Hence, the language of the Entries should be given widest scope to
find out which of the meaning is fairly capable in the set-up of the machinery of the
government. Each general word should be held to extend to all ancillary or subsidiary
matters which can fairly and reasonably be comprehended in it. In interpreting an Entry,
it would not be reasonable to impart any limitation by comparing or contrasting that
Entry with any other one's in the same list.16
15
Amar Singh Vs. Baldev Singh, AIR, 1960 P&H 686 (F.B.)
16
India Cement Ltd. and Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors. [1990] 1 SCC 12
The object of enactment of U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 as declared by its long title is to
provide for abolition of Zamindari system involving intermediaries between the tiller
of the soil and the State, for acquisition of their rights, title and interest and to reform
the law relating to land tenure consequent upon such abolition and acquisition. In order
to secure the purpose of land reform, various provisions have been made to ensure that
soil must go to the actual tiller. Section 9 and Section 123 confer absolute right to the
actual occupier of the land of abadi etc. while tenurial right of
(1) bhumidhar with transferable right,
(2) bhumidhar with non-transferable right
(3) asami and
(4) government lessee has been conferred under other provisions.
The object that soil must go to the actual tiller has been applied in cases of inheritance
and devolution of interest also. Under some contingency widow and daughter are given
right of inheritance but on their remarriage/ marriage, they are divested under Section
172 of the Act. From the time immemorial, society in our country is patriarchal society,
where daughter/ woman has to go to the house of her husband on marriage, where she
forms a new family. Law makers were conscious with the situation of marriage of
daughter/woman and patriarchal system of the society. It was kept in mind while
enacting Section 171 and Section 172 of U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 that after marriage it
would not be practicable for a woman to cultivate land at two places as such after
marriage/remarriage, women are divested.
U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 is preserved under Ninth Schedule of the Constitution at Serial
No. 11 and is protected under Article 31-A of the Constitution as such its validity cannot
be challenged on the ground of Article 13 of the Constitution. Constitutional validity
of this Act has been upheld time to time by Constitutional Benches of Supreme
Court.1718
17
State of U.P. Vs. Raja Brahma Shah, AIR 1967 SC 661
18
S.P. Watel Vs. State of U.P., AIR 1973 SC 1293
3.6) It can be safely inferred from Section 175 of the Act that where there are more than one
bhumidhar in any holding all the co-bhumidhars shall be tenants in common and not
joint tenants. That provision of law is applicable to the members of a joint Hindu family
having interest in bhumidhari rights. The interest of each person in bhumidhari land
passes according to the order of succession given in Sections 171 to 174 of the Act and
not by survivorship. The principle of survivorship amongst co-widows and co-
bhumidhars can apply only when there is failure of heirs as mentioned in Sections 171
to 174.20
3.7) A Hindu widow, who after the death of her husband remarries another person, cannot
lay a claim to the property of her son through the first marriage in agricultural land in
19
Ram Awalamb Vs. Jata Shankar, AIR 1969 All 526
20
Dulli V.s Imarti Devi, 196G All LJ (Rev).29)
21
Parshanti v. Dy. Director of Consolidation, AIR 1999 SC 1567
22
Rajiv Sarin v. State of Uttarakhand, AIR 2011 SC 3081
4.1) The effect of Article 253 is that if a treaty, agreement or convention with a foreign State
deals with a subject within the competence of the State Legislature, the Parliament
alone has, notwithstanding Article 246(3), the power to make laws to implement the
treaty, agreement or convention or any decision made at any international conference,
association or other body. In terms, the Article deals with legislative power: thereby
power is conferred upon the Parliament which it may not otherwise possess. Article 253
of Constitution is quoted below: -
4.2) Whether Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was enacted in exercise of
powers under Article 253?
In order to appreciate aforesaid arguments, aims and object as given by Parliament for
enactment of Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 is quoted below: -
Thus, aim and object, as given by Parliament for enactment of Amending Act, 2005,
was to remove the discrimination as contained in Section 6 of the Hindu Succession
Act, 1956 by giving equal rights to daughters in the Hindu Mitakshara coparcenary
property as the sons have. The aim and object as suggested by Law Commission in
174th Report for applying the Act to agricultural land also has not been adopted by
Parliament as such it is not possible to hold that Amending Act, 2005 was enacted to
apply Hindu Succession Act, 1956 over agricultural land also or it was enacted in
pursuance of declaration made before United Nations Organization as well as Article
51 (c). Thus, it is clear that Amending Act, 2005 intended to provide the right to Hindu
daughters equal with the son in Mitakshara coparcenary property. It does not intend to
provide such right to the daughters/women of other religion living in the country. There
is nothing in the Act 2005 to prove that it was enacted in pursuance of declaration made
before United Nations Organisation. As such Article 253 of the Constitution has no
4.3) Whether the U.P. Act No. 1 of 1951 or Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (as amended in 2005)
is applicable to agricultural land?
23
Gramophone Co. of India Ltd. v. Birendra Bahadur Pandey, AIR 1984 SC 667
(2) The effect of the deleted sub-section was that where tenancy or land tenure
legislation made a special provision for devolution of rights to lands, those would
prevail and in that event the provisions of this Act would be inapplicable to such
devolution. If, however, the land tenure legislation made the personal law of the
parties applicable, the provisions of this Act were to apply. If, however state
legislation made a specific provision as to the mode of devolution and also specified
the shares, this Act would not apply. 26
24
Sub-section (2) omitted by Act of 2005(w.e.f. 9-9-2005)
25
Gopi Chand v. Bhawani Devi, AIR 1964 Punj 272
26
Sooraj v. SDO Rehli, AIR 1995 SC 872
For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that nothing contained in this Act
shall be deemed to affect the provisions of any law for the time being in force
providing for the prevention of fragmentation of agricultural holdings or for the
fixation of ceilings or for the devolution of tenancy rights in respect of such
holdings.
27
Tukaram Genba Jadhav and ORS v. Laxman Genba Jadhav and ANR. 1994 96 BOM LR 227
Thus, combined reading of the Section 4 and Section 6 of the Hindu Succession
Act, 1956 it is clear that the Act was applied on Joint Hindu Mitakshara
property only and not on agricultural land. As held above, agricultural land is
in exclusive domain of State Legislature and Parliament has no power to enact
any law in this respect. Section 4 (2) was only by way of clarification. On its
basis, it cannot be said that after its deletion, Hindu Succession Act, 1956 suo
moto applies to agricultural land. Under Section 6, (as amended) daughters
are given right under Hindu Mitakshara Coparcenary Property alone.28
4.4) In the first place, we are of the opinion that the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, cannot be
made applicable to agricultural plots.
This Act was passed by the Central Legislature in 1956 and the only entry under which
the Central Legislature had the jurisdiction to pass the Act, was entry No. 5 in the third
list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
This entry is as follows: -- "5-Marriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption;
wills, intestacy and succession; joint family and partition; all matters in respect of
which parties in judicial proceedings were immediately before the commencement
of this Constitution subject to their personal law."
This entry obviously relates only to personal law and laws passed under this entry do
not apply to any particular property. They merely determine the personal law.
In List 2, Entry No. 18 is as follows: -- "Land, that is to say, right in or over land,
land tenures including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of
28
Archna v. Dy. Director of Consolidation, Decided on 27 March, 2015
4.6) Section 4(2) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which provides:
“For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that nothing contained in this act shall
be deemed to affect the provisions of any law for the time being in force providing for
the prevention of fragmentation of agricultural holdings or for the fixation of celling or
for the devolution of tenancy rights in respect of such holdings”
29
Smt. Prema Devi vs Joint Director of Consolidation, AIR 1970 All 238
30
Smt. Anjali Kaul & Anr. v. Narendra Krishna Zutshi & Others, F.A.F.O. No. 369 of 2012
4.7) An agricultural tenant has no religion and no personal law except as expressly provided
in the Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act. It applies to Hindus, Muslim,
Christians etc. regardless of their religion and, therefore, regardless of their personal
law except as regards succession in certain cases. It contains its own provisions
regarding inheritance and transfers; and when it has left certain matters to be governed
by the personal law it has done so by an express provision. Personal law has never been
applied proprio vigor to questions of inheritance and transfer of tenancy rights as it has
been applied to inheritance and transfer of proprietary rights.32
31
Uma Shanker v. Dy. Director of Consolidation, 1973 All WR (HC) 214, AIR 1973 All 407
32
Ramji Dixit v. Bhiruganath, 1964 All LJ 197= (AIR 1965 All 1 (FB))
Wherefore in the light of issues raised, arguments advanced, the respondent humbly prays
before the Hon’ble High Court to dismiss the current petition on the ground:
2. That the provisions of Hindu Succession Act (Amended 2005), 1956 are not applicable
to the agricultural land.
3. That the sale deed dated 16.11.2005 in favour of Kundan Singh and on its basis name
of Kundan Singh was mutated in the revenue record by order dated 20.12.2005 is valid.
And any other relief that the Hon’ble Court may be pleased to grant in the interest of
justice, equity and good conscience.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED