Disputes over individual Hakku Patras should be placed before the Deputy Commissioner for determination.

The petitioners challenged allotments made to private respondents under the Ashraya Scheme and sought to quash the Hakku Patras issued in their favour. They alleged that the beneficiaries possessed other lands and that their eligibility therefore required consideration

The private respondents submitted that earlier civil litigation had occurred between the parties and that the competent authorities had considered their eligibility before issuing the Hakku Patras

The petitioners brought the challenge under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution

Whether the petitioners’ challenge to the Hakku Patras and related allotments could be determined by the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 226

Whether the petitioners should instead raise objections to individual Hakku Patras before the Deputy Commissioner, with supporting details and documents

The Court considered its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and concluded that the disputes raised, concerning the individual Hakku Patras and the beneficiaries’ eligibility, were not suitable for determination in the writ proceedings

It directed that specific objections supported by details and documents be placed before the Deputy Commissioner, who must decide them in accordance with law after hearing the Hakku Patra beneficiaries

The competing submissions raised factual disputes about the beneficiaries’ landholdings and eligibility, as well as the prior consideration of their claims by the competent authorities

The Court considered those disputes unsuitable for resolution in the writ proceedings and directed the petitioners to submit individualised, document-supported objections to the Deputy Commissioner, who could consider them after hearing the beneficiaries

It left all issues open for that determination

It disposed of the writ petition, leaving the petitioners to raise objections to individual Hakku Patras before the Deputy Commissioner; the Deputy Commissioner was directed to consider the objections and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law after hearing the beneficiaries