MP HC Directs Sheopur Collector to Decide Farmer’s Request to Sell Land, Preferably Within Six Weeks

The petitioner claimed to be the recorded Bhumiswami of agricultural land measuring 0.0940 hectares at Village Kurachor Goverdha Khurd, District Sheopur, allotted in 1971.

He sought permission from the Collector to sell the land, citing family and medical expenses.

The Tehsildar submitted a report, and the Sub-Divisional Officer forwarded recommendations, but the Collector had not decided the application.

The petitioner also filed a representation dated 7 September 2026 and sought a direction for its determination.

The petition was brought under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, under which the Court considered whether a direction should issue requiring the competent authority to decide the pending representation.

The Court directed the authority to pass a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with law, but cited no particular statute, precedent, or substantive rule governing the proposed transfer.

The circular dated 17 January 2014 was raised by the petitioner, but the Court did not rely on it to decide the merits.

Given the limited nature of the relief sought, the State’s lack of objection, and the existence of reports and recommendations on record, the Court considered it appropriate to require the Collector to decide the representation rather than determine the transfer request itself.

It directed the Collector to take the available reports and recommendations into account and expressly left the merits open.

The Court expressed no opinion on the merits.