In Brief
Appellants sought a ryotwari patta (agricultural land deed) in respect of land under the Inams Abolition Act, 1950. The District Collector rejected their application, and the High Court upheld the order in a writ petition under Article 226. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding that the High Court did not err in refusing to interfere with the Collector's decision based on materials on record. The Court emphasised that writ jurisdiction is supervisory, not appellate, and declined relief on further grounds of delay, laches, and acquiescence by the appellants. The Court also held that water bodies and land within them are inalienable and cannot be transferred.
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