Petitioners challenge Ext.P5 by which the District Collector, in exercise of power under Section 28A of the Kerala Stamp Act had fixed the fair value of the property at Rs.4,25,000/-.
2. According to the petitioners, the fair value fixed for the property originally was Rs.8,40,000/- and Rs.5,60,000/- respectively. The Revenue Divisional Officer has given an opinion stating that the property could be valued at Rs.2,00,000/-. When the matter was forwarded to the District Collector under the unamended provision, the District Collector fixed the fair value at Rs.4,25,000/-. It is submitted that the District Collector is not the original authority to fix the fair value as it is the Revenue Divisional Officer who has to fix the fair value in the event of any objection raised by the land owners.
W.P.C.No.14663/2014 2 Having regard to the aforesaid factual situation and having heard the learned Government Pleader, I am of the view that the writ petition can be disposed of as under:
i) Ext.P5 is hereby set aside.
ii) The Revenue Divisional Officer shall reconsider the entire matter and pass fresh orders under Section 28A of the Kerala Stamp Act.
Iii) The entire process shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.
(A.M.SHAFFIQUE, JUDGE) jsr