Quick Summary: Achare Gopinath's request to have his name added to the land records was turned down because he didn't follow the right steps, and the land is in a special area with different rules.
Achare Gopinath, a 68-year-old farmer, claimed he owned a piece of land in Bursanpatar Village, Adilabad, saying it had been in his family for generations. On October 18, 2024, he asked the local office in charge of land records to update them with his name and give him an E-Pattadar Passbook. When nothing happened, he took the issue to court.
The government lawyer explained that the land is in a special area where different rules apply. According to the APSALTR Act, 1959 and its 1970 update, people who are not from the local tribal community, like Gopinath, can't get land documents for these areas. Gopinath had some old land papers from 1990-91 and 2000-2001, but they weren't enough.
"Achare Gopinath is non-tribal, therefore, he cannot seek issuance of pattadar pass books in respect of subject property."
Gopinath submitted his request before the new Bhu Bharati Act, 2025 was active. At that time, the Telangana Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books Act, 2020 was the law. He should have applied online to the District Collector, but he handed in a paper application to the local office instead.
Justice K. Lakshman dismissed the request. The judge said Gopinath didn't follow the right steps and didn't have enough proof that he owned the land. However, Gopinath was given the option to try other legal ways to resolve the issue.
"Viewed from any angle, this writ petition is liable to be dismissed."
The court decided against Gopinath because he didn't follow the correct procedure and lacked sufficient evidence to prove his ownership of the land. However, he was advised that he could still explore other legal options.
