' The dispute between the parties relates to property bearing No, 128/129-B, situate in Mohallah Islam Nagar, Sillanwali, District Sargodha. It was transferred to Allah Ditta petitioner as a residential house, against his form CH. P.T.D., dated 6-12-1967 (Annexure 'B') has also been issued in his name.
2. The grievance voiced by the petitioner through this writ petition is that on the basis of a miscellaneous application (Annexure 'D') filed by Muhammad Shabbir respondent who is inimical towards him, the Deputy Settlement Commissioner without holding any enquiry and associating the petitioner therewith, in pursuance of an office report, cancelled the petitioner's transfer on the ground that the property included a plot which did not form part of the residential house. The Deputy Settlement Commissioner's order in this behalf is, dated 24-6-1975. Subsequent to this ex parte order the house was put to auction and sold away in favour of respondent. No, 2.
3. Notice by registered post was sent to respondent No, 2 but he is absent. He is, therefore, proceeded against ex parte.
4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and examined the available record. His main argument is that the petitioner has been condemned unheard and that after the issue of the P.T.D.
No jurisdiction vested in the Deputy Settlement Commissioner to proceed against the petitioner and cancel the P.T.D. Particularly after the repeal of the evacuee laws.
5. The submission of the learned counsel appears to be well-founded. The available record amply demonstrates that the petitioner was neither served nor heard. Further the Deputy Settlement Commissioner has not passed any detailed order embodying the reasons for cancellation of the P.T.D. And disposal of the property through auction. He merely endorsed the report of the Settlement Inspector. In any case, he was not a Notified Officer under section 2(2) of Act, XV of 1975 and thus had no jurisdiction to pass the impugned order. It, therefore, cannot be upheld.
6. This writ petition is, accepted and the impugned order declared to have been passed without lawful authority. As the respondent has not entered appearance to contest this writ petition, the parties are left to bear their own costs.