Sale of land classified as Service inam in records

Dear client,

From your facts, the land appears to be an old Service Inam land, which has subsequently been in possession of your family since 1960 and for which a patta has been issued. However, the mere issuance of patta does not always mean that the land has been fully converted into absolute ryotwari tenure; the classification in revenue records (ROR 1B) as “Service Inam” is still legally significant.

Under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Abolition of Inams Act, 1955 (or the corresponding State enactment applicable to your area), Service Inam lands were originally granted for rendering services, and after abolition, the occupants were required to obtain Ryotwari Patta to perfect their title. If such a patta was not formally granted under the Act, the land may still carry a restricted or conditional status in government records, even if it is in long possession and has a regular patta entry.

The reasons why (i) it is not shown as ryotwari, (ii) not listed under prohibited properties, and (iii) houses have come up in part of the survey number, can be summarized as follows: the land may have been de facto regularized over time, local authorities may have issued pattas without updating the classification formally, and portions may have been converted to non-agricultural use without complete legal conversion. Non-inclusion in prohibited lists (like Section 22-A) generally indicates that, as of now, the Government has not flagged it as disputed or restricted property, but this does not automatically cure defects in title.

As regards future risk, there is always a possibility of inclusion under prohibited lists (Section 22-A of the Registration laws) if the Government, upon verification, finds that the land is still legally Inam land or that proper ryotwari settlement was not granted. Such listings usually arise during digitization, audits, or dispute claims.

Information from the correct department is very important.