Tenancy and Land Laws

Exemption from vesting of the land in State

— Pre-existing cardamom plantation — Application claiming exemption on ground that entire land was covered by cardamom plantation since before the appointed day — Commission issued pursuant to High Court's order in its report clearly identified only a specific portion of the land as having cardamom plantation since before the appointed day — Commission also identified two structures and a platform existing in the property — On consideration of the Commission's report and after making a local inspection in the presence of both the parties, Forest Tribunal held that the portion identified by the Commission was planted with cardamom prior to the appointed day and hence excluded from the vesting — Further, Tribunal held that the constructions and the platform in the property being for drying cardamom another specified extent of land was liable to be excluded from the vesting, even though no such claim was made by the applicant — Findings of Tribunal confirmed by High Court — Held, no interference called for, (2006) 6 SCC 505