WALLA Versus A. C., KASUR
This petition for leave to appeal arises from a dispute over the allotment of 'Beshi' (excess) land in District Lahore. The petitioner, having received 25% excess land, challenged the High Court's dismissal of his appeal against the denial of this excess land by Settlement Authorities. The petitioner argued that the allotment was authorized by specific Rehabilitation Commissioner instructions and disputed the validity of admissions recorded against him. Furthermore, he contended that the respondent who initiated the 'Mukhbari' proceedings was an imposter. The Supreme Court observed that the petitioner's primary factual contention—regarding the timely filing and transfer of his claim form—was not raised or argued before the High Court and thus could not be entertained at the leave-to-appeal stage. Regarding the admissions, the Court found no error in the High Court's reliance on the petitioner's recorded statements. The Court held that the legitimacy of the respondent's status was immaterial, as resumed land would only be allocated to those legally entitled to it. Consequently, the Court refused leave to appeal, affirming the High Court's decision.
- Can a factual contention not raised or argued before the High Court be entertained for the first time in a petition for leave to appeal before the Supreme Court?
- Is the legitimacy of a Mukhbari applicant material if the resumed land is to be allocated to those legally entitled to it?
- Does the High Court err in relying on recorded admissions of a petitioner in settlement proceedings?
- Sections 10 and 11, Displaced Persons (Land Settlement) Act 1958
ORDER
1. SHAFIUR RAHMAN, J. ‑The petitioner who was allotted 25% Beshi land in District Lahore against his verified claim seeks leave to appeal against the appellate judgment of the High Court, dated 10‑6‑1985 whereby his appeal against the denial of the excess to him on the basis of orders passed by the Settlement Authorities was dismissed.
2. The petitioner admits that he received 25 per cent excess. He says that this excess allotment to him was not unauthorized but was authorized and fully covered by the two instructions of the Rehabilitation Commissioner, dated 5‑1‑1952 and 22‑10‑1952. As the allotment even of the Beshi was lawful, he could not be deprived of it.
3. Another contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the so‑called statement or admission made by the petitioner before various officers and authorities could be of no avail because in fact no such statement was made nor was it properly recorded.
4. Finally, it is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that in any case the respondent No.3 who had moved the Mukhbari application under sections 10 and 11 and for whose benefit the order has been passed has been adjudged to be an imposter and proceedings at his instance could not deprive the petitioner of his proper allotment.
5. The first ground now taken up and forcefully argued does not appear to have been specifically taken up and argued as it does not find mention in either of the judgments of the High Court. In the settlement hierarchy this matter stood concluded by a finding that the petitioner had not filed his claim form in Lahore District nor got it transferred to Lahore District before the target date. The effort of the learned counsel for the petitioner is to demonstrate to us that he has not only filed the claim form in Lahore District but he had also got it. re‑transferred from Sahiwal within the target date. This factual objection having not been taken except in the settlement hierarchy and not pressed in the High Court during the course of arguments and , not dealt with is not open to the petitioner at this stage.
6. The High Court has given effect to the admissions of the petitioner recorded at various stages with regard to it. We have gone through the order of the Assistant Commissioner exercising the powers of Additional Settlement Commissioner, Kasur, dated 16‑4‑1976 and have also read his comments in respect of it made on 24‑5‑1976 and consider that the High Court has not committed any error in giving effect to such admissions and not extending the constitutional jurisdiction to his benefit. It is not very material whether the hands of the respondent No. 3 are clean or not because the land resumed from the petitioner will only go to those who are entitled to it. Leave to appeal is, therefore, refused.
7. M.I. Petition dismissed.