BUNYAD ALI vs MEMBER (SETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION)/CHIEF

Bunyad Ali filed a petition for leave to appeal against the judgment of the Lahore High Court, which had dismissed his Constitution petition concerning an allotment and sale dispute. The core legal question was whether the petitioner's mukhbari application fell within the purview of section 14 (1-A) of the Displaced Persons (Land Settlement) Act, thereby giving him the authority to challenge the sale in favour of the respondents, given that prior information regarding the allegedly illegal and fraudulent allotment had already been laid before the Department by another individual. The Supreme Court held that the High Court's findings were in accordance with law, noting that the petitioner's case was not covered by the aforementioned statutory provision and he lacked authority to challenge the transaction. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, affirming the principle that a subsequent informant cannot maintain a challenge under section 14 (1-A) when prior information has already been laid before the department by another party.