GHULAM HUSSAIN and another vs PROVINCE OF PUNJAB and 2 others
This matter arises from a petition for leave to appeal directed against the dismissal of the petitioners' civil revision by the High Court. The underlying proceedings originated from a suit for declaration and permanent injunction concerning the allotment of State land on lease with the potential acquisition of proprietary rights. While the trial Court non-suited the petitioners primarily on jurisdiction and other legal grounds, the High Court evaluated the merits and determined that the allotment orders relied upon by the petitioners fell outside the prescribed target date. Upon examination of the disputed allotment orders, the Supreme Court observed that multiple dates appeared on the forms, raising a triable controversy regarding whether the allotment was validly made within the target date. Consequently, the Supreme Court granted leave to appeal to resolve this controversy and issued interim directions concerning the deposit of security for mesne profits and the maintenance of possession by the parties.
- Whether an allotment of State land was made within the prescribed target date?
- Can leave to appeal be granted when conflicting dates on allotment documents raise a triable controversy?
ORDER
1. ' MUHAMMAD AFZAL ZULLAH, J.--Leave to appeal has been sought; against the dismissal by the High Court, of petitioners Civil Revision. It had arisen out of petitioners/plaintiffs suit for declaration and permanent injunction relating to the allotment of State land on lease with possible consequences of grant of proprietary rights.
2. ' The trial Court, it seems, mainly non-suited the petitioners on the point of jurisdiction and other legal questions but the High Court after having examined the merits came to the conclusion that the allotment orders relied upon by the petitioners were beyond the target date involved in the case.
3. ' Learned counsel has shown us the photo copies of the disputed orders. Firstly, although very short and not in any proper form; they do, prima facie, convey at least an intention to make allotment.
4. Secondly, there are two dates found on the allotment forms. On one of the date the orders seem to have been passed--one purports to be the date of tender and the other purports to be the date of proceedings. If the former is treated as the date of allotment also the petitioners seem to have a good case for further examination; but, if the latter is treated as the date of allotment they would have, prima facie, no case.
5. ' After hearing both the learned counsel we consider just and proper to grant leave to appeal in the circumstances of this case to resolve the controversy regarding the question of allotnient; whether made or not within target date in favour of the petitioners. Order accordingly.
6. ' Security Rs,5,000.
7. ' On the question of maintaining of status quo both the learned counsel initially refuted each other regarding physical possession. However, later on they thought that each party is in possession of separate parcels of land; therefore, there would be no conflict of interests in so far as their clients are concerned. Be that as it may, both the parties if they want to retain the possession of the State land shall deposit Rs,1,000 per acre per year each, for the respective parcels of land claimed to be under their possession for reimbursement, from the date of the decision of the High Court; as also security for mesne profits payable either to the State for wrongful use and occupation or to the winning contesting party. Deposits to be made with the Collector within two months. When the deposits are made the amounts shall be invested in Khas Deposit Certificates which together with the profits shall be paid in accordance with the final judgment in the case.