RAJA SATYENDRA NARAYAN SINCH Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment and order of the High Court of Patna, (Ranchi Bench) dated 31st August, 1979.

(2.) It involves the question of the right of ex-intermediaries to get compensation for the minerals which were not exploited by the ex-landlords on the date of vesting the estate under Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act').

(3.) Raja Nilkanth Narayan Singh of Sawagarh estate was the ex-landlord whose estate vested by virtue of the notification under the Act with effect from 4th November, 1951. The petitioners before the High Court and the appellants herein are the successors-in-interest being the grandson and the daughter-in-law of the late Nilakanth Narayan Singh. The estate of the ex-landlord comprised, inter alia, tauzi Nos. 14 and 15 of the District Collectorate of Dhanbad within the aforesaid tauzis. These were vast areas of mineral-bearing lands owned by the exproprietor of the estate. Some part of the said area was being worked by the lessees under the leases granted to them who paid royalty to late Nilkanth Narayan Singh, aforesaid, who, it might be stated, died in November, 1969 in a state of jointness with other appellants.