KAMALA RANI MITRA Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) From the judgment and order passed by the Court of first instance as well as the Court of Appeal, if find that both the Courts have rigidly followed filing of the 'B' Form return prescribed under the West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953 when it seems that the same is nothing but material irregularity. As there was no procedure for formulation of points of hearing the Second Appeal and as there is no (embargo upon the Court to formulate it even at the time of hearing, I find the Ground Nos. 7 and 8 of the Memorandum of Appeal seem to be appropriate points for hearing the Second Appeal, and finally pass the order. The Ground Nos. 7 and 8 are set out herein:

(2.) Law says that as per section 6(5) of the West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953 intermediary shall exercise his choice for retention of land under sub-section (1) within such time and in such a manner as may be prescribed. If no choice is exercised by him during the prescribed period, the revenue officer shall, after giving him an opportunity of being heard, allow him to retain so much of the lands as do not exceed the limits prescribed in clauses (c), (d) and (j) of the sub-section.

(3.) The moot point of decision is that 'B' Form was submitted to the compensation officer of the authority concerned in the place and instead of revenue of settlement officer. Both the Courts held that such filing is as good as non-filing. Therefore, the plaintiffs are not entitled to any relief in respect of filing of 'B' form, even to the extent of question of wrong submission. The learned Judge of the first Appellate Court held that no presumption can be drawn in respect of such production and the compensation officer is not bound to return the land to the person concerned or to the appropriate authority to regularise the same.