RAM KISHAN Vs. MOOLA RAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Civil writ petition Nos. 2654 and 2808 of 1966 which have similar facts raise the same questions of law and are therefore disposed of together.

(2.) Moola Ram, respondent No. 1, was a tenant in occupation of some lands belonging jointly to the petitioners and their family members respondent Nos. 4 to 8. Smt. Raj Kumari, petitioner in C.W. No. 2808 of 1966, is the widow of the brother of Shri Ram Kishan, petitioner in C.W. No. 2654 of 1966. Respondent Nos. 4 to 7 are Ram Kishan's brothers.

(3.) Moola Ram had filed applications against his landlords for the purchase of the land in his occupation under Section 18 of the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953 (hereinafter briefly referred to 'as the Act'). Respondent Nos. 4 to 7 were found to be small landowners and the tenant's purchase applications filed against these respondents were dismissed by the Revenue Officers of the State of Haryana, respondent Nos. 2 and 3. There is no controversy between the parties with regard to this part of the case. Moola Ram's purchase applications were, however, granted in respect of certain areas of land as against the petitioners Ram Kishan and Raj Kumari. Moola Ram, the tenant, had also deposited some instalments of the price and was to be deemed to have become the owner of the land by virtue of the provisions of Section 18(4)(b) of the Act.