SOHAN LAL Vs. STATE OF H P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER's father Hakam Ram had been given, on lease, six bigha land in a village in Nalagarh Tehsil of Solan District, in the year 1970. The land was earlier part of Shamlat land of the village. It vested in the Panchayat, under Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961.

(2.) IN the year 1972, after the merger of Nalagarh area of erstwhile State of Punjab in the Himachal Pradesh Union Territory and after the conferment of Statehood on Himachal Pradesh Union Territory, in the year 1971, an Act, known as Himachal Pradesh Village Common Lands (Vesting and Utilization) Act, 1972, was passed, by virtue of which all the common lands, including the village common lands, which had vested in the Panchayat, in the area, earlier forming part of erstwhile State of Punjab, vested in the State. The Act provided for examination of leases created Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? by the Panchayats for the purpose of their regularisation by the District Collectors. Petitioner's father's lease was considered by the District Collector, Solan and regularised vide order dated 23rd April, 1976, copy Annexure P-1.

(3.) IN the reply, aforesaid facts are not disputed. However, it is alleged that some clarification has been sought from the Government by the Sub Divisional Collector and because that clarification is still awaited, petitioner's application is pending.