RAJA OF RAMNOD Vs. MANGALAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Their Lordships need not trouble the respondents' counsel. This is an appeal which deals with the settlement of puttahs under the Madras Estates Land Act 1 of 1908. Before the subject matter of the appeal is dealt with one preliminary observation can properly be made. This litigation has lasted from 1909 until the present time. Partly no doubt on this account; the record has assumed substantial proportions. Their Lordships are indebted to Mr. De Gruyther for the lucid and concise way in which he has presented the case to them, thereby, in their Lordships' opinion, saving a great deal of public time.

(2.) Now, under the Act in question, where a difference arises between the landholder and the ryot as to the form which the patta should take, procedure is provided by which the difference can be determined by the Collector. Ss. 55, 56 and 57 of the Act contain the relevant provisions. S. 55 relates to the case where the landholder fails to grant a patta in such terms as the ryot is entitled to. There the ryot can sue for the proper patta before the Collector.

(3.) Under S. 56 when the ryot fails to accept the patta tendered to him and to give a muchalka in exchange, the land-holder may sue before the Collector to enforce the acceptance of such patta.