In Brief
The Supreme Court considered whether ceiling land proceedings had lapsed under the U.P. Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act amendments. The Prescribed Authority had declared 51.29 acres surplus in 1975. An appeal was filed but abated under Section 31(2) of the 1976 Amendment Act, which required fresh redetermination under the amended scheme. The Appellate Authority incorrectly heard the appeal on merits in 1987. The Court held that the new legislative scheme (1972 and 1976 amendments) mandatorily required redetermination of surplus land, no discretion existed, and the appeal abated on 10 October 1975. The High Court's judgment was set aside and the appeal allowed.
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