In Brief
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal of landholders who challenged a High Court order directing restoration of their land to the Gram Panchayat. The High Court had passed this order based on a writ petition without hearing the appellants despite them being named as party respondents. The Supreme Court held that the principle of natural justice requires that parties to judicial proceedings must be heard before any order is passed against them. The order was set aside and the case remitted to the High Court for reconsideration after hearing all parties.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.