In Brief
The Supreme Court heard appeals by the State of Kerala challenging a High Court order that disposed of a writ appeal concerning disputed forest land without deciding contentious issues on merit. The State's counsel had made a concession during the Division Bench hearing, but this was alleged to be unauthorised and made under misconception. The Court held that given the complexity of the dispute, involving Forest and Revenue laws and prior decisions by a Tribunal and Single Judge, the writ appeal deserved fresh decision on merits. The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order, remanded the case for fresh hearing, and clarified it expressed no opinion on the substantive merits to ensure an uninfluenced decision by the High Court.
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