In Brief
The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against a High Court judgment that set aside orders under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, whereby surplus land was vested in the State for public housing. The respondent, claiming to be the legal heir of the original declarant, sued for a declaration that the land was free from the Act since possession had not been taken. The Supreme Court held that civil courts lack jurisdiction to challenge final orders of competent authorities under the self-contained ULC Act. Since possession was taken and documented (with the respondent's own signature), and the land was subsequently used for constructing houses for poor dwellers, the suit was not maintainable. The appeal was allowed and the original suit dismissed.
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