T. R. BHAVANI SHANKAR JOSHI vs SOMASUNDARA MOOPANAR

The Supreme Court ruled that the properties of the late Rajah of Tanjore, seized by the Government, were not subject to any antecedent rights upon their restoration to the Rajah's widows in 1962. The Court held that the Government's action constituted a fresh grant under the Madras Estates Land Act, 1908, specifically Section 55, rather than a mere restoration of prior rights. The terms 'relinquished' and 'restored' did not revive any rights lost due to the act of State, establishing that the root of title for the grantees was the Government order itself.