STATE OF BOMBAY vs SARDAR VENKAT RAO KRISHNA RAO GUJAR

The Supreme Court ruled that under Section 5(a) of the Madhya Pradesh Abolition of Proprietary Rights (Estates, Mahals, Alienated Lands) Act, 1950, uncovered ottas and chabutras qualify as 'buildings' and thus the land on which they exist must be settled with the ex-proprietor. The Court held that the respondent was entitled to the land appurtenant to these structures, emphasizing that the term 'buildings' should be interpreted literally. The judgment clarified the rights of proprietors post-abolition of proprietary interests, affirming the respondent's claim to the land in question.