NAUNIHAL KISHAN AND OTHERS vs R. S. CH. PRATAP SINGH AND ANOTHER

The Supreme Court held that under Section 2(6) and Section 16(4) of the Displaced Persons (Debts Adjustment) Act, 1951, a usufructuary mortgage qualifies as a debt, allowing for its scaling down irrespective of the nature of the mortgage. The Court ruled that the mortgagor is considered a debtor, and the tribunal has jurisdiction to adjust the mortgage debt without requiring a suit for redemption. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the scaling down of the mortgage debt as valid under the Act.