RAM KRISSEN SINGH vs DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICERBANKURA DIVISION & OTHERS

The Supreme Court examined the validity of Section 5(aa) of the West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953, as amended by Act 25 of 1957, which provided for the vesting of rights to cut trees in the State. The Court held that the language of Section 5(aa) was sufficient to include rights held by third parties, clarifying that the phrase 'together with' did not impose a condition that the rights must belong to the landowner. The appellant's writ petition was dismissed, affirming the State's claim over the rights to cut trees granted by the zamindar to the appellant.