VIDYA VATI vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that Section 32-A(1) of The Pepsu Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1955 imposes a ban on holding land in excess of permissible limits that operates at any time a person is found to own or hold such land, not just at the commencement of the Act. The Court dismissed the appellant's claim for exemption under Section 32-K for 10 acres for an orchard, stating that the interpretation of 'own or hold' in Section 32-A cannot be limited to the date of the Act's commencement. The decision of the High Court was upheld, confirming the collector's declaration of excess land ownership.