SUKHRAM SINGH AND ANOTHER vs SMT. HARBHEJI

The Supreme Court held that Section 157(1)(a) of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1951, must be interpreted to apply retrospectively, aligning with the retrospective amendment of Section 21(h). The Court emphasized that if Section 21(h) is given retrospective effect, then Section 157(1) should also be treated similarly to avoid rendering the retrospective nature of Section 21(h) ineffective. The Court concluded that the Compensation Officer's earlier decision regarding the appellants' status as Adhivasis could not be reopened based on the retrospective application of the amended provisions.