MADHARAO RAJESHWAR DESHPANDE vs SHANKER SINGH & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the appellant could not raise a contention based on Section 42(c) of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Land (Vidharbha and Kutch Area) Act, 1958, as it was not included in earlier pleadings. The Court affirmed that the first respondent became a statutory owner under Section 46(1) as of April 1, 1961, regardless of his failure to exercise the right of purchase. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the lower courts' decisions.