MUNSHI RAM & ORS. vs FINANCIAL COMMISSIONER, HARYANA & ORS.

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 2(3) of the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953, clarifying that the term 'permissible area' for a displaced person is defined as thirty standard acres, with specific provisions for those allotted land exceeding this amount. The Court held that the appellants, being heirs of a deceased displaced person, were not entitled to the enhanced permissible area under the proviso, and their holdings exceeded the permissible limit, thus disqualifying them as 'small land-owners'. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the Full Bench's decision of the High Court.