THAKORESHRI NAHARSINGHJI DOLATSINGHJI & 2 ORS. vs STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 5(1)(b) of the Bombay Merged Territories and Areas (Jagirs Abolition) Act, 1953, the appellant became an 'occupant' of the land, which included the rights to the forest trees standing thereon. The Court clarified that the absence of a formal survey settlement did not negate the appellant's rights, as the jagirdar's prior settlement was recognized. Consequently, the governmental authorities were found to have no right to interfere with the appellant's dealings with the forest trees before the enactment of the Gujarat Private Forests (Acquisition) Act.