GAYARAM PATEL & ORS vs KAILASH CHAND PANIGRAHI

The Supreme Court held that the appellant was in Khas possession of the land in dispute and thus deemed to be an intermediary under Section 7 of the Orissa Estates Abolition Act, 1951. The Court clarified that the appellant's designation as 'gaontia thikadari patta' indicated his role as an intermediary, distinct from a raiyat or actual tiller. Consequently, the High Court's decision was overturned, restoring the land to the appellant as an occupancy tenant.