THE AUTHORISED OFFICER, THANJAVUR & ANR. vs S. NAGANATHA AYYAR

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 22 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961, holding that any transfer of land made between the commencement of the Act and the notified date that defeats the provisions of the Act is void, regardless of the bona fides of the transaction. The Court clarified that the Authorized Officer has the authority to declare such transfers void if they reduce the surplus land available for distribution. The ruling emphasized that the language of Section 22 is clear and does not require the imposition of additional conditions regarding the nature of the transfers.