STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs MOHD ASHRAFUDDIN

The Supreme Court held that under the Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973, the term 'holding' encompasses both ownership and possession. The Court ruled that the respondent's land, despite being transferred under unregistered sale deeds, remains part of his holding as he retains ownership. The High Court's decision to exclude this land from the respondent's holding was erroneous, as the definition of 'held' includes ownership, not just possession, affirming that the respondent must be considered the holder of the land transferred under defective title deeds.