LINGAPPA POCHANNA APPELWAR AND ORS. vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR. ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Maharashtra Restoration of Lands to Scheduled Tribes Act, 1974, which annulled transfers of agricultural lands by tribals to non-tribals, citing Articles 14, 19(1)(f), and 31 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized the state's competency to enact such legislation aimed at protecting the rights of weaker sections and found the provisions not arbitrary or void. The Court also ruled that the bar on advocates appearing in proceedings under the Act was reasonable, thus affirming the restoration of possession to the tribal respondent.