RAM SINGH & ORS. vs GRAM PANCHAYAT MEHAL KALAN & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 11 of the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961, the Collector has exclusive jurisdiction to decide claims regarding land vested in a Panchayat, and Section 13 explicitly bars civil courts from adjudicating such matters. The Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court's ruling that the civil suit was not maintainable as it failed to seek a declaration regarding the land's status as shamlat deh, which is a prerequisite for civil court jurisdiction. The decision reinforces the statutory framework that limits civil court involvement in disputes over shamlat deh lands.