SMT. BHAGWANTI DEVI AND ANR. vs STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 12(3) of the Haryana Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972, surplus lands declared under the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953, vest in the State, regardless of the appellants' continued possession and use of the land. The Court found that the appellants' claim to retain ownership based on their prior possession and the non-utilization of the land was without merit, as the statutory provisions clearly mandated the vesting of surplus lands. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed, affirming the High Court's ruling.