THE STATE OF KARNATAKA vs KRISHNOJI RAO

The Supreme Court held that the orders granting 100 acres for afforestation and 109.34 guntas for grazing purposes became final and could not be challenged due to the reversal of the earlier order by the Deputy Commissioner under suo motu powers. The Court emphasized that the rights of the Watan under Section 4 of the Bombay Paragana and Kulkarniki Watan (Abolition) Act, 1950, are subject to the rights created in Section 4-A of the Act. The appeal was allowed, and the matter was remitted to the High Court for a merits-based decision on the writ petition, confirming the part of the order in favor of the State that had become final.