STATE OF TAMIL NADU vs HIS HOLINESS S.L.S.A.P.S.A. .

The Supreme Court addressed the appeal concerning the issuance of ryotwari patta under the Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963. The Court held that the land in question is presumed to be ryoti land based on the definition of 'private land' under Section 3(13) of the Act and the continuous possession of the tenants. The Court confirmed the validity of the ryotwari patta granted to the first respondent, emphasizing that the cultivation test for religious institutions has been dispensed with by the Amendment Act 27 of 1966, thus upholding the High Court's decision.