DEPUTY COLLECTOR,MINICOY vs NAVADIGOTHI MOHAMMED .

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Lakshadweep Land Revenue and Tenancy (Allotment of Pandaram Land) Rules, 1979, stating that the inhabitants of Minicoy Island did not have vested rights to the South Pandaram Lands despite historical usufruct rights. The Court clarified that the rights conferred under the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965, did not equate to occupancy rights. The judgment of the Kerala High Court quashing the notices issued under the Rules was set aside, affirming the government's authority to allot land under the Regulation.