RESHMU vs RAJINDER SINGH

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision affirming that Suram Singh is the owner in possession of the disputed land following a pre-emption decree under Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act. The Court clarified that actual possession was not necessary for the plaintiff to assert ownership, as he was a co-sharer in the joint khata, and the defendants' claim of adverse possession was not substantiated. The appeal by the defendants was dismissed, reinforcing the principle that pre-emption rights confer ownership despite lack of physical possession.