CHINTAMANI GAJANAN VELKAR vs STATE OF MAHARASHTA

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 6 of the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975, determining that the vesting of private forest land in the State requires both the issuance and service of notice under Section 35(3) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, prior to the commencement of the Maharashtra Act. The Court upheld the Deputy Collector's initial ruling that the land did not vest in the State due to improper notice service, thereby reversing the Revenue Tribunal's decision. The appeal was allowed, affirming the appellant's ownership of the land.