Godrej & Boyce Mfg.Co.Ltd. & Anr vs State Of Maharashtra & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the issuance of a notice under Section 35(3) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 does not automatically result in land being declared a 'private forest' as defined in Section 2(f)(iii) of the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975. The Court established that additional criteria must be met for such a declaration, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive assessment beyond mere notice issuance. Consequently, the appeals were allowed, and the earlier decisions were set aside.