HARBHAJAN SINGH . vs STATE OF PUNJAB .

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Punjab Religious Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1997, affirming the High Court's dismissal of writ petitions challenging its vires. The Court clarified that the Act provides a summary procedure for evicting unauthorized occupants of religious properties, emphasizing the need to protect religious institutions from maladministration. The Court held that the explanation to Section 3(a) of the Act does not create an unintelligible classification and that mere payment of rent does not confer legal status as a tenant under the Act.