Judgment Case ID: 508

Judgment:
351 of 1954. Petition under Article 32 of the Constitution for the enforcement of fundamental rights. 803 N. section Bindra	 Udhai Bhan Choudhury and Gopal 	Singh	 for the petitioners. section L. Pandhi and K. L. Mehta	 for the Intervener. March 29. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by JAGANNADHADAS J. This is an application under article 32 of the Constitution by the petitioners	 Amar Singh and four others	 in the following circumstances. All these five are displaced persons who owned land in the non suburban village of Chak. No. 159 RB	 Tahsil Jaranwala	 District Lyallpur in Pakistan. They were also co sharers in a joint khata owned by some evacuees in village Sultanwind	 a suburb of Amritsar in East Punjab. On their displacement	 they were in the first instance temporarily allotted agricultural land in Sultanwind. Having regard to their original position in the village	 they were. allotted in the year 1949 a	 total area of 38 standard acres and 13 units of agricultural land. therein. This allotment had to be disturbed under the following circumstances. The Director General of Relief and Rehabilitation (Additional Custodian) directed by an order dated January 7	 1950	 that out of the 1	263 standard acres and 1 3/4 units of suburban land of Amritsar	 142 standard acres and 5 units were to be allotted to allottees of Provincial Gardens. This necessitated readjustment of allotments of the suburban land of Sultanwind amongst the various groups who had quasi permanent allotment therein. As a result of this readjustment which had to be carried out according to certain rules and instructions	 the allotment of these five petitioners (as also of some others) was proposed for cancellation by the order of the Deputy Custodian	 Amritsar	 dated July 31	 1951. This proposal was approved by the Custodian (Financial Commissioner	 Relief and Rehabilitation) on February 6	 1952	 and the allotment was cancelled. The proposal and the order of cancellation are said to have been passed without notice to the petitioners. Being aggrieved thereby they moved the Custodian General of Evacuee Property for revision thereof under section 27 of the Administration of Evacuee 804 Property Act	 1950 (XXXI of 1950). This was dealt with by the Deputy Custodian General who dismissed the same by a fairly elaborate order dated May 1	 1954	 after hearing the parties. The petitioners have come up to this Court by this application under article 32 of the Constitution. The case of the petitioners is that the allotment to them was on quasi permanent basis and that	 therefore	 they have acquired certain rights in the lands which constitute 'property '. They urge that the order of the Custodian cancelling the allotment and that of the Deputy Custodian General affirming the same are in violation of their fundamental rights to property under articles 19 (1) (f)	 31 (1) and 31 (2) of the Constitution. They accordingly contend that they are entitled to have these orders quashed and their rights to property declared and protected. That the petitioners are allottees of agricultural land on the basis of what has come to be known as quasi permanent allotment is not disputed. It is also not disputed that cancellation thereof was under the purported exercise of powers vested in the Custodian under certain provisions of the (XXXI of 1950) and the rules framed thereunder taken with some executive instructions. It may be mentioned that the term "quasi permanent allotment" appears to be a term which has come into vogue in later statutory rules and has at no time been specifically defined	 though it appears to be now fairly well understood. The two substantial questions that arise	 therefore	 for consideration are (1) whether the rights of a quasi permanent allottee constitute property within the meaning of the articles above referred to	 and (2) whether the orders of the Custodian and Deputy Custodian General cancelling the quasi permanent allotment amount to violation of fundamental rights contemplated by the above articles. Both these questions require a review of the Evacuee Property Law in so far as it relates to the allotment of agricultural lands of the evacuees to displaced land holders and an appreciation of 'the background of the circumstances that necessitated it. 805 The Declaration of Independence and the partition of India into Pakistan and India on August 15	 1947	 was accompanied by mass migrations of Non Muslims from West Punjab to East Punjab and of Muslims from	 East Punjab to West Punjab. These mass migrations were on a stupendous scale. About five million persons are said to have moved from each side to the other. This was done in a state of panic generated by communal riots. Migrants from West Punjab reached East Punjab almost destitute. This unprecedented situation brought in its train gigantic problems of administration relating to rehabilitation resettlement of these persons. One of such problems was that relating to agricultural	 immovable proerty	 left on either side by the migrants. For purposes of convenience persons who crossed over from East Punjab to West Punjab are referred to as evacuees and persons who came over from West Punjab to East Punjab are referred to as displaced persons. The displaced persons are said to have left in Pakistan lands of the extent of about 67 lakh acres. The evacuees seem to have left in East Punjab and Pepsu	 lands of the extent of about 47 lakh acres. This meant a deficit of over 20 lakh acres for resettlement. It would appear that in the earlier stages there were attempts to settle the question by way of mutual exchanges either individually or at the governmental level and by means of inter dominion conferences between India and Pakistan. But for one reason or other	 these attempts appear to have failed. The various steps and administrative measures taken to settle	 the displaced agricultural population who came over from West Punjab	 on the hurriedly abandoned lands of the evacuees from East Punjab	 are to be found described in the Land Resettlement Manual by Shri Tarlok Singh who was the Director General of Relief and Rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as the Resettlement Manual). In Dunichand Hakim vs Deputy COMMISSIONER (Deputy Custodian	 Evacuee Property)	 Karnal (1)	 this book has been referred to by this Court as having the stamp of authority. It can be usefully referred to not (1) ; 806 necessarily as an authority for every statement of fact or law contained therein but as a guide to appreciate the background of the problems which the administration had to face in that unprecedented situation	 how the administration attempted to solve the same	 what were the rules and practice which the administration normally followed and considered binding on itself	 and what ideas inspired the course of legislation in this behalf. It appears therefrom that within about a month after the partition of India	 the Government had to take an emergency decision to allot evacuee lands to groups of displaced persons on temporary basis. But this was found not to satisfy the displaced landholders. There was ' insistent pressure from them for such allotment as would enable them to settle on the lands of the evacuees on a permanent basis. This led to the abandonment of the policy of temporary allotments and the introduction of a system of allotment which came to be known as quasi permanent allotment. This policy was announced by the Government of East Punjab in its Press Communique dated February 7	 1948	 which is reproduced at pages 28 and 29 of the Resettlement Manual. The following extract therefrom is instructive: " The East Punjab Government propose to replace the present system of temporary allotments of evacuee lands by a new system of allotments which will take account of the holdings of evacuees in West Punjab. The new allotments will not confer rights of ownership or permanent occupancy	 but the possession of allottees will be maintained. Claims of allottees will be dealt with in accordance with decisions reached eventually regarding the treatment of evacuee property. In the new scheme of allotments	 land will be allotted only to those who	 in West Punjab	 were owners	 occupancy tenants under the Punjab Tenancy Act	 and tenants under the Colonization of Government Lands Act and to certain other classes of grantees and holders of land in West Punjab to be specified by Government. It is proposed to give to small holders allotments of equivalent areas	 while in the case of larger holders there will be graded cuts. The definition 807 of the " Small Holders " and the details of the graded cuts will be determined when detailed information regarding the available areas in East Punjab and the East Punjab States	 the areas held by the population to be settled in East Punjab and the East Punjab States	 and other relevant information becomes available. It is intended to complete the new system of allotments in East Punjab and the East Punjab States	 not later than the 31st May	 1948. Government are	 however	 anxious to introduce the new scheme as early as may be feasible and steps to this end will be taken at once. Arrangements for collecting complete information regarding the land available for allotment in East Punjab and the East Punjab States and the land abandoned by individual evacuees will be taken in hand without delay and it is hoped also to make arrangements on a reciprocal basis to secure infor mation from records of rights in West Punjab. To ensure accurate information an Ordinance will shortly be promulgated prescribing punishment for false information regarding claims to land and action by way of forfeiture and otherwise in respect of allotments taken on false information. Claims to land will be invited on a form to be prescribed by Government. Until the new system of allotments can be introduced	 the	 present system of allotments will continue and allotments made to the present holders will be maintained subject to a complete scrutiny of existing allotments	 cancellation of unauthorised and excessive allotments	 dispossession from illicit occupation and such other adjustments as may be necessary including adjustments in the unit of allotment decided upon by Government." To facilitate the process of resettling the displaced persons on evacuated land on this new basis of allotment various steps became necessary. They are roughly the following. Registration and verification of land claims. Assessment and valuation of such claims	 808 3. Classification of the villages and of lands of evacuees available for allotment. Allocation of the claims to various areas with reference to such classification. Allotment of lands to individuals with reference to the valuation of their claims	 guided by various considerations	 priorities and preferences and so forth administratively determined. The basic idea which inspired and regulated these measures was that the displaced landholder is to be allotted (subject to graded cuts) such lands out of the evacuee agricultural land which	 in its extent	 quality and other relevant features	 bear some reasonable relation and correspondence to the lands left by him in West Punjab. All these steps involved very elaborate administrative measures as indicated above. We are concerned in this context to trace the legislation which brought about these steps and to examine whether and to what extent such legislation recognised property rights in the displaced land holders. But before tracing the legislative measures which brought about the quasi permanent allotments of evacuee lands in favour of displaced land holders from West Punjab	 it will be convenient to have a brief survey of the present law in its application to administration of evacuee property of* all kinds in general with the history of such of the provisions therein as are relevant for our purpose and then to consider the relevant legislative measures taken specifically with reference to agricultural land. The earliest legislative measure in this behalf is the East Punjab Evacuees ' (Administration of Property) Ordinance	 1947	 (E.P. Ordinance IV of 1947) dated September 14	 1947	 which was a simple measure defining the terms I evacuee '	 I evacuee property '	 and I Custodian of evacuee property ' and other terms	 and authorising the appointment of a Custodian. It gave the Custodian power to take possession of evacuee property and to take all measures necessary and expedient for preserving such property. It vested in him extensive powers of management thereof. This was an emergency measure which appears to have 809 been meant to get possession of the properties as a care taker. This was superseded and followed by a series of legislative measures which underwent modifications from time to time. These legislative measures were in the first instance Provincial	 viz.	 East Punjab Evacuees ' (Administration of Property) Act	 1947 (E.P. XIV of 1947); East Punjab Evacuees ' (Administration of Property) (Second Amendment) Ordinance	 1948 (E.P. Ordinance XVI of 1948); East Punjab Evacuees '(Administration of Property) Second Amendment) Act	 1948 (E.P. XLIX of 1948); and East Punjab Evacuee Property (Administration) Ordinance	 1949 (E.P. Ordinance IX of 1949). These Provincial measures were repealed and superseded by Central legislation	 viz.	 Administration of Evacuee Property Ordinance	 1949 (Ordinance XXVII of 1949) amended by the Administration of Evacuee Property (Amendment) Ordinance	 1950 (Ordinance IV of 1950). These were repealed and superseded by the (XXXI of 1950). The main provisions of Central Act XXXI of 1950	 which	 with some modifications	 is at present in force	 may now be noticed so far as they are relevant. Under sections 5 and 6 of the Act an administrative machinery consisting of Custodians	 Additional	 Deputy and Assistant Custodians of Evacuee Property	 is set up for each State by the State Government thereof. They are under the general superintendence and control of a Custodian General appointed by the Central Government who has	 for his assistance	 Deputy and Assistant Custodian Generals	 who are also appointed by the Central Government. The terms 1 evacuee ' and " evacuee property ' are defined in section 2 (d) and (f) and the Custodian is given power to determine and notify evacuee property under section 7. All property declared as 'evacuee property ' becomes vested in the Custodian under section 8. The Custodian has under section 9 the power to take possession of all the 'evacuee property ' so vested in him. Section 10 enumerates the powers and 104 810 duties of the Custodian generally and declares that he may take such measures as he considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of securing	 administering	 preserving and managing any evacuee property and generally for the purposes of enabling him satisfactorily to discharge any of the duties imposed on him by or under the Act	 and may	 for any such purpose as afore said	 do all acts and incur all expenses necessary or incidental thereto. One of the duties laid on the Custodian is the maintenance of accounts under section 15. Section 15 (1) says that the Custodian shall maintain a separate account of the property of such evacuee	 possession whereof has been taken by him	 and shall cause to be made therein entries of all receipts and expenditure in respect thereof. Section 16 provides for restoration of property to the evacuee on his application and enjoins the Custodian to furnish the evacuee on demand with a statement containing an abstract of the account of the income received and expenditure incurred in respect of the property. The general powers of management vested in the Custodian under section 10 enable him to grant leases and make allotments out of evacuee property in favour of displaced landholders. This is subject to the power vested in him under section 12 (1) to vary or cancel leases or allotments of evacuee property. There are a number of other substantive and incidental provinsions which it is unnecessary to refer to for the purposes of this petition. Thus	 the 'broad features of the administration of evacuee property law	 as indicated from the provisions above noticed	 are the following : 1. All evacuee property is vested in the Custodian. He has the duty of managing the property and maintaining accounts for such management and has large administrative powers. As incidental to such management he can grant leases and make allotments. He has the power to vary or cancel leases and allotments. 811 5. The evacuee can come forward and apply for return of the evacuee property and such property is liable to be restored to him. The Custodian	 presumably on such restoration	 has to furnish to the evacuee on demand	 a statement containing an abstract of the account of the income received and expenditure incurred in respect of the property. In addition to large administrative functions for the purposes of the Act	 the Custodian has also the function of deciding various matters of a quasi judicial nature	 such as (1) whether a person is an evacuee or whether certain property is evacuee property; (2) whether a transfer of evacuee property is or is not to be confirmed; (3) whether a lease or an allotment is or is not to be cancelled or varied; and (4) whether property is to be restored to the d so forth. The actions of the Custodian and his subordinates in exercise of their administrative as well as of ' quasi judicial functions are subject to appeal and revision by the higher authorities under the Act as provided under sections 24 to 27. Section 28 provides that orders made under the above sections shall be final and shall not be called in question in any original suit	 application or execution proceeding. Section 46 bars the jurisdiction of the civil or revenue courts in respect of any matter which the Custodian General or the Custodian is empowered by or under the Act to determine. The history of some of the above statutory provisions as traceable from the corresponding provisions 	of the earlier legislation is significant. The provision vesting evacuee property in the Custodian was not enacted in the earlier East Punjab Ordinance IV of 1947. But it was enacted by the next legislative measure	 East Punjab Act XIV of 1947	 which declared the vesting of evacuee property	 and provided that the property " shall continue to be so vested until the Provincial Government by notification otherwise directs. " This last clause was substituted in 1948 by an Amending Act	 by the clause " until it is returned to the owner in accordance with the provisions of 812 section 12 This clause as to the duration of such vesting was omitted in the later Central legislation and was substituted by the phrase " shall continue to so vest. " (See Central Ordinance XXVII of 1949 and Central Act XXXI of 1950). The earliest provision for return of evacuee property to the evacuee is in East Punjab Ordinance IV of 1947. Section 12 thereof provided that the owner of any property in the possession or control of the Custodian shall be entitled to restoration thereof upon application to the Custodian and on payment of excess	 if any	 of expenditure over receipts from the management of such property by the Custodian. In East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 which superseded this Ordinance	 this right of restoration to the evacuee was qualified by virtue of section 12 (1) thereof which is as follows: On being satisfied that evacuees have returned or are returning to the Province	 the Provincial Government may by notification in the Official Gazette authorise return of their immovable property to the owners in accordance with this section. " Sub section (2) of section 12 provided that any person claiming to be entitled to any such property may apply in writing to the Custodian who	 after giving public notice and holding an enquiry	 will make a formal order declaring the person to whom possession of the property may be delivered. In Central Ordinance XXVII of 1949 and in Central Act XXXI of 1950	 the provision for restoration of property to the evacuee in section 16 thereof is that the Custodian may	 on application by the evacuee or his heir	 restore to him the property subject to such terms and conditions as he may think fit to impose provided that the applicant produces a certificate from the Central Government that the property may be so restored if he is otherwise entitled to it. Thus it will be seen that while the earliest East Punjab Ordinance of 1947 recognised almost an unrestricted right in the evacuee to obtain restoration of property this was changed shortly thereafter by the East Punjab Act of 1947 which required that such return by the Custodian can only follow a 813 notification by the Provincial Government as to its being 'satisfied that evacuees have returned or are returning and authorising the return of the property. The Central legislation of 1949 and of 1950 however lessened the rigour of it by requiring only a preliminary certificate from the Central Government by the individual applicant concerned. Next	 it may be noticed that neither East Punjab Ordinance IV of 1947 nor East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 which replaced it refer to or define either the word 	lease ' or 'allotment '. These two words were for the first time defined only by the amending East Punjab Ordinance XVI of 1948 and it was made clear therein that an allotment was different from a lease. From the historical background it would appear likely that the word allotment ' was used for the grant of property to displaced landholders while 'lease ' was intended to denote a temporary grant to other displaced persons. But even so the temporary character of the right ' involved in the word 'allotment ' was specified by defining allotment ' as meaning the grant by the Custodian of a temporary right of use and occupation of evacuee property to any person otherwise than by way of lease. This temporary character of the right was reiterated also in East Punjab Ordinance IX of 1949 and in Central Ordinance XXVII of 1949. It is only in Central Act XXXI of 1950 that by section 2 (a) thereof the word 'temporary ' in the definition of the word allotment ' was dropped and allotment ' is defined as meaning the grant by a person duly authorised of a right of use or occupation of an immovable evacuee property to any other person but does not include a grant by way of a lease. Thus the legislation of 1950 for the first time contemplated that allotment may be otherwise than temporary. This Act as well as the previous Central ordinance completely omitted the definition of the word 'lease '. These changes were apparently necessitated by the fact that	 in between	 Punjab Government notification dated July 8	 1949	 came into operation providing for what has become subsequently known as quasi permanent allotment. 814 The provisions of that notification and the legal effect thereof will be noticed in due course. We may next trace the provisions in the various Acts relating to the power of cancellation of allotments in so far as they appear from the body of the main Ordinances and Acts themselves	 leaving aside for the time being the rules framed thereunder. If may be mentioned that in the rest of the judgment in noticing the statutory provisions which deal with leases and allotments together	 all reference to leases are omitted for the sake of simplification. The earliest provision in this behalf is section 9 A of East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 which was inserted into it by East Punjab Ordinance XVI of 1948 replaced by East Punjab Act XLIX of 1948. Sub section (2) of a. 9 A provides that notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment for the time being in force	 'the Custodian may cancel any allotment or amend the terms of any agreement on which any evacuee property is held or occupied by any person	 whether such agreement was entered into before or after the coming into force of East Punjab Ordinance XVI of 1948. It is further provided by sub sections (3) and (4) thereof	 that if a person is in unauthorised possession of any evacuee property the Custodian may treat such person either as a tenant or as a trespasser and that a person treated as a trespasser	 on cancellation of allotment	 shall	 on demand	 surrender possession to the Custodian. The subsequent East Punjab Ordinance IX of 1949	 Central Ordinance XXVII of 1949 and Central Act XXXI of 1950 contain substantially the same provisions relating to cancellation of allotments. It may be mentioned that all these legislative measures had a section relating to rule making power right from the time. of East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 and also a provision that the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith in any enactment other than that Act. (See sections 22 and 18 B of East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 and sections 55	 56 and 4 of ' Central Act XXI of 1950). By virtue of this 815 rule making power	 the Provincial Government and the Central Government made rules from time to time	 which will be noticed presently. From the above history of alterations at short intervals In some of the main relevant provisions	 it is clear that the legislation was being adjusted from time to time with reference to the exigencies and difficulties of the different problems which had to be grappled with	 both in the matter of internal administration as also on account of inter dominion conferences between Pakistan and India. It may be mentioned that during the two year period between the first Provincial legislation in 1947 and the first Central legislation in 1949 there were as many as six inter dominion conferences	 i.e.	 in January 1948	 April 1948	 July 1948	 December 1948	 April 1949 and June 1949. Stopping here it will be seen that the position	 in its general aspect	 is that all evacuee property is vested in the Custodian. But the evacuee has not lost his ownership in it. The law recognised his ultimate ownership subject to certain limitations. the evacuee may come back and obtain return of his property	 as also an account of the management thereof	 by the Custodian. Such return which was originally contemplated without any restriction	 is subsequently dependent on 'a notification or a certificate of the Central Government. Until such return the Custodian may manage the property by granting allotments in favour of displaced persons. The nature of an allotment is clear from its definition that it is grant of the right of use and occupation. This in the first instance was contemplated as being only temporary. By a later definition	 it was made wider so as not to be restricted to a temporary use and occupation. But the allotment is clearly	 subject to the power of cancellation thereof vested in the Custodian	 which will entitle him to obtain its possession. Such rules were undergoing alterations from time to time. In such a situation it would prima facie be difficult to 816 recognise the allottee of any evacuee property	 in so far as his position is governed by the main provisions of the Evacuee Property Administration Acts (unaffected by any specific rules applicable to any particular class of property or any specific arrangement or contract)	 as a person having some kind of property or having a recognised interest therein which by itself constitutes 'property '. It is more in the nature of a licence which is liable to be cancelled by the grantor. It may be mentioned that there appear to be certain rules made by the East Punjab Government dated August 6	 1948	 under East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 as amended in 1948 relating to cancellation of allotments. But the text of these rules was not available to us. However this may be	 it is urged that certain other legislative measures and statutory rules made in exercise of the statutory powers	 have made a difference in the position arising in respect of allotments of agricultural lands granted in favour of displaced persons in East Punjab who left landed property in West Punjab. It is	 therefore	 necessary to review the same. The first measure for the resettlement of the displaced land holders of West Punjab on evacuee lands was	 the East Punjab Refugees (Registration of Land Claims) Ordinance	 1948 (E. P. Ordinance VII of 1948) which was replaced by East Punjab Refugees (Registration of Land Claims) Act	 1948 (E. P. XII of 1948). It is in pursuance of the rules framed under this Act that what is known as the Parcha claim and the form therefor were standardised calling for accurate information as regards quite	 a large number of details which had to be taken into consideration in determining the land to be allotted to a displaced land holder. This was followed by the East Punjab Displaced Persons (.Land Resettlement) Ordinance	 1949 (E. P. Ordinance XIV of 1949) which was replaced by the East Punjab Displaced Persons (Land Resettlement) Act	 1949 (E. P. XXXVI of 1949). This Act was meant " to provide for the allotment of evacuee lands	 in East Punjab. " The right of an allottee to possession of the 817 land allotted subject to payment of rent	 etc.	 to the Custodian or his right to a share in the rent from the present holder thereof (that is	 the cultivating occupant)	 if any	 and other incidents arising from such possession were specified in this Act. In between these two Acts	 notification No. 4892/s dated July 8	 1949	 was issued by the Punjab Government in exercise of the rule making power vested in it under cls. (f) and (ff) of sub section (2) of section 22 of East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 as amended in 1948. This notification sets out the statement of conditions on which the Custodian could grant allotments of land vested in him. This notification is virtually the charter of the rights of allottees. It is the basis of what has come to be known as the quasi permanent allotment. In the rules set out in this notification a I displaced person ' is defined as I a land holder in West Punjab etc. ' and it is specified that " an allotment shall be made in favour of a displaced person and for a period for which the land remains vested in the Custodian. " The word 'allottee ' is defined as including " heirs	 legal representatives and lessees of the allottee. " It may be mentioned in this context that East Punjab Displaced Persons (Land Resettlement) Act	 1949	 mentioned above	 which was passed shortly after these rules were notified also defines the word I allottee ' and says that allottee means " a displaced person to whom land is allotted by the Custodian under the conditions published with East Punjab Government notification No. 4892/S dated July 8	 1949 and includes his heirs	 legal representatives and sub lessees." Thus the definitions of the word I allottee ' in the rules of July 8	 1949 and under the Act passed shortly thereafter recognise not only that an allotment is to be in favour of a displaced land holder for the period the land is vested in the Custodian but that it enures for the benefit of his heirs and legal representatives. Therefore	 the first incident of allotment implicit in this is the heritability of the rights of the allottee which constitute quasi permanent allotment under the above mentioned notification of July 8	 1949. Various other rights are specified in 105 318 cls. 3	 4	 5	 7 and 8 of the said notification. These will be summarised later. But it is to be noticed that the allotment itself is subject to resumption under el. (6) thereof. Before considering the nature of the interest which these various clauses of the notification confer on the quasi permanent allottee	 it is necessary to see how far this notification of July 8	 1949	 is affected by subsequent legislation and the rules framed thereunder. Now the East Punjab Evacuee Property Administration Acts were repealed and replaced by Central Ordinance XXVII of 1949 and Central Act XXXI of 1950. Both the Central Ordinance and Central Act had each a section	 section 53 and section 55 respectively	 under which the Central Government may delegate its rule making power to the State Government. In exercise of such delegated power the State Government issued a notification No. 1554 Cust. dated February 6	 1950	 the relevant portion of which is as follows: " The Provincial Government is pleased to notify that Statement of Conditions issued by the Custodian and published under the notification No. 4891/S and 4892/S dated the 8th July	 1949	 shall be deemed to be and shall continue to remain in force as rules framed by the Provincial Government under sub section (2) of section 53 of the Central Ordinance No. XXVII of 1949 under delegation from the Central Government under Notification No. 3094 A/Cus/49 dated 2nd December	 1949	 subject to the following modifications and amendments: (i)The rules as stated in the Statement of Conditions under notification Nos. 4891/S and 4892/S dated the 8th July	 1949	 shall be called the Administration of Evacuee Property (Rural) Rules	 1949. (ii)Definition. (a) The word 'ACT ' defined in the said Statement of Conditions shall mean the Administration of Evacuee Property Ordinance	 1949 (Ordinance No. XXVII of 1949). . . . . . . . . ." The above rules of July 8	 1949	 have	 therefore	 continued to be operative as rules made under the 819 Central Ordinance. On the repeal of the Central Ordinance by Central Act XXXI of 1950 and by virtue of section 58 thereof	 these rules continue to be in force as though they are rules made under the Central Act of 1950. Further	 the Central Government framed rules on September 28	 1950	 entitled Administration of Evacuee Property (Central) Rules	 1950	 which will be noticed presently. Later	 in exercise of the delegated rule making power vested in the Provincial Govern ment under section 55 of the Central Act	 the Punjab Government framed rules dated August 29	 1951	 entitled " Instructions for review and revision of land allotment. " These two sets of subsequent rules would affect the rules of July 8	 1949	 to the extent that any of them are inconsistent with the earlier rules. A comparison of the subsequent rules with the earlier rules of July 8	 1949	 shows that the later rules do not concern any of the matters provided by the earlier rules of 1949 (and 1950) excepting as regards the provisions relating to resumption which virtually is cancellation of allotments. Hence the rules of July 8	 1949	 continue to be in force except to that extent	 if any. The portion which has undergone	 if any	 variation by subsequent rules may now be noticed. The provision for resumption in the rules published	 by the Punjab Government in its notification of July 8	 1949	 is as follows: " 6. The Custodian	 or as the case may be	 the Rehabilitation Authority shall be competent to resume	 amend	 withdraw	 or cancel the allotment on any of the following grounds: (a)It is contrary to the orders of the East Punjab Government	 or the instructions of the Financial Com missioner	 Rehabilitation	 or the Custodian	 Evacuee Property	 East Punjab ; (b)The allottee has infringed or appears to be	 preparing to infringe any of the terms of allotment; (c)The allotment was obtained by false declaration or insufficient information or is contrary to the purpose of rehabilitating the displaced persons; 820 (d) The area allotted or occupied by the allottee is more than he was authorised to take on allotment or occupy under the instructions issued by the East Punjab Government or the Financial Commissioner	 Rehabilitation	 or the Custodian	 Evacuee Property	 East Punjab; (e) Where the claims of other parties with respect. to the land have been established or accepted by the Custodian or the Rehabilitation Authority; (f) When the allottee has been convicted of an offence under the Act; or (g) If the allottee fails to take possession of the and within the time as may be allowed by the Custodian or the Rehabilitation Authority	 or after having taken possession	 fails to cultivate the land or a part hereof " The next set of rules are those made under Central Act XXXI of 1950. Rule 14 of Central Rules	 1950	 is the following: " 14. (1) . . . . . . . " (2) In case of an allotment granted by the Custodian himself	 the Custodian may evict a person on any ground justifying eviction of a tenant under any law elating to the Control of Rents for the time being in force in the State concerned	 or for any violation of the conditions of the allotment. (3) The Custodian may evict a person who has secured an allotment by misrepresentation or fraud or if he is found to be in possession of more than one evacuee property or in occupation of accommodation in excess of his requirements. (4) . . . . . . ." It will be seen that the above provisions are not in themselves powers of cancellation or modification of allotment but are supplementary thereto authorising eviction of an allottee under the circumstances indicated therein. The next set of rules in this connection are rules dated August 29	 1951	 enacted by the Punjab Government in exercise of powers delegated to it by the Central Government under section 55 (1) of Central Act 821 XXXI of 1950. In so far as these rules relate to allot ments	 cls. (a) to (g) of r. (1) thereof are virtually the same as those relating to resumption in the notification of July 8	 1949. The additions thereto in the 1951 rules are the following: " (1) The Custodian shall be competent to cancel or terminate any allotment or vary the terms of any allotment or agreement and evict the allottee in any one of the following circumstances: (a) to (g) . . . . . . . (h) that it is necessary or expedient to cancel or vary the terms of an allotment for the implementation of resettlement schemes and/or rules framed by the State Government; or for such distribution amongst displaced persons as appears to the Custodian to be equitable and proper; or (1) that it is necessary or expedient to cancel or vary the terms of an allotment for the preservation	 or the proper administration	 or the management of such property or in the interests of proper rehabilitation of displaced persons. (2) Anything done or any action taken in exercise of any power conferred by the previous rules shall be deemed to have been done or taken under these rules	 as if they were in force on the day on which such thing was done or action was taken. " A close scrutiny will show that as regards resumption or cancellation of (quasi permanent) allotments made under the notification of July 8	 1949	 the Central Rules of 1950 do not make any alteration by r. 14 thereof but give only supplementary powers of eviction in certain contingencies. The rules of August 29	 1951	 made by the Punjab Government under delegated authority will be found on comparison to be substantially the same as those enumerated in cl. (6) of July 8	 1949	 notification under the heading I Resumption ' with the addition of cls. (h) and (i) and wit an additional clause giving retrospective operation to the new rules. Rule 14 of the Central Rules	 1950	 has been subsequently modified by notification No. S.R.O. 1722 dated 822 October 29	 1951	 by adding sub r. (6) which is as follows: Where any State Government has	 in exercise of the powers delegated to it	 made any rules under clause (1) of sub section (2) of section 56 of the Act which are inconsistent with this rule	 such rules shall prevail over this rule. " This obviously is intended to indicate that if there is any inconsistency as regards the power of cancellation between the Central Rules and the later delegated State Rules	 the State Rules are to override the Central Rules. Now	 all these rules relating to the power of cancellation which derive their authority from the rule making power given by the Provincial and Central Acts must	 according to the ordinary rules of construction	 be read so as to harmonise with the powers of cancellation under the Act itself. It follows that r. (6) relating to resumption of allotments under the notification of July 8	 1949	 as it originally stood until February 6	 1950	 must be read with section 9 A of East Punjab Act XIV of 1947 as amended in 1948	 in so far as it relates to allotment. Similarly Central Rules of 1950	 and the delegated State Rules of 1950 and 1951 must be read to harmonise with section 12 of Central Act XXXI of 1950	 in so far as they relate to allotments made under the notification of July 8	 1949. Reading these powers of cancellation under the Act and the Rules together	 it will be found that the power of cancellation of such allotments is wide and varied and depends to a substantial extent on ad ministrative orders and considerations. Rule 14 of Central Rules	 1950	 underwent alterations in July	 1952	 and February	 1953. These are subsequent to the date of cancellation of the allotment in the present case and have no direct bearing on the present case. Pausing here and summarising the position as it obtained till July 22	 1952 (when further relevant rules were framed) as regards the rights under the (quasi permanent) allotment scheme introduced by notification of July 8	 1949	 may be stated thus. (References given as against each are to the relevant provisions of the notification of July 8	 1949). 823 1. The allottee is entitled to right of use and occupation of the property until such time as the property remains vested in the Custodian. (Clause 3 (1).) 2.The benefit of such right will enure to his heirs and successors. (Definition of 'allottee '.) 3.His enjoyment of the property is on the basis of paying land revenue thereupon and cesses for the time being. Additional rent may be fixed thereupon by the Custodian. If and when he does so	 the allottee is bound to pay the same. (Clause 3 (3).) 4. He is entitled to quiet and undisturbed enjoyment of the property during that period. (Clause 8.) 5. He is entitled to make improvements on the land with the assent of the Custodian and is entitled to compensation in the manner provided in the Punjab Tenancy Act. (Clause 7.) 6. He is entitled to exchange the whole or any part of the land for other evacuee land with the consent of the Custodian. (Clause 5.) 7. He is entitled to lease the land for a period not exceeding three years without the permission of the Custodian and for longer period with his consent. But he is not entitled to transfer his rights by way of sale	 gift	 will	 mortgage or other private contract. (Clause 4 (c).) 8. His rights ' in the allotment are subject to the fairly extensive powers of cancellation under the Act and rules as then in force prior to July 22	 1952	 on varied administrative considerations and actions such as the following (Clause 6 and subsequent rules of 1951.): (a)That the allotment is contrary to the orders of the Punjab Government 'or the instructions of the Financial Commissioner	 Relief and Rehabilitation	 or of the Custodian	 Evacuee Property	 Punjab; (b)That the claims of other parties with respect to the land have been established or accepted by the Custodian or the Rehabilitation Authority; 824 (c) That it is necessary or expedient to cancel or vary the terms of an allotment for the implementation of resettlement schemes and/or rules framed by 	the State Government; or for such distribution amongst displaced persons as appears to the Custodian to be equitable and proper; (d) That it is necessary or expedient to cancel or vary the terms of an allotment for the preservation	 or the proper administration	 or the management of such property or in the interests of proper rehabilitation of displaced persons. It is noteworthy that the powers of cancellation include the liability of the allotment to be cancelled	 if it is secured by false declaration or insufficient information	 and also if the allottee is convicted under the provisions of the Evacuee Property Administration Acts. (Clause 6 (c) and (f).). Taking all the above incidents together as to the position of a displaced land holder to whom evacuee agricultural land has been allotted Under the notification of July 8	 1949	 there can be no doubt that he is in a definitely better legal position than the allottee of other kinds of property under Central Act XXXI of 1950 and the Central Rules of 1950	 who	 as already shown	 is more or less in the position of a licensee. But even so	 it is still far short of what can be considered as being in itself I property ' either in the widest sense or in a limited sense. It is very strenuously urged that though this might appear to be so if one has regard only to the legislation and to the statutory rules up to July 22	 1952	 the position of such an allottee emerges more definitely and clearly in the light of further legislation and subsequently amended rules. It is urged that this later legislation was in implementation of the	 original Press Communique dated February 7	 1948 which was understood to hold out the assurance of allotment its conferring permanent property. On this contention the later legislation has also been brought to our notice. In view of the insistence with which this contention has been urged 825 and the importance of the question	 it is desirable to notice the same and to consider the effect thereof without deciding whether the later legislation and the Press Communique are relevant for the decision of the matters involved in this case. The earliest change in the pre existing situation	 as above noticed	 was brought about by two notifications	 section R. 0. 1290 dated July 22	 1952	 and section R. 0. 351 dated February 13	 1953	 as a result of which sub r. (6) of r. 14 of the Central Rules of 1950 stood amended by the substitution of a new sub rule which is as follows : " (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule	 the Custodian of Evacuee Property in each of the States of Punjab and Patiala and East Punjab States Union shall not exercise the power of cancelling any allotment of rural evacuee property on a quasi permanent basis	 or varying the terms of any such allotment	 except in the following circumstances: (i)where the allotment was made although the allottee owned no agricultural land in Pakistan; (ii)where the allottee has obtained land in excess of the area to which he was entitled under the scheme of allotment of land prevailing at the time of allotment; (iii)where the allotment is to be cancelled or varied (a)in accordance with an order made by a competentauthority under section 8 of the East Punjab Refugees (Registration of Land. Claims) Act	 1948 ; (b)on account of the failure of the allottee to take possession of the allotted evacuee property within six months of the date of allotment; (c)in consequence of a voluntary surrender of the allotted evacuee property	 or a voluntary exchange with other available rural evacuee property	 or a mutual exchange with such other available property; (d) in accordance with any general or special order of the Central Government; 106 826 Provided that where an allotment is cancelled or varied under clause (ii)	 the allottee shall be entitled to retain such portion of the land to which of the would 	have been entitled under the scheme of quasi permanent allotment of land: Provided further that nothing in this sub rule shall apply to any application for revision	 made under section 26 or section 27 of the Act	 within the prescribed time	 against an order passed by a lower authority on or before 22nd July	 1952. " This amendment has undoubtedly the effect of modifying the power of resumption or cancellation vested in the Custodian authorities in respect of quasi permanent allottees by virtue of the pre existing rules and to confine such power within narrow limits as specified therein. But whether the restrictions on this power of cancellation can be harmonised with the power to vary or cancel allotments vested in the Custodian under section 12 of Central Act XXXI of 1950 is a matter not without some difficulty. It may	 however	 be assumed that	 if possible	 the latest amendment of r. 14 of Central Rules	 1950	 by the insertion of the amended sub r	 (6) therein will have to be harmonised with. the main section by a process of construction so as not to nullify the beneficient provisions specifically enacted in mandatory lanuage. It is noteworthy that the language of the new sub r. (6) of r. 14 operates only as a restraint on the exercise of the power of cancellation vested in the Custodian and not as a negation of the power itself and it may	 therefore	 well be that there is no inconsistency. The choice of the language appears to be intentional. On the other hand it may be noticed also in this context that there have been some amendments in 1953	 1954 and 1956 of section 16 of Central Act XXXI of 1950 relating to return of the evacuee property to the evacuee which continue to recognise his right to return of the property and have made some alterations in the details of the procedure applicable thereto. The continuance of the right of return may well imply the continued existence of the power to cancel the allotment. 827 The next important legislative measure is the (XLIV of 1954). By section 12 of this Act it is provided as follows: " If the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary to acquire any evacuee property for a public purpose	 being a	 purpose connected with the relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons	 including payment of compensation to such persons	 the Central Government may at any time acquire such evacuee property by publishing in the Official Gazette a notification to the effect that the Central Government has decided to acquire such evacuee property in pursuance of this section. (2)On the publication of a notification under subsection (1)	 the right	 title and interest of any evacuee in the evacuee property specified in the notification shall	 on and from the beginning of the date on which the notification is so published	 be extinguished and the evacuee property shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances. (3). . . . . . . . . " It may be noticed that by virtue of Central Government notification No. S.R.O. 697 dated March 24	1955	 under sub section (1). of this section	 all evacuee property allotted under the Punjab Government notification dated July 8	 1949	 has been acquired by the Central Government excepting certain specified categories in respect of which proceedings were pending. It does not appear that the propertie 's which are the subject matter of the present application have been acquired under this notification	 probably because the dispute about them is still pending. Section 3 of the Act provides as follows: " There shall be paid to an evacuee compensation in respect of his property acquired under section 12 in accordance with such principles and in. such manner as may be agreed upon between the Governments of India and Pakistan. " Section 14 makes provision for constituting a compensation pool for the purpose of payment of compensation and rehabilitation grants to displaced persons. The 828 evacuee property acquired under section 12 forms part of this. compensation pool. Section 10 is important and provides inter alia that where any immovable property has been allotted to a displaced person by the Custodian under conditions published by the notification of the Government of Punjab No. 4892 8 dated July 8	 1949	 and such property is acquired under the provisions of the Act and forms part of the compensation pool	 the displaced person shall	 so long as the property remains vested in the Central Government	 continue in Possession of such property on the same conditions on which he held the property immediately before the date of the acquisition. It is further provided that the Central Government may for the purpose of payment of compensation	 transfer to him such property on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. Section 40 provides for the rule making power. Sub section 1 (a) thereof_ enables the Central Government to make rules providing for the form and manner in which and the time within which	 an application for payment of compensation may be made and the particulars which it should contain. It may be noticed that "compensation " referred to in section 10	 in so far as it relates to a displaced person	 obviously refers to the compensation for loss of his property in Pakistan and is not the recognition of a right to compensation for deprivation of his interest	 if any	 in the allotted property by cancellation. Rules have been made by the Central Government called the Displaced Persons Compensation and Rehabilitation Rules	 1955	 published by notification dated May 21	 1955. Rules 71 and 73 relate to verified claims which do not seem to refer to agricultural lands. "Verified claims" relate to urban immovable property as the definition there of in the Displaced Persons (Claims) Act	 1950 (XLIV of 1950) shows. Rule 72 (1) relates to an allottee of agricultural land having no verified claim and is relevant. Rule 72 (2) provides that if the Settlement Officer is satisfied that the allotment is in accordance with the quasi permanent scheme	 he may pass an order transferring the land allotted to the allottee in 829 permanent ownership as compensation and	 shall also	 issue to him a sanad in the form specified in the	 Appendix XVII or XVIII	 as the case may be	 granting him such rights. A scrutiny of the sanad which is	 printed at page 70	 Appendix VII	 of the Displaced	 Persons Compensation and Rehabilitation Rules	 1955	 issued by the Government of India	 Ministry of Rehabilitation	 shows that it is only under this sanad that an allottee obtains permanent property in the land. 	 which originally belonged to the evacuee and which was allotted to him under the quasi permanent allot ment scheme. This sanad is the culmination of the hope& and expectations of allottees held out under the Press Communique dated :February 7	 1948	 and confirms	 if any	 the view that until such stage has been reached the allottee has no such interest in the evacuee lands which can by itself constitute "property" within the meaning of the protected fundamental rights. It is admitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners that the petitioners in this case have not yet been able to obtain any sanad under these rules for the lands originally allotted to them and cancelled by the impugned orders of the Custodian and the Deputy Custodian General. He urges	 however	 that having regard to the whole scheme and on the assumption that the orders of cancellation	 which he challenges	 are erroneous	 they Would in the ordinary course have obtained the sanad for the lands and that the right to relief under article 32 must be determined on that footing. Great; stress is laid on the fact that under the scheme of Central Act XLIV of 1954	 even if evacuee property is acquired under section 12 thereof	 the quasi permanent allottee is entitled to continue in possession of the property under s.10 on the same conditions as before so long as the property remains vested in the Central Government. Stress is also laid on the fact that he can apply for transfer of the property to himself under r. 72 (2) 'of the rules made under the Act in payment of compensation payable to him in lieu. of his property left . in West Punjab and that such application for transfer ' is normally to be granted and a sanad issued 330 to him. In this context	 learned counsel for the petiioners relies on the well known principle	 viz.		 where a discretionary power is vested in a statutory authority	 to act in certain circumstances for the benefit of certain person or class of persons (as in section 10 of Central Act XLIV of 1954 and r. 72 (2) of the rules thereunder) the exercise of such power in favour of such a person	 where the requisite conditions exist	 is obligatory and not optional	 as laid down in the case in Julius vs Lord Bishop of Oxford (1). This principle	 however	 has no application in the present case. While it is true that tinder section 10 an allottee under the quasi permanent allotment scheme has the benefit of continuing in possession thereof and may obtain transfer on application	 such benefits are subject to the powers exercisable under section 19 of the same Act and r. 102 of the rules framed thereunder. It may be noticed that in respect of the evacuee property which has been acquired under section 12 and which forms part of the compensation pool under section 14	 the Central Government may appoint under section 16 of the Act	 for the management thereof	 Managing Officers or Managing Corporations. Section 19 of the Act further provides as follows: " 19. Powers to 'vary or cancel allotment of any property acquired under this Act. Notwithstanding anything contained	 in any contract or any other law for the time being in force but subject to any rules that may be	 made under this Act	 the managing officer or managing corporation may cancel any allotment or amend the terms of any allotment under which any evacuee property acquired under this Act is held or occupied by a person	 whether such allotment was granted before or after the commencement of this Act. . . . . " Rule 102 of the rules framed under the Act is as follows "102. cancellation allotments A managing officer managing corporation may in respect of (i) 831 the property in the compensation pool entrusted to him or	 to it	 cancel an allotment or vary the terms of any such allotment if the allottee (a) has sublet or parted with the possession of. the whole or any part of the property allotted to him without the permission of a competent authority	 or (b) has used or is using such property for a purpose other than that for which it was allotted to him without the permission of a competent authority	 or (c) has committed any act which is destructive of or permanently injurious to the property	 or (d) for any other sufficient reason to be recorded in writing. Provided that no action shall be taken under this rule unless the allottee has been given a reasonable opportunity of being	heard. " These are in terms wide enough to include quasi permanent allotments. This shows that notwithstand. ing the privilege of the quasi permanent allottee to continue in possession under section 10 and the scope he has for obtaining	 a transfer under the same section and r. 72 (2) of the rules made thereunder	 his allotment itself is liable to be cancelled under section 19 and r. 102. Hence he has no such right to obtain a transfer which can be given effect to within the principale of Bishop of Oxford 's case (1). He does not	 therefore	 appear to have an indefeasible right to obtain transfer of the very land of which he is the quasi permanent allottee	 if such land is acquired under section 12 of the Act. Thus the position of quasi permanent allottee	 whether before July 22	 1952	 or after that date	 is that his rights	 such as they are	 either under the notification of July 8	 1949	 or under section 10 of Central Act XLIV of 1954	 are subject to powers of cancellation exercisable by the appropriate authorities. 	 in accordance with the changing requirements of the evacuasede property law and its administration. Hence the quality of the interest of the displaced	allottee in (1) 3 App. 832 evacuee agricultural land allotted to him appears to be substantially the same for the present purpose and the real question is whether such interest constitutes " property " within the meaning of articles 19	 31 (1) and 31 (2) of the Constitution. The above detailed consideration of the various incidents of a quasi permanent allotment show clearly that the sum total thereof does not in any sense constitute even qualified ownership of the land allotted. At beat it is analogous to what is called jus in re aliena according to the concept of Roman Law and may be some kind of interest in land. The basic features of that interest are that the ultimate ownership of the land is still recognised to be that of the evacuee and the allotment itself is liable to resumption or cancellation with reference to the exigencies of the administration of evacuee law. The interest so recognised	 is in its essential concept	 provisional	 though with a view to stabilisation. and ultimate permanence. The provisional characteristic of this interest emerges from the fact that there have had I to be a series of interDominion conferences to settle on governmental level the problems &rising out of evacuee property in either country. The	 stabilisation had to await the results of such conferences. Thus both with reference to the internal necessities of the administrative problems inherent in the process of settling the displaced persons on the evacuee lands with reference to various considerations and policies and the external problem of arriving at understandings between the two governments	 these rights had to be so regulated from time to time and had an element of unstability	 though they were being progressively invested with the characteristics of stability. An interest in land owned by another in such a situation cannot be fitted into any	 concept of 'property ' in itself. The concept of a bundle of rights in agricultural land constituting by itself 'property ' is the outcome of a stable and settled state of affairs relating to such bundle of 'rights. Historical jurisprudence shows that even the concept of individual. property in agricultural land was the 833 outcome of stable and settled conditions Of Society. It is also relevant to observe that the incidents of quasi permanent allotment are entirely statutory. Subjection to the power of cancellation by the Custodian in whom the property is vested is one of such incidents and determines the quality thereof. Therefore	 having given our best consideration	 we are unable to hold that the interest of a quasi permanent allottee is ' property ' within the concept of that word so as to attract the protection of fundamental rights. Property	 to fall within the scope of article 19 (1) (f)	 must be capable. of being the subject matter of " acquisition and disposal ". The interest of the quasipermanent allottee arises by statutory grant to a specified class of persons and is not capable of acquisition by the ordinary citizen in any of the normal modes ' Nor is it capable of disposal by the allottee himself in the normal modes by way of sale	 mortgage	 gift or will. Neither is the interest of the quasi permanent allottee such as can be brought within the scope of article 31 (2). Article 31 (2) as recently amended	 taken with article 31 (2A) contemplates acquisition or requisitioning (and taking possessions as a result of transfer of the ownership or of the right to possession. It is true that the recent amendment came into operation on April 27	 1955	 and the impugned orders of the Custodian and Deputy Custodian General are on February 6	 1952	 and May 1	 1954. But in view of the word " deemed " in the amended article 31 (2A) it appears likely that the amendment was intended to be retrospective. Even assuming that it is not so	 the words " taking possession " or " acquisition " in article 31 (2) prior to. the amendment are wholly inapt and inapplicable to the bundle of rights of the nature detailed above which constitute quasi permanent tenure and it is difficult to apply to it the protection under Art 31 (2) either as it stood before the amendment or after the amendment. Learned counsel for the petitioners has urged that even if articles 19 (1) (f) and 31 (2) are not applicable	 the 107 334 petitioners can invoke the protection of article 31 (1) which says that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law. He relies on the judgment of one of us reported in the State of West Bengal vs Subodh Gopal Bose (1)	 where it was stated as follows: " The word 'property ' as used in Article 31 (1) may have been intended to be understood in a wider sense and deprivation of any individual right out of a bundle of rights constituting concrete property may be deprivation of 'property ' which would require the authority of law. " This is a view which was not shared by the other members of the Court in that decision. In any case it is clear that in order that article 31 (1) may apply	 it is not enough that there is 'deprivation ' but it must also be deprivation without the authority of law. What has happened	 however	 in this case is not deprivation of the property without the authority of law even assuming that the bundle of rights constituting such an interest in land is I property '. It is the working out of the right of resumption or cancellation which was one of the incidents of the property. The cancellation by the Custodian authorities was under the very law which created those rights. Even if the exercise of that authority can be made out to be wrong	 it is still not open to question having regard to sections 28 and 46 of Central Act XX XI of 1950. It is not an illegal usurpation of jurisdiction by the authorities concerned so as to constitute negation of the authority of law. In the present case what has happened is that the quasi permanent allotment of the petitioners has been cancelled in order to work out readjustments consequent upon the order of the higher authority. Learned counsel for the petitioners has strenuously urged that under the quasi permanent allotment scheme the allottee is entitled to a right to possession within the limits of the relevant notification and that such right to possession is itself 'property '. That may be so in a sense. But it does not affect the (1) ; 	673. 835 question whether it is property so as to attract the protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution. If the totality of	 the bundle of rights of the quasi permanent allottee in the evacuee land constituting an interest in such land	 is not property entitled to protection of fundamental rights	 mere possession of the land by virtue of such interest is not on any higher footing. Learned counsel has also drawn our attention to a number of Acts and notifications of the Punjab Government to show that a quasi permanent allottee has been treated as being in the same position as an owner of land itself for various purposes. Thus in r. 5 of the Land Revenue Rules under the Punjab Land Revenue Act	 1887 (Punjab Act XVII of 1887)	 a quasi permanent allottee is classed with other land owners as being eligible for appointment as zaildars. Similarly by virtue of rules framed under the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act	 1948 (East Punjab Act L of 1948)	 a quasi permanent allottee is liable to pay the cost of consolidation if such consolidation comprises lands in his occupation. These and other such provisions	 however	 have no bearing on the question at issue before us. After the close of the arguments before us a recent decision of the Punjab High Court reported in Suraj Parkash Kapur vs The State of Punjab(1) has been brought to our notice and we have given our careful consideration to the same. That decision may be right on its merits	 a matter about which we express no opinion. But	 with respect	 we are unable to agree with the view expressed therein that a quasi permanent allottee has such an interest in the land allotted to him as to constitute " property "	 if it is meant to convey thereby that it is property which attracts the protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution. For all the above reasons we are unable to hold that any fundamental right of the petitioners has been (1) (1957) LIX P.L.R. 103. 836 infringed This petition is accordingly dismissed but	 in the circumstances	 without costs. In holding that quasi permanent allotment does not carry with it a fundamental right to property under the Constitution we are not to be supposed as denying or weakening the scope of the rights of the allottee. These rights as recognised in the statutory rules are important and constitute the essential basis of a satisfactory by rehabilitation and settlement of displaced land holders. Until such time as these land holders obtain sanads to the lands	 these rights are entitled to zealous protection of the constituted authorities according to administrative rules and instructions binding on them	 and of the courts by appropriate proceedings where there is usurpation of jurisdiction or abuse of exercise of statutory powers. Petition dismissed.

Summary:
The petitioners	 who were displaced persons from Pakistan owning land therein	 were also co sharers in a joint khata owned by some evacuees in a suburban village in East Punjab. On their displacement they were in the first instance temporarily allotted agricultural land in that village. Subsequently	 as a result of the readjustment of allotments of the suburban land amongst the various groups who had quasi permanent allotments therein	 which had to be carried out according to certain rules and instructions	 the allotments of the petitioners were cancelled. The case of the petitioners was that the allotment to them was on a quasi. permanent basis and that	 therefore	 they had acquired certain rights in the land which constituted property	 and they contended that the order cancelling the allotment was in violation of their fundamental rights to property under articles 19(1)(f)	 31(1) and 31(2) of the Constitution of India. Though the petitioners were allottees of agricultural land on the basis of a quasi permanent allotment it was admitted that they were not able to get a sanad under the rules for the lands originally allotted to them	 when only they could obtain permanent property in the land. It was not disputed that the cancellation of the allotment was under the purported exercise of powers under the provisions of the 	 and the rules framed thereunder taken with some executive instructions. Held	 that the interest of a quasi permanent allottee does not constitute 'property ' within the meaning of articles 19(1)(f)	 31(1) or 31(2) of the Constitution of India	 and accordingly the orders cancelling the allotments could not amount to violation of fundamental rights under those Articles. The basic features of the interest of a quasi permanent allottee are that the ultimate ownership of the land is still recognised to be that of the evacuee and the allotment itself is liable to resumption or cancellation with reference to the exigencies of the administration of evacuee law. The interest so recognised is	 in its essential concept	 provisional though with a view to stabilisation and ultimate permanence. An interest in land owned by another in such a situation cannot be fitted into any concept of property in itself	 103 802 Julius vs Lord Bishop of Oxford	 	 distin guished. Property in order that it may fall within the scope of article 9(1)(f) must be capable of being the subject matter of "acquisition and disposal". But the interest of a quasi permanent allottee arises by statutory grant to a person of a specified class and is not capable of being acquired by an ordinary citizen in any of the normal modes. Nor is it capable of being disposed of by the allottee himself by way of sale	 mortgage	 gift or will. Consequently	 article 19(1)(f) cannot apply to the case. In order that article 31(1) may apply it is not enough that there is deprivation	 but such deprivation must be without the authority of law. In the present case the quasi permanent allotments of the petitioners were cancelled in enforcement of a right of resumption or cancellation which is an incident of such property	 and hence the Article has not been infringed. The interest of a quasi permanent allottee cannot be brought within the scope of article 3i(2) as it stood prior to the amendment. The words "taking possession" or "acquisition" there are inappropriate in respect of the rights which constitute quasi permanent tenure. In view of the word "deemed" occurring in article 31(2A) it appears likely that the amendment to article 31(2) was intended to be retrospective	 but even then the amended Article taken with article 31(2A) is equally inapplicable as it contemplates acquisition or requisitioning (and taking possession) as a result of transfer of the ownership or of the right to possession. Suraj Parkash Kapur vs The State of Punjab	 (1957) LIX P.L.R. 103	 in so far as it purported to decide that the interest in the land allotted to a quasi permanent allottee constitutes "property" which attracts the protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution	 is disapproved. Though a quasi permanant allotment does not carry with it a fundamental right to property under the Constitution	 the rights of the allottee as recognised in the statutory rules are important and constitute the essential basis of a satisfactory rehabilitation and settlement of displaced land holders. Until such time as the land holders obtain sanads to the lands	 these rights are entitled to zealous protection of the constituted authorities according to administrative rules and instructions binding on them and of the courts by appropriate proceedings where there is usurpation of jurisdiction or abuse of exercise of statutory powers.