#Punjab Village Common Lands Act

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that civil courts retain jurisdiction over title disputes involving shamlat land if the land was never reserved for common purposes under consolidation schemes. The Court held that ejectment orders under Section 7 of the Punjab Village Common Lands Act cannot operate as res judicata on title, allowing landowners to challenge mutations procured without notice.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that civil courts can adjudicate disputes over obstruction of village common passages on shamlat deh land, provided the suit does not challenge land ownership or Panchayat authority under the Punjab Village Common Lands Act, 1961. This clarifies that Section 13-B's jurisdictional bar applies only to ownership or authority disputes, not mere obstruction claims.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that Collectors acting under Section 11 of the Punjab Village Common Lands Act cannot dismiss title disputes summarily on res judicata grounds without framing issues and evaluating evidence. The judgment reinforces quasi-judicial obligations, impacting landowners, Gram Panchayats, and revenue authorities in Punjab and Haryana.