Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 30-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Civil Appeal Nos. 9169‑9170/2013 filed by Punjab Wakf Board (appellant) against Director Rural Development and Panchayats & others (respondents).
  • Respondent No.4 is a tenant who has passed away; applications for substitution of legal heirs and condonation of delay in filing were submitted.
  • Respondent No.3 is the Gram Panchayat, Village Mahadipur, asserting ownership of the disputed land.
  • Senior counsel Mr. Salman Khurshid appeared for the appellant; Ms. Bindra Rana appeared for respondent No.4.

Court Directions

1. The applications for substitution of legal heirs and condonation of delay are allowed, subject to removal of all objections/defects.

2. The appellant (Punjab Wakf Board) must place before the Court the notification declaring the land in question as a Wakf property.

3. The Court wishes to hear Gram Panchayat (respondent No.3) on its claim of ownership.

4. It was noted that counsel for respondent No.3 (Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh) was listed in the cause list but no representative appeared.

5. The next date for final hearing is fixed for 06‑08‑2026.

6. The Court warned that if no representative of respondent No.3 appears on 06‑08‑2026, the matter will be heard on its own merits.

Final Outcome

  • The Court granted the substitution and condonation applications, ordered the production of the Wakf notification, set a further hearing date, and reserved the right to proceed without respondent No.3 if it remains absent.

Topics: Land Dispute, Wakf Property, Court Proceedings