Judgment

KULDIP SINGH, J.:- These appeals are directed against the judgment of the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court directing the ejectment of the appellants from three tracts of agricultural land which the appellants are in cultivating possession since 1951.

2. Respondent Bhikaji is the owner of about 20 acres of land subject-matter of the dispute. The said land is in cultivating possession of the appellants since 1951 and according to them, they have acquired the status of protected lessees under the Berar Regulation of Agricultural Leases Act, 1951 (hereinafter called the Berar Act) and the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region) Act, 1958 (hereinafter called the Bombay Act).

3. The respondent Bhikaji initiated proceedings before the Sub-Divisional Officer, Buldana for ejectment of the appellants on the ground that predecessor of the first appellants created sub-leases in favour of second appellant and one Zipra Wanchhu and as such their tenancy was liable to be terminated in terms of S. 8(1)(c)(f) of the Berar Act. Bhikaji filed two separate applications against the appellants. The applications were resisted by the appellants inter alia on the ground that all the