Judgement

Consolidated Appeal (No. 117 of 1920) from a judgment seven decrees of the High Court (February 9, 1915) reversing seven decrees of the District Judge of Patna, who affirmed decrees made by the Subordinate Judge.

The suit related to lands within the regularly settled estate the appellants. At the recent settlement the lands had been entered in the record of rights as tenures of the respondents under the appellants, without any mention of rent, and with the word "malikana" in the column of remarks. The appellants in 1913 instituted seven suits in the Court of the Subordinate Judge of Patna against the respondents. By their plaints they stated that the lands in question were within the ambit of their zamindari, and alleged that the respondents were merely cultivating tenants, and that the entries in the record of rights were incorrect. They claimed declarations that the lands formed part of their proprietary right, that the respondents were not malikanadars, nor had any right other than raiyati right, and that the respondents were liable to pay rent under the bhaoli batai system in the proportion of 22Jseers per maund; and for further relief. The respondents by their defenc