1. In all these matters, overlapping issues have been raised by the respective Petitioners, for which reason, by consent, the same were heard together and are being disposed of by this common Judgment.

2. These matters broadly form two groups. One group pertains to land from erstwhile Central Provinces area (i.e.Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha and Chandrapur). The second group is in relation to lands from erstwhile Berar area (i.e.Amravati, Akola, Washim, Buldhana and Yeotmal). In most of the Petitions, it is asserted that the land in question is Nazul land. In other words, only in few matters the land in question may be a non-Nazul land. Nevertheless, the issue that needs to be addressed in all these matters is common. The term Nazul land as observed by the Apex Court in Narain Prasad Aggarwal V. State of M.P. reported in (2007) 11 SCC 736 means land or buildings in or near towns or villages which have escheated to the Government; property escheated or lapsed to State; commonly applied to any land or house property belonging to the Government either as an escheat or as having belonged to a former Government. As per Revenue Book Circular Section 4, Naz