JUDGMENT :- This suit has been instituted by the plaintiff for recovery of Rs. 36,98,406/- on account of damages with future interest at the rate of 18% per annum with effect from 1-8-1997 till the date of realisation of the amount.

2. The case of the plaintiff as made out in the plaint is that he purchased 477 trees of Deodar and Kail standing on land Khasra numbers 28, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 66, 67 and 68, situate in Chak Jangal Koti, Forest Range Deha, Tehsil Kotkhai, District Shimla from the land owners, namely, Khampa, Chantu, Shama, Tulsu (Moti), Rafiq, Pania, Hira, Dhania, Kalia and Jogi Ram etc. The aforesaid land was got demarcated from the competent Revenue officials in the presence of Forest Officials including Assistant Conservator of Forest, Shimla. Subsequent to the demarcation, 477 trees in question were marked by the Forest Officials after due permission having been granted by the Divisional Forest Officer, Shimla. Thereafter, the plaintiff felled the said trees for the purpose of converting them into timber after making substantial investment. When out of 477 felled trees 23 trees had been converted into standard slipers etc., the remaining felled t

Click Here to Read the rest of this document