The Subject matter of these writ petitions is long pending with a chequered history and will probably continue to be so for some more time in view of the pendency of the proceedings before the statutory authorities at various stages under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, hereinafter described as "the Forest Act".

2. The petitioner is a Company incorporated under the Companies Act. The land in question comprises an extent of 3388.78 acres, which was part of Singampatti Zamin. By lease deed dated 12.2.1989 the Zamin granted the right to occupy in favour of the petitioner company for the purpose of cultivating Coffee, Tea, Coco, Sincona, Cardamom, pepper, rubber and other products other than timber trees for a period of 99 years. With the coming into f`orce of the Tamil Nadu Estates (Abolition and conversion of ryotwari) Act, hereinafter called Act 26 of 1948, the Board of Revenue by is order dated 13.8.1958 declared that the Company was not entitled to any rights or to remain in possession after 19.2.1952. The Board in exercise its power under Section 19-A of the said Act, directed that the lessee/petitioner shall remain in possession of the entire lease area for the rest