In a batch of writ petitions, which we have heard, the constitutionality of the Madras Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 is assailed on certain grounds, notwithstanding the fact that it was included in the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution of India by the Seventeenth Amendment. Further, the scope and effect of some of the provisions of the Act as applicable to particular facts in each case, have to be decided. Though for convenience’s sake, the batch of petitions was heard together on the validity of the Act, on the second’ question of interpretation we propose to deal with these petitions separately, in the light of the facts in each of them. We shall at the moment confine ourselves to W.P. Nos. 1543 of 1964 and 416 and 1473 of 1965. The first of them is for mandamus directing the Authorised Officer, Land Reforms, Vellore and the State of Madras to forbear from taking proceedings against the petitioner and the lands set out in the schedule attached to his affidavit in support of the petition under the provisions of the Act. In compliance with a notice served on him, the petitioner filed a return on 25th December, 1962 in which he disclosed the m