The Chief Justice.-These five second appeals arise out of five suits which were tried together and disposed of by a common judgment by the learned Deputy Collector of Eluru division. They were brought by persons who were in possession of lands in the village of Idulakunta Agraharam, in Eluru taluk, West Godavari district, against the appellants and others under section 55 of the Madras Estates Land Act praying that the defendants may be directed to execute pattas in their favour in accordance with the draft patta filed along with the plaint. The defendants resisted the suits mainly on the ground that the revenue Court had no jurisdiction as the lands did not form part of an estate within the meaning of that Act. Their plea was overruled and the Deputy Collector decreed the suits. The defendants preferred appeals to the District Judge of West Godavari who confirmed the decision of the Deputy Collector that the lands were situated in an estate. These second appeals by the defendants are against the decision of the District Judge.

The main question for decision in these appeals is whether the lands in suit formed part of an estate as defined in the Madras Estates Land Act. The material

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