JUDGMENT

H.S. Madaan, J. - Briefly stated, facts of the case are that plaintiff Sultan and 15 others, total 16 in number, had filed a suit against Gram Panchayat, Fajalwas, Tehsil and District Gurgaon (now Gurugram) seeking a declaration that plaintiffs No.l to 9 are owners in possession to the extent of 1/2 share, whereas plaintiffs No. 10 to 16 are owners in possession to the extent of 1/2 share in the agricultural land measuring 12 kanals 4 marlas situated at village Fajal was, Tehsil & District Gurugram, on the averments that entries in column of ownership in the name of defendant are wrong and liable to be rectified in the names of the plaintiffs; that as a matter of fact the defendant has no right, title or interest in the suit property; further the competent authority as per Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Act 1961 had already declared that the land in question is not shalmat-deh and does not vest in the defendant; that it was so done vide orders dated 25.6.1996 and 2.2.1993.

2. On notice the defendant appeared and filed a written statement raising various legal objections challenging the locus standi of the plaintiffs to bring the suit further contending that no caus