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Lahore High Court Orders Immediate Return of Land Taken by DC-Led Property Panels

The case now moves to a full bench to examine the legality of deputy commissioner–run dispute committees after admissions they acted beyond their mandate.

Overview

  • Chief Justice Aalia Neelum directed that possession obtained through Dispute Resolution Committee proceedings be restored without delay.
  • The court sought complete records of the committees and referred the legal questions surrounding their authority to a full bench.
  • During the hearing, counsel conceded that deputy commissioner–formed committees exceeded their legal powers, and the chief justice termed such possession orders misconduct.
  • Justice Neelum warned that anyone facilitating or enforcing possession after court orders would face serious consequences.
  • The petitioner cited a 40-acre dispute in Depalpur resolved in 27 days through a DRC, and counsel reported a one-acre handover in Gujranwala on December 24 despite suspension of the ordinance.