Supreme Court Questions Role of Revenue Officials in Land Disputes

The Supreme Court has issued notices to central and state governments regarding a PIL that calls for land disputes to be managed by legally trained professionals instead of revenue officials. The plea highlights systemic issues, delays, and calls for creating a Revenue Judicial Service with appropriate legal qualifications.

The Supreme Court has formally addressed central and state governments over concerns about the current system of handling land disputes, which is managed by revenue officials rather than legally trained professionals. This move came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pushing for significant reforms in the adjudication of land-related issues.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, observed the significance of the challenges raised in the PIL. However, the court highlighted potential clashes with legislative domains. Filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the plea emphasizes that non-legally trained executives performing quasi-judicial roles could infringe on civil rights, raising issues regarding the separation of powers.

The petition advocates for the establishment of a Revenue Judicial Service, complete with specific legal qualifications and judicial training for adjudicating officers. Persistent structural deficiencies and resulting systematic delays were underscored as key issues, affecting approximately 66 percent of civil cases reportedly tied to land disputes. These problems, according to the plea, cause prolonged litigation and contravene fundamental rights, demanding immediate judicial intervention and legislative uniformity across states.