STATE OF ORISSA vs GAJRAJ SAHU — C.A. No. 7858/1996

Summary: State of Orissa v. Gajraj Sahu (C.A. 7858/1996) Outcome: The Supreme Court dismissed the State of Orissa's appeal on February 6, 2003, with no order as to costs. The Court upheld the concurrent findings of the trial court, first appellate court, and High Court that favored respondent Gajraj Sahu's claim to the disputed land based on a valid patta (land grant) executed in 1950 by the village Gountia, and alternatively on adverse possession of over 30 years. Key Point: The Court rejected the State's argument that lawful possession under patta and adverse possession cannot be pleaded together, finding both grounds had been properly examined by lower courts and the patta's validity was established since the State failed to show the Gountia lacked authority to grant it. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.