The Judgments of the Court were as follws:—
Maclean, C.J:— In this case I think that a Second Appeal lies to the Court under Section 108 of the Bengal Tenancy Act. I arrive at the conclusion upon the ground stated by Mr. Justice Macpherson and Mr. Justice Hill in the reference. I do not propose to go over those grounds, but confine myself to saying that for the reasons they have given I arrive at the conclusion that this appeal lies.
O'Kinealy, J.:— I concur in the judgment which has just been delivered. I think looking at the Act, and the rules made by the Bengal Government under the Act that an appeal does lie.
Macpherson, J.:— I also concur.
Trevelyan, J.:— I concur. I should like to add a few words to the judgments which have been pronounced, as one of the “decisions which have given rise to this reference is a decision to which I was a party. In one case, at least, if not in more, I decided that no appeal would lie. Having had the advantage of a further consideration, notably having had the advantage of seeing the order of reference in this case, I think that I was wrong in the decision at which I before arrived. In my opinion there is nothing in the Bengal Tenancy Act, which ought to control the wide words of Section 106 of the Act. That Section begins with the words—“If at any time before the final publication of the record.” According to the decisions which have been referred to there could be no appeal except in the case of an order made after the draft record had been published in accordance with the terms of Sec. 105 of the Act. It is perfectly true that the position of Sec. 106 might lead to the argument that the words of that Section are controlled by the earlier Section. The words being so wide and giving, as they do, an important right, I think it would be wrong in the absence of anything more express, to attempt to control the right thereby given. I therefore agree with the view taken by the other Judges of this Bench and hold that there is an appeal.
Banerjee, J.:— I also am of the same opinion. I think the terms of Sec. 106 of the Bengal Tenancy Act are wide enough to include the case in which a dispute arises as to the correctness of any entry which the Revenue Officer proposes to make in the record that he is preparing. And if that is so, the decision of the Special Judge on appeal from the decision of the Revenue Officer in this case was a decision that came within the scope of Sub-section 3 of Section 108 of the Act. An appeal, therefore, in my opinion, lies to this Court.
[On the met its the appeal was dismissed with costs.]
S.C.S
Appeal dismissed.