Commutation of rights
Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 deals with commutation of rights. In case the Forest Settlement-officer finds it impossible, having due regard to the maintenance of the reserved forest, to make such settlement under section 15 as shall ensure the continued exercise of the said rights to the extent so admitted, he shall, subject to such rules as the [State Governme The Act came into force on 21 Sep 1927.
In case the Forest Settlement-officer finds it impossible, having due regard to the maintenance of the reserved forest, to make such settlement under section 15 as shall ensure the continued exercise of the said rights to the extent so admitted, he shall, subject to such rules as the 1[State Government] may make in this behalf, commute such rights, by the payment to such persons of a sum of money in lieu thereof, or by the grant of land, or in such other manner as he thinks fit.
Section 16, The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (Act 16 of 1927).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Rajesh Sah vs State of Uttarakhand through Collector Nainital
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A District Judge hearing an appeal under Section 17 against the Forest Settlement Officer's compensation order discharges an adjudicatory function and is a 'Court', so the savings clause in Section 29(2) of the Limitation Act is attracted and Section 5 permits condonation of delay beyond the three months prescribed by Section 17; the State's appeal filed about a year and four months late was therefore entertainable.
On this section: Sets out the Section 16 commutation exercise, extracting the provision and treating the compensation fixed under it as an appealable adjudication rather than an administrative estimate.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 16
What have the courts held on Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act?
Rajesh Sah vs State of Uttarakhand through Collector Nainital (01 Apr 2021) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Sets out the Section 16 commutation exercise, extracting the provision and treating the compensation fixed under it as an appealable adjudication rather than an administrative estimate.
How do I find court cases under Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Indian Forest Act 1927 16, section 16 Indian Forest Act 1927, section 16 of the Indian Forest Act. People searching for it also type indian forest act 1927 16 of 1927. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Rajesh Sah vs State of Uttarakhand through Collector Nainital (01 Apr 2021).
What should I read with Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 15 (Exercise of rights admitted), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (1990).
When did Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act come into force?
Section 16 of the Indian Forest Act, cited as Indian Forest Act 1927 16, came into force on 21 Sep 1927, having been enacted on 21 Sep 1927. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 52. Seizure of property liable to confiscation4491 words
- 38. Protection of forests at request of owners2928 words
- 61. Saving of power to release property seized2876 words
- 82. Recovery of money due to Government2108 words
- 20. Notification declaring forest reserved1635 words
- 2. Interpretation clause1380 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 18 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.