ORDER : 1. Leave granted. 2. The defendant is in appeal against the order passed by the High Court allowing the Second Appeal No. 294 of 1996 and remanding the matter to the first Appellate Court for a fresh decision. 3. In particular, the grievance is that the High Court had directed the First Appellate Court to test the validity of the orders passed by the Land Tribunal, the appellate authority in the earlier round of revenue proceedings. 4. The submission is that such a direction could not have been issued in view of the specific bar contained in Section 125(2) of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, 1963. 5. Further submission is that the orders passed in the revenue proceedings by the Land Tribunal were confirmed up to the High Court, which aspect also was not noticed by the High Court while remanding the matter and in making the observations as to how the First Appellate Court would decide the appeal afresh. 6. Learned Counsel for the respondent has sought to justify the order of remand. 7. We are not convinced with the impugned order passed by the High Court as such the appeal deserves to be allowed and the impugned order deserved to be set aside. Since, the High Court has itself not decided the appeal on merits, we restore the Second Appeal before the High Court and request the High Court to decide the same on merits after affording the opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, in accordance with law. 8. Further, since the matter is pending for a long time, we request the High Court to make an endeavour to decide the Second Appeal expeditiously. Both sides have extend their co-operation in the disposal of the Second Appeal. 9. The Appeal stands allowed with the above terms. 10. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.