17. Definition of 'settled Raiyat'. - (1) Every person who, for a period of twelve years, whether wholly or partly before or after the commencement of this Act, has continuously held as a 'Raiyat' land situate in any village, whether under a lease or otherwise, shall be deemed to have become on the expiration of that period a settled 'Raiyat' of that village.
(2)A person shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Section, to have continuously held land in a village, notwithstanding that the particular land held by him has been different at different times.(3)A person shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Section, to have held as a 'Raiyat' any land held as a 'Raiyat' by a person whose heir he is.(4)Land held by two or more co-sharers as a 'Raiyati' holding shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Section, to have been held as a 'Raiyat' by each such co-sharer.(5)A person shall continue to be a settled 'Raiyat' of village as long as he holds any land as a 'Raiyat' in that village and for three years thereafter.(6)If a Raiyat recovers possession of land under Section 71, or by suit, he shall be deemed to have continued to be a settled 'Raiyat', notwithstanding his having been out of possession for more than three years.(7)If, in any suit or proceeding, it is proved or admitted that a person holds any land as a 'Raiyat', it shall, as between him and the landlord under whom he holds the land, be presumed, for the purpose of this Section, until the contrary is proved or admitted, that he has twelve years continuously held that land or some part of it as a 'Raiyat'.
