Exhaustive definition of "person interested" bars transferee from participating in requisition compensation proceedings or appealing the award.

A transferee or beneficiary of requisitioned premises is not a "person interested" under Section 2(d) of the West Bengal Premises Requisition and Control Act, 1947, because the definition is exhaustive and confined to those claiming an interest in the compensation payable for requisition. The statutory scheme assigns compensation fixation, arbitration, nomination of assessors, and receipt of the award only to the State and the person entitled to compensation, such as the owner or other rightful claimant. The Supreme Court distinguished the broader definition under the Land Acquisition Act and held that precedents under that Act cannot expand a definition framed with the word "means". The transferee therefore has no locus to participate in the compensation process or appeal against the arbitrator's award.

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Issues: Whether a transferee or beneficiary of requisitioned premises is a "person interested" under Section 2(d) of the West Bengal Premises Requisition and Control Act, 1947 and therefore entitled to participate in the compensation proceedings, receive the award, and challenge the arbitrator's award in appeal.

Analysis: The definition of "persons interested" in Section 2(d) is confined to persons claiming an interest in the compensation payable on account of requisition of the premises. The statutory scheme places the role in compensation fixation, reference to arbitration, nomination of assessor, and statement of fair compensation only between the State Government and the person to be compensated, namely the owner or other claimant to compensation. The person to whom the requisitioned premises are transferred has no statutory role in those proceedings. The Court distinguished the inclusive definition under Section 3(b) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and held that precedents under that enactment cannot be applied to expand an exhaustive definition framed with the word "means". On that construction, such transferee lacks locus to participate in the arbitration or to file an appeal under Section 11(1)(f).

Conclusion: The transferee or beneficiary of the requisitioned premises is not a "person interested" under Section 2(d) of the Act and has no right to challenge the award of the Arbitrator.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the statute uses an exhaustive definition of "person interested", only the persons specifically covered by that definition can participate in the compensation process and maintain an appeal against the award.

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