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1996 Supreme(SC) 239

1996(2) Supreme 283
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. Ramaswamy and G.B. Pattanaik, JJ.
Surain Singh (dead) by LR s & Ors.
-Apellants
versus
Mehenga (dead) by LR. s -Respondents
Civil Appeal No. 2195 of 1977
Decided on 1-2-1996
Counsel for the Parties :
For the Appellant: S.K. Gamghir, Advocate.

IMPORTANT POINT
Where there were diverse view of Trial Court and first Appellate Court on a question of fact, the High Court can go into the question in second appeal if some material evidence and relevant circumstances were not adverted to by the first appellate Court.

Headnote:Civil Procedure Code, 1908- Section 100-Second Appeal-Suit that sale deed is valid-Trial Court dismissed-On appeal, first appellate Court reversed-High Court in second appeal restored Trial Court for different reason-Whether High Court was wrong in reversing first appellate Court in second appeal on a question of fact in this case ? (No)-Interference in appeal under Art. 136 is not called for.

       Held : Though normally the High Court might not have interfered with the finding recorded by the appellate Court, in view of the diverse view by the trial Court and the appellate Court, the High Court was impelled to go into the question and recorded a finding. The material evidence and relevant circumstances were not adverted to by the first appellate Court. The High Court, therefore, had done that exercise. It being a finding of fact, we do not find it a fit case for our further interference. (Para 1)

ORDER

This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment of the Punjab & Haryana High Court in R.S.A. No. 878 of 1964 dated September 27, 1976. The appellants/plaintiffs were non-suited by the High Court on the finding that the sale deed was without consideration (Ex. P-l) executed and registered on September 29, 1959. Shri S.K. Gamghir, the learned counsel for the appellants contended that the question whether consideration has been passed is a pure question of fact. The appellate Court having gone into that aspect as Court of fact and having entered a finding, reversal thereof by the High Court is illegal. It is not in dispute that in the suit the respondents contended that the sale deed was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation and without consideration. The trial Court dismissed the suit. But on appeal, the appellate Court reversed the finding and held that neither fraud nor misrepresentation was made out. Adequate consideration was passed under the sale deed. Therefore, it is a valid sale deed. The High Court after considering the evidence ultimately recorded a finding that there is no proof that the appellants had paid the consideration. In that behalf, the High Court has looked into the accounts maintained by the appellant himself and it is stated thus :

"that no evidence has been led by the respondents/appellants to show that Rs. 2350/- were due to them from the appellants/respondents on the basis of Bahi s account and bonds. It has also not been proved by the respondents that the amount of Rs. 1650 was paid by them to the appellants."

On the basis of the said finding, the High Court has reversed the decree of the appellate Court and confirmed, though for different reasons, the decree of the trial Court. Though normally the High Court might not have interfered with the finding recorded by the appellate Court, in view of the diverse view by the trial Court and the appellate Court, the High Court was impelled to go into the question and recorded a finding. The material evidence and relevant circumstances were not adverted to by the first appellate Court. The High Court, therefore, had done that exercise. It being a finding of fact, we do not find it a fit case for our further interference.

2. The appeal is, therefore, dismissed. But in the circumstances, without costs.

*************.

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