1996(8) Supreme 521
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. Ramaswamy and G.B. Pattanaik, JJ.
Mithilesh Kumar -Appellant
versus
Manohar Lal -Respondent
Civil Appeal No. 2325 of 1980
Decided on 30-10-1996
Counsel for the Parties :
For the Appellant : J.P. Goyal, Sr. Advocate, R.P. Goyal, Sushil K. Jain, Advocates.
For the Respondent : G.L. Sanghi, Sr. Advocate, K.B. Rohtagi and Ms. Aparna Rohtagi, Advocates.
(ii) Constitution of India-Art. 136-Respondent purchased property from appellant with open land-Agreement was executed limiting right to construct the house in manner and subject to restrictions envisaged-Appellant filed suit for perpetual injunction restraining respondent from raising construction except Chabutra in north and from opening windows, door ventilators, parnalas towards north, south and east of plaintiff s property by raising any construction in the passage-Appellant relying upon agreement executed by respondent-Agreement did not require registration-Appellate Court was justified in decreeing the suit-High Court was in error in reversing the decree. (Paras 2 & 11)
ORDER
This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment of the learned single Judge of the Allahabad High Court made on 26.10.1979 in Civil Appeal No. 68/71.
2. The appellant filed the suit for perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from raising a construction except the Chabutra in the north after leaving a 3 feet passage and from opening windows, door ventilators, parnalas towards the north, south and east of the plaintiff s property by raising any construction in the passage. The appellant relies upon the agreement dated June 26, 1964 executed by the respondent as foundation for the aforesaid rights. He also sought alternative relief on the basis thereof that if any construction is made in violation of the said agreement, there shall be given mandatory injunction to demolish the same at the instance of the defendant and to close the doors, windows, ventilators etc. at his cost. The trial Court dismissed the suit. But on appeal, the appellate Court reversed the decree of the District Munsif, Kashipur of his judgment & decree dated May 10, 1971 and decreed the suit only in respect of item Nos. 1 and 2 holding that the agreement did not required registration. The High Court in the second appeal held that the items require registration compulsorily under Section 17 (1)(b) of the Registration Act. Since the agreement was not registered, the appellant has no right to claim any right on that basis. Accordingly, it allowed the second appeal, reversed that decree of the appellate Court and confirmed that of the trial Court. Thus, this appeal by special leave.
3. The admitted position is that the respondent had purchased the property of an extent of 1732.6 sq. ft. situated in the north-south by extending 60 ft. 6" towards north-south and 30 feet towards north-south situated at Mohalla Ganj, Kashipur, District Nainital from the appellant and got it registered in the Registrar s Office. On the next day, namely, 26.6.1964, he had entered into an agreement with a condition envisaged as hereunder:
"I have purchased a piece of land only and not the trees and the wall. The said trees and wall belong to Shri Mithlesh Kumar. The following are the terms and conditions in respect of the said trees and the wall:-
(1) That lal Mithlesh Kumar will uproot the said trees and demolish the wall within 6 months hereof.
(2) Whatever construction is raised by me in the said piece of land, I will not open any door or window or ventilator or rain-water pipe or other pipe for discharge of day-to day water flow towards the South, North & East. I will not construct any platform or balcony or stairs or corners towards 16 ft. wide passage which Sh. Mithlesh Kumar has left in his land in front of my piece of land.
(3) That I will raise my boundary wall in the north after leaving a set-back of 3 ft. measured from the platform.
(4) That if I violate any terms or condition, as aforesaid, Lala Mithlesh Kumar will have a right to enforce the same through process of law at my costs and expenses.
4. The crucial question in this case is: whether this agreement is a compulsorily registrable document? Shri G.L. Sanghi, learned senior counsel for the respondent, sought to contend that though the agreement was no supported by any consideration, the document is not an agreement in the eye of law since it was not signed by the appellant and, therefore, the document will not form the foundation for the right to file the suit. We cannot permit the learned counsel to argue the contention for the reason that, as regards the agreement dated June 26, 1964, the appellate Court and the High Court found, as a fact, that it is an agreement entered into by the respondent with the appellant. Therefore, it is a finding of fact based on consideration of evidence. We cannot permit the learned counsel for the respondent to argue that it is not an agreement. As regards lack of consideration in the agreement, there is no plea. Neither there is any evidence nor was any contention raise
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