Nair Service Society vs K. C. Alexander

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

1968 Supreme(SC) 44

Nair Service Society – Appellant
Versus
K. C. Alexander – Respondent

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. M. K. Nambiar, Senior Advocate, (M/s. N. A. Subramanian K. Velayudhan Nair and T. K. Unnithan, Advocates, and M/s. Rameshwar Nath and Mahinder Narain, Advocates of M/s. Rajinder Narain and Co. with him), for Appellant, Mr. S. V. Gupte, Senior Advocate (M/s. T. P. Paulose, B. Dutta and Mrs. Annamma Alexander, Advocates and M/s. J. B. Dadachanji, O. C. Mathur and Ravinder Narain, Advocates of M/s. J. B. Dadachanji and Co. with him), for Respondent No. 1.

Judgement Key Points

Certainly. Here are the key points derived from the provided legal document:

The case involves a dispute over possession of lands, with the plaintiff claiming long-term possession and the defendant asserting rights based on government grants and statutory regulations (!) .
The court examined the timeline of dispossession, noting that the plaintiff was dispossessed from the land in question around 1939, and the nature of possession was challenged based on government orders and land grants (!) (!) .
The defendant argued that possession was lawful because it was derived from a government grant, and thus, the plaintiff's claim for possession was invalid. The court considered whether possession based on government authority could bar a possessory suit (!) (!) .
The court emphasized that possession, even if unlawful, can be a valid basis for a suit for recovery of possession if the suit is filed within the prescribed limitation period. It clarified that possession alone can support a claim, especially when the possession is long-standing and not challenged by a better title (!) (!) .
The distinction between suits under different legal provisions was analyzed, particularly between suits based on title (ejectment) and summary remedies for wrongful dispossession. It was concluded that suits based on prior possession are maintainable even after the limitation period if the possession is adverse and continuous (!) (!) .
The court discussed the legal doctrine that possession is a substantive right that can be defended against all but the true owner, and that possession can be a good title against third parties who cannot show a better right (!) (!) .
It was highlighted that the defendant cannot successfully plead jus tertii (the right of a third party) as a defense against a possessory claim unless the defendant can prove a better title or authority from the true owner (!) (!) .
The court rejected the argument that illegal possession, sanctioned by government orders, bars recovery, emphasizing that possession, even if initially unlawful, can be protected if the possession is peaceful and not based on criminal acts (!) (!) .
The court clarified that amendments to pleadings, even if late, are permissible when they relate to subsequent events that could influence the case, provided there is no undue delay or prejudice to the other party. Such amendments are intended to do justice and reduce litigation (!) (!) (!) .
The court noted that subsequent grants or legal documents, if not explicitly retrospective, should be read prospectively. The grant's legal effect depends on its wording and the circumstances at the time of issuance (!) (!) .
The court addressed procedural issues, including the importance of trial on the original cause of action and the discretion of courts to permit amendments that clarify or adapt to new legal developments, as long as they do not cause undue delay (!) (!) (!) .
The legal principles affirm that possession, supported by long-standing and uncontested facts, can be a sufficient basis for a claim of recovery, even in cases where the possession was initially unlawful or based on trespass, provided the claim is made within the statutory limitation period (!) (!) .
The decision underscores that the legal system favors the protection of possession and that unlawful possession does not necessarily bar recovery if the possession is peaceful and the claim is timely (!) (!) .

Please let me know if you need further analysis or specific legal advice based on these points.

Judgement

HIDAYATULLAH, J. : This is an appeal by certificate from the judgment of the High Court of Kerala, December 23, 1965, reversing the decree of the Sub-Court, Mavelikara. By the judgment and decree under appeal the suit of the first respondent, Rev. Father K. C. Alexander (shortly the plaintiff) was decreed in respect of the suit lands of which he had sought possession from the appellant, Nair Service Society Ltd. (shortly the Society or the first defendant) and some others who are shown as respondents 2 to 6. The facts in this appeal are as follows :

2. The plaintiff filed a suit in forma pauperis on October 13, 1942 against the Society, its Kariasthan (Manager) and four others for possession of 131.23 acres of land from Survey Nos. 780/1 and 780/2 of Rannipakuthy in the former State of Travancore and for mesne profits past and future with compensation for waste. The suit lands are shown as L (1) on a map Ex. L prepared by Commissioners in CMA 206 of 1110 M E. and proved by P. W 10. The two Survey Nos. are admittedly Government Poramboke lands. The plaintiff claimed to be in possession of these lands for over 70 years. In the year 1100 M. E. a Poramboke case for evicting him

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Judicial Analysis

Based on the provided list of case law citations, the vast majority of entries refer to the same seminal Supreme Court of India decision: **Nair Service Society v. K. C. Alexander (AIR 1968 SC 1165)**.

Upon analysis of the judicial treatment patterns within the provided text, there are no instances of this case being overruled, reversed, or abrogated. Instead, it is consistently cited as a "locus classicus," a "fixed principle of law," or "well settled law."

None. No cases in the provided list were identified as overruled, reversed, or bad law.

**Category: Followed and Approved**

The case *Nair Service Society v. K. C. Alexander (AIR 1968 SC 1165)* is universally treated as good and controlling law across all provided snippets. Examples of its treatment include:

**Approval/Following:** ("This decision was approved by the Supreme Court..."), ("...treated as locus classicus by a three Judge Bench..."), ("...was firmly established..."), and ("The controversy in now set at rest by the decision...").

**Consistency:** Many entries state the case is the authority for principles regarding possession, title, amendment of pleadings, and possessory suits. ("So far the proposition of law is concerned it has been resolved by their Lordships..."), ("This position is now well settled...").

**Reference as Standard:** It is frequently used as a benchmark for settling legal disputes ("...came to the very same conclusion...").

None. The judicial treatment of *Nair Service Society v. K. C. Alexander* is unambiguously positive and authoritative throughout the text.

**Source :** V. Seetha Rama Raju VS K. Venkata Narsamma - Andhra Pradesh MADHAVAN NAMBIAR VS NARAYANAN NAIR - Kerala Shri Ram VS Sheo Das - Allahabad Srinath Singh VS Kali Bhawani Prasad - Patna Shanmugham VS Indrani Ammal - Madras KRIPA SINDHU BISWAS VS SUDHA SINDHU BISWAS - Calcutta TINKARI DAS VS JAMUNA BALA DASI - Calcutta R. Ramson and another VS P. Luisom and others - Gauhati JAYAGOPAL MUNDRA VS GULAB CHAND AGARWALLA - Orissa Chaman Lal Narang VS Ashwani Kumar - Punjab and Haryana Hanjabam Bapumacha Sharma and another VS Hanjabam Gokulchandra Sharma and others - Gauhati Sardar Hari Bachan Singh VS Major S. Har Bhajan Singh - Punjab and Haryana JAGANNATH NANDA VS BISHNU DALEI - Orissa BIMALA DEVI VS AGHORE CHANDRA MALLICK - Calcutta Chennai Vedantha Sangam, Chintadripet, Madras by its Secretary VS V. Shanmughasundaram and others - Madras Kalulal VS Mannalal - Rajasthan LISSY VS KUTTAN - Kerala Suraj Mal VS Mangi Lal - Rajasthan SURAJMAL VS MANGILAL - Rajasthan Kalpana Choudhury And Another VS Debi Dayal Choudhary - Patna R. D. ANKLESARIA VS MRS. KAMALA ROY - Calcutta Ramgarib VS Dwarka Singh - Madhya Pradesh Rajanarayanaperumal Temple, Melaiyur, Sirkali taluk, by its Executive Officer VS Rethinam Pillai. - Madras HAFIJAN BIBI VS S. K. ABDUL JABBAR - Calcutta DARSHAN SINGH KOCHHAR VS S. JASWANT SINGH KOCHHAR - Delhi BISWANATH BANDAPADHYAY VS PURNAMONI DASSI - Calcutta DELHI CLOTH AND GENERAL MILLS COMPANY LIMITED VS GANGA CHARAN SHARMA (DECEASED) THROUGHL. RS. - Delhi LALIT MOHAN BHOWMICK VS KSHIRODESWARI DAS - Calcutta Mansaram VS Todal Singh - Madhya Pradesh ZAMILA KHATOON VS UMAR, MUNNA - Calcutta ANADI NATH CHAKRABORTY VS DUKHIRAM GHOSE - Calcutta [RAGHAVENDRA

VS MOTILAL

](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/02500039539) - Allahabad RAGHAVENDRA NARAIN SHAH VS MOTI LAL GUPTA - Allahabad Biren Rava and Others VS Jnanendra Narayan Choudhury - Gauhati Motoi Mia and others VS Abdul Haque and others - Gauhati INDUSTRIAL AND MINING EQUIPMENT COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED VS N. L. KANODIA - Delhi Prayag Sah Teli VS Mahangu Prasad Sah and Another - Gauhati Shri Dayal VS Harish Chandra - Allahabad The Captain of the Ladies' Golf Club, Calcutta vs Calcutta Tramways Company - Calcutta PREETI SINGHA ROY VS CALCUTTA TRAMWAYS CO. LTD. - Calcutta BHAIGA PRADHAN VS ISWAR ADHIKARI - Orissa Preeti Singha Roy VS Calcutta Tramways Corporation - Calcutta Gambhira VS Rajju Raja - Madhya Pradesh ANANTA SUBRAMANIA PADMANABHAN Alias A. PADMANABHAN VS UNION BANK OF INDIA - Calcutta Solya VS Nemichand - Madhya Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Dimapur VS State of Nagaland - Gauhati BALA DOLA VS HEERALAL URAJAN - Madhya Pradesh Hindu Singh VS Ram Singh - Madhya Pradesh Abdul Gani Mia @ Abdul Wahed VS Abdul Gani Mia - Gauhati DAULAT SINGH VS TULSIRAM - Madhya Pradesh STATE OF WEST BENGAL VS NANI GOPAL DUTTA - Calcutta Tara Devi VS Kailash Chand Joshi - Rajasthan NANDA KUMAR PRASAD VS ABHIJIT BISWAS - Orissa Md. Abdul Hussain VS MD. Akkesh Ali - Gauhati Amra VS Samalia - Madhya Pradesh Amar Kaur VS Hardev Singh - Punjab and Haryana GANESHI RAI VS FIRST ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE, GHAZIPUR - Allahabad East India Hotels LTD. VS Syndicate Bank - Supreme Court Ramkishan VS Rampal - Madhya Pradesh Munshi Khan VS Maya Devi - Madhya Pradesh MUNSHI KHAN VS MAYADEVI - Madhya Pradesh Aiysumma VS Mariyamma - Kerala Kanhaiyalal VS Vasudeo - Madhya Pradesh B. V. SUBBACHARI VS B. K. JOYAPPA - Karnataka RAJU REDDY VS COMMISSIONER, BDA - Karnataka PHOOLCHAND (DECEASED BY L. RS. ) VS SHANKERLAL (THROUGH L. RS. ) - Madhya Pradesh Nagar Palika, Jind VS Jagat Singh, Advocate - Supreme Court Dule Singh VS Jhujhar Singh - Madhya Pradesh Gurubachan Singh VS Premlata - Rajasthan GAURA NAIK VS ARJUN CHARAN DASH - Orissa Venkateswara Oil Co. VS G. Jalaja Reddi - Andhra Pradesh MOHAN LAL VS CANTONMENT BOARD, KASAULI - Himachal Pradesh Kanti Lal VS Shanti Devi - Rajasthan SURESH CHANDRA GHOSH VS RABINDRA NATH BISWAS - Calcutta Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam VS K. M. Krishnaiah - Supreme Court Om Prakash VS Vijai Singh - Rajasthan ANNAPPA VS D. S. SUGANDHARAJ - Karnataka Sewa Singh Etc. VS Kirpal Singh - Punjab and Haryana VITTHALRAO VS SHIVRATAN - Madhya Pradesh Mysore Minerals LTD. , M. G. Road, Bangalore VS Commissioners Of Income-tax, Karnataka, Bangalore - Supreme Court SUNIL KUMAR SEN VS UNION OF INDIA - Calcutta Satya Ranjan Saha VS State of Assam - Gauhati N. K. Vij VS Kamal Kapoor - Punjab and Haryana RADHA SARAN DUBEY VS RAM NIWAS - Allahabad UCHHAB BISAI VS NARASINGH PATRA (HAVING DIED), MINAKHI PATRA - Orissa HANUMANTHAGOUDA VS BANDU ALIAS BANDEPPA VENKATESH KULKARNI - Karnataka GURCHARAN SINGH VS RAJENDER VERMA - Himachal Pradesh Nagar Palika Nigam, Gwalior VS Kailash Narain Srivastava - Madhya Pradesh BAJAJ AUTO LIMITED VS VIKRAM SINGH MEHTA - Delhi Hemo Deka VS Pranab Kumar Bhagawati - Gauhati Chief Conservator Of Forests, Govt. Of A. P. VS Collector Of Others - Supreme Court Roma Bhattacharjee VS Md. Bachu Sheikh - Gauhati SEKH SAJAHAN VS GORACHAND SAHEB SEKH ABDUL MOHIT - Calcutta WEST BENGAL MINIMUM WAGES INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL - Calcutta W. B. MINIMUM WAGES INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL - Calcutta USHA GHOSH, DEFENDANT VS RABINDRANATH Das - Calcutta Sukhraji Devi VS Babu Ram Kanaujia - Allahabad JANAK SINGH YADAV VS STATE OF U. P. MINISTRY OF IRRIGATION, U. P. GOVT. LUCKNOW - Allahabad Shah Mohammad Noor Khan VS Jan Mohammad Vali Mohammad - Bombay PHOOL SAKHI VS RAM SAKAL SINGH - Allahabad KHAMGAON URBAN CO-OP. BANK LTD. , AMRAVATI VS KARUNASHANKAR RAMKISHORE TIWARI - Bombay SHAVARAM ALIAS SEVA VS UHAPUBAI - Madhya Pradesh KAMAL KISHORE GUPTA VS PREM LATA - Himachal Pradesh VASUDEV VS RUPKUMARI BANARSO DEVI - Delhi VASUDEV VS RUPKUMARI @ BANARSO DEVI - Delhi Jagmal (Deceased) Thr. LRs. VS MCD - Delhi Murti Shri Mahadev Shankar Bhagwan Ka Mandir Akhiyumahada VS Lalu Ram - Madhya Pradesh Alka Gupta VS Narender Kumar Gupta - Delhi GITA ABHYANKAR VS VIKRAM ABHYANKAR - Delhi Shrimati Lakhwinder Kaur VS Sadar Anjuman Ahmediyya Qadian - Punjab and Haryana TANYA SHARMA VS JUDGE CHAWLA - Delhi Maria Julieta D'Souza VS Government of Goa - Bombay Khandu Shankar Choudhari VS Yeshwant Dhaku Khatri - Bombay ISHWAR CHANDRA GUPTA VS STATE OF U. P. - Allahabad Ajay Kumar VS Chanchala Devi - Current Civil Cases Kalavathy VS Saradha - Madras GUNJAR BEWA VS NAKULA LENKA - Orissa Pratap Singh VS Mangal Khan - Madhya Pradesh NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YMCA’S OF INDIA VS STATE OF U. P. - Allahabad A. Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. VS Applause Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. - Delhi The State of A.P. & Ors. vs M/s. Star Bone Mill & Fertiliser Co. - Supreme Court BHAGWAN SAHAI VS LATIF KHAN - Allahabad Abhey Dewan VS Manoj Sethi - Current Civil Cases Harpal Singh (Dead) Through Lrs VS Rajinder Kaur - Punjab and Haryana K. R. Sugathan VS Jyothi - Kerala Shanti Devi VS Lala Ram - Rajasthan KAMLA VS GULABI DEVI - Allahabad SECRETARY, SADAR PATTY MASJID COMMITTEE VS WAHIDA BEGUM - Gauhati Secretary, Sadar Party Masjid Committee VS Mustt. Wahida Begum - Gauhati Kariyamma VS State of Karnataka - Karnataka AMAR CHANDRA VS KAMLA DEVI - Allahabad Pushpalata Sohanlal Sharma VS Brij Madanlal Sharma - Bombay Kamakhya Saha VS Basanti Rani - Gauhati Kamakhya Saha VS Basanti Rani Das - Current Civil Cases ASHIK ALI VS HARGEN - Allahabad KUSUM KUMRIA VS PHARMA VENTURE (INDIA) PVT. LTD. - Delhi Valsala V. A. VS State of Kerala - Kerala Ramchandra Yeshwant Desai VS Krishna Sitaram Desai - Bombay G. K. Parthasarathy VS K. Gopal - Madras G. Narayan Reddy VS P. Narayana Reddy - Andhra Pradesh Star Track Agency Pvt. Ltd. VS Efcalon Tie Up Pvt. Ltd. - Calcutta JAI SINGH THR LRS VS HARBANS SINGH THR LRS - Delhi Md. Jamir Ali VS Md. Liyakat Ali - Tripura NEW ERA IMPEX (INDIA) PVT LTD VS ORIOLE EXPORTS PRIVATE LTD - Delhi Madhab Ch. Das VS Dipak Bhuyan - Gauhati Meenugu Mallaiah VS Ananthula Rajaiah - Andhra Pradesh SRI NIWAS GUPTA VS SURENDER KUMAR - Delhi THOMAS, S/O. VARAMPILAVIL OUSEPH VS LONAPPAN, S/O. KOLUVANNUKKARAN LONAPPAN - Kerala Krishnaji Maharaj @ Maharani Radhika Jee VS Raj Kumar Sharma, Son of Late Munni Thakur - Patna Sanjay Jairam Shinde VS Jairam Sony Shinde - Bombay Sanjay Jairam Shinde VS Jairam Sony Shinde - Current Civil Cases N. Vijayalakshmi VS Janakiyammal - Madras Mamata Panigrahy alias Panigrahi VS Hemalata Dalai - Orissa Narayan S. Kurdekar S/o Somaiah Kurdekar VS Dawal Sab S/o Jani Sab Sathsanadi Since deceased by LRs. - Karnataka SUNIL JAIN VS ZAMIRUDDIN - Delhi Kuriakose VS Varkey - Kerala K. T. Abdul Azeez VS Addl. Director General of Police - Kerala Munawwar Ali VS Union of India - Madhya Pradesh T. K. Kunhikrishnan VS State of Kerala, Rep. by The District Collector, Kasaragod - Kerala Valli VS Kandasamy - Madras Kerala State Represented By the Chief Secretary, Trivandrum VS Brijit - Kerala STATE OF KERALA Vs BRIJIT - Kerala VCK Share and Stock Broking Services Ltd. VS Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. - Calcutta Krushna Chandra Mallik (dead) VS Mehamud Khatun - Orissa Nakkaraju Satyavathi VS Mulagada Venkata Ramana Kumari - Andhra Pradesh Ravinder Chaudhary VS Kishan Kumar Pauchauri - Delhi Ramesh Chand Koiri VS Chandan Koiri - Calcutta Sugrabi Gulam Shaikh VS A. S. D'Silva through his legal heirs A. Mrs. Luella Dias - Bombay PADHIYAR PRAHLADJI CHENAJI VS MANIBEN JAGMALBHAI DECEASED THRO HEIRS - Gujarat Kaloo Singh VS Raghunath Singh - Allahabad Biswanath Chongdar VS Sudha Ghosh - Calcutta Sudam Charan Sahu VS Angul United Central - Orissa Mahender Kehar VS Skyland Builders Pvt Ltd. - Delhi HARISH CHANDRA VS UNION OF INDIA - Allahabad Dhondiba VS Maruti - Bombay Sudama Ji VS Chhotey Lal - Allahabad Sawwad Ali VS Rajesh Kumar - Allahabad Gold Stone Exports Pvt. Ltd. VS M. S. Murthy, S/o. M. G. Rao - Telangana Gold Stone Exports Pvt. Ltd. VS M. S. Murthy, S/o. M. G. Rao - Telangana RAMDULARE SINGH VS NAWAL SINGH - Chhattisgarh Bhavnagar Mahanagar Palika Through Municipal Commissioner VS Heirs of Decd. Virbhadrasinhji Krushnakumarsinhji Gohil - Gujarat Mohd. Abdulla VS Smt. Janki And Others - Madhya Pradesh Indraj Singh VS Kashi Ram - Allahabad Sumer VS Bator - Allahabad A. Subramanian VS R. Pannerselvam - Supreme Court Madan Mohan Dass VS Brigadier Yellepeddy S Rao (retired) - Delhi Parasuraman VS Thangaraj - Madras DAVIS RAPHEL, Vs HENDRY THOMAS, - Kerala DAVIS RAPHEL, S/O. RAPHEL VS HENDRY THOMAS, S/O. JOHN ANDROOS - Kerala Rajendra Prasad Agrawal VS Samarpan Varishtha Jan Parisar Thru. Manager Gayatri Pa - Allahabad State of Orissa VS Manta Krishna Sethi - Orissa SHANMUGHAM CHETTIYAR vs P.RADHAKRISHNAN CHETTIIYAR - Kerala SHANMUGHAM CHETTIYAR vs P.RADHAKRISHNAN CHETTIYAR - Kerala Rabari Nagjibhai Maneklal VS Nilamben Upendrabhai Shah - Gujarat Venugopal VS M. Rajendra - Karnataka Saheblal S/o Gaibusab Laogavi VS Imamsab S/o Dastagirsab Loagavi - Karnataka Commissioner Bangalore Development Authority T. Chowdaiah Road Bangalore VS S Venkatarama Reddy S/o Srinivasa Reddy - Karnataka Smriti Debbarma (Dead) Through Legal Representative VS Prabha Ranjan Debbarma - Supreme Court Puttagangamma VS Rangaraju - Karnataka Sushil Kumar Kathooriya VS Span Infradevelopers Pvt. Ltd. - Allahabad V P Vedanthappa VS State of Karnataka - Karnataka Shivshankara VS H. P. Vedavyasa Char - Supreme Court P. Venkat Rangamma, W/o. Atchaiah VS K. Varalakshmi, W/o. Rangaiah - Andhra Pradesh R.MANIKUTTAN Versus P. G. PRASAD - Kerala Ramowtar Lakhotia VS State of Bihar - Patna S.Thoms SPG Tamil Church Soceity Railway Station Road vs Church of South India Synod Madra - Telangana Pazhaverkadu Venkataswamy Gramani Trust VS S. Paul (Died) - Madras Pazhaverkadu Venkataswamy Gramani Trust represented by its Hereditary trustee S. Venkataraman VS S. Paul (Died) - Madras Yerikala Sunkalamma VS State of Andhra Pradesh, Department of Revenue - Supreme Court PEEKKARA VEETIL KUNHIRAMAN(DIED,LHRS IMPLEADED) vs THEKKEVEETIL NARAYANAN - Kerala Jayanthi vs Rajkumar - Madras Lrs. Of Bhera Ram vs Kanhaiya Lal, S/o Shri Bhanwarlal - Rajasthan L. J. Leach And Company LTD. VS Jardine Skinner And Company - Supreme Court Kunju Kesavan VS M. M. Philip - Supreme Court Pirgonda Hongonda Patil VS Kalgonda Shidgonda Patil - Supreme Court Kuttan Narayanan VS Thomman Mathai - Kerala Mahabir Prasad Tewari VS Jamuna Singh and another - Supreme Court Surinder Kumar VS Gian Chand - Supreme Court KANDA VS WAGHU - Supreme Court R. Shanmuga Rajeswara Sethupathi VS Chidambaram Chettiar and others - Supreme Court Gajadhar Mahton VS Ambika Prasad Tewari and others - Supreme Court

1968 Supreme(SC) 44

Nair Service Society – AppellantVersusK. C. Alexander – Respondent

Cases Referred (9)

Judicial Analysis

Nair Service Society – Appellant
Versus
K. C. Alexander – Respondent