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2013 Supreme(SC) 1116

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
G.S. SINGHVI, V. GOPALA GOWDA, C. NAGAPPAN, JJ.
Sebastiao Luis Fernandes (Dead) Through Lrs. & Others
Versus
K.V.P. Shastri (Dead) Through Lrs. Others
Civil Appeal No. 6183 of 2001
Decided On : 10-12-2013

Headnote:(A) Civil Procedure Code, 1908, Sec. 100 — Principles relating to — An inference of fact from the recitals or contents of a document is a question of fact — But the legal effect of the terms of a document is a question of law — Construction of a document involving the application of any principle of law, is also a question of law — Therefore, when there is misconstruction of a document or wrong application of a principle of law in construing a document, it gives rise to a question of law — The High Court should be satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law and not a mere question of law — A question of law having a material bearing on the decision of the case will be a substantial question of law, if it is not covered by any specific provisions of law or settled legal principle emerging from binding precedents, and involves a debatable legal issue — Also, the general rule is that High Court will not interfere with the concurrent findings of the courts below — But it is not an absolute rule — Some of the well-recognised exceptions are — (i) the courts below have ignored material evidence or acted on no evidence; — (ii) the courts have drawn wrong inferences from proved facts by applying the law erroneously; or — (iii) the courts have wrongly cast the burden of proof — When it is a “decision based on no evidence”, it not only refers to cases where there is a total dearth of evidence — But also refers to any case, where the evidence, taken as a whole, is not reasonably capable of supporting the finding — Held that the High Court had framed substantial questions of law as per Sec. 100, CPC, and there was no error in the judgment of the High Court in this regard — Therefore, no interference. (Para 24)

       (B) Evidence Act, 1872, Secs. 101, 102 — Burden of proof and Onus of proof — Distinction between — In term of Sec. 102, the initial onus is always on the plaintiff — If he discharges that onus and makes out a case which entitles him to a relief — Onus then shifts to the defendant to prove those circumstances, if any, which would disentitle the plaintiff to the same. (Para 25)

       

JUDGMENT :

V. Gopala Gowda, J.

This civil appeal is filed by the appellants as they are aggrieved by the judgment and decree of the High Court of Bombay at Goa passed on 14.9.1998 by the learned single Judge in Second Appeal No. 30 of 1986 raising various questions of law and grounds in support of the same. In this judgment for the sake of convenience the rank of the parties is described according to their position before the trial court. The appellants are the legal representatives of the plaintiff and the respondents are the legal representatives of the defendants. The suit was instituted by the original plaintiff in the Court of Civil Judge, Sr. Division at Quepem (hereinafter referred to as “the trial court”) in Civil Suit No.14091 of 1948.

2. The relevant brief factsare stated for the purpose of appreciating the rival legal contentions with a view to examine and find out as to whether the impugned judgment of the High Court of Bombay warrants interference by this Court in this appeal in exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.

The original plaintiff, Inacinha Fernandes filed Civil Suit No. 14091of 1948 on 1.1.1948 before the trial court for declaration that she is the lawful owner in possession of 1/3rd of the property bearing land registration No.16413 and consequential relief for cancellation of registration in favour of the defendants-respondents in respect of such 1/3rd share in the suit schedule property and to register the same in the name of the plaintiff. Presently the legal representatives of the original plaintiff are before us as appellants. It is the case of the plaintiff- appellants that suit schedule property is bearing land registration No.16413 and the claim of the plaintiff-appellants is that it belonged to three brothers namely, Francisco Fernandes (who was the father-in-law of the original plaintiff), Francisco Fernandes junior and Pedro Sebastiao Fernandes and they owned and possessed the same jointly and in equal shares. The defendant No. 2-Tereza is the daughter of Francisco Fernandes junior and the original plaintiff-Inacinha Fernandes is the wife of Luis Fernandes, the son of Francisco Fernandes, the first brother. It is their further case that on the death of Francisco Fernandes, he was survived by the husband of the original plaintiff. It is their case that on the death of said Francisco Fernandes, the 1/3rd share of the suit schedule property devolved upon Luis the late husband of the original plaintiff and it was accordingly enjoyed by the plaintiff. Further case of the plaintiff is that on account of a debt of Rs.198/-to one Naraina Panduronga Porobo, the property was attached and thereafter the liability was paid by way of subrogation of rights in favour of the father of the first defendant, K.V.P. Shastri who bought this property which was sold in public auction on 26th April, 1935 and thereafter granted aforementioned property in favour of the husband of Tereza, namely, Tomas Fernandes vide perpetual lease. It is the case of the plaintiff that the right of subrogation in favour of the father of the first defendant should have been granted by the defendant No.2-Tereza only in respect of 1/3rd share and not in relation to the entire property.

3. The case of the plaintiff was sought to be contested by the defendant No.1 inter alia contending that the claim of the plaintiff is false and ownership and possession of the suit schedule property stands transferred in favour of the defendant No.1 with effect from 26.4.1935 and he had acquired right by way of prescription as it has been enjoyed for 10 years, pursuant to the registration of the suit schedule property in his name. The defendant No.2 also denied the case of the plaintiff and claimed to be in possession pursuant to conveyance thereof by the defendant No.1.

4. On the basis of the pleadings of the parties issues were framed and the matter went for trial and both the parties adduced evidence. On appreci





















































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