Sir John Beaumont.-

This is an appeal from a judgment and decree dated 21st April 1943, of the High Court of Judicature at Patna, which reversed a judgment and decree dated 27th May 1940, of the Subordinate Judge, Dhanbad, Bihar.

[2] The suit out of which this appeal arises was commenced on 11th January 1939, in the Court of the Subordinate Judge, Dhanbad, Bihar, by respondent 1, who will hereafter be referred to as "the plaintiff," against the appellant, who will hereafter be referred to as "defendant 1," and respondent 2, who will hereafter be referred to as "defendant 2." The plaintiff claimed a declaration of his title to the land in suit and a decree for possession against defendant 1, and other relief which is not material to the present appeal. The property in suit was a plot No. 2192, with buildings thereon, situate in the district of Manbhum, Pargana Jharia.

[3] J The claim of the plaintiff against defendant 1 was based on the contention that defendant 1 was his tenant and estopped from disputing his title to the land in suit. The learned Subordinate Judge, whilst not questioning the general proposition of law, embodied in India in S. 116. Evidence Act, which precludes a tena