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2019 Supreme(SC) 2016

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Ashok Bhushan, K.M. Joseph, JJ.
Hanumesh - Appellant
Versus
Channamma - Respondent
Civil Appeal No. 1220 of 2006
Decided On : 14-02-2019

Advocates Appeared:
Karunakar Mahalik, Adv., B. Vishwanath Bhandarkar, Adv., Sarbendra Kumar, Adv., Rumi Chanda, Adv., V.N. Raghupathy, Adv., Rajani K Prasad, Adv., C.V. Subba Rao, Adv.

Headnote:

Civil Appeal - Schedule property - Suit Praying for Decree - Decree of Declaration - Possession and Enjoyment of Suit Land - Plaintiffs case, in the plaint, was that plaintiffs husband was in possession and enjoyment of land bearing 1 acre 3 guntas in Survey till his death - It was further pleaded that formerly Survey No.315 measured 3 acre 8 guntas out of which 5 guntas belongs to one Nathegowda the grand-father of the defendant and remaining land belongs to the plaintiffs husband - It was further pleaded that out of 3 acre 8 guntas an extent of 2 acre 2 guntas was taken over for purpose of excavating Iruvin Nala by the then Mysore Government by notification - It was further pleaded that defendant or his ancestors in no way related to the plaintiffs family - It was pleaded that revenue records like Pasalu Pahani from year 1954 to 1969 shows that the plaintiffs husband was the owner in possession of 1 acre 3 guntas and defendants ancestors owned only 3 guntas until 1969 - It was further pleaded that revenue records were corrected in 1968 in mechanical manner without any verification – Held, High Court was of the opinion that Courts below have not properly considered documentary evidence, course open was, either to remit the matter for fresh consideration or High Court ought to have itself considered the documents and form its opinion - There were sufficient materials by way of documentary evidence as well as oral statement of parties, which throw considerable light on rights of parties - We will only refer to the notification issued by Government, where Survey has been described in four sub-division - We are of the view that ends of justice be served in setting aside judgment of High Court and remitting the matter to High Court for fresh consideration, we direct so - High Court may decide the Regular Second Appeal afresh, in accordance with law, after hearing the parties - We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on merits of the case and it is for the High Court to consider the evidence and take appropriate decision in accordance with law - Appeal disposed of.

ORDER

1. This appeal has been filed against the judgment dated 21.12.2005 of the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore in RSA No.566 of 2001.

2. The RSA was filed by the plaintiff. The High Court vide impugned judgment has allowed the Regular Second Appeal setting aside the decree of the trial Court. High Court further held that defendant's right, if any, is on the eastern side of the portion, only 3 guntas. Defendant, aggrieved by the judgment of the High Court, has come up in this appeal.

3. The parties shall be referred to as described in the plaint. The plaintiff filed Original Suit No.610/89 praying for decree of declaration and permanent injunction restraining the defendant from interfering with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit land. There were certain other prayers in the plaint. Schedule property described in the plaint was Survey No.315, measuring 1 acre 3 guntas. The plaintiff's case, in the plaint, was that plaintiff's husband Hanuma @ Hanumegowda was in possession and enjoyment of the land bearing 1 acre 3 guntas in Survey No.315 till his death. It was further pleaded that formerly Survey No.315 measured 3 acre 8 guntas out of which 5 guntas belongs to one Nathegowda the grand-father of the defendant and the remaining land belongs to the plaintiff's husband. It was further pleaded that out of 3 acre 8 guntas an extent of 2 acre 2 guntas was taken over for the purpose of excavating Iruvin Nala by the then Mysore Government by notification dated 22.04.1933. It was further pleaded that defendant or his ancestors in no way related to the plaintiff's family. It was pleaded that revenue records like Pasalu Pahani from the year 1954 to 1969 shows that the plaintiff's husband was the owner in possession of 1 acre 3 guntas and defendant's ancestors owned only 3 guntas until 1969. It was further pleaded that revenue records were corrected in 1968 in mechanical manner without any verification. When it came to the knowledge of the plaintiff, she submitted an application to the Tahsildar to correct the wrong entry. Ultimately, the matter was decided by the Commissioner with an observation that entries made in record of rights by the official is wrong and the same has been written without applying the mind. It was observed that it is a matter to be decided by the Civil Court. The petition was dismissed ordering to keep the khata in joint until the matter is adjudicated by the Civil Court. The plaintiff pleaded that defendant attempted to cut and remove the standing paddy and sugarcane crop grown by the plaintiff, hence cause of action arose for filing of the suit.

4. The defendant filed written statement and denied the plaint allegations that defendant has only 3 guntas land in the Survey No.315. It was pleaded that the defendant's ancestors were joint owner in possession and enjoyment of the entire land comprised in serial no.315. 2 acres and 2 guntas was acquired for the purpose of Irvin Cannal. It was further pleaded that about 32 to 33 years back, the father of the defendant and the husband of the plaintiff orally divided the said extent of land i.e. 1 acre 6 guntas in the suit schedule property. In the said oral division the eastern half portion fell into the share of the defendant's father and the remaining western half fell into the share of the plaintiff's husband. An additional written statement was also filed claiming right on the basis of the continuous adverse possession. It was pleaded that by law he has matured right of adverse possession. The trial Court came to the conclusion that plaintiff has proved that she is owner of the suit property only in respect of wester half portion and with regard to possession also the same finding was returned. Other issues were decided against the plaintiff. The trial Court noticed the documentary evidence, produced by parties. The notification, which was issued by the Government under Sections 4 and 6 of the Land Acquisition Act i.e. notification dated 13.06.1933,

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