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2026 Supreme(SC) 447

M. M. SUNDRESH, AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH
A. P. State Wakf Board through Chairperson – Appellant
Versus
Janaki Busappa – Respondent


Advocates appeared:
For the Appellant(s) : Mr. Shoeb Alam, Sr. Adv. Mrs. D. Bharathi Reddy, AOR Mr. Nishant Sharma, Adv. Mrs. D.tejaswi Reddy, Adv. Ms. Adviteeya, Adv. Mr. Dev Sareen, Adv.
For the Respondent(s): Mr. Guru Krishnakumar, Sr. Adv. Mr. Rama Subba Raju, Adv. Mr. Gopinathan Ep, Adv. Mr. Balaji Srinivasan, AOR Mr. D. Abhinav Rao, AOR Mr. Abhisek Das, Adv. Mr. Aniket Singh, Adv. Ms. Megha Shaw, Adv. Mr. M.B. Rama Subba Raju, Adv. Mr. Anoop Prakash Awasthi, AOR Mr. Shubham Dubey, Adv. Mr. Ashish Jha, Adv. Mr. Rushikanta Dash, Adv. Ms. Jasleen Kaur, Adv.

Judgement Key Points

Key Points: - The judgment centers on whether the suit property is Wakf property or service inam and thus its title/alienability (!) (!) (!) - It holds that service inam lands attached to religious institutions partake in Wakf, affecting transferability and title; partition deeds describing land as service inam do not confer independent title (!) (!) - The court criticizes the High Court for shifting the burden of proof and for re-appreciating evidence, reiterating that a plaintiff for declaration must prove title by their own case (!) (!) (!) - It emphasizes admissions by PW-1 as substantive evidence to support partition recitals (!) (!) - It relies on documentary materials (partition deed, stand of gazette notification, survey reports) to conclude Wakf character of property (!) (!) - It references Sayyed Ali and Nagindas Ramdas for principles on Wakf property and evidentiary admissions, applying them to the present case (!) (!) - The Tribunal’s findings restoring its decree are upheld; High Court’s revision is set aside (!) - The final decision restores the Tribunal judgment and allows the appeal, with no costs (!) (!)

What is the nature and character of the suit schedule property—whether it is Wakf property or service inam? (Style: What is...)

What are the applicable evidentiary and burden principles in a suit for declaration of title and injunction, and did the High Court err in shifting the burden or re-appreciating evidence? (Style: What is...)

What are the legal consequences of the partition deed recitals describing land as service inam in determining title and possessory rights? (Style: What is...)


Table of Content
1. dispute over suit land as personal inam vs wakf service inam. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11)
2. service inam is inalienable wakf; plaintiffs bear proof burden. (Para 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19)
3. wakf board must prove title; recitals not binding on third parties. (Para 20 , 21 , 22)
4. partition deed recitals establish service inam as wakf property. (Para 23 , 24 , 25)
5. corroborated party admissions prove service inam nature. (Para 26 , 27 , 28)
6. notifications and reports cumulatively confirm wakf character. (Para 29)
7. prior judgments inapplicable to different facts and parties. (Para 30 , 31)
8. title declaration requires plaintiff's independent proof. (Para 32 , 33 , 34)
9. possession without title denies injunction relief. (Para 35)
10. property is wakf; high court erred in re-appreciating evidence. (Para 36 , 37)
11. tribunal decree restored; appeal allowed without costs. (Para 38 , 39 , 40 , 41)

JUDGMENT :

AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH, J.

1. The present Civil Appeal arises out of the final Judgment and Order dated 18.01.2011 (“Impugned Judgment”) passed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh (“High Court”) in Civil Revision Petition No. 3786

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