Karnataka High Court
M.A.Raju - Appellant
Versus
Annaiah - Respondent
Decided On : 04-10-03
R.S.A. : 730 of 1998
KARNATAKA STAMP ACT, 1957 - No time limit as such -provisions referred -refer to used and damaged stamps -no provision found to declare that an unused stamp to become invalid after certain period.
[K. Sreedhar Rao, J.] - There is no evidence to show that the stamp papers were deliberately kept unsold by the stamp vendor to allow misuse for concocting anti dated documents. In the absence of such evidence, it is not proper to suspect the bonafide of the stamp vendor.
Cases Referred : AIR 1976 SC 807; AIR 1992 SC 1604.
Claim of title based on Palupatti
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE, 1908 - Section 100 - Suit for declaration of title and for permanent injunction - suit schedule property - alleged to be acquired from the nucleus of the joint family funds - title claimed based on Palupatti - execution of, disputed -self acquisition pleaded -HRC proceedings initiated in respect of the suit property - 2nd defendant testified to the execution of Palupatti -no independent evidence led to establish that the LTM of the 2nd defendant obtained on Palupatti by coercion, fraud, misrepresentation or threat - consent of 2nd defendant to Palupatti - established - held, the 4th defendant/purchaser is estopped from challenging the allotment made to the plaintiff.
[K. Sreedhar Rao, J.] - Excepting the self-serving testimony of the second defendant, there is no independent evidence to establish that the LTM of the second defendant is taken on the Palupatti either by coercion, fraud, mis-representation or by threat in any manner.
Cases Referred: AIR 1976 SC 807; AIR 1992 SC 1604
The Doctrine of estoppel
ESTOPPEL-
No specific mention made in pleadings and evidence - plaintiff rambling in so many words - having the effect of fulfilling all the requirements of the doctrine - held, therefore, the contention of the appellant on the basis of the plea of Doctrine of Estoppel is not something a departure from the pleadings and evidence of a new case canvassed for the first time.
[K. Sreedhar Rao, J. ] - Therefore, the contention of Counsel for the appellant on the basis of the plea of Doctrine of Estoppel is not something a departure from the pleadings and evidence of a new case canvassed for the first time.
Cases Referred : AIR 1976 SC 807; AIR 1992 SC 1604.
( 1 ) THIS second appeal arises out of the Judgment and Decree passed by the District Judge, Mandya in R. A. No. 50/94 arising out of the Judgment and Decree passed in O. S. No. 114/91 on the file of Addl. Civil Judge, Mandya. The appellant is the plaintiff filed a suit for declaration of title and for permanent injunction against the defendants not to interfere with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit schedule property. The suit came to be dismissed and the consequent appeal is also dismissed. Aggrieved by the said judgment, the present second appeal is filed.
( 2 ) ACCORDING to the plaintiff's contention, he constituted a joint family along with the defendants 1 to 3. The joint family owned around 7 acres of wet land. The first defendant is the father. The second defendant is his mother and the third defendant is the elder brother. It is said that the father and elder brother of the plaintiff found that the property could be conveniently managed by the plaintiff. Therefore, executed a power of attorney to manage the joint family properties. During the course of management of joint family properties, three lands came to be purchased. One land was purchased in the name of the plaintiff. One land was purchased in the name of the third defendant and the suit land was purchased in the name of the second defendant under a registered sale deed for a consideration of Rs. 12,000/ -. The plaintiff contends that the family was owning sufficient large extent of wet lands generating sufficient income and around the time of purchase five house sites belonging to the joint family came to be sold. The funds realised from the said sale and with the surplus funds of the joint family the suit land and the other two lands came to be purchased. On account of the differences between the family members, a partition took place. Under the partition marked at Ex. P5, the properties were divided among the members of the family. Apart from the other properties, the suit land was allotted to the share of the plaintiff. Similarly, the properties have been allotted jointly to defendants 1 and 2 and properties were separately allotted to the third defendant. The instrument effecting division of property has been described by the plaintiff in the pleadings as family settlement evidencing the record of a past oral transaction between the parties. By virtue of allotment of properties under Ex. P5 the plaintiff claims lawful possession and enjoyment of the property as the owner and allege illegal interference on the part of defendants and further contends that the second defendant has illegally alienated the property in favour of the 4th defendant, who is the stranger to the joint family. Hence, seek declaration of title and injunction.
( 3 ) THE defendants 1 to 3 have filed common written statement. It is contended that the suit land is purchased by the second defendant by pleading the gold belonging to her and from the income earned by her from milk vending and specifically contends the suit property is purchased without the aid of joint family funds. It is further contended that by employing intermediary tactics and coercion, the signatures of the 2nd defendant is obtained on some blank papers and the same is concocted as a palupatti.
( 4 ) THE 4th defendant has filed a written statement denying the claim of the plaintiff. It is pertinent to note that the 4th defendant does not take up the plea of bona fide purchaser supports the title of the second defendant and contends that it is a self-acquired property of the second defendant.
( 5 ) THE trial Court on the basis of the pleadings and the evidence found that the suit property has been purchased by the second defendant by her own funds and without the aid of the joint family funds. Further, holds that the second defendant being a female member her self acquired property not being a joint family property could not have been blended with the joint family property to make it a
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