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2007 Supreme(Kar) 623

Karnataka High Court
Judges : S.R.BANNURMATH ANDA.N.VENUGOPALA GOWDA
DEVIDAS - Appellant
Versus
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER - Respondent
Writ Appeal 599 Of 2007
Decided On : 09/21/2007
Advocates Appeared :
P.G.MOGALI, VIGNESHWAR S.SHASTRY

Headnote:Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 - Sections 141 and 142 - Scope of - Section 141 refers to settlement of dispute by arbitration - Section 142 is to settle or determine boundaries - Both are independent provisions - Jurisdiction of Tahsildar to pass an order of eviction from encroached portion does not depend on settlement as provided under Section 141. [S. R. Bannurmath and A.N.Venugopala Gowda, JJ.]: Under Section 141 of the Act it is provided that, when there is a dispute regarding boundaries between the two or more parties and it they agree to settle the dispute by arbitration, provision is made to settle such boundary dispute by way of arbitration under Section 141 of the Act. Whereas, section 142 is totally an independent provision. Basically, when there is a dispute regarding boundaries, it is the authorities to measure/survey lands and settle the disputed area. The meaning of the word Settlement used in Section 141 of the Act. Section 141 speaks about the settlement of dispute whereas Section 142 is to settle or determine the boundaries and as such in our view both are totally independent provisions.

       Cases Referred: ILR 1999 KAR 3847; ILR 1986 Kar. 2404.

       Precedents - Per incurium - Rule of - When applies. [S. R. Bannurmath and A.N.Venugopala Gowda, JJ.]: Rule of per incuriam applies where the Court omits to consider a binding precedent of the same Court or the Superior Court rendered on the same issue or where a Court omits to consider any relevant provisions of the statute while deciding that issue.

       Cases Referred: ILR 1999 KAR 3847; ILR 1986 Kar. 2404.

BANNURMATH, J.

( 1 ) AGGRIEVED by the dismissal of the writ petition No. 83 87/06 by the order dated 21. 2. 2007 passed by the learned Single Judge, the present appeal is filed.

( 2 ) THE appellants are the writ petitioners and they had approached this Court challenging the order dated 22. 3. 2006 passed by the Deputy Commissioner confirming the orders of the Assistant commissioner and the Tahsildar dated 24. 2. 2006 and 5. 3. 2004 respectively.

( 3 ) IT is to be noted that the petitioners claim to be the owners of land bearing Sy. No. 38/2 measuring 1 acre 13 guntas of Shirwad village in Karwar Taluk. The respondents-4 and 5 are the neighbouring land owners of Sy. No. 38/ld measuring 17 guntas and 8 annas. According to the appellants when they were in peaceful possession and enjoyment of their property the 5th respondent behind the back of the appellants got her land surveyed on 22-6-2001 and the Survey report showing the encroachment on the part of the appellants to an extent of 2 guntas and 08 annas was found. According to the appellants, relying upon such one sided survey, the 5th respondent had approached the Tahsildar, Karwar, to take action under Section 142 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act ("the Act 'for short) against them. Based on the same, after issuing notice to the appellants and considering their detailed objections by the impugned order dated 5. 3. 2004 Tahsildar relying upon the Survey Report and Sketch of the year 2001, directed the appellants to vacate the encroached portion of 2 guntas and 8 annas. Aggrieved by the same, the appellants had approached the Assistant Commissioner and the Deputy commissioner by filing appeal and revision petitions. Both the assistant Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner dismissed the appeal and revision petitions respectively filed before them. Being aggrieved by the same, the appellants have approached this Court and the learned Single Judge of this Court has also affirmed all the orders. Hence, the present appeal.

( 4 ) THE main contention of the learned counsel for the appellants is that Section 142 of 'the Act' does not give jurisdiction to the authorities especially the Tahsildar to grant an order of eviction unless the case arises from the settlement as provided under Section 141 of 'the Act'. In this regard, the learned counsel has relied upon the judgment of the learned Single Judge of this Court in the case of channappa AND ANOTHER vs DEPUTY COMMISSIONER and OTHERS. It was held therein that, the Tahsildar has no jurisdiction under Section 142 of the Act' unless the parties submit to the settlement by arbitration to that effect in writing and only when section 141 is complied with, Section 142 of'the Act" comes into operation

( 5 ) ON perusal of the provisions of Sections 141 and 142 of the act, in our view the conclusion arrived at by the learned Single Judge in the aforesaid decision is clearly erroneous. Under Section 141 of 'the Act', it is provided that, when there is a dispute regarding boundaries between the two or more parties and if they agree to settle the dispute by arbitration, provision is made to settle such boundary dispute by way of arbitration under Section 141 of the Act'. Whereas, section 142 is totally an independent provision. Basically, when there is a dispute regarding boundaries, it is the authorities to measure/survey lands and settle the disputed area. The meaning of the word 'settlement' used in Section 142 of'the Act' is different from the word 'settlement' used in Section 141 of'the Act'. Section 141 speaks about the settlement of dispute whereas Section 142 is to settle or determine the boundaries and as such in our view both are totally independent provisions. In fact, as long back as in the year 1986 the learned Single Judge of this Court in the case of PATEL doddakempegowda vs CHIKKEEREGOWDA has considered the scope and object of Section 142 of 'the Act' and as, held thus:

"in this connection, Section 140 (2) and Section 142 of




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