IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
S.K. Desai, J.
Appellants: R. Jaikrishna Co.
Vs.
Respondent: A. 1 Co-operating Housing Society Ltd.
Suit No. 788 of 1968 Decided On: 15.07.1970
Counsels:
For Appellant/Petitioner/Plaintiff: D.R. Dhanuka, Adv.
For Respondents/Defendant: P.R. Mridul, Adv.
AMENDMENT OF PLAINT - JURISDICTION - COURT FEES - INJUNCTION - POSSESSION - CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE, ORDER 7, RULES 10, 11, 13, 17 - MAHARASHTRA ACT IX OF 1970, SECTION 6(2)(C) - A suit for injunction to restrain the defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs' possession of the suit premises was filed in the Bombay City Civil Court. The plaint was returned for presentation to the proper Court as the subject-matter of the suit was susceptible of monetary evaluation. The plaintiffs filed the suit in the High Court and also took out a Chamber Summons for amendment of the plaint to clarify that they were in possession of the suit premises and that they had no intention to sue for possession. The defendants opposed the amendment on various grounds, including that it would oust the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiffs filed a suit for injunction to restrain the defendants from interfering with their possession of the suit premises. The plaint was returned for presentation to the proper Court as the subject-matter of the suit was susceptible of monetary evaluation. The plaintiffs filed the suit in the High Court and also took out a Chamber Summons for amendment of the plaint to clarify that they were in possession of the suit premises and that they had no intention to sue for possession.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the proposed amendment should be allowed as it would not oust the jurisdiction of the High Court. The court also held that the plaintiffs were seeking the amendments at their own risk and if they failed to establish that they were in juridical possession of the suit premises they were likely to fail at the hearing of the action.
Issues: 1. Whether the proposed amendment would oust the jurisdiction of the High Court? 2. Whether the plaintiffs were seeking the amendments at their own risk?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the proposed amendment would not oust the jurisdiction of the High Court as it would only clarify the plaintiffs' intention to seek an injunction and not an order for possession. 2. The court held that the plaintiffs were seeking the amendments at their own risk as they would have to prove that they were in juridical possession of the suit premises in order to succeed in the action.
Final Decision: The court allowed the Chamber Summons for amendment of the plaint.
The main praver in the plaint is for an injunction. The Plaintiffs have alleged that thev aereed to purchase from the defendants the premises mentioned in the suit. Their case in the plaint is that at a meeting of the Managing Committee of the defendants, held on 28th Mav. 1966 it was resolved that immediate possession of the pre-mises mentioned in the suit should be handed over to the plaintiffs. The Plaintiffs also refer to a letter written by the plaintiffs on 2nd June 1966 wherein it has been recorded that possession has been handed over to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs further allege that the plaintiffs have paid the full price in respect of the suit premises even though they were in an incomplete state reiving upon the premises of the defendants that they would complete the construction thereof, subsequently. The further case in the plaint is that on or about 21st October 1968 under the orders of the Secretary, Maintenance Committee, of the defendants, the looks of the premises situate on the ground floor, viz.. the hall and the flat, were forcibly broken open and that the bricks from incomplete walls of the flats on the 10th floor of the building were being removed by breaking the walls and the same were brought down on the ground floor. The plaintiffs have contended that the defendants or the members of their Maintenance Committee have no right whatsoever to enter into or remain in or upon the suit premises and that their action amounts to trespass. There is only one main praver in the plaint. Bv this prayer the Plaintiffs have asked for a permanent injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and agents from in any manner entering or remaining in or upon the suit premises and from committing any trespass thereupon and/or from in any manner damaging the same and/or from carrying out or altering the construction work of the suit premises and/or from removing the bricks and other building materials from the construction work so far carried out in the said premises and/or from disturbing or interfering with the plaintiffs possession, use and occupation of the suit premises.
2. The plaint in the suit was originally filed in the Bombay City Civil Court on 2nd November 1968 and the same was numbered as suit No. 7480 of 1968. Pursuant to the decision of the Division Bench of this Court reported in (1969) 71 Bom LB 340(344) and in view of the averments in paragraph 8 of the plaint wherein the plaintiffs averred that the subject-matter of the suit was not susceptible of monetary evaluation and paid fixed Court Fees of Rs. 30/- the plaint was on 9th November 1968 ordered to be returned for presentation to the proper Court, on 29th November 1968 the plaint with the necessary alterations was filed in this Court and the suit was numbered as Short Cause Suit No. 788 of 1968. The plaintiffs have also taken out a Notice of Motion in the suit which is still pending.
3. Thereafter the State Legislature enacted Maharashtra Act No. IX of 1970 which came into force on 16th March 1970. The plaintiffs thereafter took out a Chamber Summons dated 6th April 1670 in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 (2) (c) of the said Act. By this Chamber Summons the plaintiffs sought a direction from this Court that the suit alone with the Notice of Motion dated 29th November 1968 which was pending be transferred from the file of this Court to that of the Bombay City Civil Court. That Chamber Summons was heard by Kantawala, J. on 18th April 1970 and by an Order made on that day, the Chamber Summons was dismissed with costs. Kantawala. J. construed the plaint and came to the conclusion that the prayer for injunction sought for by the plainti
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