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1987 Supreme(Bom) 311

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
(Nagpur Bench)
B.G. Deo, J.
Leelavati w/o Vasantrao Pingle another... Applicants.
Versus
Dattatraya Dhondiraji Kavishar others... Non-applicant.
Civil Revision Application No. 515 of 1987, decided on 22-9-1987.
Advocates appeared :
A.V. Mohta, for applicant.
A.V. Bhide, for non-applicant No. 2.

Headnote:Section 50-Not a bar to suit by trustees for possession of property of public trust against tresspasser in Civil Court-Permission of Charity Commissioner may be obtained.

JUDGMENT - B.G. DEO, J.:---This revision is directed against the rejection of the preliminary objection made by order dated 13-4-1987 by the learned Civil Judge, Junior Division, Chikhli, in Regular Civil Suit No. 60 of 1987. The preliminary objection to the tenability of the suit made by application (Exhibit 19) by the applicants was on the ground that since it appears that the plaintiffs are trustees of a Registered Public Trust `Wakratund Maharaji Kavishwar Smarak' and have claimed possession of a portion of Survey No. 53/2 on the ground that the defendants have encroached upon the same, it is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the authorities contemplated under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) as to whether any property belongs to Public Trust or not under section 79(1) of the Act and that, therefore, the suit should be dismissed.

2. It appears that while arguing before the learned Civil Judge, Junior Division, Chikhli, it was contended by the applicants that since no permission of the Charity Commissioner, as provided under section 50 of the Act, was obtained for filing such a suit, the suit was not tenable. The learned Civil Judge came to the conclusion that as the instant suit is by the trustees of a Public Trust of a religious and charitable nature for possession of the property of the trust against a trespasser, the subject matter of the suit is not governed either by section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure or section 50 of the Act and that, therefore, the consent of Charity Commissioner was not necessary.

3. The certified copy (Exhibit 28) of the registration of the Trust does not contain an entry relating to Survey No. 53/2. The learned trial Court observed that it cannot be considered that the suit land, forming part of Survey No. 53/2, is not property of a public trust, particularly when the gifts in respect of the property are in the name of the plaintiff-Trust by registered documents and as mutation has also been made in the revenue records in respect of the same.

4. The five non-applicant plaintiffs claimed that they are owners of the Survey No. 53/2 admeasuring 50 Acres, inclusive of the alleged encroached land of 1800 sq.ft. by virtue of two gift deeds dated 13-4-1978 and 26-8-1986, relating to two portions of Survey No. 53/2, executed by the original owner Natthulal. There is a temple of Lord Datta, a Dharamshala and other constructions on the said land. Obviously, the plaintiffs are trustees of the Public Trust". `Wakratund Maharaji Kavishwar Smarak' and are claiming possession of the encroached portion from the defendants on the basis of their title. The defendants have set up their own title to the property and are, therefore, claiming adversely to the non-applicant plaintiffs.

5. A suit by trustees for possession of a trust property against a trespasser, it was contended by the learned Counsel for the applicants, Shri Mohta, is governed by section 50 of the Act and that, therefore, such a suit was not tenable except with the permission of the Charity Commissioner and that too in the Court of the District Judge. There appears to be no doubt that such a suit would fall within the ambit of section 50 of the Act. The relevant portion of section 50 is as under:

"50. In any case,----

(i) x x x x x

(ii) Where a direction or decree is required to recover the possession of or to follow a property belonging or alleged to be belonging to a public trust........................................................... from a trustee, ex-trustee, aliencee, trespasser or and person including a person holding adversely to the public trust but not a tenant or licensee.

(iii) x x x x x

(iv) x x x x x

the Charity Commissioner after making such enquiry as he thinks necessary, or two or more persons having an interest in case the suit is under sub-clause (i) to (iii) or one or more such persons in case the suit is under sub-clause (iv) having obtained the consent in writing of the





























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