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2008 Supreme(Bom) 344

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
C.L.PANGARKAR,J
Shriram Niwrutti Mahalle.,- APPELLANT
VERSUS
Pannalal s/o Narayandas Totala & Ors.,- RESPONDENTS
SECOND APPEAL NO.140 OF 1999
DATED: 3rd March, 2008.

Advocates:
Advocate appeared
Mr. V.G. Palshikar, Advocate for the appellant.
Ms. R.V. Kalia, Advocate for respondent no.1.
Mr. V.N. Kakirde, Advocate for respondent nos.2 and 3.

Headnote:Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 - Sections 6 and 8-child given in adoption to uncle-After death of uncle minor become sole surviving member-And exclusive owner of property-Natural guardian claiming himself to be guardian sold minor’s property-Though not legally appointed as guardian-Held-He had no authority to sell the property.

       Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 - Sections 6 and 8-Guardians power to deal with property of minor-Section 6 provides power to deal joint family property of minor-No power to deal separate property-Minor being sole surviving co-parcenar-Become exclusive owner-Natural guardian not empower to deal with property of minor.

       Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 - Sections 6 and 8 - Guardians power to deal with property of minor - Section 6 provides power to deal joint family property of minor - No power to deal separate property - Minor being sole surviving co-parcenar - Become exclusive owner - Held - Natural guardian not empower to deal with property of minor.

JUDGMENT:

1. This is a second appeal by the unsuccessful defendant. The parties shall herein after be referred to as the plaintiff and defendant.

2. The facts giving rise to this appeal are as under One Narayandas Totala was the original owner of the suit site. Plaintiff – Pannalal is the adopted son of said Narayandas, he having been adopted on 3/7/1979. Said Narayandas died on 11/5/1981 leaving behind him the plaintiff as the only heir. The plaintiff, therefore, became the owner of the entire property upon death of said Narayandas. The plaintiff came to know that defendant no.2 Bhojraj has illegally transferred the suit site to defendant no.1 on 17/11/1984 by egistered sale-deed. Defendant no.3 Gendabai had given consent for such transaction. The plaintiff submits that the said alienation made by defendant no.2 is illegal and not binding on him as he was minor at the time of alienation. It is contended that the plaintiff and his father Narayandas possessed sufficient income to maintain the plaintiff and therefore there was no necessity for the transfer of the suit site. The said property was sold without any permission of the competent authority. The plaintiff submits that defendant no.1 has unauthorisely changed the nature of the suit property in 1987 and he therefore filed the suit for declaration that the alienation made by defendant no.2 in favour of defendant no.1 is void and also for an injunction to restore the status of the Northern side wall of the disputed site.

3. Defendant no.1 resisted the suit. He admitted that he has produced the suit property under sale-deed executed by defendant no.2 He also submits that he has made several improvements in the suit property and spent sum of Rs.20,000/-. It is contended that defendant no.2 and deceased Narayandas were living jointly and the property was joint Hindu Property. Defendant no.2 was managing the affairs of the joint family and defendant no.2 sold the plots for legal necessity. It is also contended that defendant no.1 is a bonafide purchaser for value without notice.

3. Defendants nos.2 and 3 admitted the claim of the plaintiff.

4. The learned judge of the trial court found that the sale-deed executed in favour of defendant no.1 was void and the plaintiff was the owner of the suit property and the defendant was not the bonafide purchaser. Holding so, he decreed the suit.

5. The learned judge of the appellate court concurred with the findings recorded by the trial court and dismissed the appeal.

6. The second appeal was admitted on the following substantial question of law by Kulkarni, J.

“Admit” on the following substantial questions viz.

i) as to whether in the absence of there being any issue regarding legal necessity, prejudice is caused to the appellant's claim and the defence before the two Courts below ?

ii) Whether the lower appellate court was justified in proceeding on the hypothesis that the nature of the property was proved to be not a joint family property and consequently the concept of need for a legal necessity was not required to be employed by the Court in adjudicating the suit claim ?

iii) In the event of a finding that the suit property was a joint family property, what is its effect on the claim as adjudicated ?

7. The case of the plaintiff is very specific that he was adopted by one Narayandas – his uncle on 3/7/1979 and thereafter Narayandas died on 11/5/1981. It is not disputed that on date of sale the plaintiff was a minor and he has instituted the suit within three years of attaining majority. It is alleged that Narayandas left behind him the suit property and other property and the plaintiff being the adopted son is the only heir and successor to the property. The suit property belonged to Narayandas alone is also born out by the contents of the sale-deed (Exh.47). It is stated by PW 1 Pannalal Totala – the plaintiff that he is the sole successor or heir to Narayandas. Although it is suggested to him






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