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2008 Supreme(Bom) 585

2008(4) ALL MR 558
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBA Y
B. P. DHARMADHIKARI, J.
Bhaurao Narayanrao Thakare & Anr. - Appellants
Versus
Bhimabai wd/o. Ramji Thakare - Respondent
Second Appeal No.125/1993
Decided on : 21st April, 2008.

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared
Mr. V. A. KOTHALE, Advocate for Appellants. None for Respondent.

Headnote:Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Section 123-Gift or Will-Document executed titled as gift-deed of immovable property-Contents of document showing that it to take effect after death of donors-Ownership of property retained with donors during their life time-Document executed, attested by two witnesses-Complying with requirements of gift as well as Will-Document ought to treated as Will.-It is settled position that gift is transfer inter vivos and ownership stands transferred immediately. In case of immovable property the transfer of possession is not that relevant but acceptance of gift itself has to be shown. The pleadings or cause of action pointed by Ramji clearly shows that Ramji did not like the steps taken by the present appellants to obtain mutation of the suit property in their names as according to him the title to suit properties was to be transferred only after death of both of them. Even language in Exh. 55 mentioned above, clearly stipulates that title is to be transferred only after death of Ramji and his wife Bhimabai which ever may occur later. In view of this position the Courts below have correctly interpreted that document was not a document of gift but a will deed.

       Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Section 123 - Gift-deed or Will - Main issue about the determination of document’s nature - Whether Will or gift-deed - Trial Court found it a Will not gift-deed - Appeal preferred - Irrevocability of gift-deed not proved - No right, title, or interest - Held, - Respondent was very much alive hence Court interpreted document as Will. - Court, therefore, finds that the substantial question of law as framed needs to be answered against the presents by holding that the Courts below have correctly interpreted the document (Exh. 55) as Will. Appeal is therefore, dismissed. No Cost.

JUDGMENT : By this Second Appeal the original defendants are challenging the concurrent judgments and decrees delivered by the Courts below, whereby the suit filed by one Shri. Ramji and his wife Bhimabai against the appellants for declaration and permanent injunction came to be decreed and they were restrained permanently from disturbing the peaceful possession and enjoyment of Ramji and Bhimabai. It is not in dispute that the respondent died during the pendency of the suit.

2. The facts are not much in dispute and controversy revolves around interpretation and effect of a document Exh.55. The Second Appeal has been admitted on 06-04-1993 by noticing that question involved in this appeal is about construction of a document Exh.55. The present appellants claim that Exh.55 is a Gift deed as contemplated by Section 123 of the Transfer of Property Act and the Courts below have concurrently found that it is a Will and therefore the testator Ramji [original plaintiff] could have revoked it at any point of time.

3. The plaintiffs approached the trial court with a grievance that they intended that during his life time and life time of his wife, the property covered in Exh.55 should remain in their ownership and possession and it was to pass on to the present appellants only after their death. They contended that both of them were carried to the office of the Sub-Registrar for preparation of such a document and a document like Exh.55 was then obtained from them. Plaintiffs stated that conduct of the original defendants in claiming exclusive ownership and efforts to obtain mutation during their life time were contrary to the document and contrary to their own intention. The present appellants defendants opposed the suit, but accepted ownership of the plaintiffs. They stated that at the time of filing of written statement, original plaintiffs were in possession. However, they denied rest of the allegations. They contended that there was a gift deed executed on 1-5-1971 by the plaintiffs and as per that gift deed entire property was to remain in possession of plaintiff, his wife till their death and thereafter only the defendants were to enter possession. They contended that ownership was fully transferred to them by the said document and they were therefore Owners of the said property. Trial court framed issues and found that the defendant could not prove that gift deed dated 11-05-1971 was irrevocable. It found that defendant had no right, title or interest to suit property. In view of its findings it declared that the defendants have no right, title or interest in suit property and granted permanent injunction with costs to the plaintiffs. In Regular Civil Appeal No.4821 1985 filed by the present appellants, the lower appellate court framed the following points and answered the same as under :

"1. Whether Plaintiff Ramji Thakre wanted to bequeath or donate the suit

property under document Exh.55 ?

... He wanted to bequeath suit property

2. Whether the suit is tenable in the present form?

... Yes

3. Whether the suit is within limitation?

... Yes.

4. What order?

... As per final order. "

It found that document was Will and not Gift and therefore it dismissed the appeal.

4. In this background I have heard Advocate Shri. V. A. Kothale, for appellants. He contended that the evidence on record clearly demonstrated that Ramji had consulted others about execution of document and stamp for its execution was purchased at least 7 days in advance. He invites attention to evidence of P.W.2 - Shri. Raut, to state that P.W.2 had clearly stated that Ramji had intention to execute Gift deed in relation to the suit property. He argues that the Gift deed was to take effect after death of Ramji and his wife Bhimabai and as such interpretation of said document by courts below is erroneous. It is his further contention that Ramji expired after institution of the suit and therefore. he could not be cross-examined in relation to his intention or in relati











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