IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
T.V. NALAWADE, J.
Shivaji – Appellant
Versus
Jijabai Prabhakar Alwane And Others. - Respondents.
Second Appeal No.570 of 2015 With Civil Application No.12967 of 2015
Decided On : 21.10.2015
Rule 97 - Specific Performance of Contract of Sale of Immovable Property - Order 21 Rule 97, Order 21 Rule 98, Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Summary of Acts and Sections Referenced: Order 21 Rule 97, Order 21 Rule 98, Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - The court discussed the provisions of Order 21 Rule 97 and Rule 98 of the Civil Procedure Code, as well as Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, and their applicability to the case. The court emphasized the rights of a purchaser pendente lite and the impact of the doctrine of lis pendens on the rights of parties involved in the specific performance of a contract of sale of immovable property.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved an appeal challenging a judgment and order related to the relief of specific performance of a contract of sale of immovable property. The appellant, as the objection petitioner, contended that he had purchased the property for valuable consideration and without notice, and thus, was entitled to keep possession. The executing Court rejected the application, leading to the appeal.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant's objection was not tenable under the provisions of Order 21 Rule 97 and Rule 98 of the Civil Procedure Code. The court also emphasized the impact of the doctrine of lis pendens and the rights of a purchaser pendente lite in the specific performance of a contract of sale of immovable property.
Issues: The issues revolved around the applicability of Order 21 Rule 97 and Rule 98 of the Civil Procedure Code, the rights of a purchaser pendente lite, and the impact of the doctrine of lis pendens on the rights of parties involved in the specific performance of a contract of sale of immovable property.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the interpretation of the provisions of Order 21 Rule 97 and Rule 98 of the Civil Procedure Code, as well as Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. The court emphasized the rights of a purchaser pendente lite and the impact of the doctrine of lis pendens on the rights of parties involved in the specific performance of a contract of sale of immovable property.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed, and the Civil Application was disposed of.
1) The appeal is filed to challenge the judgment and order of Regular Civil Appeal No.17/2015 which was pending in the Court of the District Judge-1 Vaijapur and also to challenge the order made on Exhibit 42 in Special Darkhast No.30/2013 which was pending in the Court of the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Vaijpur. The execution proceeding is filed by the present respondent, original plaintiff of Special Civil Suit No.401 of 2007 which was filed for relief of specific performance of contract of sale of immovable property. The decree is given in favour of the plaintiff and the decision has become final. By filing application at Exhibit 42 in execution proceeding, present appellant, objection petitioner, contended that he has purchased the suit property for valuable consideration and without notice and so he is entitled to keep the possession. The executing Court has rejected the application by holding that in view of Rule 99 of Order 21 of Civil Procedure Code and Rule 101 of the same Order, the application is not tenable as it is not the contention that he is dispossessed. The First Appellate Court has held that as the application itself is not decided on merit and it is held that the application of the objection petitioner was not tenable, the appeal cannot be entertained.
2) The learned Senior Counsel for the appellant submitted that both the Courts have committed error. He submitted that in view of law settled, the application of the objection petitioner is tenable under provision of Order 21 Rule 97 of the Civil Procedure Code. He placed reliance on a case reported as (1998) 4 SC 543 (Shreenath v. Rajesh). The words "any person" used in Rule 97 are considered and interpretation is made by the Apex Court that words 'any person' may be either the person bound by the decree, the person claiming title through judgment debtor or claiming independent right of his own including a tenant not party to the suit or even a stranger. The facts of the said case were totally different and it was noticed that the tenant was already in possession, before institution of the suit. In view of that circumstance, his right to continue the possession was required to be considered. It was held that said person was in possession in his own right and he was not representing the judgment debtor's interests. There cannot be dispute over this proposition. Following reported cases on this point were also cited.
(i) Sameer Singh v. Abdul Rab [(2015)1 SCC 379)];
(ii) 2001 BCI 222 (N.S. Narayana Sarma v. Goldstone Experts Pvt. Ltd.);
(iii) 2008 (1) Bom.C.R. 111 (Sharad v. Gauramma);
(iv) 1980 Bom.C.R. 140 (Sitaram v. Laxman);
(v) 2011 (6) Bom. C.R. 619 (Pralhad v Sitabai).
3) The learned Senior Counsel for the appellant, objection petitioner, submitted that the objection petitioner is a bona fide purchaser and so his objection is in independent right and he is not representing the interests of the judgment debtor. He submitted that there is Bombay Amendment to section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and some procedure is required to be followed like registration of the suit and as that procedure was not followed, the appellant, objection petitioner, has right to say that he is bona fide purchaser. He submitted that due to Bombay Amendment to rule 102 of Order 21 of the Civil Procedure Code, this rule cannot be used against the objection petitioner who has purchased the property pendente lite and his application needs to be considered and decided on merit under provisions of Rule 97 and Rule 98 of Order 21 of the Civil Procedure Code.
4) The learned counsel for the decree holder, respondent, submitted that this Court had occasion to consider the defence taken by the present appellant in the case reported as 1999 (4) ALL MR 683 (Murlidhar v. Nababbi Yousufkhan). He placed reliance on the following observations made by this Court :-
"The amended provision of S.52 of T.P. Act as amended by Acts of 1939 and 1959 is not applicable unless and until the not
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