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1992 Supreme(Pat) 216

PATNA HIGH COURT
B.N.Agrawal and Nagendra Rai JJ.
Shivaji Rai
Versus
Rajendra Rai
Civil Revision No. 963 of 1983 ;
Decided On : JULY 03, 1992

Headnote:Bihar Consolidation of Holdings and Fragmentation Act, 1956, sections 4 (c), 4 (b)-scope of-abatement of suit-applicability, of-suit for declaration that deed of gift was null and void-application for abatement of suit u/s 4 (c) filed-plaintiff seeking amendment of plaint by amending the words null and void as illegal-Court allowing amendment and thereafter holding that the suit did not abate-the language of provision is very clear-after issue of notification u/s 3, if the court, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the parties, passes an order of abatement, only then a suit or proceeding shall abate and not otherwise-a suit will not abate ipso facto upon issuance of notification-so long an order u/s 4(c) is not passed, the court has jurisdiction to pass an order upon the petition for amendment-order passed could not be attacked-a suit filed after issuance of notification will be barred u/s 4 (b) and by amendment the same can not be brought within jurisdiction of the court-the court has to go into sub-stance of plaint and not its form-on perusal of plaint it was held that disputes raised in the suits can not he decided by consolidation authorities-1982 BLJ 109 approved, Civil Rev. Nos. 1906 & 1812/86 disposed on 23.4.92, 1989 PLJR 1203=1989 BBCJ 717, AIR 1990 SC 1173 rel. on, 1983 BBCJ 26 held correctly decided, AIR 1973 SC 2451, AIR 1979 Pat 250=1989 BBCJ 259, 1985 PLJR 86=1985 BBCJ 73, 1985 PLJR 686, AIR 1944 Pat 17, 1986 BLJR 378=1986 BBCJ 247, AIR 1968 SC 956 ref. (Paras 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16 & 17)

       Code of Civil Procedure, sec. 115-revisional powers-language of the section is very wide and revisional powers can be exercised not only upon the application by a party but suo motu it jurisdictional error in another order comes to notice of the court while considering correctness of another order-Order allowing amendment can not said to be without jurisdiction-AIR 1922 Pat 525 & AIR 1967 Pat 416 ref. (Para 9)

Judgment

B.N.Agrawal, J.

1. These two revision applications have been heard together and are being disposed of this order as common questions of law are involved therein. These applications have been filed against orders passed in two suits by different courts whereby the petitions filed in this suits under Sec. 4(c) of the Bihar Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fargmentation Act, 1956(hereinafter referred to as the Act) have been rejected.

2. In C. R. No. 963 of 1983, the suit was filed for a declaration that the deed of gift dated 11-8-1978 purported to have been executed by defendant No. 1 in favour of defendant No. 3 was null and void. The plaintiffs case, short, is that one Nathuni Rai had four sons namely, Awadh, Lakshtni, Janak and Ramlagan, The plaintiff is one of the sons of Ramlagan Rai, defendant No. 1. Defendant No. 2 is another son of Ramlagan Rai and defendant No. 3 is the wife of defendant No. 2, Nathuni Rai died in a state of jointnes; with his aforesid four sons, having interest in Mitakshara coparcenary. Janak Rai was in service and from his personal earnings, he acquired 1 bigha 1 katha land, which was his self-acquisition. He died in a state of jointness with his brothers and upon his death, his widows Most. Gulzaria and Most. Gazia came in possession of the said properties and after the death of Most. Gazia, the other widow Most. Gulzaria alone remained in possession thereof. Most-Gulzaria out of the aforesaid 1 bigha 8 kathas gifted same land in favour of the plaintiff and the donee was put in possession thereof. Subsequently, there was separation amongst the four branches of Nathuni Rai. The plaintiff and defendants coming from the branch of Ramlagan Rai remained joint. Awadh and Lakshmi died issueless, without leaving any widow. It is said that defendant No. 2 fraudulently created a deed of gift purported to have been executed by defendant No. 1, in the name of his wife, defendant No. 3. Defendant No. I was very old and he was not in a position to understand the recitals and the effect of the deed. In this deed, the land which had been gifted to the wife of defendant No. 2 has also been included. It has been alleged that defendant No. 1 neither put his left thumb impression on the deed of gift nor he ever executed the same and the attestation thereon was forged and fabricated. According to the plaintiff, it was falsely stated in the deed of gift that the plaintiff was separate from his father, defendant No. 1 though they continued to be joint and defendant No. 1 had no right to execute the deed of gift relating to joint family property of the parties.

3. In the suit on 23-2-1981 a petition under Sec. 4(c) of the Act was filed by the defendant (petitioner). Thereafter on 28-4-1981 a petition for making amendment in the plaint was filed by the plaintiff to the effect that wherever the expression null and void has been used, the same should be amended illegl". It was prayed that at the end of the relief portion, prayer should be inserted for settig aside deed of gift. The trial court allowed the prayer for amendment of the plaint and thereafter by a subsequent order the petition under Sec. 4(c) of the Act has been rejected. Hence, C. R., No. 963 of 1983 has been filed before this Court.

4. In C. R. No. 1619 of 1983, the suit has been filed for a declaration that the two sale deeds dated 19-5-1981 purported to have been executed by defendant No. 4 in favour of defendant Nos. 1 to 3 are forged, fraudulent, illegal and null and void. The case of the plaintiffs, in short, is that one Phulchand Sah died in a state of jointness with his two sons Brahamdeo Sah and Sahdeo Sah (defendant No. 4) leaving behind interest in the Mitakshra coparcenary. After his death, there was a partition amongst the two brothers by metes and bounds. The suit property which was joint family property of the parties fell to the share of defendant No. 4 by virtue of partition. Plaintiff No. 1 is the son of defendant No. 4 and p
























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