IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
SUNIL DUTTA MISHRA, J.
Ganga Mahto S/o Late Judagi Mahto – Appellant
Versus
Nawal Kishore Sharma S/o Late Ambika Prasad Singh – Respondent
Second Appeal No. 74 of 2022
Decided On : 10-01-2023
Land Dispute - Declaration of Title - Code of Civil Procedure - [Section 100, Code of Civil Procedure] - The court discussed the validity of entries in the revenue records, the starting point of limitation for filing a suit, and the principles of title and possession. The court found that entries in the revenue records do not confer title, and the cause of action for filing a suit accrues only when the right asserted is infringed or there is a clear threat to infringe that right. The court held that the plaintiffs had clear right and title over the disputed land and were entitled to the decree of declaration of title and recovery of possession.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiffs filed a suit for declaration of title to a land plot, claiming that it belonged to their ancestor and was purchased through a registered sale deed. The defendants claimed possession based on their ancestors' status as raiyats and the issuance of raiyati khatiyan and settlement khatiyan in their favor.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court and the appellate court found that the plaintiffs had clear right and title over the disputed land and were entitled to the decree of declaration of title and recovery of possession. The court also held that there was no substantial question of law involved in the appeal and dismissed the second appeal.
Issues: The issues involved the validity of entries in the revenue records, the starting point of limitation for filing a suit, and the establishment of clear right and title over the disputed land.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that entries in the revenue records do not confer title, and the cause of action for filing a suit accrues only when the right asserted is infringed or there is a clear threat to infringe that right. The court also applied the principles of title and possession to determine the plaintiffs' entitlement to the decree of declaration of title and recovery of possession.
Final Decision: The second appeal was dismissed, and the finding of the court regarding the plaintiffs' right and title over the disputed land was upheld.
JUDGMENT :
SUNIL DUTTA MISHRA, J.
1. This Second Appeal under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure has been preferred against the judgment dated 28.01.2022 and Decree dated 04.02.2022 passed by learned Additional District Judge-1, Barh (Patna) in Title Appeal No. 30 of 2018 confirming the judgment dated 09.02.2018 and Decree dated 21.02.2018 passed by the learned Sub-Judge-III, Barh, District Patna in Title Suit No. 146 of 2011, whereby the learned trial Court has allowed the suit of the plaintiffs/respondents on contest.
2. The respondents were the plaintiffs in the Trial Court who had filed the suit, inter-alia, for declaration of title to the exclusion of defendants over the suit land Plot No. 40, area 4 dec. Khata No. 222, Tauzi No. 9165, Thana No. 50 (Mauza-Dariyapur Dheebar, P.S. Pandarak, District Patna) mentioned in the Schedule-1 of the plaint.
3. The case of the plaintiffs/respondents, in brief, is that entire area measuring 20 dec. of plot No. 40 under Khata No. 222, Tauzi No. 9165, Thana No. 50 belonged to and possessed by Etbari Lal before the cadestral survey and, in the records of right, his name stands recorded as tenant. The common ancestor of the plaintiffs, namely, Badri Singh had purchased the said land from the cadestral survey recorded tenant, namely, Etbari Lal through a registered sale deed no. 350 dated 03.05.1910 and came into the possession. The said plot measuring 20 dec. was amalgamated with the neighbouring adjacent plot No. 39 area - 51 dec. recorded in the name of Badri Singh and he had been coming in cultivating possession over this amalgamated area of 71 decimal. The said Badri Singh died leaving behind his two sons, namely, Ambika Prasad Singh and Mathura Prasad Singh (died issueless). Ambika Prasad Singh died leaving behind his six sons including plaintiff No. 1 and Ram Ratan Prasad Singh father of plaintiff No. 2. In the family partition, 35.5 decimal towards south of the amalgamated 71 decimal land was allotted to plaintiff No. 1 and rest half towards north allotted to Ram Ratan Prasad Singh and in family partition of Ram Ratan Prasad Singh through compromise decree 35.5 dec. northern part was allotted to plaintiff No. 2. The ex-landlord and also after vesting of jamindari, State of Bihar had recognized Ambika Prasad Singh (father of plaintiff No. 1 and grandfather of plaintiff No. 2) as tenant of entire 20 Decimal of plot alongwith other lands. Further case of the plaintiffs-respondents is that the defendants having their land plot No. 41 situated in the west of the suit land, had broken the intervening western ridges and claimed the suit land of his own. In demarcation case No. 29 of 2010 before D.C.L.R. Barh, it was wrongly held that the suit land is in possession of the defendants, so the suit was filed by the plaintiffs.
4. As per defendants-appellants, Late Makhan Mahto was the ancestor of defendants, who died in jointness, leaving behind three sons, namely, Huro Mahto, Ferangi Mahto and Biraj Mahto, who were raiyat, servants, Halwaha and settlee of said Badri Singh. They were the possession holder of the suit plot and hence, raiyati Khatiyan had been prepared and issued in favour of Huro Mahto, the ancestor of the defendants. Huro Mahto was in jointness with his brothers Ferangi Mahto and Biraj Mahto. On amicable family partition by metes and bounds Huro Mahto and Ferangi Mahto remained joint but Biraj Mahto was separated to whom 2 decimal of the said 6 decmial land was given. Huro Mahto died leaving behind his only son Judagi Mahto and Ferangi Mahto died leaving behind Bhikhari Mahto. Bhikhari Mahto died during lifetime of Judagi Mahto leaving behind his two sons, namely, Nageshwar Mahto and Bhubaneshwar Mahto. Huro Mahto, Ferangi Mahto and Bhikhari Mahto had died prior to vesting of Jamindari so Judagi, Nageshwar and Bhubaneshwar Mahto were jointly paying the rent and getting rent receipt from the Zamindar for 4 decimal of plot No. 40. The name of the defendants have been entered
C. Mohammad Yunus vs. Syed Unissa
Daya Singh and Another vs. Gurudev Singh (Dead) by LRs. and Others
The main legal point established in the judgment is that entries in the revenue records do not confer title, and the cause of action for filing a suit accrues only when the right asserted is infringe....
Entries in revenue records do not confer title, and the limitation period for filing a suit must be considered as per Article 58 of the Limitation Act.
Title presumption under recorded ownership persists unless rebutted by strong evidence; contradictory claims over property rights invalidate defendants’ assertion of adverse possession.
The court held that the respondents established their title and possession over the suit land, dismissing the appellants' claims due to insufficient evidence.
The settlement order, revenue records, and lack of evidence supporting adverse possession claims were crucial in establishing the plaintiffs' continuous possession and defeating the defendants' claim....
The central legal point established in the judgment is the requirement of adverse possession, emphasizing the need for open, peaceful, continuous possession with hostile animus and denial of the true....
The record of rights (Khatian) is presumptive evidence of ownership, establishing Rayati rights until disproved, leading to recovery of possession.
The burden of proof lies on the party asserting ownership or adverse possession, and mere entries in khatian records do not suffice to establish title without supporting evidence.
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