High Court Of Calcutta
M. M. Dutt
PARIMAL MITRA - Appellant
Versus
PARESH CHANDRA HAZRA - Respondent
. . Of .
Decided On : 04/06/1982
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE - SECTION 16 (d) - JURISDICTION - SUIT FOR DETERMINATION OF RIGHT OR INTEREST IN IMMOVABLE PROPERTY - INTERPRETATION - COURT'S JURISDICTION TO ENTERTAIN SUIT - FRAUD COMMITTED WITHIN JURISDICTION.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff, a tenant of the defendants, filed a suit in the City Civil Court, Calcutta, seeking a declaration that a purported resolution and agreement surrendering his tenancy was illegal and void. The defendants challenged the court's jurisdiction, arguing that the suit was for the determination of a right or interest in immovable property and should be filed in Orissa, where the property was located.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the suit was not for the determination of a right or interest in immovable property within the meaning of section 16(d) of the Code of Civil Procedure. The plaintiff did not seek to adjudicate his tenancy right in the property, but rather to have the impugned agreement declared void. The court also found that part of the cause of action, namely, the alleged fraud in the execution of the agreement, arose within the jurisdiction of the City Civil Court, Calcutta.
Issues: 1. Whether the suit was for the determination of a right or interest in immovable property within the meaning of section 16(d) of the Code of Civil Procedure. 2. Whether the City Civil Court, Calcutta had jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court interpreted the expression "suit for determination of any right to or interest in immovable property" in section 16(d) narrowly, holding that it only applies to suits where the plaintiff seeks an adjudication of their title or interest in the property itself. In this case, the plaintiff was not seeking such an adjudication, but rather a declaration that the agreement surrendering his tenancy was void. 2. The court also relied on the principle that a court has jurisdiction to entertain a suit founded on fraud committed within its jurisdiction.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the defendants' application challenging the jurisdiction of the City Civil Court, Calcutta, to entertain the suit.
( 1 ) THIS application under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure has been filed by the defendants nos. 1 and 3 to 5, and it is directed against order no. 51 dated July 29, 1981 of the learned Judge, 5th bench, City Civil Court, Calcutta in Title Suit No. 2317 of 1958 holding that the said court has jurisdiction to try the suit instituted by the plaintiff opposite party.
( 2 ) THE plaintiff's case in short is that he was at all material times and still is a tenant under the defendants nos. 1 and 3 to 5 of the entire building known as Atindra Dham and situate at Gopal Ballav Road, Sea Beach, Puri at a monthly rent of Rs. 300/- payable according to the English Calendar month. The defendants nos. 6 to 9 are the subtenants under the plaintiff. On august 31, 1977, the defendant no. 4, one of the landlords of the plaintiff, took him to the Hongkong House, Calcutta and he was compelled to sign some papers. Subsequently, the plaintiff came to know that he was made to execute a resolution and/or an agreement whereby he had purported to surrender his tenancy in respect of the disputed building in favour of the owners and landlords. Under that agreement, a sum or Rs. 16,000/- was payable to the plaintiff by the said defendants as consideration for the surrender. In the suit, the plaintiff has, inter alia, Prayed for the following reliefs : decree be passed declaring that the purported resolution and/or agreement dated 31st August, 1977 at the meeting held at Hongkong House office of the defendant no. 9 is illegal, collusive and void and is not binding upon the plaintiff. Declaration that the defendants nos. 1 and 3 to 5 have committed breach of the purported agreement dated 31st August, 1977 held at the office of Bharat Refinieries Employees Co-Operative Society at Hongkong House and the plaintiff had right to cancel and has cancelled the said agreement in the alternative. Decree declaring that the purported resolution and the purported agreement dated 31st August, 1977 has not affected in any respect of the premises Atindra Dham at Puri under the defendants nos. 1 and 3 to 5. Permanent Injunction restraining the defendant nos. 1 and 3 to 5 from realizing any rent from defendant nos. 6 to 9, different sub-tenants under the plaintiff in the premises Atindra Dham at Sea Coast Puri and from disturbing plaintiffs possession of the said Atindra Dham in any manner whatsoever.
( 3 ) THE defendants nos. 1 and 3 to 5 have been contesting the suit by filing a written statement. It has been admitted by them that the plaintiff was a tenant in respect of the disputed building. But it is alleged that the plaintiff has surrendered his tenancy by the said agreement dated August 31, 1977. It is contended by them that the suit cannot be tried by the City Civil Court, Calcutta for want of jurisdiction as contemplated by section 16 (d) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
( 4 ) THE learned Judge framed an issue as to jurisdiction and tried the same as a preliminary issue. It has been held by the learned Judge that the suit is not one coming within the purview of section 16 (d) of the Code of Civil Procedure. According to him, there is no question as to the determination of any right to or interest in immovable property and, as part of the cause-of-action arose within the jurisdiction of the City Civil Court, Calcutta that court has jurisdiction to entertain and try the suit. Upon the said findings the learned Judge decided the issue in favour of the plaintiff. Hence this revisional application under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
( 5 ) SECTION 16 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides as follows :"subject to the pecuniary or other limitation prescribed by any law, suit - (a) for the recovery of immovable property with or without rent or profits, (b) for the partition of immovable property, (c) for foreclosure, sale or redemption in the case of mortgage of or charge upon immovable property, (d) for the determination of any o
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