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1937 Supreme(Cal) 190

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
S.K. Ghose, J., Patterson, J.
S. Massirat Hossain & Ors. - Appellant
Versus
Hossain Ahmad Choudhuri & Anr. - Respondent
Decided On : 23-11-1937

The main legal point established in the judgment is the interpretation of the wakfnama to determine the nature of the trust and whether it is intended for public purposes, influencing the Court's decision on the maintainability of the suit under Section 92, Civil P.C.

Headnote:

WAKF - Suit for removal of mutwalli and appointment of new mutwalli - Wakfnama dated 6th Aswin 1305 - Sections 92, Civil P.C. - 92 - 1305

Fact of the Case:

Plaintiffs filed a suit under Section 92, Civil P.C. for removal of defendant 1 from the post of mutwalli, appointment of a new mutwalli, and other reliefs based on the existence of a wakf created by a wakfnama dated 6th Aswin 1305. Defendant 1 was accused of neglecting his duties, misappropriation, and entering into an arrangement leasing wakf properties to defendant 2 for personal benefit. The Subordinate Judge dismissed the suit on the ground that it was not maintainable under Section 92, Civil P.C. Plaintiffs appealed against this decision.

Finding of the Court:

The Court found that the wakfnama intended to make dispositions in favor of the public for religious and charitable purposes, despite provisions for private individuals. It held that the suit was maintainable under Section 92, Civil P.C. The Court also held that defendant 2 was not a necessary party in the suit.

Issues: The issues involved the maintainability of the suit under Section 92, Civil P.C. and the necessity of defendant 2 as a party in the suit.

Ratio Decidendi: The Court's decision was based on the interpretation of the wakfnama and the determination that it intended to benefit the public for religious and charitable purposes, making the suit maintainable under Section 92, Civil P.C. The Court also relied on precedents to establish the principles for determining whether a trust is for public purposes and the scope of Section 92, Civil P.C.

Final Decision: The appeal succeeded against defendant 1, and the suit was remanded to the lower Court for the determination of other questions. The appeal failed against defendant 2, who was found not to be a necessary party. Costs were awarded accordingly.

JUDGMENT

S.K. Ghose, J. - This is an appeal by the plaintiffs in a suit instituted u/s 92, Civil PC., for removal of defendant 1 from the post of mutwalli, for appointment of a new mutwalli in his place, and for certain other reliefs. The plaintiffs' case is based upon the existence of a wakf which was created by a wakfnama dated 6th Aswin 1305, in accordance with the terms of which defendant 1 is the present mutwalli. Plaintiffs' case is that defendant 1 has been neglecting to look after the estates and his duties as mutwalli in breach of terms of the wakfnama and committing acts of misappropriation. Their further case is that defendant 1 has come under the evil influence of defendant 2 who has induced him to come to an arrangement by which the wakf properties have been leased to defendant 2 in return for an annual payment of Rs. 1200 which again defendant 1 has been spending for his personal benefit. Various other acts in breach of the trust are complained of. The plain-tiffs who are three in number allege that they are interested in the trust and they bring the suit praying for reliefs which are specified in para. 22 of the plaint. These reliefs are directed both against defendants 1 and 2. Defendant 1 filed a written statement denying the allegations of malfeasance and misfeasance and con. tending that he has observed all the provisions of the wakfnama and further that he has given an Ijara of the properties to defendant 2 as an arrangement which would benefit the wakf estates in accordance with the provisions of the wakf.

2. Defendant 2 filed a written statement admitting the aforesaid Ijara and contending that he is not a trustee and as such he is not a necessary party in the suit, bud that he is only a bona fide lessee for consideration and therefore he should be dismissed from the suit. On 24th February 1934 the Subordinate Judge tried first Issue 5 on the point whether defendant 2 is a necessary party. He held that defendant 2 is not a necessary party. On 14th May 1934, the Subordinate Judge took up the case for hearing and in the result he dismissed it on his finding as to Issue 2 which runs thus : "Is the subject matter of the suit public or private wakf? Is it partly public and partly private? Whether the suit is maintainable in this Court?" The Subordinate Judge held that the subject matter of the suit is substantially a private wakf or at least partly public and partly private and that the suit is not maintainable u/s 92, Civil P.C. In that view he dismissed the suit. Hence this appeal by the plaintiffs. The first question raised in this appeal is whether the Subordinate Judge is right in determining Issue 2, namely that the suit is not liable to be brought u/s 92, Civil P.C. The answer to this will depend upon the view that is to be taken of the character of the wakfnama dated 6th Aswin 1305.

3. The document recites that the executant Nasibannessa executed a previous Towliatvnama in order to create "a perpetual wakf in the name of Allah for religious, pious and charitable purposes of all the properties" that she got from her husband excepting some which she had kept for her own personal use and that the wakf of 1305 was executed in order to meet cer-tain legal objections. The document repeats that the intention of the donor is to dedicate the properties "for the pleasure of God and in the interest of religion". She appoints herself as the first mutwalli and makes provision for the appointment of future mutwallis. The first charge on She estate is the allowance of the mutwalli and the naib mutwalli. After meeting these charges, it is provided that the net income that will be left over will be devoted to the performance of the duties specified in schedule Kha. This gives a 1st of four items entailing an expenditure of Rs. 353 annually and there is no dispute that these four items relate to public purposes of charitable or religious nature. There is a further provision that Rs. 300 is to be paid to the wakif's spiritu

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