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1924 Supreme(Cal) 465

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
Greaves, J., Chakravarti, J.
Sripati Chatterjee & Ors. - Appellant
Versus
Khudiram Banerjee & Ors. - Respondent
Decided On : 17-06-1924

The dedication to the Thakur is irrevocable, and the rules for worship and management of endowments are binding. The shebait has no right to the property and is subject to the limitations as applicable to the guardian of a minor.

Headnote:

shebaitship - Family Thakur - [The Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908, Section 145] - The appointment of shebaits, succession to the office, and the effect of additional endowments to a family Thakur were discussed by the court. The court emphasized the irrevocable nature of the dedication to the Thakur, the binding rules for worship and management of endowments, and the limitations of the shebait's rights.

Fact of the Case:

The appeals arose from disputes over shebaitship of a family Thakur. The lower courts found in favor of the Banerjees, declaring them as shebaits of the dedicated properties and dismissing the suit brought by the Chatterjees.

Finding of the Court:

The court analyzed the appointment of shebaits, the validity of subsequent appointments, and the effect of additional endowments. It concluded that the Banerjees were entitled to manage the land endowed by a specific deed, but had no right to the property created by a subsequent deed appointing Nil Kumari and her heirs as shebaits.

Issues: The court addressed the revocability of shebait appointments, the validity of subsequent appointments, and the effect of the deeds on the rights of the parties.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the irrevocable nature of dedication to the Thakur, the binding rules for worship and management of endowments, and the limitations of the shebait's rights.

Final Decision: Both suits were dismissed, and the appeals were allowed with costs in all courts.

JUDGMENT

Chakravarti, J. - These two appeals arise out of two suits, the plaintiffs in one suit being the defendants in the other, in respect of the right of shebaitship of a Thakur named Radha Benode Jew. The facts which are necessary for the determination of these appeals are these: Thakur Radha Gohinda Jew was the family deity of one Man Govinda Banerjee who had only a turn in the worship of the said Thakur and his agnate relations were also co-shebaits with him. The Thakur had some debutter lands dedicated by the ancestors of Man Gobinda of about 120 bighas in area. Man Gobinda had no children. By a registered "Will executed in 1306 he appointed one Tarak Nath Chatterjee and his heirs to act as shebaits of the Thakur after his and his wife's death. Dissatisfied with the conduct of Tarak, Man Govinda, when he was about 70 years old, by an arpannamah executed in 1308, dedicated certain immovable properties in favour of the family Thakur for the better performance of the worship during his turn of worship, and also for the annual festivals of the Thakur and by the said deed he provided that during his life he shall continue to be the shebait and after his death his widow will succeed to the office and then on her death, his agnate relatives, the plaintiffs in Suit No. 1951 of 1919 and their heirs in succession will become the shebaits in his place. In 1316 Man Gobinda executed another deed of gift by which he dedicated some further immovable properties to the said Thakur and made a gift of his right as a shebait of his turn of the worship in favour of one Nil Kumari Devi, the mother of the Chatterjees the plaintiff in Suit No. 2094 of 1919. This gift was given immediate effect and Nil Kumari Devi was installed as shebait in his own place and she managed the dedicated properties and acted as shebait of the Thakur. It appears that in a rent suit in 1911, while Man Gobinda was still alive she was made a party in that suit and she was treated as a co-shebait, taking the place of Man Gobinda, by the other co-shebaits of the Thakur. Man Gobinda died in 1319 and his widow died in 1320. Then a dispute broke out between the parties as to the possession of the properties, dedicated to the Thakur by Man Gobinda, and it culminated in a proceeding u/s 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code with the result that the Banerjees were maintained in possession of 6 bighas and the Chatterjees, the heirs of Nil Kumari, were maintained in possession of 2 bighas of the endowed lands. Each party brought a suit with respect to the land which was declared in possession of the other u/s 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code. As I have already stated the Banerjees brought Suit No. 1951 and the Chatterjees brought Suit No. 2094 both of 1919, the plaintiffs in one suit being the defendant in the other. Both the Courts below have found in favour of the Banerjees and therefore, decreed Suit No. 1951 and dismissed the Suit No. 2094. The Chatterjees have brought these second appeals against the judgment and decree of the Subordinate Judge of Assansol who affirmed the decree of the Munsif of the said place.

2. Both the Courts came to the conclusion that the appointment of the Banerjees by the arpannamah of 1308 was not revocable by Man Gobinda and, therefore, the subsequent appointment of Nil Kumari by the deed of gift) of. 1316 was invalid. Consequently the Banerjees were declared as the shebait of the Thakur of the dedicated properties and as such they got a decree for possession of the lands held by the Chatterjees whose suit was dismissed.

3. The Subordinate Judge further finds that the gift by Man Gobinda to Nil Kumari was operative so long as he was alive; and that Nil Kumari acted as she-bait even during the life time of Man Gobinda and that she was treated as a co-shebait by the other shebaits of the family Thakur. It is then observed by the learned Subordinate Judge that " the god was not the property of Man Gobinda alone " and later on he says: "Man Gobinda was

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