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2006 Supreme(Chh) 123

HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH
VIJAY KUMAR SHRIVASTAVA, J.
RUPENDRA SINGH - Appellant
Versus
KRISHNA KANHAIYA - Respondents
Civil Revn. 337 Of 1996
Decided On : FEBRUARY 24, 2006

Advocates Appeared:
B.P.GUPTA

The main legal point established in the judgment is that a succession certificate can only be granted for a debt or security, and the requirement of Letters of Administration or Probate of Will for claims based on a will.

Headnote:

Succession Certificate - Indian Succession Act - Section 372 - Section 370 - Summary: The court discussed the grant of succession certificate under the Indian Succession Act, emphasizing the need for establishing a debt or security for the application. It also highlighted the requirement of Letters of Administration or Probate of Will for claims based on a will. The court concluded that the application for succession certificate was maintainable as the applicant claimed to be the successor of the deceased, and the certificate could only be granted for a debt or security, excluding future rent.

Fact of the Case:

The non-applicant filed for a succession certificate for rent after the death of the deceased. The trial court dismissed the application, but the appellate court reversed the decision, granting the certificate to the non-applicant.

Finding of the Court:

The appellate court found that the non-applicants were step-brothers of the deceased and that the application for the succession certificate was maintainable. It also concluded that the certificate could only be granted for a debt or security, excluding future rent.

Issues: The issues revolved around the grant of the succession certificate, the relationship between the parties, and the requirement for establishing a debt or security for the application.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the application for the succession certificate was maintainable as the applicant claimed to be the successor of the deceased. It also emphasized that the certificate could only be granted for a debt or security, excluding future rent.

Final Decision: The revision succeeded, and the impugned order was set aside, with each party bearing their own costs.


( 1 ) THIS revision is directed against the order dated 22-11-1995 passed by the District Judge, Rajnandgaon, in Misc. Civil Appeal No. 5/92, reversing the order dated 30-11-1991 in Succession Case No. 6/85 passed by the 1st Civil Judge, Class I, rajnandgaon, who rejected the application filed under Section 372 of the Indian Succession act (for short, "the Act") for grant of succession certificate in favour of the non-applicant No. 1.

( 2 ) FACTS material for disposal of this revision in brief compass are that non-applicant no. 1 Krishna Kanhaiya after the death of Bhanumati Bai who died on 22-11-1984, claiming himself and non-applicant No. 2 being step-brother, to be her legal heirs, filed application for grant of succession certificate in respect of rent for the month of november, 1984, December, 1984 and january, 1985 total Rs. 900/- (Rupees nine hundred ). Non-applicant No. 2 did not appear and remained ex parte. Applicant objected grant of succession certificate in favour of non-applicant No. 1 on the ground that bhanumati Bai during her lifetime executed a Will in his favour, therefore, after her death, he became owner of the property left by her. He never remained tenant of bhanumati Bai. After her death, he filed an application for mutation and grant of lease on the basis of that Will. House has been recorded in his name and Nazul land over which the house is situated has also been leased in his favour.

( 3 ) BOTH the parties in support of their cases, adduced oral and documentary evidence. Learned trial Court, after evaluation of the evidence held that non-applicant No. 1 failed to prove that the house in dispute was given to Rupendra Singh on monthly rent of Rs. 300/- (Rupees three hundred)and also failed to prove that he and his brother-non-applicant No. 2 are the successors of Bhanumati Bai, therefore, dismissed the application vide order dated 30-11 -1991. Aggrieved by that order non-applicant No. 1 preferred the appeal bearing Misc. Civil appeal No. 5/92. Learned appellate Court vide impugned order reversed the order passed by the trial Court and allowed the application filed by non-applicant No. 1 for grant of succession certificate in respect of monthly rent of Rs. 300/- (Rupees three hundred)against the disputed house.

( 4 ) IN order to prove the relationship, the petitioner/non-applicant No. 1 has examined krishna Kanhaiya (AW/1), Shrinarayan singh (AW/2) and Smonath (AW/3) as witnesses. From their statements, it is clear that non-applicant Nos. 1 and 2 were stepbrothers of deceased Bhanumati Bai. objector/appellant Rupendra Singh has examined himself to substantiate his case. From his statement it emerges that he is not a member of the family of deceased Bhanumati Bai. He was a Tailor who came in contact with bhanumati Bai just before eight or ten years when he started living in her house. He does not know from where Bhanumati came and to which place she belonged. That apart, he did not say a single word that both the non-applicants are not step-brothers of deceased bhanumati Bai, therefore, learned appellate court has correctly appreciated the evidence and concluded that non-applicants No. 1 and 2 are step-brothers of deceased bhanumati Bai.


( 5 ) BHANUMATI Bai executed a registered will i. e. Ex. D/1. Applicant's contention is that the deceased Bhanumati Bai died leaving behind her a registered Will. Therefore, no application for grant of succession certificate is maintainable. Part X of the Act deals with the provisions regarding grant of succession certificate. Section 370 of the Act imposes restrictions on grant of succession certificate. It is apparent that for a claim based on Will in respect of any debt or security requires to be established by Letters of Administration or Probate of Will or the. Letters of Administration with a copy of such will. Here in the instant case, non-applicant no. 1 has not come with a cause for grant of succession certificate on the basis of any will, but has claimed the c








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