IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Navin Chawla, J.
Om Prakash - Appellant
Versus
Sumitra Devi - Respondent
C M(M) No. 265 of 2021
Decided On : 24-03-2021
exemption - unauthorized construction - DMC Act, Order 7 Rule 11 CPC, Order 12 Rule 6 CPC - The court discussed the unauthorized construction issue and the direction to produce documents as contained in the order dated 07.12.2002. The court also highlighted the final adjudication of the unauthorized construction issue and the direction to expedite the hearing of the suit without insisting on the status report to be filed before the Trial Court.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner challenged the orders dated 18.10.2019 and 07.03.2020 passed by the learned Civil Judge-07, Central, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi in a suit regarding unauthorized construction and easementary rights.
Finding of the Court:
The court found no infirmity in the orders impugned in the present petition and disposed of the petition with the observation that the effect of non-production of the documents shall be considered by the learned Trial Court while considering the suit on merit.
Issues: The issues revolved around the unauthorized construction, direction to produce documents, and the expedited hearing of the suit without insisting on the status report to be filed before the Trial Court.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the final adjudication of the unauthorized construction issue and the direction to expedite the hearing of the suit without insisting on the status report to be filed before the Trial Court.
Final Decision: The present petition was disposed of with the observation that the effect of non-production of the documents shall be considered by the learned Trial Court while considering the suit on merit.
JUDGMENT
Navin Chawla, J. -
Cm 11779/2021(exemption)
Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
CM(M) 265/2021 & CM 11778/2021
1. This petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the orders dated 18.10.2019 and 07.03.2020 passed by the learned Civil Judge-07, Central, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi in suit, being CS SCJ No.94260/2016, Om Prakash v. Sumitra Devi.
2. By the Impugned Order dated 18.10.2019, the learned Trial Court was pleased to dismiss the application filed by the petitioner, who is the plaintiff in the suit, seeking a direction to the MCD to file on record various documents as was earlier directed by the learned Trial Court in the order dated 07.12.2002. By the subsequent order dated 07.03.2020, the application of the petitioner seeking review of the order dated 18.10.2019 has been dismissed.
3. The suit has a chequered history inasmuch as the same has been filed by the petitioner claiming unauthorized construction being carried out by the defendant nos.1 to 3 in the suit as also claiming easementary rights.
4. As far as the plea of the unauthorized construction is concerned, the same stands finally adjudicated by an order dated 19.07.2011 passed by this Court in RSA No.184/2010, inter alia observing as under:
"5. Accordingly, the impugned orders cannot stand. They are accordingly set aside. Rejection of the plaint under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC is set aside. The Trial Court will proceed to hear and dispose of the suit in accordance with law with respect to the cause of action of easementary rights to light and air as stated in the plaint and the reliefs claimed thereupon.
6. I may note that the learned counsel for the appellants also sought to argue that the suit must also continue with regard to the unauthorized construction. I completely disagree. The reason is the following observations of the First Court in the order dated 24.03.2004:-
"MCD also filed WS and raised preliminary objection that the suit of the plaintiff is barred under Section 347(E) of the DMC Act and jurisdiction of this Court is barred and this Court has no jurisdiction to try the present suit. It has been further stated that unauthorized construction carried out in the property No.E-20, Bhagwan Dass Nagar, New Delhi was booked vide file No.451/B/UC/WZ/98 dt. 8.9.98. It has been further submitted that in view of the resolution of Standing Committee, MCD No.1648 dt. 24.5.79 the owner/builder of the suit property was processed fro regularization as per BBL and policy and guidelines contained in OO No.7/Building/HQ/86 dt.29.8.86 and other circulars No.9/EE(B)/HQ/89 dt. 23.6.89 and 11/Bldg/HQ/86 dt. 27.10.86. It has been further stated that after completing requisite formalities and procedure as laid down in the aforesaid circulars, the unauthorized construction on GF and FF have been regularized and building plan has been sanctioned in respect of SF also as on 12.1.1999 as per details depicted in the chart filed as annexure "A" with the WS of MCD."
No doubt the issue could not have been decided under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC, but, the issue could well have been considered under Order 12 Rule 6 CPC because MCD has given detailed particulars of allowing of the sanction and the completion of the requisite formalities by the respondents no.1 to 3. Therefore, there remains no illegal and unauthorized construction for the suit to continue with respect to that cause of action and relief related thereto. I may however, note that the appellants/plaintiffs are seeking that certain documents be directed to be produced as directed by the Trial Court vide its order dated 7.12.2002. Accordingly, MCD should for the sake of completion of the record, comply with the directions as contained in the Order dated 7.12.2002.
7. With the aforesaid observations, the appeal is partly allowed to the extent that the suit will continue with respect to the cause of action and the reliefs claimed qua the easementary rights. Appeal is disposed of accordingly."
(Emphasis supplied)
5. As is
The court emphasized the importance of final adjudication of issues and the direction to expedite the hearing of the suit without insisting on the status report to be filed before the Trial Court.
The court upholds the trial court's jurisdiction in evaluating easementary rights while confirming prior orders denying additional document submission and claims of unauthorized construction.
Non-compliance with an order for discovery of documents under Order 11 Rule 21 of CPC can lead to dismissal of a suit for want of prosecution.
Where an appeal against a demolition order is pending before the Appellate Tribunal, the authority must maintain status quo as directed by the Tribunal, while regularization applications are consider....
The court affirmed that any citizen can file complaints regarding unauthorized constructions, emphasizing strict enforcement of planning laws to prevent illegal activities.
The court upheld the trial Court's dismissal of applications to introduce documents due to lack of valid grounds for delay, affirming the importance of timely evidence submission under procedural rul....
Civil suits challenging demolition orders for unauthorized construction are not maintainable where specific provisions of the DMC Act provide for an appellate forum, reinforcing the jurisdictional li....
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