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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Amit Bansal, J.
Ajit Singh - Appellant
Versus
Padma Bhandari - Respondent
CM(M) 1052 of 2021
Decided On : 17-12-2021




The executing court possesses the authority to remove illegal constructions made during litigation to ensure complete enforcement of possession decrees.

Headnote:(A) Constitution of India - Article 227 - Civil Procedure Code, 1908 - Execution of decree - Execution of possession warrants issued for portion illegally occupied by petitioners; the legality of such occupation and scope of judicial powers in execution discussed - Respondents’ decree established after prolonged litigation must not be frustrated by petitioners’ wrongful acts (Paras 10 and 20).

(B) Adverse Possession - Defence of adverse possession rejected in earlier judgments undermines petitioners' claims for additional portions illegally constructed (Paras 7 and 13).

(C) Effective Execution - Court emphasized the Executing Court’s authority to ensure justice by removing unlawful constructions made pendente lite to enforce decrees fully (Paras 12 and 20).

Facts of the case:
Petitioners, legal heirs of the original defendant, resisted execution of possession warrants for a property portion claimed by respondents after various litigations since 1986, where earlier judgments upheld the plaintiffs' rights against claimants’ adverse possession.

Findings of Court:
Court held the petitioners' extended occupation and construction were illegal; the execution of the decree must be carried out entirely.

Issues: Whether executing court can order possession beyond confirmed decree due to illegal construction; whether execution proceedings are time-barred.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the executing court has the authority to execute full judgment enforcement, including removing illegal structures made during litigation, ensuring full compliance with the decree.

Result: Petition dismissed.

Table of Content
1. overview of case and procedural history. (Para 1 , 3)
2. petitioners' claim to property and law citations. (Para 4)
3. respondents' defense and ownership claims. (Para 5)
4. court's reference to previous judgments and legal interpretations. (Para 6 , 7 , 9)
5. powers of executing court and removal of unlawful occupation. (Para 8 , 10 , 11)
6. legal principles on time barred claims and execution. (Para 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16)
7. equitable jurisdiction and wrongful acts. (Para 18 , 19 , 20)
8. conclusion of the case dismissal. (Para 21)

JUDGMENT

1. The present petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India assails the order dated 03rd March, 2021 passed by the Administrative Civil Judge (South), Saket Courts, New Delhi (hereinafter `Executing Court') in Execution Petition No.350/2017, whereby warrants of possession have been issued qua the portion shown as point `X' in the site plan (Ex-PW1/A), with a further direction to the bailiff to break up the locks and doors and get the portion, illegally occupied by the petitioners (legal heirs of the judgment debtor/original defendant) behind the portion marked as `X' in the site plan, vacated from the petitioners.

2. The counsel for the petitioners as well as counsel appearing on caveat on behalf of the respondents (decree holders/original plaintiffs) have been heard at length when the petition was first listed on 23rd November, 2021 and judgment was reserved.

3. Brief resume of the facts giving rise to the present petition are detailed hereinafter.

3.1. In 1986, the respondents had filed a suit for possession and recovery of damages against the original defendant, being suit No.674/1986 pertaining to two rooms and a small kitchen at the back of 12, Padmini Enclave, New Delhi. The said suit was dismissed by the Trial Court vide judgment dated 30th January, 1993.

3.2. The aforesaid judgment was challenged by the original defendant by way of an appeal before this Court, being RFA No.474/1993. The said appeal was allowed in favour of the respondents vide judgment dated 30th October, 2003 and the judgment and decree passed by the Trial Court was set aside.

3.3. The petitioners challenged the said judgment before the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court vide order dated 15th December, 2003 granted stay against dispossession in favour of the petitioners. Vide order dated 17th November, 2008, the Supreme Court passed a direction that the said order would continue to operate throughout the pendency of the appeal filed by the petitioners.

3.4. The appeal filed by the petitioners being Civil Appeal No.6702/2008 was dismissed by the Supreme Court vide order dated 11th July, 2017.

3.5. Thereafter, the respondents filed an application, being CM No.44084/2017 in the disposed of RFA No.474/1993 seeking clarification/modification of the judgment dated 30th October, 2003 passed by this Court.

3.6. Vide order dated 10th July, 2018, the judgment and decree dated 30th October, 2003 was modified by this Court and it was directed that the suit would stand decreed with respect to the property at point `X' in the site plan (Ex.PW1/A).

3.7. The execution petition No.350/2017 was filed on behalf of the respondents and the petitioners filed objections thereto. The said objections were dismissed by the Executing Court vide order dated 3rd April, 2019.

3.8. When the Court appointed bailiff went to execute the warrants of possession on 20th May, 2019, the petitioners did not permit the bailiff to execute the warrants of possession, as they contended that the portion in their occupation was not part of point `X' in the site plan.

3.9. Accordingly, the respondents filed an application under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) to get warrants of possession executed qua the suit property as shown in the site plan at point `X', including all further constructions/additions undertaken by the petitioners.

3.10. The said application was allowed by the Executing Court vi

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