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1998 Supreme(Gau) 200

GAUHATI HIGH COURT
J.N.Sarma, J.
Amiya Bala Dutta and Ors. -Appellant
Versus
Mukul Adhikari and Ors. -Respondent
Second Appeal No. 73 of 1992
Decided On : 14-07-1998

Advocates Appeared:
J.Das, G.Dutta , B.M.Sharma, B.K.Goswami

In a second appeal, the High Court cannot re-appreciate evidence, and a plaintiff can establish title to land by producing a patta and other evidence, and mutation entries in revenue records are entitled to due consideration.

Headnote:

LAND TITLE - ASSAM LAND AND REVENUE REGULATION - SECTION 17, 40, 41 - TITLE TO LAND - EVIDENCE - MUTATION ENTRIES - REVENUE RECORDS - INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION.

Fact of the Case:

The plaintiff filed a suit for declaration and recovery of possession of land. The defendant denied the plaintiff's title and claimed to have purchased the land in 1957. The trial court dismissed the suit, but the lower appellate court found in favor of the plaintiff, holding that the plaintiff had established title to the land based on the patta and other evidence.

Finding of the Court:

The High Court held that the lower appellate court's findings were not based on a substantial question of law and could not be re-appreciated in a second appeal. The court also held that the plaintiff's title to the land was sufficiently established by the patta and other evidence, and that the mutation entries in the revenue records, while not conclusive proof of title, were entitled to due consideration.

Issues: 1. Whether the findings of the lower appellate court regarding the plaintiff's title to the land were based on a substantial question of law. 2. Whether the plaintiff had sufficiently established title to the land.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The High Court held that the lower appellate court's findings were not based on a substantial question of law because they were based on an appreciation of evidence, which is not subject to re-appreciation in a second appeal. 2. The High Court held that the plaintiff had sufficiently established title to the land by producing the patta and other evidence, and that the mutation entries in the revenue records, while not conclusive proof of title, were entitled to due consideration.

Final Decision: The High Court dismissed the second appeal.

The only substantial question of law formulated in this appeal is as follows: " The appeal is admitted and shall be heard on the substantial question of law that whether the findings of the learned Court below in regard to the title of the respondents is not sustainable in evidence on record."

2. The plaintiff filed a suit for declaration and recovery of possession. The defendant filed the written statement denying the title of the plaintiff as well as the plea of dispossession set up by the plaintiff. The learned Munsiff at Barpeta dismissed the suit ie TS 36 of 1985. There was an appeal ie TA1 of 1989 before the learned Assistant District Judge at Barpeta. The issue Nos 4 and 5 are as follows:

"4. Whether the plaintiff has right, title and interest over the suit land 5. Whether the defendants have purchased the suit land on 25.3.57 and since then they are in possession over it"

3. The learned lower appellate Court took up both the issues for discussion together and having considered both oral and documentary evidence, came to the finding as follows:

"When the patta stands in the joint names of the plaintiff and defendant, it can safely be held that the plaintiff acquired his right and title on the suit land and the plaintiff are not expected to prove their title on the suit land by producing or proving any sale deed. The defendant Amiya Dutta examined herself as DW 1. She has also admitted in her evidence the fact of purchasing the same land which was in face given to the plaintiff Balindra Narayan. Towards the close of her cross examination, she clearly stated that the suit Dag Nos 1310 and 1311 stand in the joint names of her husband and the plaintiff, Balindra Narayan, She further stated that this land was originally gifted to Balindra Narayan but they (the defendants) purchased it. Thus, the very evidence of DW 1 lends support to the plaintiff's claim that they have title over the suit land."

4. The lower appellate Court further found as follows :

"Thus, taking into consideration of the entire evidence on record both oral and documentary, I find that the plaintiffs have right, title and interest over the suit land and the defendants purchased the suit dags and possessed the same excepting the suit land. Both these issues are accordingly answered in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants."

5. So, the question of law which has been formulated is not substantial question of law at all. It relates to appreciation of evidence only and it is settled law that in second appeal this Court cannot reappreciate the evidence.

6.1 have heard Mr. BM Sarma, learned counsel for appellant and Mr. J. Das, learned counsel for respondents. Mr. Sarma, learned counsel contends as follows:

(i) That non-production of the deed of purchase by the plaintiff must be deemed to be fatal for establishing the title of the plaintiff;

(ii) Mere entry in revenue record does not prove/establish the title of the plaintiff.

7. Regarding first contention of Mr. Sarma, learned counsel, it can be said that it is always not necessary to produce the sale deed to establish the title of a person. Title of a person can be established by adducing other evidence and it was the other evidence which was taken into consideration by the lower appellate Court and came to the finding that the plaintiff has established his title.

8. Regarding entry in the revenue record, Mr. Sarma, learned counsel relies on the following:

1. (1997) 1SCC 734 (State of UP vs Amar Singh & others). That was a case from Allahabad High Court. There the Supreme Court pointed out that the mutation entries usually do not confer title to the land. Title is derived from the sale deed properly stamped and registered. That was a case with regard to the acquisition of ceiling surplus land and the land holder claimed exemption on the basis of mutation entries and that was not accepted by the Supreme Court holding that the mutation entries cannot create title. That case does not help the appellant. Further






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