GAUHATI HIGH COURT
A.P.Singh, J.
A.R.Kothari -Appellant
Versus
Bharati Narzari -Respondent
Second Appeal Nos. 9 and 10 of 1995
Decided On : 22-11-1999
LAND DISPUTE - TITLE - TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT, 1882, SECTION 54 - SALE DEED - POSSESSION - SUCCESSION - FAMILY PARTITION - BURDEN OF PROOF - SALE DEED EXECUTED BY SON OF ORIGINAL OWNER - VALIDITY - COURT'S DUTY TO EXAMINE GENUINENESS AND VALIDITY OF SALE DEEDS - REMAND FOR FRESH TRIAL.
Fact of the Case:
Appellant and respondent claimed title over the same land based on sale deeds executed in their favor by the original owner and his son, respectively. The trial court and the appellate court dismissed the appellant's suit and decreed the respondent's suit, finding that the respondent had taken possession of the land and started construction work, while the appellant failed to prove possession or mutation of his name in the revenue records.
Finding of the Court:
The High Court found that the lower courts failed to examine the validity of the sale deed executed by the son of the original owner in favor of the respondent, and whether the son had acquired saleable interest in the land through family partition. The court held that the respondent failed to prove the family partition or any lawful conveyance of title in his favor.
Issues: 1. Whether the lower courts erred in failing to examine the validity of the sale deed executed by the son of the original owner in favor of the respondent. 2. Whether the respondent proved the family partition or any lawful conveyance of title in his favor.
Ratio Decidendi: 1. It is necessary for the courts to examine the validity of the sale deeds and the right of the vendor to transfer title in the suit land when both parties claim title based on sale deeds. 2. The burden of proof lies on the party claiming title to prove the genuineness and validity of the sale deed and the right of the vendor to transfer title.
Final Decision: The High Court allowed both appeals, set aside the judgments and decrees of the lower courts, and remanded the suits back to the trial court for fresh trial in accordance with the observations made in the judgment.
2. Second Appeal No. 10 of 1995 arises from Title Suit No. l3 of 1990. This suit was filed by the appellant. It was dismissed by the trial Court vide judgment and decree dated 21.7.92 passed by Shri S K Saharia, Munsiff, Bongaigaon. Appellant filed appeal against me said judgment and decree of the Munsiff being Title Appeal No. 37 of 1993. The learned District Judge, Bongaigaon vide judgment and decree dated 5.8.94 dismissed the appeal. Thus giving rise to Appeal No.10 of 1995.
3. Second Appeal 9 of 1995 arises from Title Suit No.9 of 1993. This suit was filed by the respondent, Smti Bharati Narzary. The suit was decreed by the learned Munsiff Bongaigaon vide judgment and decree dated 21.7.92. Appellant filed appeal against the said decree-being Title Appeal No. 31 o£ 1993. The appeal was dismissed by the learned District Judge, Bongaigaon vide judgment and decree dated 5.8.94 dismissed the appeal. Thus giving arise to Appeal No. 10 of 1995.
4. In the two suits, one filed by the appellant and the other filed by the respondent, factual and legal controversy and the land which was subject matter were identical. Hence both the suits and the appeals filed in relation thereto were treated analogous matters and were decided together both by the Munsiff and the District Judge by common judgment and decree. It is for this reason that the above two second appeals are also being disposed of by me by a common judgment.
In Title Suit No. 13 of 1990, the appellant herein claimed for a decree of declaration of his rights, title and interest of ownership and khas possession over an area of 2 kathas and 10 lechas of land in Dag No.l70 of final Khatian No.29 Patta No.27 and Patta No.279 on the basis that the said and was purchased by him from its owner Shri Sarat Chandra Choudhwy vide registered sale deed dated 4.5.1983 (being Sale Deed No, 393 (Ext. Ka).
In the suit apart from others who were formal defendants, respondents was impleaded as defendant No. l. The respondent filed Title Suit No. 9 of 1993 praying for the issuance of perpetual injunction restraining the appellant and his men from damaging his property is from causing; interference in his possession inter alia on the basis that he was the owner and in possession of the lands in the said Dag No. measuring 1 katha 5 leehas which was purchased by Mr under registered sale deed from Ramoni Mohan Choudhary (one of the son of Sarat Chandra Chaoudhary). According to the respondent, after purchasing the land from Chandra Choudhury). According to the respondent, after purchasing the land from Ramoni Mohan Choudhury she took possession of the suit land the same day and constructed thereon one roofed GCI sheet cottage (Ek-chalia house) a and kept her chowkidar in the said Ek-chalia house for construction of dwelling house there. She then took up construction one 'L' type Assam Pattern house but when the construction was halfway the appellant on 26.3.90 caused objection in it and asked her to stop the construction work. Hence, the suit.
5. Appellant contested respondents suit. He filed written statement. In the written statement apart from routine pleadings he asserted that he had purchased 2 kathas 10 lechas of land from Sarat Chandra Choudhury, father of Ramoni Mohan Choudhury and original owner of the land on 4.5.83 vide Ext Ka. That Ramoni Mohan Choudhury had been left with no saleable interest in the land in suit (which is subject matter of the suit) and part of the land purchased by him from Sarat Chandra Choudhury vide Ext Ka. He further contended in his written c statement that Ramoni Mohan Choudhury and his other brothers namely, Lok Nath Choudhury, Gauri Kanta Choudhury, Ashani Kumar Choudhury and Ranuswar Choudhury have jointly sold a plot of land measuring 1 bigha 0 katha and 3 lechas from Dag No.
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