IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI, (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram And Arunachal Pradesh)
Devashis Baruah, J.
M/s. Todi Motor Stores and 5 Ors. – Petitioners
Versus
M/s. Jagannath Mahabir Prasad and 10 Ors. – Respondents
C.R.P. No.134 Of 2017
Decided On : 14-09-2022
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Section 115, 151 - Assam Urban Area Rent Control Act, 1972 - Section 5(1), 5 (1) (e), 5 (4) – Revision – Saving of inherent powers of court - Revisional jurisdiction- Whether suit is maintainable in law and in facts in its present form - Whether there is cause of action for suit - Whether suit premises was in dilapidated condition at time of creating tenancy and the deceased father of defendant renovated by constructing corridor, rooms, office, boundary walls etc. at his own cost with permission/consent of the plaintiff - Whether suit premises is bonafide required by plaintiff for use, occupation and benefit of members of plaintiff - Section 5 (4) is a deeming provision when a tenant who had made the deposit in terms with said Section shall not be treated as a defaulter under Clause (e) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Act of 1972. (Para 23).
Findings of the Court: Respondents herein shall be entitled to rent for period of eviction proceedings either through adjustment from rent already deposited in Court or by making an application before Executing Court to decide on their entitlement of rent during pendency of eviction proceedings and Executing Court would permit tenant/petitioner herein to controvert allegations of non-payment of rent during pendency of eviction proceedings and decide in accordance with law.
Result: Petition dismissed
JUDGMENT :
1. Heard Mr. G. N. Sahewalla, the learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. H. K. Sarma, the learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Kamal Agarwal, the learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. S. C. Keyal, the learned counsel for the respondents.
2. This is an application under Section 115 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (for short, the Code) challenging the judgment and decree dated 15.03.2017 passed in Title Appeal No.21/2008 whereby the judgment and decree dated 26.11.2008 passed by the learned Munsiff No.2, Dibrugarh in Title Suit No.37/2007 was upheld.
3. Before entering into the facts of the case, it would be relevant to note that the Petitioner herein have invoked the revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the Code. It is no longer res-integra that the revisional jurisdiction is limited in scope inasmuch as the said jurisdiction cannot be exercised to correct error of facts. However gross or even errors of law unless the said errors have relation to the jurisdiction of the Court to try the dispute itself. A plain reading of Sub-Clauses (a) and (b) of Section 115 of the Code is in reference to the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court not vested in the Court by law or has failed to exercise jurisdiction so vested in Court. Clause (c) is in relation to exercise of jurisdiction illegally and with material irregularity. Therefore, under Section 115 of the Code a jurisdictional question may arise not only where the Court acts solely without jurisdiction but also in a case where jurisdictional errors are committed while exercising jurisdiction. There may be various facets of jurisdictional error for example the findings arrived at is perverse, based on no evidence or misreading of evidence or such findings have been arrived at by ignoring or overlooking material irregularities or such findings so grossly erroneous that if allowed to stand would occasion miscarriage of justice. In other words, interference with an incorrect finding of fact recorded by the Court below for the purpose of exercising revisional jurisdiction must be understood in the context, where such findings are perverse or has been arrived at without consideration of material evidence or such finding is based on no evidence or misreading of evidence or is grossly erroneous that if allowed to stand it would occasion gross miscarriage of justice, is open to correction because it is not treated as a finding according to law. In the judgment of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court rendered in the case of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Vs. Baharsingh reported in (2014) 9 SCC 70, the Supreme Court observed that the Court while exercising jurisdiction under Section 115 of the Code is required to satisfy itself as regards the regularity, correctness, legality or propriety of the impugned decision or the order and cannot exercise its power as an Appellate Court to re-appreciate or reassess the evidence to a different finding of fact. It is also made clear that this Court while exercising the revisional jurisdiction is not and cannot be equated with the power of re-consideration of all questions of facts as the Court of First Appeal.
4. In the backdrop of the above, let this Court take into consideration the facts of the instant case. For the purpose of convenience, the parties herein are referred to in the same status as they stood before the trial court.
5. The case of the plaintiffs in brief is that M/s Jagannath Mahabir Prasad which is a Hindu Undivided Joint Family Firm (for short, HUF), represented by its Karta Sri Mahabir Prasad Agarwalla (since deceased) was a lawful owner and landlord of the suit premises which has been described fully in the plaint. In the year 1948, Late Jagannath Agarwalla who was the father of late Mahabir Prasad Agarwalla and the Karta of the aforesaid HUF used to reside with his family members at Lahoal, Dibrugarh. In 1948, Mahabir Prasad Agarwalla married Gita Devi (since deceased),
Section 5 (1) (e) of the Act of 1972 stipulates that a decree for eviction can be passed where the tenant had not paid the rent lawfully due from him in respect to the houses within a fortnight of it....
It is clarified that during this period of six months the defendant shall continue to make payment of amount of Rs. 60/- per month in the form of compensation to plaintiff.
Sub-Clauses (a) and (b) of Section 115 of Code is in reference to exercise of jurisdiction by Court not vested in Court by law or has failed to exercise jurisdiction so vested in Court.
Under Section 115 of Code a jurisdictional question may arise not only where Court acts solely without jurisdiction but also in a case where jurisdictional errors are committed while exercising juris....
The court established that revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the CPC is confined to jurisdictional errors, and findings of fact by lower courts cannot be disturbed unless they are perverse....
It is also made clear that this Court while exercising the revisional jurisdiction is not and cannot be equated with the power of re-consideration of all question of facts as the Court of First Appea....
Proviso (e) to Section 5(1) of Act of 1972 stipulates that when tenant has not paid rent lawfully due from him in respect of house within a fortnight of its falling due would come within various grou....
Section 5 of the Act of 1972 stipulates various grounds on which the tenant can be evicted which includes the ground of bonafide requirement.
Point of law: In terms with the Act of 1972, the jurisdiction of the First Appellate Court under Section 8 of the said Act is the final authority in the matter and the scope of revisional jurisdictio....
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