IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH, ITANAGAR BENCH
Marli Vankung, J.
Shri Rigo Riba @ Tago Riba, S/O Lt. Gori Riba – Petitioner
Versus
Yomdak Jini S/o Lt. Shri Rayom Jini and ors. – Respondents
RFA 6 OF 2019, IA(C) 60 of 2019
Decided On : 29-07-2022
Evidence Act, 1872 – Section 110 – First Appeal – Declaration of title – Facts of case in a nutshell is that plaintiff/appellant herein filed a Title Suit against defendants/respondents, for declaration of title, rights and interest over suit land measuring 5565 Square feet and another adjoining land measuring 4320 square feet located at market area – Held, Court find that from evidence adduced by plaintiff/appellant in trial court, there are sufficient grounds to conclude that preponderance of evidence and probability was in favour of Appellant/Plaintiff – It is not disputed that he had a shop (Gumti) on suit land in 1980 which he dismantled only in 2013 – Contents of sketch map of disputed suit land exhibited in court, showing that suit land (5565 sq. feet) belonged to ‘plaintiff/applicant, was not disputed during cross examination. Pw3 who was Ex-ASM had categorically stated that suit land (5565 square feet) was never included under Panchayati territorial jurisdiction and this statement was not refuted by defendants – No documents or witness was produced by defendants to substantiate their claim that defendant no.1/Respondent No.1 had gifted suit land for purpose of Lipu village Link road in trial court – Ordered Accordingly.
JUDGMENT :
Heard Mr. K. Tari learned counsel for the appellant and Ms. T. Jini learned counsel for the respondent no.1. Respondents No.2. Respondent No.3 have not entered any appearance though notice served upon them was completed.
2. This is a Regular First Appeal directed against the Judgment and decree dated 28.01.2019 passed by the learned Civil Judge (senior Division), West Siang District, Aalo in Title Suit No. 03 of 2016.
3. Facts of the case in a nutshell is that the plaintiff/appellant herein filed a Title Suit No. 03/2016 against the defendants/respondents, for declaration of title, rights and interest over the suit land measuring 5565 Square feet (8 meter in breadth and 100 meter in length) and another adjoining land measuring 4320 square feet (80 feet in breadth and 54 feet in length) located at market area, Likabali. The Respondents/defendants have filed their respective written statements in defense of the case. On the basis of the rival pleadings of the parties, the learned court of Court framed as many as 6 (six) issues as follows :
2. Whether the plaintiff has acquired the landed property measuring about 5565 square feet and 4320 square feet of land situated at Likabali, described in the schedule since 1960 and was peaceful possession till 2013?
3. Whether the plaintiff has constructed any structure (grocery Shop) over their suit land and was in possession of the same till the year 2013?
4. Whether the plaintiff has got right, title, interest and ownership over the suit land?
5. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to decree as prayed for?
6. To what other relief or reliefs the parties are entitled for.
4. That, after framing of issues the Appellant/Plaintiff adduced as many as 9 (nine) witnesses and 20 (twenty documents were Exhibited and the defendant/respondent No.1 adduced as many as 4 (four) witnesses, Thereafter, upon hearing the counsel for the parties concerned, the learned trial court below has, by the impugned Judgment and Decree dated 28.01.2019, partly decreed in favour of appellant/plaintiff declaring inter alia that appellant/plaintiff is the actual owner in respect of land measuring 4320 square feet and partly decreed against the appellant/plaintiff in respect of land measuring 5565 square feet at Likabali market area, thereby declaring that the appellant/plaintiff had never acquired or possessed the land which is the Lipu Link road. Hence, on being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the said Judgment and the partly decreed dated 28.01.2016, the appellant have filed the present appeal.
5. Mr. K. Tari learned counsel for the appellant submits that the learned trial court below has failed to properly appreciate the evidence on record in not finding that the preponderance of evidence and probability was in favour of the Appellant/Plaintiff and erroneously decided the Issue No.2, by holding that the plaintiff had never acquired or possessed the land measuring 5565 sq feet (8 meter by 212 feet) which is the Lipu Link Road. Whereas evidences of the appellant/plaintiff proved that the plaintiff has acquired and possessed said land since 1960. The affidavit dated 22.09.1992, by the plaintiff/appellant, declared himself as owner and possessor of a plot of land,he possessed the land measuring 5565 square feet at Likabali market area since 1960 anda road was being constructed by the appellant/plaintiff for his personal convenience, however, the learned court below had declared/decreed that said suit land was Lipu Link road in absence of any documentary evidence.That, the learned court below ought to have drawn a presumption of title in favour of the appellant/plaintiff, who are admittedly-in possession of the said disputed land, on the basis of the doctrines of possession follows title as contemplated under section 110 of the Evidence Act.
6. The learned counsel for the plaintiff appellant further submits that the learned court below had failed to appreci
The court upheld the plaintiffs' rights over the disputed land, validating their claims against the encroachment by the defendants and confirming the trial court's judgment.
The burden of proof lies with the defendant to substantiate claims over the disputed land, a failure results in dismissal of appeal.
The plaintiffs cannot claim a mere declaration of title without seeking further relief for possession, as stipulated by Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act, rendering the suit not maintainable.
The court held that a title deed must be substantiated with clear evidence, and the Survey Commissioner's findings are critical in resolving land disputes.
Plaintiff can amend the plaint to claim possession based on a Survey Commissioner's report when the title of the defendant is not obstinate against clear evidence.
Ownership and encroachment claims on land require clear proof and adherence to established records, emphasizing the necessity of addressing specific issues raised during the trial.
The record of rights (Khatian) is presumptive evidence of ownership, establishing Rayati rights until disproved, leading to recovery of possession.
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