IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) KOHIMA BENCH
DEVASHIS BARUAH, J.
R. Sopu Angami – Appellant
Versus
The State Of Nagaland And 9 Ors – Respondent
WP(C) 137 of 2019
Decided on : 23-11-2022
Constitution of India, 1950 – Article 226 – Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 – Order XII, Rule, 6 – Power of High Courts to issue certain writs – Petitioner herein has invoked extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court under Article of Constitution of India, on ground of inaction of Officer-in-charge of P.S. Commissioner of Police, Zone Nagaland as well as Deputy Commissioner, Nagaland to FIR, complaint and representation submitted to said authorities respectively – Held, Taking into account that this Court has passed an order directing that there should not be any further encroachment in land of petitioner without authority of law and thereupon there were restraining orders by Deputy Commissioner, this Court directs that said restraining orders as well as shall hold field for a period of days from date of instant judgment and order – Before concluding, this Court would also observe that observations made herein are limited to deciding instant writ proceedings and same shall not influence Civil Court in deciding dispute(s) between petitioner and respondent or anyone claiming under them – Petition disposed.
JUDGMENT :
1. Heard Mr. C.T. Zamir, the learned Senior counsel assisted by Mr. I. Imchen the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Mr. V. Zhimomi, the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. I have also heard Mr. Taka Masa, the learned Senior counsel assisted by Mr. Arenlong, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos. 8, 9 and 10.
2. The petitioner herein has invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, on the ground of inaction of the Officer-in-charge of Diphupar P.S. Dimapur, the Commissioner of Police, Zone-1, Dimapur, Nagaland as well as the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Nagaland to the FIR, complaint and the representation submitted to the said authorities respectively.
3. The brief facts of the instant case is that the petitioner’s elder brother was allotted a plot of land measuring 20 Acres between 4th and 5th Mile, at Dimapur near Imphal Road vide a Memo No.II-5/VLS/66-67/1688-98 dated 08.05.1967. Subsequently, additional plot of land measuring 11 Acres was also allotted to the elder brother of the petitioner by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima vide Order No.6/37 dated 12.04.1968. Therefore, as per the petitioner, 31 Acres of land was allotted by the Government to the elder brother of the petitioner. The petitioner further stated in the writ petition that the elder brother of the petitioner has transferred the rights over the land measuring 90 Bighas 3 Kathas 0 Lecha which pertains to Dag No.3 covered by Patta No.6 of Dimapur Mouza, Model Village to the petitioner. It is the further case of the petitioner that one Mr. L. Chohochem Sangtam was in illegal possession in a part of petitioner’s land measuring 12,882 sq. ft. Under such circumstances, the petitioner had instituted a suit being Civil Suit No.74/2016 seeking declaration of right, title and interest over the said land of 12,882 sq. ft. In the said suit, the defendant therein i.e. Mr. L. Chohochem Sangtam had filed his written statement stating inter alia that he did not know that the land belonged to the petitioner and he was under the assumption that he has the right over the land on the basis of the village patta being issued. The Court of the Civil Judge, (Senior Division) Dimapur vide a judgment and decree dated 27.09.2018 decreed the said suit on admission taking into account the provision of Order XII Rule 6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 thereby declaring that the plaintiff to be the rightful owner and patta holder of the land in question measuring area of 12,882 sq. ft. covered by Patta No.6, under Dag No.3 of Dimapur, Mouza, Model Village. It would be relevant herein to take note of that the perusal of the said judgment and order passed by the Court of the Civil Judge, (Senior Division) Dimapur dated 27.09.2018 does not in any manner show that any consequential relief as regards recovery of possession or for eviction of the defendant therein from the suit land was granted. The decree so passed is reproduced hereinbelow.
4. The further case of the petitioner is that pursuant to the said decree being passed, the respondent Nos. 8, 9 and 10 herein in the writ proceedings have encroached upon the land of the petitioner which have been declared in favour of the petitioner by the judgment and decree dated 27.09.2018 passed in Civil Suit No.74/2016. Under such circumstances, the petitioner has filed an FIR before the O.C. Diphupar P.S., Dimapur alleging that the respondent Nos. 9 and 10 have illegally sold away a portion of his revenu
The main legal point established is the importance of following due process of law and the limited scope of interference under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in land dispute cases.
Only civil courts have jurisdiction to determine ownership and rights over land, while administrative authorities must adhere to the statutory framework, as established in this case.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the necessity of demarcation and identification of land as a condition precedent for invoking Section 95 of the Land Revenue Act, and the power of ....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement of substantial evidence to support claims of encroachment. The judgment emphasizes the importance of legal proceedings under the We....
The judgment emphasizes the importance of adhering to principles of natural justice and providing a reasonable opportunity for the parties to present their case.
Possession alone does not confer entitlement to government land; prior rejections of settlement applications by the state are binding.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.