IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
PARTHIVJYOTI SAIKIA, J.
Native Tree Developers Pvt Ltd – Appellant
Versus
Md. Salim Khan Son Of Md. Sahabuddin Khan And Ors - Respondents
CRP(IO) 131 of 2023
Decided on : 27-07-2023
Article 227 - Injunction Order - The court discussed the grounds for interference under Article 227 of the Constitution of India and highlighted that the High Court can intervene if the inferior court acts arbitrarily, in excess of its jurisdiction, or fails to exercise its jurisdiction. The High Court does not interfere for correcting mere errors of facts, but can do so if a finding is perverse, not based on material evidence, results in manifest injustice, or involves a misdirection in law.
Fact of the Case:
The respondent alleged that the petitioner encroached upon his land and started construction work on it. The trial court granted an injunction and directed the police to implement it. The petitioner filed a revision petition against the injunction order, fearing that the police would stop construction on the land of another person.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the petitioner failed to satisfy the court for exercising the power under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. It held that there was no error in the impugned order for exercising the power of the High Court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, and thus dismissed the petition.
Issues: The main issue was whether the petitioner's revision petition against the injunction order should be granted under Article 227 of the Constitution of India.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the High Court can intervene under Article 227 if the inferior court acts arbitrarily, in excess of its jurisdiction, or fails to exercise its jurisdiction. It clarified that the High Court does not interfere for correcting mere errors of facts, but can do so if a finding is perverse, not based on material evidence, results in manifest injustice, or involves a misdirection in law.
Final Decision: The petition was found to be devoid of merit and was dismissed accordingly.
JUDGMENT :
Heard Mr. R.L. Yadav, learned counsel representing the petitioner as well as Mr. R.K. Bhuyan, learned counsel representing the respondents.
2. This is an application under Article 227 of the Constitution of India challenging the order dated 27.03.2023 passed by the learned Civil Judge No.2, Kamrup(M) in Misc. (J) Case No.115/2022 arising out of Title Suit No.353/2020.
3. The factual matrix giving rise to this petition lies within a very short campus. The respondent Md. Salim Khan and Md. Jahanuddin Ahmed purchased two plots of land attached to each other. Jahanuddin Ahmed handed over his portion of the land to the petitioner company for construction of a building. Salim Khan alleges that while the petitioner company was building a structure on the land of Jahanuddin Ahmed, encroached upon his land and started construction work of the building on his land.
4. Salim Khan filed the suit for declaration of his right, title and interest as well as for recovery of possession. Salim Khan also prayed for an injunction and the trial court allowed the prayer for injunction. On a prayer of Salim Khan, the trial court directed police to implement the injunction order.
5. The petitioner company filed the present revision petition against the said order of the trial court on the ground that it is not undertaking any construction work on the land of Salim Khan. The petitioner apprehends that police would stop construction of the building which is being undertaken on the land of the other person.
6. I have given my anxious considerations on the submissions made by the learned counsels of both sides.
7. The main grounds on which the High Court interferes under Article 227 of the Constitution of India are-------
2. When the inferior Courts act in excess of the Jurisdiction vested in them.
3. When the inferior Courts fail to exercise jurisdiction vested in them.
8. It is pertinent to note that the High Court does not interfere for correcting mere error of facts or, with a finding of the subordinate court which is within the jurisdiction of such court. However, if, such finding is perverse in such a sense that no prudent person having the knowledge of law could have arrived at such finding, or the finding is not based on any material evidence or, such finding results in manifest injustice or if there is a misdirection in law then the High Court can interfere under Article 227 of the Constitution of India.
9. Reverting to the case in hand, the trial court has granted the prayer of injunction. The present petitioner never moved the trial court for cancellation or modification of the order of injunction. When the trial court directed police to implement the order of injunction, then only the petitioner has come to this Court for restraining police interference.
10. I am of the considered opinion that the petitioner has failed to satisfy this Court for exercising the power under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. There is no error in the impugned order for exercising the power of the High Court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, the present petition is found to be devoid of merit and stands dismissed accordingly.
The High Court under Article 227 does not reconsider factual errors of inferior courts unless findings are perverse or unjust, maintaining supervisory authority without delving into case merits.
Issue regarding rent shall be decided by City Civil Court at the time of adjudication of suit for eviction of respondent.
Issue regarding rent shall be decided by City Civil Court at the time of adjudication of suit for eviction of respondent.
The supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 does not permit a re-evaluation of evidence but only addresses substantial legal errors affecting justice.
The High Court's supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 is limited to ensuring subordinate courts act within their authority, not to correct mere errors of law or fact.
The power of superintendence of the High Court over subordinate courts is to be exercised sparingly and only in appropriate cases to keep the Subordinate Courts within the bounds of their authorities....
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.