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2022 Supreme(Gau) 1517

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVASHIS BARUAH
On The Death Of Nawratanmal Bhansali, His Legal Representatives And Ors. – Petitioners
Versus
Sri Moolchand Kucheria S/O Lt. Bherudan Kucheria – Respondent
CRP/64/2021
Decided On : 03-11-2022

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Ms. D. Barman
For the Respondent: Mr. R C Sanchati

IMPORTANT POINT
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 or based on no evidence.

Headnote:

REVISIONAL JURISDICTION - EVICTION AND RENT DISPUTE - CPC 1908, SECTION 115 - The court discussed the limited scope of revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the CPC, emphasizing that it cannot correct mere errors of fact or law unless they pertain to the jurisdiction of the court. The court highlighted that jurisdictional errors include findings that are perverse or based on no evidence. The court affirmed the lower courts' findings regarding the petitioners' default in rent payment and the plaintiff's bonafide requirement for the premises, ultimately concluding that the lower courts acted within their jurisdiction.

Fact of the Case:

The respondent filed a suit for eviction against the petitioners' predecessor, claiming bonafide requirement of the rented premises. The petitioners contested the suit, alleging that the plaintiff had no genuine need for the premises and that they had not defaulted on rent payments. The trial court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, leading to an appeal by the petitioners, which was also dismissed by the first appellate court.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the petitioners were defaulters in rent payment and that the plaintiff had a bonafide requirement for the suit premises. The appellate court's findings were based on evidence presented, which the petitioners failed to dislodge during cross-examination.

Issues: 1. Whether there is a cause of action in this suit? 2. Whether the suit is maintainable? 3. Whether the plaintiff requires the suit house bonafide? 4. Whether the defendant is liable to be evicted? 5. Whether the plaintiff demanded exorbitant rent? 6. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to relief? 7. Whether the appellants were defaulters in respect of the suit premises? 8. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover the amended rent?

Ratio Decidendi: The court reiterated that the revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the CPC is limited to jurisdictional errors and does not extend to re-evaluating evidence. The court upheld the lower courts' findings that the petitioners were defaulters in rent and that the plaintiff had a genuine need for the premises, as established by the evidence presented.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the petition, affirming the lower courts' judgments and granting the petitioners six months to vacate the premises, provided they submit an undertaking and continue to pay compensation during this period.

JUDGMENT :

HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVASHIS BARUAH

1. Heard Ms. D. Barman, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners and Mr. R. C. Sancheti, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent.

2. This is an application under Section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 challenging the judgment and decree dated 07.01.2021 passed in Title Appeal No.06/2008 passed by the Court of the District Judge, Bongaigaon whereby the appeal was dismissed and the judgment and decree dated 18.06.2008 passed in Title Suit No.02/2008 by the Court of the Civil Judge, Bongaigaon was affirmed.

3. At this stage, it is also relevant to take note of that the First Appellate Court during the pendency of the appeal have permitted the amendment of the plaint thereby to insert the ground of defaulter taking into account that during the pendency of the appeal, there was an allegation of default in payment of the rent. Vide the impugned judgment and decree, the First Appellate Court had also given finding to the effect that the petitioners herein were the defaulters in payment of rent.

4. 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-integrathatthe 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.

5. For appreciating as to whether the jurisdiction under Section 115 of the Code can be exercised in the facts and circumstances of the case, it would be relevant to take note of the brief facts of the instant case. For the purpose of convenience, the parties herein are referred to in the same status as t

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