IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
VIJU ABRAHAM, J.
Janardhanan, S/o. Chathakudath Arackal Kallyani Amma – Appellant
Versus
INASU – Respondent
CRP No. 283 of 2020
Decided on : 26-09-2024
Execution - Injunction - CPC Order 21 Section 32 - The court emphasized the enforceability of prohibitory injunctions under CPC, allowing execution despite ongoing boundary disputes, ensuring decree holders can enjoy the fruits of their decree.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioners filed an execution petition after the respondent allegedly violated a decree of injunction by destroying boundary structures. The execution petition was dismissed by the trial court, citing a pending suit for boundary fixation.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the dismissal of the execution petition was incorrect, as the existence of a subsequent suit for boundary fixation should not prevent the enforcement of the original decree.
Issues: Whether the execution petition could be maintained despite the existence of a subsequent suit for boundary fixation.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the execution of a decree for prohibitory injunction can proceed even if there are disputes regarding property boundaries, as these issues should be resolved in the context of the original decree.
Result: The dismissal of the execution petition was set aside and remitted for fresh consideration.
JUDGMENT :
The above revision petition is filed challenging the order in E.P.No.292 of 2015 in OS No.137 of 1993 dated 17.2.2020 on the file of the Additional Sub Court, Irinjalakuda whereby the execution petition filed by the petitioners/decree holders was rejected essentially holding that there is a subsequent suit filed by the judgment debtors for fixation of boundary and that without fixing the eastern boundary of the decree holders property the court cannot jump to the conclusion that the judgment debtor has violated the decree of injunction.
2. Petitioners contended that the petitioners along with their mother late Kalyani Amma are the owners in possession of the plaint schedule properties 3 in number. In 1993, the defendant tried to destroy the eastern boundary of the petitioners plaint schedule property item No.1 and had removed the entire barbed fencing. Thereupon, OS No.137/1993 was filed seeking injunction restraining the defendant/respondent and his men from trespassing into the plaint schedule item No.1 and from destroying or altering the eastern boundary tress and boundary fence. A commission was taken out, Ext.C1 report was filed along with Ext.C1(a) plan. The said suit was decreed and Ext.C1(a) plan was made part of the decree and plaintiffs were granted a decree of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from trespassing into any portion of plaint schedule item No.1 lying on the western side of the boundary shown in Ext.C1(a) plan and from destroying the boundary or boundary trees. The said judgment and decree was confirmed in appeal filed as AS No.399 of 2000 and also a second appeal was filed as RSA No.122 of 2005. Even thereafter, there was constant violation of the injunction and the concrete wall put up by the petitioners was destroyed. Thereupon, the present execution petition was filed as EP No.292 of 2015 before the Sub Court, Irinjalakuda and a commission was appointed and a report was filed on 21.10.2015. In the said report, the commissioner clearly stated that the matti trees and other trees are standing in the fence in the same position and reported that the concrete pillars which were planted in the fence between the trees mentioned as 5,6,9 etc in Ext C1 Commission Report are uprooted and destroyed. At the time of enquiry, the 2nd petitioner Ramakrishnan as well as another person, named Babu, who is a worker were examined.
3. The learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that the Trial Court dismissed the execution petition based on totally wrong reasoning, stating that the respondent herein had filed another suit for fixation of boundary, and only after fixation of boundary the exact violation could be ascertained.
4. The respondent entered appearance through counsel and submitted that the allegation that they have violated the terms of the decree and have removed the concrete poles is absolutely without any basis and the allegation against them is without any bonafides. It is also contended that the boundary reported in Ext.C1(a) sketch is not in existence at present and the said boundary was not based on the survey measurement. It is further contended that the decree-holder after destroying the eastern boundary trespassed and reduced almost 12 cents of property of the judgment debtor into his possession and as per the title deed of decree schedule item No.1 property it has only an extent of 1.66 Acres, but now the decree holder is in possession 1.78 Acres of land and after trespassing into the property of the judgment debtor, the decree-holder attempted to install concrete poles. It is further submitted that no concrete poles were reinstalled on 24.09.2015 and in Ext.C1(a) plan the presence of concrete poles along the boundary is not at all reported. It is also submitted that the judgment debtor has instituted a suit for fixation of boundary and therefore sought for dismissal of the civil revision petition.
5. I have heard the rival contentions of both sides.
6. O.S. No. 1
The court affirmed that prohibitory injunctions can be enforced despite ongoing disputes, ensuring that decree holders can secure their rights.
The Execution Court has broad powers under Order XXI Rule 32 to enforce decrees, including mandatory injunctions, and objections regarding executability are unfounded.
Decrees regarding immovable property must be upheld despite minor identification errors, allowing for amendments under CPC to ensure proper execution.
Court emphasized that amendments to execution petitions for clarity do not alter property identity and are permissible.
The principle of 'interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium' - there should be a limit to the litigation.
Cause of action is a fresh cause of action and on the basis of which the compromise decree cannot be put to execution.
Execution petitions may proceed despite status quo orders if underlying rights have been resolved and are clear.
The executing court has the jurisdiction to pass necessary orders regarding the execution of decrees under Order XXI Rule 32.
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.