IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
Anil K. Narendran, J.
Nandini Amma - Appellant
Versus
Krishnan and others - Respondents
SA No. 827 of 2002
Decided On : 22-12-2023
JUDGMENT :
Anil K. Narendran, J.
The appellant filed O.S.No.1 of 1986 before the Munsiff Court, Ponnani, against the defendants seeking a degree for recovery of possession of plaint A schedule property on the strength of her title and a decree for a mandatory injunction directing the defendants to demolish the wall in plaint A schedule property, which forms part of plaint B schedule property. Going by the averments in the plaint, plaint B schedule property belonged to the plaintiff's mother, Devaki Amma. The plaintiff obtained right over the said property by virtue of Ext.A1 registered Will dated 15.10.1979. The property described in plaint C schedule was assigned by Devaki Amma in favour of the 1st defendant. The property belonging to the plaintiff lies on all four sides of the property assigned to the 1st defendant. The 1st and 2nd defendants have constructed a wall in plaint A schedule property. When the husband of the plaintiff enquired about the construction made by the 1st and 2nd defendants, they told him that the said property belonged to them. The defendants have trespassed upon plaint A schedule property and reduced it to their possession. Therefore, the plaintiff is entitled to get a decree for recovery of possession of plaint A schedule property on the strength of her title. She is also entitled to a decree for a mandatory injunction directing the defendants to demolish the wall in plaint A schedule property.
2. Defendants 3 to 8 were subsequently impleaded in the suit. Defendants 1, 4 and 5 to 8 filed written statement and additional written statement, contending that the extent of the property shown in the plaint schedules is not covered. At the time of assignment of the property in favour of the 1st defendant, the property was measured by the person brought by Devaki Amma and the document was prepared on that basis. The 1st defendant is not aware of the measurements of the property. The entire property as per the assignment deed was entrusted to the 1st defendant. Thereafter he assigned a portion of that property to one Chacko. He gifted the remaining property in favour of the 4th defendant, who is his wife. Defendants 5 to 8 are unnecessary parties to the suit. The defendants have not trespassed upon plaint A schedule property. The plaintiff is not entitled to get a decree for recovery of possession of plaint A schedule property. Defendants 2 and 3 filed separate written statements, contending that the property shown in the schedules to the written statement belonged to them and they have not trespassed upon any property belonging to the plaintiff.
3. Before the trial court, PWs 1 to 3 were examined on the side of the plaintiff and Exts.A1 to A7 were marked. On the side of the defendants, DWs 1 to 3 were examined and Exts.B1 to B7 were marked. The report and plan of the Advocate Commissioner, who was examined as PW3, were marked as Exts.C1 to C5. After appreciating the pleadings and evidence on record, the trial court found that the plaint schedule properties are not properly identified and accordingly the suit was dismissed by the judgment and decree dated 28.02.1991. Feeling aggrieved, the plaintiff filed A.S.No.106 of 1991 on the file of the Sub Court, Tirur. The 2nd defendant died during the pendency of the appeal and his legal representatives were impleaded as additional respondents 9 to 21. That appeal ended in dismissal by the judgement and decree dated 13.08.2002, which is under challenge in this Second Appeal filed before this Court, under section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
4. On 26.03.2003, when this Second Appeal came up for admission, this Court ordered notice to the respondents on the substantial questions of law formulated in the memorandum of the Second Appeal. By the order dated 26.07.2023 in I.A.No.3 of 2015, the applicant therein, who has entered into an agreement for sale dated 23.08.2000 in respect of 33.5 cents of land, which forms part of plaint A schedule property, comprised in
The plaintiff failed to establish the identity of the property in question, leading to the dismissal of the suit for recovery of possession and injunction.
Plaintiffs must establish the identity of the property to succeed in a suit for declaration of title and permanent injunction.
The courts erred in dismissing the plaintiff's suit without addressing critical issues of property title and possession, validating his claim for a declaratory relief against unauthorized deeds.
The court underscored the necessity to properly identify property in title claims, emphasizing remand for further inquiry if identification deficiencies exist, despite title being established.
In property disputes involving partition, precise identification of property boundaries is essential; misidentification can undermine claims and necessitate remand for proper assessment.
The court ruled that failure to produce adequate documentary evidence undermines a claim of title over property, especially in boundary disputes.
No substantial questions of law arise in second appeal where lower courts' factual findings on title, admissions, and commissioner's report are not perverse.
Proper identification of properties based on respective title deeds supported by old survey plan and new survey plan is necessary to grant reliefs sought in a suit for injunction and counter claim fo....
The plaintiff must establish proof of absolute ownership and encroachment to succeed in property disputes, with evidence discrepancies adversely affecting claims.
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.