1983 Supreme(Raj) 285
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
S.K.Mal Lodha, J.
Gram Panchayat, Kaspi - Appellant
Versus
Iswar Chand And Ors. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Revision No. 361 of 1978.
Decided On : 3-03-1983
In cases of successive denials of claims, the effective cause of action for the purpose of limitation is the last denial that effectively invades or jeopardizes the plaintiff's right.
Headnote:
LIMITATION - RAJASTHAN PANCHAYAT ACT, 1953 - SECTION 79(2)(B) - SUIT AGAINST PANCHAYAT - LIMITATION PERIOD - ACCRUAL OF CAUSE OF ACTION - SUCCESSIVE DENIALS OF CLAIMS - EFFECTIVE CAUSE OF ACTION - AUCTION OF LAND - LIMITATION STARTS FROM DATE OF AUCTION.
Fact of the Case:
Plaintiffs, representing the Oswal Community of Jasol, filed a suit for declaration, injunction, possession, and mense profits, alleging encroachment on their land by defendants. Defendant No. 1, the Panchayat, passed various orders regarding the land, including a resolution to sell a portion to the Oswal Community and orders for removal of encroachment. The plaintiffs challenged these orders in their suit, claiming that the cause of action accrued on the dates of these orders. Defendant No. 1 contended that the suit was barred by limitation under Section 79(2)(b) of the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953, which requires such suits to be filed within six months from the accrual of the cause of action.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the suit was within limitation under Section 79(2)(b) of the Act. It found that the orders passed by the Panchayat were ineffective and did not constitute a clear threat to the plaintiffs' possession, and thus did not furnish a compulsory cause of action. The effective cause of action was the auction of a portion of the land in favor of a third party, which occurred within six months of the filing of the suit.
Issues: 1. Whether the plaintiffs' suit is barred by limitation under Section 79(2)(b) of the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953?
Ratio Decidendi: The court interpreted Section 79(2)(b) of the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953, and held that the limitation period for suits against Panchayats begins from the date of the accrual of the cause of action. In cases of successive denials of claims, the effective cause of action is the last denial that effectively invades or jeopardizes the plaintiff's right. In this case, the effective cause of action was the auction of the land, which occurred within six months of the filing of the suit.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the revision petition filed by Defendant No. 1, upholding the decision of the District Judge that the plaintiffs' suit was within limitation.
JUDGMENT
1. - Defendant No. 1, who is petitioner has filed this revision under s 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, against the order dated July 19 1978 passed by the District Judge, Balotra, by which he decided issue No. 18 relating to limitation and held that the suit of the plaintiff-non-petitioners No. 1 to 6 is within limitation under Section 79(2)(b) of the Rajasthan Panchayat Act (No. XXI of 1953) (for short 'the Act' here in after).
2. The plaintiff-non-petitioners No. 1 to 6 instituted a suit for declaration, injunction, possession and mense profits in their capacity as trustees of the Oswal Community of Jasol. It was instituted on October 12, 1976. The petitioner and non-petitioners No. 7 to 12 were defendants in the suit. There is a piece of land measuring about 737 7/9 Sq. Yds. within the Panchayat boundary of village Jasol. It is alleged that this land belongs to the Oswal Community. Originally, the aforesaid land was owned by Thakur Madho Singh of Jasol. He orally made a gift of it to the Oswal Community on Ashad Sud 13, Sam vat 200. Thereafter, the cattle of the village were used to be tied on it. It was stated by the plaintiffs that on a part of this land, the defendants No. 2 to 6 have made an encroachment. Defendant No. 1 gave notice dated October 21, 1974 to the Oswal Community to remove the encroachment from the land in question. An objection was filed on October 27, 1974. Defendant No. 1 by its resolution dated April 6, 1975 resolved that a portion of the land may be sold to the Oswal Community for Rs. 5/- and a patta be granted to them. Against the aforesaid resolution, an appeal was filed by the Panchayat Inspector before the Collector, Barmer, who, by his order dated March 2, 1976 set aside the resolution of the Panchayat and directed the Panchayat to sell the plot in question by public auction. As regards the plot marked ABCD in the plan appended to the plaint it was stated by the plaintiffs that an order dated July 27, 1975 was passed by the Panchayat asking them to remove their encroachment. In respect of the plot marked as DEFH, defendant No. 1 passed an order of removal of encroachment on July 27,1975. So far as the plot marked BIGPEC is concerned, defendant No. 1 passed an order for removal of the encroachment on August 24, 1975. As a result of the passing of the aforesaid orders, a notice under Section 79 of the Act was issued on April 10, 1975. In para 11 of the plaint, it was stated that the cause of action accrued to them on April 6, 1975. July 27, 1975 and August 24, 1975 when the orders for removal of the encroachment were passed by defendant No. 1. It was further stated that the cause of action accrued to them on September 14, 1976 also when a portion of the land in question was auctioned in favour of defendant No. 7 Smt. Sarjoo. In these circumstances, the plaintiffs filed a suit for declaration, injunction, possession and mense profits.
3. Separate written statements were filed on behalf of defendant No. 1 and defendants No. 2 to 6. The suit was resisted on various grounds. One of the pleas raised in the written statements was that the suit of ths plaintiffs is barred by time on the ground that under Section 79(2)(b) of the Act, the suit of such nature and the reliefs prayed for, would only be filed within six months next after the accrual of the alleged cause of action. A rejoinder was filed to the written statement of defendant No. 1. On the pleadings of the parties, the learned District Judge framed as many as 22 issues inclusive of the relief. In this revision, I am only concerned with issue No. 18 which when translated into English runs as follows:
"Whether the plaintiff's suit is barred by time?"
The burden of this, issue was placed on defendant No. 1 The learned District Judge heard the arguments on this issue and by his order dated July 19,19 7s held that the suit of the plaintiffs is not barred by time whereby he decided issue No. 18 against defendant No. 1. Aggrieved, defendant No.
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