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1981 Supreme(Raj) 500

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
M.C.Jain, J.
Nabu - Appellant
Versus
Gani And Anr. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Second Appeal No. 130 of 1971.
Decided On : 30-10-1981

A person in peaceful possession of property without title is entitled to be restored to possession if dispossessed by another who also has no title.

Headnote:

POSSESSION - PRIOR POSSESSION - RAJASTHAN LAND REVENUE ACT, 1956 - SECTION 91 - RAJASTHAN MUNICIPALITIES ACT, 1959 - SECTION 203 - ADVERSE POSSESSION - LIMITATION ACT, 1963 - ARTICLE 64 - ARTICLE 65 - SPECIFIC RELIEF ACT - SECTION 8 - SECTION 9 - TRESPASSER - BETTER TITLE - DISPOSSESSION - Where a person in peaceful possession of property without title is dispossessed by another, who also has no title the former is entitled to be restored to possession. The mere de facto and wrongful possession of land is a valid title of right against all persons who cannot show a better title in themselves.

Fact of the Case:

Plaintiff filed a suit for possession of disputed 'Guwari', alleging himself to be the owner thereof. The plaintiff claimed to be the owner of the 'Guwari' by adverse possession. The Municipal Board denied all the averments made in the plaint including the plaintiff or his predecessor's possession over the 'Guwari'. The defendant No. 2 in his written statement, admitted that Idukhan was the plaintiffs' father. It was also admitted that Mst. Goga lived in Mohalla Dhobiyan after erecting a 'Gawari' in the S.Y. 1979-80 and that she died in the S.Y. 1981. It was denied that Idukhan or the plaintiff lived in her 'Gawari'. The defendant No. 2 alleged that in the land, which was in possession of Mst. Goga in her life time, in which she had erected a 'Gawari' the defendant started living in the northern portion thereof soon after the death of Mst. Goga and the defendant No. 2 also erected a 'Gawari' for his residence. The defendant No. 1 Municipal Board had executed the sale-deed on 16-5-1962 in favour of defendant No. 2 in respect of that land on the basis of his old possession. His wife had no hand in the matter. It was stated that, the plaintiff was never in possession of that land, so the question of dispossession did not arise. The plaintiff trespassed over the adjoining land on the northern side of his land and put up a jhunpa there, That encroachment was removed by the defendant No. 1.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the plaintiff had proved his prior possession and it had not been established that he was put out of possession under the authority of law and the defendants had further failed to establish that they had got the better title, then the plaintiff is entitled to a decree for possession.

Issues: 1. Whether the plaintiff has proved his prior possession? 2. Whether the defendants have established that they have got the better title? 3. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to a decree for possession?

Ratio Decidendi: 1. Possession is prima facie proof of title and, therefore, a previous possession can be a good foundation for a suit in ejectment even though plaintiff is unable to establish his title, provided the defendant is also unable to establish a better title to the disputed property. 2. Where a person in peaceful possession of property without the is dispossessed by another, who also has no title the former is entitled to be restored to possession. 3. The mere de facto and wrongful possession of land is a valid title of right against all persons who cannot show a better title in themselves, fir other words, no defendant in an action for trespass can plead the right of possession outstanding in some third person as against the fact of possession in the plaintiff.

Final Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs.

JUDGMENT

1. - This is an appeal by defendant No. 2 against the judgment: t and decree of the learned District Judge, Bikaner dated November 7, 19,70 whereby the appeal of the present appellant against the judgment and decree of the, learned Civil Judge, Ratangarh dated May 19, 1967 was dismissed and the decree passed by the learned Civil Judge in favour of the plaintiff-respondent Gani for possession of the disputed Guwari, for injunction and for compensation of Rs. 50/-was maintained.

2. The plaintiff Gani instituted a suit for possession in, respect of the disputed 'Guwari', alleging himself to be the owner thereof. It was averred that the disputed Gawari belonged to his grand-father Kadarkhan. Kadarkhan had no male issue. Kndarkhan's brother Hussainkhah's son Idukhan went in adoption to Kadarkhan. Kadarkhan had a daughter Goga. The plaintiff Gani is the son of Idukhan. Smt. Goga became widow in her young age, so she left her in-laws place Darasar and started living at Rajaldesar with her brother Idukhan. It was stated that Smt. Goga lived in the 'Gawari' from S.Y. 1970 till her death in S.Y. 1981 and plaintiffs' father Idukhan died in the St. Year 2000. In the settlement of S.Y. 1979-80, the 'Gawari' was recorded in the name of Smt. Goga. There was one 'zhupa' and a kachha 'sal' in the 'Gawari'. The 'sal' fell down some 6-7 years back during the rains. The plaintiffs' case is that Mst. Halima wife of the appellant, was the Vice-Chairman of the Municipal Board. The defendant No. 2 husband of Halima was put into possession of the 'Gawari' on 25-11-J 964. The plaintiff was forcibly dispossessed from the 'Gawari' by the defendant No. 1, representing that patta, has been granted to defendant No. 2 Nabu. It was all done illegally by misuse of office or the authority. The plaintiff also claimed to be the owner of the 'Gawari' by adverse possession.

3. Toe Municipal Board in its written statement denied all the averments made in the plaint including the plaintiff or his predecessor's possession over the 'Gawari'.

4. The defendant No. 2 in his written statement, admitted that Idukhan was the plaintiffs' father. It was also admitted that Mst. Goga lived in Mohalla Dhobiyan after erecting a 'Gawari' in the S.Y. 1979-80 and that she died in the S.Y. 1981. It was denied that Idukhan or the plaintiff lived in her 'Gawari'. The adoption to Idukhan was denied. The defendant No. 2 alleged that in the land, which was in possession of Mst. Goga in her life time, in which she had erected a 'Gawari' the defendant started living in the northern portion thereof soon after the death of Mst. Goga and the defendant No. 2 also erected a 'Gawari' for his residence. The defendant No. 1 Municipal Board had executed the sale-deed on 16-5-1962 in favour of defendant No. 2 in respect of that land on the basis of his old possession. His wife had no hand in the matter. It was stated that, the plaintiff was never in possession of that land, so the question of dispossession did not arise. The plaintiff trespassed over the adjoining land on the northern side of his land and put up a jhunpa there, That encroachment was removed by the defendant No. 1.

5. The trial court framed as many as II issues and recorded the evidence of both the parties. After hearing the arguments, the learned Civil Judge decreed the plaintiffs' suit. Issue No. 1 and 4 related to the plaintiffs' ownership and possession. Both the issues were decided by the learned Civil Judge in favour of the plaintiff. Issue No. 5 related to the plaintiffs' adverse possession, but in view of the finding of issue No. 4, it was stated that there is no need to decide issue No. 5. Consequently, the plaintiffs' suit for possession was decreed and the defendants were restrained from making; interference in the use of disputed gawari, in future. In respect of removal of the jhunpa, a decree for Rs. 50/-was passed against the defendant No. 1; Municipal Board, by way of compensation.

6. It is pertinent to state here th













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