2014 Supreme(Raj) 804
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT AT JAIPUR BENCH
Nisha Gupta, J.
Mohan Lal and Ors. - Appellant
Versus
Roop Kishore - Respondent
S.B. Civil Second Appeal No. 541 of 2012.
Decided On : 17-01-2014
Advocates:
For the Appellants:L.L. Gupta, Advocate.
For the Respondents:R.K. Mathur, Senior Advocate with Aditya Mathur, Advocate.
In a second appeal under Section 100 CPC, the High Court cannot reappraise the evidence and consider the matter as a third trial on facts. The High Court can only interfere with the concurrent findings of fact recorded by the courts below if there is any illegality or perversity in the findings.
Headnote:
EVICTION SUIT - SECTION 100 CPC - CHANGE OF USER - BONA-FIDE NECESSITY - COMPARATIVE HARDSHIP - CONCURRENT FINDINGS OF FACT - SECOND APPEAL - MAINTAINABILITY - SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW - INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 100 CPC - SUMMARY OF ACTS AND SECTIONS REFERENCED AND DISCUSSED BY THE COURT - KEY LEGAL PROVISIONS, THEIR INTERPRETATIONS, AND HOW THEY INFLUENCED THE COURT'S DECISION - CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK APPLIED BY THE COURT IN REACHING ITS DECISION.
Fact of the Case:
Plaintiff-respondent filed an eviction suit against the defendant-tenant on the grounds of change of user of the shop from a shop to a godown and bona-fide necessity for the plaintiff's grandson to carry out his business.
Finding of the Court:
Both the trial court and the appellate court decreed the eviction suit, holding that the defendant had changed the user of the shop and that the plaintiff's need for the shop was genuine.
Issues: 1. Whether the defendant had changed the user of the shop from a shop to a godown? 2. Whether the plaintiff had a bona-fide necessity for the shop? 3. Whether the comparative hardship favored the plaintiff or the defendant?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the defendant had changed the user of the shop from a shop to a godown, relying on the precedent of Goa Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Noor Mohd. Sheikh Mussa & Anr., AIR 2004 SC 3866, which held that the use of premises from an office to a godown amounts to a change of user. 2. The court held that the plaintiff had a bona-fide necessity for the shop, considering the evidence of both parties and the concurrent findings of the courts below. 3. The court held that the comparative hardship favored the plaintiff, as the defendant had other shops in his possession prior to taking the disputed shop on rent.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the second appeal, holding that no substantial question of law was involved and that the concurrent findings of fact by the courts below could not be disturbed.
JUDGMENT
1. - This second appeal under Section 100 CPC has been filed against the judgment and decree dated 15.9.2012 passed by Additional District Judge, Rajgarh, Distt. Alwar in Civil Regular Appeal No. 6/2008 confirming the judgment and decree dated 25.8.2008 passed by Civil Judge, Junior Division, Rajgarh in Civil Suit No. 272/1993 whereby both the courts below have decreed the suit for eviction in relation to shop in question.
2. The brief facts leading to filing of this second appeal are that plaintiff -respondent filed a suit for eviction against Prabhu Dayal, deceased defendant -tenant on the ground that tenant has converted the shop into Godown for storing the vegetables and also on the ground of reasonable and bona-fide necessity of Ramakant grand-son of plaintiff for carrying the business of selling seeds. The appellants defendant filed a written statement that they have not changed the user of the shop and denying the necessity of Ramkant, suit was decreed by the court below and appeal has also been dismissed, hence this second appeal.
3. Heard the learned counsel for the parties on admission and perused the judgments and decree under appeal.
4. The contention of the present appellants is that the appellate court has erred in holding that they have changed the user of the property, the Commissioner report has been misread by the court below, he is still using the disputed shop as it is a commercial premise and he has not changed the user. As regards necessity, his contention is that by the Will (Ex-2), plaintiff is the owner of four properties out of which two shops are lying vacant with the land lord, hence if any necessity is there for Ramakant, he can start his business in other properties. It has also been contended that he has no other shop and comparative hardship would be in his favour, if he has to vacate the property. Other shops which have been shown to be in his tenancy are in his possession prior to the taking of the disputed shop on rent.Per contra, the contention of the counsel for the respondent is that both the courts below have concurrently held that defendant had changed the user of the shop and need of the plaintiff is found to be genuine one and looking to the concurrent findings of fact, this second appeal is not maintainable. All the objections which have been raised by the appellants are in regard to factual finding and cannot be interfered, correct inference has been drawn by the courts below, there is no case of over reading or misreading of the evidence and no perversity has been shown in the findings.
5. As regards change of user, courts below have held that the present appellants has changed the use of property from shop to Godown and reliance has been placed by the respondent on Goa Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Noor Mohd. Sheikh Mussa & Anr., AIR 2004 SC 3866 wherein it has been held that use of premises from office to Godown amounts to change of user. Both the courts below have considered the evidence of both the parties and concurrent findings has been recorded by the courts below, hence in the limited scope under Section 100 CPC, concurrent findings of fact of the courts below could not be disturbed unless any perversity has been shown. It has been stated that Commissioner Report has been misread. Commissioner report has been considered but apart from Commissioner Report, oral evidence and evidence of photos have also been considered, hence there is no perversity in the finding of fact recorded by the courts below.
6. The other contention of the present appellants is that he has obtained the vacant possession of another land in 1974 whereas admittedly, present shop has been taken on rent on 28.4.75 hence prior to taking of the present premises on rent, he was having the other shop hence this does not give any right of eviction to the land lord. The appellate Court has not passed the decree on the above grounds, hence contentions of appellants are insignificant.As regards, bona-fide n
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