2013 Supreme(HP) 22
IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA
Kuldip Singh, J.
Rachna Sharma - Petitioner
Versus
Meena Kumari Sharma - Respondent.
CMPMO No. 350 of 2012
Decided On : 4.1.2013.
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. R.L.Sood, Senior Advocate with Mr. Arjun Lall, Advocate.
For the Respondent:Mr. P.S.Goverdhan, Advocate.
Headnote:
Court Fee - Valuation of Suit Property - Section 7 (iv) (c), (v) (e) of the Act - The court analyzed the valuation of the suit property for the purpose of court fee and directed the trial court to frame the issue of valuation of the suit for the purpose of court fee and decide the said issue in accordance with law.
Fact of the Case:
The respondent filed a suit for declaration against the petitioner claiming to be the sole successor of deceased Rajinder Prakash Sharma and co-owner in possession of the suit land to the extent of 1/3rd share. The petitioner contested the suit, claiming to be the absolute owner in possession of the suit land.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the suit property, consisting of land and built-up structure, needed to be valued for the purpose of court fee in accordance with Section 7 (iv) (c) (v) (e) of the Act, based on the market value of the built-up structure. The trial court was directed to frame the issue of valuation of the suit for the purpose of court fee and decide the said issue in accordance with law.
Issues: The main issue was the valuation of the suit property for the purpose of court fee, specifically the built-up structure, as per Section 7 (iv) (c) (v) (e) of the Act.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the suit property, including the built-up structure, needed to be valued for the purpose of court fee in accordance with Section 7 (iv) (c) (v) (e) of the Act, based on the market value of the built-up structure.
Final Decision: The petition was allowed, and the order of the trial court was set aside. The trial court was directed to frame the issue of valuation of the suit for the purpose of court fee and decide the said issue in accordance with law.
Kuldip Singh , Judge
This petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India has been filed against order dated 3.10.2012 passed by learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Court No.1 Kasauli in CMA No. 114/06 of 2012 in Case No. 122/1 of 2010.
2. The facts, in brief, are that respondent has filed a suit for declaration against the petitioner that respondent is the sole successor of deceased Rajinder Prakash Sharma co-owner in possession of the suit land to the extent of 1/3rd share land more specifically described in the plaint situate in mauja Garkhal, Hadbast No. 713. Rajinder Prakash Sharma was also co-owner in joint possession of land measuring 23 bighas 18 biswas and building constructed thereupon which respondent has succeeded after the death of Rajinder Prakash Sharma being his daughter and mutation No. 2711 dated 7.11.2007 of mauja Kasauli and mutation No. 869 dated 8.2.2008 of mauja Garkhal and showing the petitioner as absolute owner in possession of share of deceased Rajinder Prakash Sharma are also wrong, illegal, null and void and not binding upon the respondent. As a consequential relief, the decree for permanent prohibitory injunction has also been prayed by the respondent.
3. Rajinder Prakash Sharma was also having some buildings in the Cantonment area at Kasauli known as ‘Cart Road, Arhat Bazar, Kasauli to the extent of 1/3rd share. The respondent is the only daughter and is sole legal heir of deceased Rajinder Prakash Sharma, who died intestate on 16.10.2007. Rajinder Prakash Sharma never executed any Will during his life time.
4. The petitioner after the death of Rajinder Prakash Sharma in collusion with her relatives and other persons forged and fabricated a false and fictitious Will of Rajinder Prakash Sharma to deprive the respondent from her right of succession. The petitioner after the death of Rajinder Prakash Sharma got mutation No. 2711 dated 7.11.2007 and mutation No. 869 dated 8.2.2008 sanctioned in her favour on the basis of alleged Will of Rajinder Prakash Sharma. The respondent is co-owner in joint possession of the suit land to the extent of 1/3rd share including super-structure existing thereupon.
5. The respondent had challenged the mutations before Sub Divisional Collector, Solan, which appeals were dismissed wrongly and illegally. The respondent has challenged the orders of Sub Divisional Collector before Commissioner in Revision Petitions which are pending. On these allegations, the respondent has filed the suit.
6. The petitioner contested the suit by filing written statement in which preliminary objections of locus-standi, improper valuation for purpose of court fee, jurisdiction, estoppel, limitation and the respondent has not approached the Court with clean hands have been taken. It has been stated that respondent is not the daughter of Rajinder Prakash Sharma S/o Sh. Mahesh Dutt. Rajinder Prakash Sharma S/o Mahesh Dutt has executed a Will in favour of the petitioner. On the basis of the Will mutations of the property of Rajinder Prakash Sharma have been attested in favour of the petitioner. The respondent is not an heir of Rajinder Prakash Sharma S/o Mahesh Dutt. The respondent is a stranger to the suit property and she is not in possession of any part of the suit property, which is owned and possessed by the petitioner.
7. The respondent filed replication to the written statement of the petitioner and pleaded that respondent was born from the wedlock of Rajinder Prakash and Ram Dulari. Rajinder Prakash Sharma manipulated some documents in order to avoid his conviction in the case at Kharar. The respondent denied the case put forth in the written statement by the petitioner and reiterated her stand taken in the plaint.
8. The petitioner moved an application under Order 7 Rule 11 read with Section 151 Code of Civil Procedure (for short Code) and Section 7 of the H.P.Court Fees Act, 1968 (for short Act) praying a direction to the respondent to make the good deficiency in cou