IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIM LA
Coram
The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Judge.
RSA No. 387 of 2012. Date of decision: 28.3.2014.
Dhani Ram Vs. Ramesh Kumar & anr.
demarcation - land dispute - Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act - Section 100 Sub Section 5 - Civil Procedure Code, 1908 - Section 100 - [88/150, Khasra No. 863] - [Summary of the acts and sections referenced and discussed by the court: The court discussed the demarcation of land and boundary dispute in relation to the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act and Section 100 Sub Section 5 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. The court emphasized the procedure to be followed for demarcation of land and the requirement to locate three permanent points on different sides of the area sought to be demarcated. It also highlighted the importance of recording statements of interested parties and the need for demarcation to be carried out as per the law laid down by the court. The court referred to the case of Salig Ram and Ors. Vs. Ram Lal and Ors. to support its decision. The judgment was based on the failure to follow the legal procedure for demarcation, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for permanent prohibitory and mandatory injunction and possession, claiming ownership of land and alleging encroachment by the defendants. The defendants contested the suit, denying the allegations and raising preliminary objections.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court and lower appellate court dismissed the suit, and the plaintiff appealed to the higher court. The higher court upheld the findings of the lower courts, emphasizing the failure to prove the case for possession due to defective demarcation report and the demarcation not being carried out as per the law laid down.
Issues: The issues included entitlement for injunction, maintainability of the suit, completion of construction before filing the suit, locus standi of the plaintiff, and encroachment by the defendants.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the failure to follow the legal procedure for demarcation, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed, leaving the parties to bear their own costs.
Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Judge (Oral). This regular second appeal is directed against the judgement and decree dated 27.6.2011 passed by learned District Judge, Fast Track Court, Chamba, whereby he affirmed the judgement and decree dated 15.1.2010 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Sr. Divn.), Chamba.
2. The plaintiff- appellant filed a suit for permanent prohibitory and mandatory injunction and possession that he is owner in possession of land comprised in Khata Khatoni No. 88/150, Khasra No. 863, measuring 1-6 bighas situated in Mohal Mugla, Pargna Panjla Tehsil and District Chamba, H.P, whereas the defendant- respondent No.1 is owner of land comprised in khata Khatoni No. 505/609, khasra No. 1949/1775, measuring 0-3-8 bighas situated at Mouza Mugla, Tehsil and District Chamba. It is pleaded that khasra No. 1949/1 775 is min khasra and having been carved out from khasra No. 856 and that the suit land and the land of defendant- respondent No. 1 abut each other but without getting the boundaries settled, the respondents- defendants No. 1 and 2 started construction work and thereby encroached upon the suit land and though the respondent No. 1 is recorded owner of khasra No. 1949/1775 but the possession is of respondent No. 2. It is also pleaded that defendants- respondents have forcibly and illegally raised construction of their house by making encroachment in an area measuring 00-00-08 bighas of suit land during the pendency of the suit which is evident from the copy of demarcation report dated 28.2.2005 and, therefore, the appellant- plaintiff is entitled to the possession by demolition of illegal construction. It is also averred that defendants were requested time and again to get the boundaries settled and not to encroach upon the suit land and notice to this effect was served upon respondent No. 2, but respondents continued with construction. It is lastly pleaded that cause of action arose in favour of the plaintiff during the month of March 2002, when the respondents started construction on the suit land and failed to accede to the request.
3. The respondent No.2 contested the suit by filing written statement wherein preliminary objections inter-alia that suit is not maintainable, construction was complete in every respect before filing the suit, appellant has no locus standi to file the suit as construction has been raised by respondent No. 2 upon his own land and that the plaintiff is estopped from filing the suit were raised. On merits, it is pleaded that defendant No. 2 purchased the land from respondent No. 1 and thereafter, raised construction of his house over khasra No. 1949/1775 which was completed in the year 2001. It is denied that any encroachment has been made in the suit land. It is further pleaded that demarcation had not been carried out legally as per instructions laid down in H.P. Land Record Manual. It is denied that any notice was sent to the respondent No. 2 and any cause of action had accrued. Replication to the written statement controverting the contents thereof and reasserting those made in the plaint was filed. On the pleadings of the parties, the following issues were framed by the trial court on 9.10.2006:-
1. Whether plaintiff is entitled for decree of permanent prohibitory injunction restraining defendants from raising any construction or encroaching in any manner upon the suit land as prayed for? OPP2. Whether plaintiff is entitled for decree of mandatory injunction as prayed for? OPP 3. Whether the plaintiff is entitled for decree of possession and defendants had encroached upon the portion of suit land measuring 00-00-08 Bighas comprised in Khatta Khatoni No. 88/150, Khasra No. 863 situated in Mouza Mugla, Pargna Panjla, Tehsil and District Chamba during the pendency of the suit as alleged? OPP. 4. Whether the suit is not maintainable in the present form? OPD. 5. Whether the construction has been completed in all respects prior to the filing of this suit? OPD 6. Whether the plaintiff
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