IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR AT SRINAGAR
Muzaffar Hussain Attar, J.
Gh. Nabi Najar - Appellant
Versus
State & Ors. - Respondent
OWP No. 505/2007
Decided On : 19 March, 2009
Writ Petition - Property Dispute - Jammu and Kashmir Immovable Property (preservation, protection, and restraint on distress sales) Act 1997 (Sections 2(b), (e), (i)) - The court refrained from entering into factual disputes and decided the writ petition on a pure question of law. The petitioner claimed to have purchased a residential house and an outhouse, while the respondents denied the claim and alleged unauthorized occupation. The court discussed the temporary nature of the Act of 1997, the duties of the competent authority, and the requirement for fairness and natural justice in quasi-judicial proceedings. It highlighted the need for strict compliance with statutory provisions and the limitations of the appeal process provided under the Act. The court allowed the writ petition, quashed the impugned orders, and directed the competent authority to proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner claimed to have purchased a residential house and an outhouse, while the respondents denied the claim and alleged unauthorized occupation. The court refrained from entering into factual disputes and decided the writ petition on a pure question of law.
Finding of the Court:
The court discussed the temporary nature of the Act of 1997, the duties of the competent authority, and the requirement for fairness and natural justice in quasi-judicial proceedings. It highlighted the need for strict compliance with statutory provisions and the limitations of the appeal process provided under the Act. The court allowed the writ petition, quashed the impugned orders, and directed the competent authority to proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
Issues: The main issues revolved around the claim of property purchase, unauthorized occupation, and the fairness of the proceedings before the competent authority.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the temporary nature of the Act of 1997, the duties of the competent authority, the requirement for fairness and natural justice in quasi-judicial proceedings, and the need for strict compliance with statutory provisions.
Final Decision: The court allowed the writ petition, quashed the impugned orders, and directed the competent authority to proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
2. For appreciating the controversy claims are briefly stated:-
The petitioner claims to have purchased residential house including an outhouse known as "Geetanjili" located at Shivpora Srinagar. Petitioner claims that respondent No.9 acting through respondent No.8 & 10 negotiated deal for sale of the said house, which initially was rented out to the petitioner. The petitioner, thus, claims to be authorized occupant of the property, being in occupation and possession of the property with the consent of migrant owner. Respondent No.9, hereinafter, referred to, as owner, allegedly agreed to sell the property to the petitioner who was already in possession thereof in the capacity of a tenant, for an amount of Rs.6/- lacs. It is further alleged that out of the consideration amount of Rs.6/- lacs, Rs.4/- lacs were paid on 7.12.1996 and from out of balance of Rs. 2/- lacs, it is alleged by the petitioner, that an amount of Rs.1.30 lacs was paid to the owner on 3rd March 1998. The petitioner has placed on writ record a communication dated 28th August 1995 from respondent No.8 authorizing the petitioner to occupy and posses the property as tenant for a period of 20 months on a fixed rent of Rs. 500/- per month. Other documents have been placed on record by the petitioner, by which an effort is made to demonstrate that the property has been sold to him by the owner. One such document is an application made to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir seeking permission to alienate the migrant property to the petitioner. Another document placed on writ record is a communication made by the owner addressed to Inspector General of Police, dated 05.09.2000, which reflects the mind of the owner about disputed property, as she has in unequivocal terms withdrawn the complaint against the alleged illegal occupant and requested the authority that action, if any, initiated against the present occupant be stopped. This withdrawal of the complaint appears to be fallout of the agreement which respondent No.8 had entered into with respondent No.10. Record also reveals that communication was issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and addressed to Tehsildar Srinagar dated 17th May 2002 in which the Tehsildar was directed to evict the illegal occupant, if any, strictly under law. The said communication is reproduced as under:-
"The Tehsildar
Srinagar
No. 27-76/RI/OM/Mig/02 dated 17.5.2002
Sub:- Illegal occupation of House known as "Geentanjali" House at Shivpora Srinagar.
Sir,
In connection with the subject and reference cited above, your are directed to evict the illegal occupant, if any strictly under law, after inventory-sation in presence of S.H.O concerned and take over the immovable property in question under your custody on behalf of the District Magistrate Srinagar. The compliance report should reach this office by or before 18.05.2002."
3. The Tehsildar had marked the said order/communication to Naib Tehsildar who in turn submitted its report to Tehsildar Srinagar vide communication dated 1.11.2002. The Naib Tehsildar after visiting the spot and hearing the petitioner concluded by observing that the petitioner has occupied the property in question legally and is in peaceful possession of the same, so cannot be disturbed. Along with the said communication eighteen leaves were enclosed thereof. The writ record further reveals that the matter went in to hibernation till 7th April 2007 when District Magistrate Srinagar passed an order based on the communication dated 17th May 2002 directing Tehsildar to submit compliance report in view of the order
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