IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR AT JAMMU
Sunil Hali, J.
Omkar Singh - Appellant
Versus
Sain Singh & Ors. - Respondent
Civil Revision No. 211/2007 And 210/2007
Decided On : 31 July, 2009
Land Dispute - Property Ownership - Sections 138, 139 of the Transfer of Property Act - [Order 39 Rule 1 and 2 of CPC, Sections 138, 139 of the Transfer of Property Act] - The court discussed the nature of the agreement to sell, possession of the property, and the legal title of the petitioner/defendant No.1. The court emphasized that an agreement to sell does not confer any title unless a proper sale deed is executed. The possession of the property by the petitioner was found to be uninterrupted and not disputed by the plaintiffs. The court allowed the petitioner to raise construction on the disputed land but prohibited alienation or creation of any third-party interest during the pendency of the suit.
Fact of the Case:
The respondents filed suits for injunction and declaration related to ownership of a land. The petitioner claimed ownership based on an agreement to sell and uninterrupted possession since 1984. The trial court initially issued an ad-interim injunction but later allowed construction with conditions. The appellate court set aside the trial court's order, leading to the revision petitions before the current court.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the agreement to sell did not confer legal title, but the petitioner's uninterrupted possession was not disputed. It allowed the petitioner to raise construction on the disputed land but prohibited alienation or creation of any third-party interest during the suit's pendency.
Issues: Nature of agreement to sell, possession of the property, legal title, and the appropriateness of injunction during the suit's pendency.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that an agreement to sell does not confer legal title, but uninterrupted possession can be a crucial factor. It balanced the rights of the parties by allowing construction but prohibiting alienation during the suit's pendency.
Final Decision: The court set aside the appellate court's judgment and confirmed the trial court's order, allowing the petitioner to raise construction on the disputed land with conditions.
2. The case of the petitioner/defendant No.1 is that an agreement to sell has been executed with him for 10 marlas of suit land. Ever since the execution of the agreement, he is in possession of the suit land as an owner. This stand is affirmed by the revenue record in the shape of Khasra Girdawari. It is further asserted that on the asking of the parties the trial court was pleased to appoint Naib Tehsildar of the area as a Commissioner who after conducting on the spot verification found that the petitioner was in possession of the land from 1984.
3. In both these suits the application was filed under Order 39 Rule 1 and 2 of CPC seeking restrain on defendants not to raise any construction and alienate the property. Both the applications came to be disposed of by a common order by the trial court. It is pertinent to mention here that on filing of the suit, an application for ad-interim injunction was also filed. Ad-interim injunction was issued by the trial court. After hearing the parties, trial court modified the order of status quo and directed the petitioner/defendant No.1 to construct house and shops as per the plan submitted by the Municipal Committee, Khour. He was directed not to alienate the land till the final disposal of the suit. In the event of failure in the suit, he will dismantle the house and shops at his own cost and hand over the possession of the property to the plaintiffs.
4. Two appeals were preferred against this order before the 1st Additional District Judge, Jammu and by a common order, appeals were allowed. The appellate court while allowing the appeal held that the petitioner had no legal title to the property as there is no sale deed as is envisaged under Sections 138 and 139 of the Transfer of Property Act. It is further stated by the trial court that if the petitioner/defendant No.1 is allowed to raise the construction, plaintiffs shall suffer irreparable loss which will result in multiplicity of the litigation. This finding has been recorded by the court on the basis of the documents placed on the record by the petitioner/defendant No.1. Accordingly, the order of the trial court was set aside and parties were directed to maintain status quo on the spot. Both these orders are subject matter of challenge before this court in the separate petitions.
5. I have heard the learned counsel and perused the record.
6. The outcome of the suit on basis of the material placed before it will ultimately decide the fate of this case. The agreement relied upon by the petitioner is in nature of agreement to sell which undoubtedly does not confer any title unless a proper sale deed is executed. However, while dealing with the question whether an order of injunction can be passed or refused during the pendency of the suit, is the issue which is required to be decided in the present revision petitions. The trial court has relied upon the report of the Naib Tehsildar and the revenu
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