SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2009 Supreme(J&K) 638

J&K STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION AT SRINAGAR
Ab. Rashid Bhat, J.
Mohd. Ismail Padder -Appellant
Versus
Ab. Salam Padder & Anr. -Resopndent
File No. STS-2330-2008 [Revision against the order dated 28-04-2008 passed by Commissioner, Agrarian Reforms-ADC, Anantnag]
Decided On : 27-07-2009

Advocates Appeared:
Nemo.

The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement for proper consideration and application of law in attesting mutations, the need for inquiries and evidence in deciding questions of fact, and the obligation to avoid ex parte proceedings and provide notice to parties involved.

Headnote:

Mutation - Agrarian Reforms - J&K Agrarian Reforms Act 1976, Rule 14 (i), Standing Order No. 23-A - The court discussed the application of law regarding the attestation of mutations, the obligation to avoid ex parte proceedings, and the principles of natural justice. The court emphasized the need for proper consideration and application of law in attesting mutations and the requirement to provide notice to parties involved. The decision highlighted the importance of conducting inquiries and providing opportunities for evidence in cases of condonation of delay.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner challenged the attestation of a mutation by the Tehsildar concerned, which was dismissed on a technical point of limitation. The petitioner filed a revision petition, arguing that the impugned order was passed without proper consideration of factual and legal aspects, and without reasoning or application of law. The petitioner contended that the delay in filing the appeal should have been condoned due to the circumstances surrounding the attestation of the mutation.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the impugned order was passed without proper consideration and application of law, and without conducting a thorough inquiry into the condonation of delay. The court emphasized the need for a just conclusion based on evidence and an inquiry, highlighting the miscarriage of justice resulting from the casual manner in which the question of limitation was decided.

Issues: The issues revolved around the proper consideration and application of law in attesting mutations, the condonation of delay, and the requirement for inquiries and evidence to arrive at a just conclusion.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the importance of proper consideration and application of law, the need for inquiries and evidence in deciding questions of fact, and the requirement to avoid ex parte proceedings and provide notice to parties involved.

Final Decision: The revision was allowed, and the impugned order was set aside. The case was remanded back to the Ld. Commissioner to decide the question of limitation afresh in the light of the legal position discussed, and to provide both parties with a reasonable opportunity to lead evidence and be heard afresh. The Ld. Commissioner was directed to issue notice to the absent respondent and to proceed ahead in the case.

1. The instant revision petition has been filed against the order passed on 28-04-2008 by the court of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag with the powers of Commissioner Agrarian Reforms in file No. 135-ADC/R titled Muhammad Ismail Padder Vs. Abdul Salam Padder and another.

2. Briefly put, the circumstances giving rise to the present revision petition are that after the mutation Nos. 2026, 2116, 2470, 2478 and 2591 were attested by Tehsildar Dooru, the same were challenged by Abdul Salam Padder (the respondent No. 1 in the present Revision petition) by way of an appeal before the Commissioner Agrarian Reforms, Anantnag on 20-01-2001. The Ld. Commissioner while disposing of the appeal vide his order dated 16-06-2005 set aside the mutations attested by Tehsildar Dooru and simultaneously ordered for de novo inquiry by Tehsildar concerned. The operative part of the said order reads as under:-

"The appeals are accepted and the impugned mutations are set aside. The matter is remanded to Tehsildar concerned for denovo inquiry on spot in presence of parties and to attest fresh mutations in view of the partition made by the parties".

3. This order made by the Ld. Commissioner was not challenged by either of the parties and accordingly acting in compliance with the said order, the Tehsildar concerned made a fresh order attesting mutation No. 3092 on 15-02-2007. This order/attestation made by Tehsildar concerned was challenged by the present petitioner before the court of Commissioner Agrarian Reforms/Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag on various grounds but the appeal filed by the present petitioner was dismissed on 28-04-2008 on a technical point of limitation by rejecting the application for condonation of delay. This order passed by the ADC Anantnag has been now challenged through the instant revision petition on the following grounds:-

i) That the impugned order has been passed without application of mind to the factual aspects as well as the legal aspects of the case without proper consideration and application of law laid down regarding the subject.

ii) That the impugned order has been passed in a mechanical and casual manner without any adjudication upon the correctness of mutation attested by Tehsildar concerned and without ascertaining as to whether Tehsildar concerned had conducted the denovo inquiry on spot in presence of the parties and in terms of court direction dated 16-06-2005.

iii) That the Ld. Commissioner without considering the factual as well as legal aspects of the matter has taken a short cut method to dismiss the appeal on a technical ground without any just cause by ignoring the submissions made by the petitioner before the Ld. Court to the effect that impugned mutation by Tehsildar concerned was attested at his back on 25-12-2006 and revised on 15-02-2007 without any notice to him, about which the petitioner got knowledge on 2-7-2007. The petitioner had applied for certified copy which was issued to him on 10-07-2007 and accordingly the appeal was filed by him on 11-07-2007 without any delay.

iv) That though the petitioner had got the knowledge of order passed by the Tehsildar on 10-07-2007 and appeal was filed on 11-07-2007, still then a separate application was filed for condonation of delay but without making any kind of inquiry as to whether impugned mutation attested by Tehsildar was actually attested at the back of the petitioner as was contended by petitioner or otherwise the Ld. Commissioner has erred in making observation in contrast to the official record vis-a-vis the alleged signature of the petitioner on the copy of mutation and his participation in the denovo inquiry before Tehsildar concerned.

v) That the impugned order has been passed without any reasoning and the mandate of law laid down on the subject.

4. Heard counsel for the parties and perused the record of the case carefully.

5. The Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has agitated all the grounds taken by him in the present revision petition and c









Click Here to Read the rest of this document

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Judicial Analysis

AI

SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top