2010 Supreme(Jhk) 771
N.N. Tiwari, J.
Mohammad Sagir @ Md. Sagir Mansuai...Appellant
vs.
Mohammad Sabir & Ors. ...Respondents
S.A. No. 185 of 2007
Decided on : 23.11.2010
For the Appellant : Mr. Amar Kr. Sinha.
Headnote:Mohammedan Law – Though the essentials of oral gift are not specifically proved in the plaint they were proved by leading evidence. No error in the order of the appellate court. Second Appeal dismissed.
This appeal is against the judgment and decree passed by learned District Judge, Garhwa in Partition Appeal No. 20/ 06 whereby learned Lower Appellate Court has affirmed and upheld the judgment and decree of learned Trial Court.
2. The appellant was the defendant No. 3 in Partition Suit No. 20/03 filed by the plaintiff-Md. Sabir. The plaintiff had filed the said partition suit praying relief for partition of his half share in the suit land.
3. According to the plaintiff, the suit premises were acquired by his father Md. Jan Mian. The plaintiff and defendant No. 1 were properly looking after their father. Being pleased by their services, Md. Jan Mian had made an oral gift in favour of the plaintiff and the defendant No.1. A memorandum of the said oral gift was prepared on 20.3.91. As per the terms of the said oral gift, the plaintiff and the defendant No. 1 were given the suit property jointly. The plaintiff as such claimed his half share in the suit property.
4. The defendant No.3 contested the suit on the ground, inter alia, that his father Md. Jan Mian had three sons and six daugh.ters and all the sons and daughters are entitled to get their share in the suit property. The said defendant also disputed the genuineness of the oral gift.
5. Both the parties led their evidences in support of their respective claims.
6. Learned Trial Court after a detailed discussion and consideration of the facts, evidences and materials on record as well as the provisions of law came to the finding that the parties are Muslims and they are governed by the Muslim Law under which a Muslim has right to make an oral gift. Md. Jan Mian had, thus, legal right to transfer his property by oral gift in favour of the plaintiff and the defendant No.1. Learned Trial Court further held that the donees also came in possession of the land and property by virtue of the said gift. It has been further held that the defendant No. 3 has failed to prove his right, title and share in the suit property. It has been specifically held that in view of the said gift in favour of the plaintiff and the defendant No.1, other sons and daughters had no share in the suit property. Learned Trial Court, thus, decreed the suit and a preliminary decree was passed in favour of the plaintiff.
7. Against the said judgment and decree, the defendant No.3 preferred appeal in the Court of the District Judge, Garhwa being Partition Appeal No. 20/06 in which the impugned judgment and decree was passed. Learned Lower Appellate Court after hearing the parties also thoroughly discussed the facts, evidences and materials on record. He also discussed the grounds taken by the defendant No. 3appellant and on due consideration thereof, came to the finding that the plaintiff has been able to prove his claim of acquisition of the suit property jointly with the defendant No.1 by virtue of oral gift. He further held that the findings of learned Trial Court are well considered and are based on the evidences on record and there was no infirmity or illegality warranting any interference by the Appellate Court. Learned Lower Appellate Court, thus, dismissed the appeal.
8. In this second appeal the impugned judgment and decree of learned Lower Appellate Court has been assailed solely on the ground that the plaintiffs failed to specifically plead all the ingredients required for the validity of an oral gift and that learned Courts below has committed error in reading the evidences adduced by the plaintiff to prove the ingredients.
9. Mr. Amar Kumar Sinha, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant, submitted that in order to prove oral Hibba, certain elements are required to be proved which includes' (i) declaration of the gift by the donor, (ii) acceptance of the gift by the donee expressly or impliedly and (iii) delivery of possession of the subject of the gift by the donor to the donee. Learned counsel referred to and relied upon a decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Mahboob Sahab