High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. VENUGOPAL
K. Palanirajan
Versus
Rajeswari & Others
C.R.P.PD.No.2817 of 2008 and M.P.No.1 of 2008
Decided On : 10-11-2008
Advocate Commissioner - Appointment of Advocate Commissioner under Order 26 Rule 9 of CPC - [Order 26 Rule 9 of CPC] - The court discussed the appointment of an Advocate Commissioner under Order 26 Rule 9 of CPC and emphasized that it is a discretionary remedy to be exercised with utmost care and caution. The court also highlighted that the aim of local investigation is not to collect evidence that can be taken in the court, and if a party can obtain the evidence by themselves, there is no need for an appointment of an Advocate Commissioner.
Fact of the Case:
The revision petitioner filed a petition for the appointment of an Advocate Commissioner to inspect the suit property and to note down the physical features and measure the property. The trial court dismissed the application, stating that a preliminary decree had been passed in a previous case and the suit property had already been identified and measured.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the revision petitioner's application for an Advocate Commissioner was not maintainable as the suit property had already been identified and measured in a previous case, and the revision petitioner was not a party to that case.
Issues: The main issue was whether the revision petitioner's application for an Advocate Commissioner was maintainable, considering the previous proceedings and the identification and measurement of the suit property.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the revision petitioner's application for an Advocate Commissioner was redundant and not maintainable, as the suit property had already been identified and measured in a previous case, and the revision petitioner was not a party to that case.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the revision petition and confirmed the trial court's order, directing the trial court to dispose of the main case within three months.
The revision petitioner/plaintiff/petitioner has filed the present revision aggrieved against the order dated 20.11.2007 passed in I.A.No.1418 of 2007 in O.S.No.89 of 2006 on the file of District Munsif, Panruti in dismissing the application filed under Order 26 Rule 9 of CPC praying for an appointment of an Advocate Commissioner to inspect the suit property and to note down the physical features and also to measure the suit property with the help of a Surveyor and to find out as to whether there is any demarcation for 0.59 ½ cents in the suit property and to file his report with plan.
2. The trial Court, while passing orders in I.A.No.1418 of 2007 in O.S.No.89 of 2006, has inter alia observed that in regard to the suit property in question already a preliminary decree has been passed in O.S.No.143 of 2000 and in I.A.No.350 of 2006 filed for passing a final decree, an Advocate Commissioner has been appointed and that the suit property has been identified with the help of a Village Administrative Officer and the same has been measured and report and plan has been filed and thereafter, the delivery has been effected and resultantly dismissed the said application.
3. The learned counsel appearing for revision petitioner urges before this Court that the order of the trial Court passed in I.A.No.1418 of 2007 in O.S.No.89 of 2006 is contrary to law and that the trial Court has not appreciated property in regard to the fact that O.S.No.143 of 2000 has no bearing to the present proceedings and that the revision petitioner/plaintiff is not a party to the said O.S.No.143 of 2000 and further that the Commissioners report in O.S.No.143 of 2000 cannot at all be used to the facts and circumstances of the present case and in the present case before us, the trial has not commenced and this aspect of the matter has not been taken note of by the trial Court and therefore prays for allowing the revision petition in furtherance of substantial cause of justice.
.4. The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent submits that in I.A.No.1418 of 2007 in O.S.No.89 of 2006 filed by the revision petitioner/plaintiff is not maintainable in law and in O.S.No.143 of 2000, a preliminary decree has been passed and in the final decree application in I.A.No.390 of 2004, an Advocate Commissioner has been appointed and he has identified the suit properties with the help of the Village Administrative Officer and has worked out the share of the first respondent as 0.59 1/2 cents and allotted the same on the southern side of the suit first item and resultantly a final decree has been passed on 2. 2005 and in the said Commissioners report in respect of 0.59½ cents out of Ac. 1.41 cents in S.No.793/1, the same has been marked as "ABCD" and taken delivery through the Court Amin as early as on 29. 2005 and therefore the order passed by the trial Court need not be interfered by this Court sitting in revision.
5. This Court has paid its anxious consideration to the argument advanced by the learned counsel on either side and noticed their contentions.
6. It is an axiomatic fact that the aim of local investigation is not to collect evidence, which can be taken in the Court. If a party can obtain the evidence by himself then there is no need for an appointment of an Advocate Commissioner in the considered opinion of this Court. However, an appointment of an Advocate Commissioner is purely a discretionary remedy but the Court has to exercise the same with utmost care and caution.
7. As far as the present case is concerned, a perusal of the plaint in O.S.No.89 of 2006 pending on the file of learned District Munsif, Panruti clearly indicates that the revision petitioner/plaintiff has prayed for a relief of declaration that the delivery for a portion of the suit property in favour of the first respondent/first defendant dated 29. 2005 in E.P.No.106 of 2005 in O.S.No.143 of 2000 on the file of District Munsifs Court, Panruti is only a paper delivery and f
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