2017 Supreme(Mad) 3010
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
RAJIV SHAKDHER, ABDUL QUDDHOSE, JJ.
M/s.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. By its Territory Manager - Appellant
Vs.
Friend-in-need Society, Having its Registered Office- Respondents
O.S.A.Nos.19 and 20 of 2012 and Cross Objection No.27 of 2012
Decided On : 25-10-2017
For the Appellant : Mr.Krishna Srinivas for Mr.S.Ramasubramaniam Associates.
For the Respondent: Mr.N.D.Bahety.
Headnote:
Transfer of Property Act - Section 107 - Intra Court Appeals - Suit decree - Property case - These Intra Court Appeals have been filed by the appellant against the Common Judgment and Decree passed by the learned Single Judge of this Court - Cross Objection has been filed by the 1st respondent - Held, In view of the above observations made by us, Court is in conformity with the reasons assigned by the learned single Judge for decreeing the suit and for dismissing the suit - However, a sum of Rs.1 lakh per month fixed as damages for the use and occupation of the suit premises from, till the date of delivery by the learned single Judge is modified and it is enhanced as prayed for by the first respondent in Cross Objection to per month which the appellants are directed to pay the same to the first respondent from till the date of delivery of vacant possession of the suit premises - Ordered accordingly.
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
1. These Intra Court Appeals in O.S.A.Nos.19 and 20 of 2012 have been filed by the appellant against the Common Judgment and Decree dated 20.06.2011 passed by the learned Single Judge of this Court in C.S.No.59 of 2006 and Tr.C.S.1155 of 2009. Cross Objection No.27 of 2012 in O.S.A.No.20 of 2012 has been filed by the 1st respondent.
2. O.S.A.No.19 of 2012 arises out of C.S.No.59 of 2006 and O.S.A.No.20 of 2012 arises out of Tr.C.S.1155 of 2009.
3. C.S.No.59 of 2006 was filed by the first respondent against the appellant and M/s.Padma Petrol Agency, a dealer of the first respondent for a judgment and decree against them jointly and severally directing them to:
(a)quit and handover vacant possession to the appellant, the land at No.29, Poonamallee High Road, Periamet, Chennai - 600 003, hereinafter referred to as 'the suit schedule property'.
(b)to pay a sum of Rs.70,00,000/- as damages for the illegal use and occupation of the suit schedule property commencing from 01.01.2003 onwards till delivery and possession is handed over to the 1st respondent at Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakhs) per month.
(c)to pass an order of mandatory injunction directing the defendants in the suit to remove any buildings, erections, pumps, pipelines or any other fixtures/structures erected or placed on the plaint schedule property.
4. Tr.C.S.No.1155 of 2009 was filed by the appellant against the first respondent and its office bearers originally before the XIVth Assistant Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai which was earlier numbered as O.S.No.5033 of 2003 for the following reliefs:
(a) to pass a decree for specific performance of the agreement of lease directing the defendants to register the lease for a period of 50 years from 01.01.2002 with an advance of Rs.20 lakhs to be adjusted as under:
Period
Rent per quarter
Adjustment of Advance
Net rent payable per quarter
01.01.2002 to 31.12.2006
18,000
3,000
15,000
01.01.2007 to 31.12.2011
22,500
3,000
19,500
01.01.2012 to 31.12.2016
28,125
3,000
25,125
01.01.2017 to 31.12.2021
35,156
9,000
26,156
01.01.2022 to 31.12.2026
43,945
9,000
34,945
01.01.2027 to 31.12.2031
54,932
9,000
45,932
01.01.2032 to 31.12.2036
68,665
16,000
52,665
01.01.2037 to 31.12.2041
85,831
16,000
69,831
01.01.2042 to 31.12.2046
1,07,288
16,000
91,288
01.01.2047 to 31.12.2051
1,34,110
16,000
1,18,110
(b) to grant a decree for permanent injunction restraining the defendant, its office bearers, men and agents from interfering with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit property.
5. The suit in O.S.No.5033 of 2003 which was earlier filed before the XIV Assistant Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai was transferred by orders of the learned single Judge of this Court to the file of this Court and re-numbered as Tr.C.S.No.1155 of 2009.
6. A joint trial was conducted for both the Suits C.S.No.59 of 2006 and Tr.C.S.No.1155 of 2009 and a Common Judgment and Decree dated 20.06.2011 was passed by the learned single Judge of this Court. Under the Common Judgment and Decree dated 20.06.2011, the learned Single Judge of this Court decreed the suit in C.S.No.59 of 2006 with costs directing the second defendant in the suit to vacate the plaint schedule property within six months. The defendants in the suit were also directed to pay Rs.1,00,000/- per month to the plaintiff towards damages for the use and occupation of the suit premises from 01.01.2003 till the date of delivery. The suit in Tr.C.S.No.1155 of 2009 filed by the appellant was dismissed with costs.
7. Aggrieved by the common judgment and decree dated 20.06.2011 passed in C.S.No.59 of 2006 and Tr.C.S.No.1155 of 2009, the appellant/1st defendant has preferred these appeals. The second defendant in the suit C.S.No.59 of 2006 who is the dealer of the first respondent has not preferred any app