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2023 Supreme(Mad) 768

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
C. SARAVANAN, J.
Ravichandran - Appellant
Versus
Purushothaman - Respondent
C.R.P. (MD)No. 206 of 2023 & C.M.P. (MD)No. 1011 of 2023
Decided On : 17-03-2023

Advocates appeared:
For the Petitioner:M.P. Senthil, Advocate. For the Respondent:A. Senthilkumar, Advocate.

The remand order should be interpreted in accordance with its specific directions, and any subsequent proceedings should adhere to the scope of the remand.

Headnote:

Joint Trial - Property Dispute - Order XXVI Rule 9 of C.P.C - O.S.No.73 of 2006, A.S.No.46 of 2007, S.A.(MD)No.652 of 2008, C.R.P.(PD)(MD)No.1102 of 2009

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner filed a suit for mandatory and permanent injunction, which was decreed by the Trial Court. The respondent filed an appeal, and the Court remanded the case back to the Trial Court for recording additional evidence. Subsequently, the respondent filed a new suit for a permanent injunction in respect of the same property. The Trial Court allowed a joint trial of both suits, which was challenged by the petitioner.

Finding of the Court:

The Court found that the remand order did not contemplate a joint trial and directed the Trial Court to record evidence in the original suit within 12 weeks, setting aside the order for a joint trial.

Issues: The main issue was whether a joint trial of the original suit and the new suit was appropriate in light of the remand order.

Ratio Decidendi: The Court held that the remand order did not imply a joint trial and directed the Trial Court to record evidence in the original suit within a specified timeframe.

Final Decision: The impugned order for a joint trial was set aside, and the Trial Court was directed to record evidence in the original suit within 12 weeks.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, against the fair and decreetal order dated 10.08.2022, made in I.A.No.350 of 2022 in O.S.No.73 of 2006, on the file of the Principal District Munsif Court, Thanjavur.)

1. The petitioner is the plaintiff in O.S.No.73 of 2006. The said suit was filed by the petitioner against the respondent herein for a mandatory and permanent injunction. The suit was decreed by the Trial Court on 09.04.2007. The respondent filed an appeal in A.S.No.46 of 2007 before the Additional Sub-Court, Thanjavur, whereby the judgment and decree of the Trial Court in O.S.No.73 of 2006, dated 09.04.2007, was confirmed, vide judgment and decree, dated 31.10.2007.

2. The further appeal was preferred before this Court by the respondent in S.A. (MD)No.652 of 2008. After hearing the parties, the Court had passed the following order on 12.08.2008 in the said second appeal.

''''9. On a careful consideration of the evidence available on record, it is clear that the suit property has not been described properly. On the other hand, the plaintiff''s claim cannot be granted without there being any specific description of the property. Further, both the parties are unable to prove the actual measurement of the property. For want of definite particulars, the case cannot be thrown out of file. Hence, the matter is remanded back to the trial Court to enable both the parties to adduce evidence with regard to the nature of property and its actual measurement. After hearing both the parties, the trial Court is directed to dispose of the suit afresh on merits and in accordance with law. Both the parties shall appear before the trial Court on 16.09.2008. The second appeal is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.''''

3. After the judgment and decree passed by this Court, by remanding the case back to the Trial Court to enable both the parties to adduce evidence with regard to nature of the property and its actual measurement, the respondent herein filed O.S.No.36 of 2008 on 21.01.2008, for a permanent injunction in respect of the very same property.

4. In the said proceedings, the respondent filed I.A.No.843 of 2008, for appointment of an Advocate Commissioner under Order XXVI Rule 9 of C.P.C. The Trial Court allowed the application, which was challenged by the petitioner herein before this Court in C.R.P.(PD)(MD)No.1102 of 2009. This Court, on 18.07.2011, passed a consent order, by modifying the order of the Trial Court in I.A.No.843 of 2008 in O.S.No.36 of 2008, filed by the respondent with the following observation:-

''''8. Further, it is submitted by the learned counsel on either side that the earlier suit O.S.No.73 of 2006 is pending before the trial Court and therefore, both the suits have to be taken up together by the trial Court and dispose of the same. After considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the District Munsif, Thanjavur, to take up O.S.No.73 of 2006 and O.S.No.36 of 2008 together and after giving opportunity to both the parties, dispose of the same in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible. Both the parties are directed to co-operate with the trial Court for the early disposal of the suits.''''

5. Though the order was passed by this Court on 18.07.2021, the Trial Court did not comply with the order. Meanwhile, the petitioner filed an application, for amending the pleadings, which came to be allowed. The respondent thereafter filed I.A.No.350 of 2022 in O.S.No.73 of 2006, for joint trial of both suits in O.S.No.36 of 2008 and O.S.No.73 of 2006. The said application was allowed by the Trial Court, vide the fair and decreetal order dated 10.08.2022. The operative portion of the order reads as under:-

“TAMIL”

“TAMIL”

6. The impugned fair and decreetal order of the Trial Court is assailed by the petitioner on the ground that the evidence in O.S.No.73 of 2006 was adduced and trial was also

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