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

2024 Supreme(Mad) 2532

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS 
RMT.TEEKAA RAMAN, J.
M.S.Eva Laberibe, Director Maison des Arts Private Limited – Appellant 
Versus 
S.Radhakrishnan - Respondent
A.S.No.397 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11918 of 2024 
Decided on : 18-06-2024 

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Mrs.Hema Sampath, Senior Counsel For Mr.B.Balavijayan
For the Respondent: Mr.N.Suresh For Mr.Preeth Mohan, Caveator

Transferees pendente lite do not have the right to obstruct execution of a decree as their claims are invalid under relevant procedural rules.

Headnote:(A) Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order XXI Rules 97 and 102 - Appellant's claim to statutory tenancy denied due to lease executed pendant lite and breach of injunction order - Execution Court upheld respondent-decree holder's rights to possession, ruling that appellant is not entitled to protection. (Paras 8, 14, 24)

(B) Statutory Tenancy - Concept of statutory tenancy clarified - Transferee pendente lite not entitled to resist execution of decree. (Paras 20, 24)

Facts of the case:
The appellant contested the execution of a sale deed after entering into a lease agreement pendant lite. The respondents filed for specific performance of a sale agreement, leading to a finding against the appellant in the execution proceeding.

Findings of Court:
The Execution Court ruled in favor of the respondent-decree holder, confirming their rights to possession based on prior orders and the statutory framework.

Issues: Whether the appellant qualifies as a statutory tenant under the Code and if they have protection from the decree.

Ratio Decidendi: The court found that the lease was created during the pendency of litigation, resulting in no protection for the appellant under the applicable procedural rules.

Result: Appeal dismissed, the Execution Court's order is upheld.

Table of Content
1. arguments from both appellant and respondent. (Para 1)
2. background facts of the case's litigation. (Para 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6)
3. possession contested during litigation. (Para 8)
4. arguments regarding tenant rights and violations. (Para 10 , 11)
5. court's determination on statutory tenant status. (Para 12 , 13 , 14 , 15)
6. legal implications of rule 102 of c.p.c on tenants. (Para 20 , 21 , 22)
7. legal interpretation of statutory tenant rights. (Para 24 , 25)
8. conclusion: directions for appellant's vacating premises. (Para 28 , 29)

JUDGMENT :

RMT. TEEKAA RAMAN, J.

1. After hearing the arguments of Mrs.Hema Sampath, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellant and Mr.N.Suresh, learned counsel appearing for the respondents-Caveator, the main case itself is taken up since argument in C.M.P and Appeal Suit are being one and the same.

2. The brief facts necessary for determination of this case are as under:-

(a) The respondents herein filed a suit in O.S.No.23 of 2007 for the specific performance of the suit sale agreement dated 27.03.2006 against one Dunand Evelyne Christiane - the original first defendant. On her death, the respondents 4 & 5 were brought on record. The suit is based upon the sale agreement entered between the first respondent and the said Dunand Evelyne Christiane on 27.03.2006. The lower Court records reveals that, on 25.04.2007, an interim injunction was granted against the respondent-landlord and the same was made absolute on 05.09.2007.

(b) Pending suit, the first defendant has filed a written statement and the second defendant also filed a separate written statement.

(c) As the first defendant died and his brother and sister were impleaded as defendants 4 & 5 in the suit and D2 was cross examined the P.W.1. The first round of litigation has completed and on appeal the case was remitted back.

3. Based upon the evidence let in by the parties during the trial P.W.1 and Exs.A1 to A12, the trial Court has come to the conclusion that the sale agreement is related to the year 2006 and accordingly, while accepting the case of the plaintiff that he is ready and willing to perform his part of the contract.

4. Taking note of the passage of time has enhanced the balance of the sale consideration to Rs.45 lakhs, however, it was after deducting of Rs.30 lakhs paid in the year 2006 as advance received by the original first defendant during her lifetime and the balance of Rs.45 lakhs was ordered to pay along with interest of 12% from the date of the sale agreement till the date of the decree for getting the sale deed.

5. Against the judgment and decree passed in O.S.No.23 of 2007 dated 07.11.2019, no appeal has been filed and decree has become absolute as final.

6. Lower Court records reveals that E.P.No.383 of 2019 was filed for execution of the sale deed and for handing over the possession. The sale deed was executed by the Court and the same was registered on 03.09.2019. Another Execution Petition No.383 of 2017 was filed on 23.09.2019 for delivery of possession. It appears that the present appellant filed in E.A.No.88 of 2021 on 17.08.2021 raising objection.

7. Counter was filed by the decree-holder on 25.09.2021. A power of attorney appears to have been executed by the appellant-objector on 02.12.2021 after filing the objection petition.

8. After contest, the Execution Court has come to the conclusion that since the tenancy agreement was entered between the original land owner-original first defendant during the pendency of the specific performance suit in O.S.No.23 of 2007 and in gross violation of injunction order dated 25.04.2007, the Execution Court has held that since the lease agreement is dated 01.12.2012 which was came into existence during the pendency of the suit and as well as during the injunction order being in force has held that the person who claims to be in possession is not entitled for the benefit of protection under Order XXI Rule 97 of C.P.C and dismissed the application and hence this App

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