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1977 Supreme(P&H) 195

PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
Rajindra Nath Mittal, J.
Mukhtiar Singh -
Versus
Tej Kaur And Ors. -
Civil Revision No. 972 of 1977,
Decided On : DECEMBER 12, 1977

The court has the power to appoint a Commission for elucidating any point in dispute, including the possession of a property, and the power to investigate regarding possession can be delegated to a Commission.

Headnote:

Order XXVI, Rule 9 - Appointment of Local Commissioner - The court has the power to appoint a Commission for elucidating any point in dispute, including the possession of a property. The power to investigate regarding possession can be delegated to a Commission.

Fact of the Case:

The plaintiff filed an application under Order XXVI, Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure for appointing a Local Commissioner to determine the possession of a disputed house. The application was rejected by the subordinate Judge, leading to the plaintiff filing a revision petition.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the power to investigate regarding possession of the house could be delegated to a Commission, and the trial Court's decision to dismiss the application was erroneous. The revision petition was accepted, and the order of the trial Court was set aside, directing the appointment of a Commission in accordance with the law.

Issues: The main issue was whether the court could delegate its duty to a Local Commissioner for determining the possession of a disputed property.

Ratio Decidendi: The court interpreted Order XXVI, Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure and held that the court has the power to appoint a Commission for elucidating any point in dispute, including the possession of a property. The power to investigate regarding possession can be delegated to a Commission.

Final Decision: The revision petition was accepted, the order of the trial Court was set aside, and the appointment of a Commission was directed in accordance with the law.

Judgment

Rajindra Nath Mittal, J.

1. This revision petition has been filed by the plaintiffs against the order of the Subordinate Judge, Ist Class, Nabha dated 15th June, 1977.

2. An Application under Order XXVI, Rule 9, Code of Civil Procedure (hereinafter referred to as the Code) was filed by the plaintiff for appointing a Local Commissioner to find out as to who was in possession of the house in dispute. The application was rejected by the subordinate Judge on the ground that the court could not delegate its duty to the Local Commissioner. The plaintiff has come up in revision against the aforesaid order.

3. Order XXVI, Rule 9 of the Code inter alia provides that in any suit in which the Court deems a local investigation to the requisite or proper for the purpose of elucidating any matter in dispute, it may issue a commission to such a person as it thinks fit directing him to make such investigation and to report thereon to the Court. From a bare reading of the rule, it is evident that a Court can appoint a Commission for elucidating any point in dispute. In the present case, there is a dispute regarding the possession of the house in dispute. The Court dismissed the application on the ground that the power to investigate regarding the possession of the house could not be delegated. The view taken by the learned trial Court appears to be erroneous on the face of it. Such a power could always be given to a Commission. In my view, the Court has acted in exercise of its jurisdiction illegally and the order is liable to be set aside.

4. For the aforesaid reason, I accept the revision petition, set aside the order of the trial Court and direct to appoint the Commission in accordance with law. The petitioner is direct to appear in the trial Court on 2nd January, 1978. No order as to costs. Petition accepted.

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