PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
T.H.B.Chalapathi, J.
Hari Chand
Versus
Krishan Kumar
Civil Revision No. 1168 of 1998,
Decided On : MARCH 27, 1998
Additional Issue - Entries in Jamabandi - The court allowed the revision petition to frame an additional issue regarding the legality of the entries in the Jamabandi, despite the plaintiff having already led evidence. The court emphasized that under Order 14, an issue can be framed at any time before passing of the decree, and ruled that the plaintiff could lead evidence in rebuttal after the closure of the evidence of the defendants.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed an application to frame an additional issue regarding the legality of entries in the Jamabandi. The trial court rejected the application, stating that the issue was already covered and the plaintiff had already led evidence.
Finding of the Court:
The court allowed the revision petition, directing the trial court to frame the additional issue. The plaintiff was not allowed to lead evidence at that stage but could do so in rebuttal after the defendants' evidence.
Issues: The main issue was whether the additional issue regarding the legality of entries in the Jamabandi could be framed despite the plaintiff having already led evidence.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that under Order 14, an issue can be framed at any time before passing of the decree, and ruled that the plaintiff could lead evidence in rebuttal after the closure of the evidence of the defendants.
Final Decision: The revision petition was allowed, and the trial court was directed to frame the additional issue as sought for, with the plaintiff being allowed to lead evidence in rebuttal after the closure of the defendants' evidence.
T.H.B.Chalapathi, J.
1. This revision petition is filed against the order of the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Kurukshetra in civil suit No. 1046 of 1997 dated 16.3.1998.
2. The plaintiff filed an application to frame an additional issue namely "whether the entries in the Jamabandi qua suit land being illegal, null and void and not binding on the plaintiff ?". This application has been rejected by the trial Court on the ground that issue No. 1 covers the additional issue sought to be framed and that the plaintiff has already led his evidence qua his possession. Issue No. 1 is to the effect "whether the plaintiff is in possession of the suit land as tenant?". The issue which the plaintiff now wanted to be framed is in regard to the entries in the jamabandis. If the entries in the Jamabandis are not to be held illegal and not binding then presumably a rebuttable presumption may be drawn in view of the entries in the Jamabandis in regard to possession. Therefore, I do not think that issue No. 1 covers the question whether the Jamabandi entries are illegal, null and void. This is to be decided separately. Prima facie the entries in the revenue record show the possession of the parties in whose names the entries have been made. I am also not in a position to agree with the learned Civil Judge that this issue cannot be framed since the plaintiff has already led his evidence. Under Order 14 an issue can be framed at any time before passing of the decree. The application to frame an additional issue which arises on the basis of the pleadings cannot be disallowed on the ground that the plaintiff has already let in evidence. Rule 5 of Order 14 is clear that the issue can be framed at any time before the passing of the decree.
3. In this view of the matter, I allow the revision petition and direct the trial Court to frame the issue as sought for but the plaintiff will not be entitled to lead any evidence at this stage. However, it is open to the plaintiff to lead evidence in rebuttal after the closure of the evidence of the defendants.
4. Subject to the above observations, this revision petition is allowed.
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