2011(3) LAW HERALD (P&H) 2388
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
Before
The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain
RSA No.3041 of 1984 (O&M)
Puran Singh
v.
Smt. Dhan Kaur & Ors.
{Decided on 04/07/2011}
(B) Hindu Succession Act, 1956--Inheritance never remains in abeyance--As soon as a person dies his property vests in the next heir whether that heir is at law or is nominated by the last holder--It is immaterial whether the heir actually takes possession of the property or not. (Para 12)
(C) Limitation Act, 1963, S.27--Adverse Possession--Plea of adverse possession is not available to the plaintiffs as it is a plea of defence meant for the defendants and on that account the decree could not have been granted. (Para 13)
Mr. Rakesh Kumar Jain, J.: - The defendant No.1 is in second appeal against the judgment and decree of the Courts below by which suit filed by the plaintiffs for declaration and permanent injunction has been decreed.
2. In short, the plaintiffs filed suit for declaration with consequential relief of permanent injunction in respect of 03 Kanals 08 Marlas of land comprised in Rect. No.26, Killa No.9/4 and 10/1, situated in village Dehriwala as per jamabandi for the year 1967-68 alleging therein that 04 Kanals 17 Marlas of land bearing old Khasra No.538 was in joint occupancy tenancy of Munshi & Bantu sons of Boota Singh, Waryam Singh son of Khazan and Gurditta, Gurmukh and Ishar sons of Sujana under the proprietors of village Dehriwala. It was alleged to be in exclusive occupancy tenancy of Munshi & Bantu sons of Boota and Waryam son of Khazan who had mortgaged with possession the said 04 Kanals 17 Marlas of land to Pala Singh son of Boota Singh by means of a registered mortgage deed dated 17.07.1911 and had further sold their occupancy rights to Mota Singh son of Boota Singh who is husband of plaintiff No.1 and father of plaintiff Nos.2 to 4, by means of a registered sale deed dated 05.07.1943 and the said vendee Mota Singh got it redeemed from the mortgagee and entered into its exclusive possession. The consolidation of holdings took place in the village and the original Khasra No.538 was converted into new Khasra Nos.9/4 and 10/1, but the possession remained with Mota Singh. However, due to negligence of the revenue staff, the names of Gurditta, Gurmukh and Ishar sons of Sujana continued to appear in the revenue papers though all of them had died long back and could not have been in possession. It was also alleged that the land was mortgaged in 1911 and from that year onwards the exclusive possession of the vendors of the predecessorsin- interest of the plaintiffs started, the predecessor-in-interest of the plaintiffs had purchased the occupancy rights by way of registered sale deed in the year 1943 and since thereafter, they are in possession as owners not only because of the title but also by way of adverse possession. It was also alleged that defendant No.1 claims to have got some sale deed executed in his favour from defendant Nos.2 to 4 which is ineffective on the rights of the plaintiffs. On this premise, declaration was sought about their title and injunction with regard to their possession. In the written statement, the defendants admitted that the land measuring 04 Kanals 17 Marlas comprising in old Khasra No.538 was recorded in joint occupancy tenancy of Munshi & Bantu sons of Boota Singh, Waryam son of Khazan, Gurditta, Gurmukh and Ishar sons of Sujana and they denied that only Munshi, Bantu and Waryam were the actual occupancy tenants. It was also alleged that Munshi, Bantu and Waryam had no right to sell their share as well of occupancy rights, rather it was alleged that 02 Kanals 11 Marlas out of the suit land was sold by defendant Nos.2 to 4 in favour of defendant No.1 on 11.06.1971 by way of registered sale deed. The plaintiffs filed their replication. On the pleadings of the parties, issues were framed on 13.10.1971, 10.10.1972 and ultimately on 21.07.1982, which are reproduced as under: -
“1. Whether Munshi, Bantu and Waryam were the exclusive occupancy tenants of the land comprised in Khasra No.538?(OPP).
1.a. Whether the suit of the plaintiffs is not maintainable in the present form?(OPP).
1.b. Whether certain unauthorized amendments have been made in the plaint. If so to what effect?(OPP).
1.c. Whether the plaint does not disclose any cause of action against defendants No.5 to 7. If so, to what effect?(OPP).
2. Whether the plaintiff’s predecessor Mota Singh purchased the suit land (i.e. Khasra Number 538) on 05.07.1943?(OPP).
3. Whether the land in suit has been carved out in lieu of Khasra Number 538 during consolidation?(OPP).
4. Whether the plaintiffs and their predecessor in interest acquire
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