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2016 Supreme(P&H) 2955
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
SURYA KANT, P.B. BAJANTHRI, JJ.
RAM KISHAN THROUGH LRS – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS – Respondent
CWP No. 14002 of 1993
Decided on : 16-03-2016
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant :Alok Jain, Advocate
For the Respondent: Kirti Singh, DAG, Haryana
The court emphasized the importance of considering the evidence on record and relevant legal principles in making decisions under the Punjab Village Common Lands Act.
Headnote:
Punjab Village Common Lands Act - Ownership of Public Passage - The court considered the ownership of a public passage passing through a disputed land and its classification as Shamilat Deh under the Punjab Village Common Lands Act. The court found that the Collector's decision was influenced by a certificate issued by the Custodian Department and failed to consider the evidence on record and the entries in the Revenue record. The Revisional Authority's application of principles of res judicata was deemed incorrect. The court set aside both orders and remitted the case for a fresh decision.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner challenged the order dismissing his petition to declare ownership of a disputed land. The issue was whether a public passage passing through the land falls within the definition of Shamilat Deh under the Punjab Village Common Lands Act.
Finding of the Court:
The court found the Collector's approach to be casual and influenced by a certificate from the Custodian Department. The Revisional Authority's application of res judicata was deemed incorrect.
Issues: The ownership of the public passage and its classification as Shamilat Deh, the influence of the Custodian Department's certificate, and the application of res judicata in the case.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the Collector's decision was influenced by irrelevant factors and failed to consider the evidence on record. The Revisional Authority's application of res judicata was deemed incorrect.
Final Decision: The court set aside both orders and remitted the case for a fresh decision.
SURYA KANT, J.
1. The petitioner has laid challenge to the order dated 22.2.1991 passed by the Assistant Collector 1st Grade, Sonepat, whereby his petition filed under Section 13-A of the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961 (for short 'the 1961' Act) as applicable to State of Haryana, to declare him as owner in possession of khasra No.164-165 (previous No.2017) measuring 35 kanal 9 marla situated in the Revenue Estate of Village Akbarpur Barota, was dismissed. He also assails the order dated 10.9.1993 of the Commissioner, Rohtak Division vide which the revision petition filed by the Gram Panchayat against the order of the Collector, Sonepat dated 25.8.1992 whereby the order of the Assistant Collector 1st Grade was set aside and the claim of the petitioner was accepted, has been reversed resulting into the dismissal of the above stated declaratory petition.
2. The issue that arose for consideration of the authorities was whether there was a public passage going through khasra No.164-165 and if so, whether such public passage falls within the definition of Shamilat Deh under Section 2 (g) of the Act and thus vests in the Gram Panchayat?
3. The Assistant Collector 1st Grade who tried the declaratory suit, personally visited the site on 15.1.1991 in presence of both the parties and other respectables from the village and found that "Rasta No.137 is passing through Khasra Nos.164-165 at site which is about 5-6 Karam wide. Rasta is existing at the site. There is no Rasta No.165/3 in the southern portion of Khasra No.165 at the site as claimed by the Plaintiff, instead it is under cultivation of the Plaintiff himself and by the other owners of the adjoining fields and mixed with their fields". The petitioner's petition was thus dismissed holding as follows:-
"From the above detailed discussion it is clear that the disputed land is Rasta No. 137 and the same passed between Khasra No.164 and 165 and vests in Shamlat Deh under Section 2 (g) (3) and (4) of the Punjab Village Common Lands Act. Although, this land was of Shamlat Patti Nizawat Beg but during the consolidation it was left in the form of a Rasta for common use and after the consolidation till date this Rasta-Sare-Aam is in vogue at side. Thus this vests into Shamlat Deh. In this way issue No.1 is decided against the Plaintiff and in favour of the defendants."
4. The petitioner went in appeal and the Collector, Sonepat allowed his appeal on the premise that Kharsa No.164-165 (previous Khasra No.2017) does not vest in the Gram Panchayat as no such Rasta (public passage) was shown in the Consolidation Scheme the findings returned by the Assistant Collector was reversed and the petitioner's declaratory petition was accordingly accepted. The Gram Panchayat went in revision and the Commissioner, Rohtak Division accepted the same, holding that as there was already an eviction order passed against the petitioner under Section 7 of the 1961 Act in respect of the land in dispute, he could not improve his title or claim on the basis of alleged sale of the suit land in his favour by the Custodian Department.
5. We have heard learned counsel for the parties at a considerable length and gone through the record.
6. In our considered view, both the orders passed by the Collector, Sonepat as well as the Revisional Authority are unsustainable and deserve to be set aside. The approach of the Collector, least to say, is totally casual, perfunctory and in disregard to the evidence on record led by the Gram Panchayat. He has failed to take notice of the entries in the Revenue record and has been largely influenced by a certificate issued by the Custodian Department, according to which the land in dispute has been purchased by the petitioner subsequent to the eviction order, for a consideration of Rs. 45,313/-. The Collector failed to determine as to whether or not (i) Custodian Department was owner of this land? (ii) whether the sale was conducted in accordance with the prescribe
