IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
Gurbir Singh, J.
Parvati Devi – Appellant
Versus
Karam Singh & Anr. – Respondents
R.S.A.No. 1394 of 2020
Decided On : 14-09-2023
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. plaintiff's claim based on possession without ownership documents. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. arguments regarding established possession and legal compliance. (Para 4) |
| 3. burden of proof and clean hands in legal claims. (Para 5 , 6) |
| 4. final dismissal of the appeal and pending applications. (Para 7 , 8) |
Judgment
Mr. Gurbir Singh, J.:- C.M.No.4026-C of 2020
This application has been filed under Section 5 of the LIMITATION ACT , 1963, for condoning the delay of 26 days in filing the present appeal. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed. Delay of 26 days in filing the appeal is condoned.
R.S.A. No.1394 of 2020
1. The plaintiff-appellant (hereinafter referred to as ‘the plaintiff’) has filed this appeal against the concurrent findings of the Courts below. Plaintiff filed the suit against the defendants-respondents (hereinafter called the ‘defendants’) for grant of permanent injunction restraining the defendants from dispossessing and interfering in peaceful possession of the plaintiff over the suit property in any manner. As per version of the plaintiff, she has been residing in the suit property for the last 30 years. The electricity connection has been installed in the name of son of the plaintiff and the defendants or any other person have no right, title or concern over the suit property.
2. The defendants contested the suit filed by the plaintiff on the ground that they are owners in possession of the land in dispute being proprietors and co-sharers of the village. The father of the defendants was the owner in possession of the land in dispute and was a co-sharer. He died about 10-15 years ago and thereafter the defendants inherited the suit property as owner in possession. Earlier, sons of the plaintiff along with plaintiff have tried to interfere in the peaceful possession of the defendants. The defendants filed a suit for permanent injunction against the plaintiff and her sons, which is still pending.
3. On the basis of evidence led on the file, learned trial Court came to the conclusion that defendants have proved their possession by way of oral as well as documentary evidence i.e. jamabandi Exhibits D-1 to D-3 for the years 1984-85, 1988-89, 1994-95 and demarcation report dated 18.01.2013 as Mark ‘A’. The plaintiff herself admitted in the cross examination that she had no knowledge how the possession of the suit property came to her and she could not produce any ownership document on the record. She has stated that no girdawari exists in her favour and she had no evidence qua her possession. She has further admitted that defendant Tara Chand had already filed a suit for permanent injunction dated 16.10.2012 against her sons, namely, Sultan, Surajmal and Ajay. The plaintiff had filed the suit after the suit filed by defendant Tara Chand. The other witnesses who have been examined by plaintiff are Mani Ram as PW-2 and Jago Devi as PW-3, who have stated that the possession of the plaintiff is hostile and sundry. The learned trial Court has opined that the plaintiff has failed to prove even site plan of the suit property and there is no document of ownership in her favour. The suit was dismissed by the learned trial Court and the appeal filed against said judgment and decree was also dismissed by the learned Appellate Court.
4. Counsel for the appellant has argued that PW-2 Mani Ram and PW-3 Jago Devi have duly proved possession of the plaintiff over the suit property. The electricity connection is also in the name of son of the plaintiff. The suit property is within the lal lakir/Abadi Deh. Demarcation report dated 18.01.2013 Ex.D-5 is totally false and does not pertain to suit property. Plaintiff is in established possession of suit property. Plaintiff can be dispossessed from the suit property only in accordance with law.
5. I have heard the submissions of learned counsel for the appellant. The plaintiff is required to stand on her own legs.
6. As per Section 101 of the Indian EVIDENC
Appellate courts cannot interfere with factual findings established by lower courts unless substantial legal errors are demonstrated.
Possession of land, even if unauthorized, cannot be disturbed without legal procedure; ownership claimed must be substantiated with evidence.
Possession of property, once established, cannot be disturbed without due process, and admissions made by parties are binding and strong evidence.
A plaintiff must provide sufficient documentary evidence to establish possession for a permanent injunction; mere oral testimony is inadequate.
The burden of proof lies upon the plaintiff to prove actual and physical possession of the suit property for the grant of permanent injunction.
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