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2023 Supreme(P&H) 3466

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
MANOJ BAJAJ, J.
Harjit Singh & Anr. – Petitioners
Versus
State of Punjab & Anr. – Respondents
CWP-16131 of 2018 (O&M)
Decided On : 04-05-2023

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. Ajaivir Singh, Advocate; For the Petitioners
For the Respondent: Ms. Jasleen Kaur Sidhu, DAG, Punjab.
Mr. Sapan Dhir, Advocate for Respondent No.2(i) and (ii).

Headnote:(A) Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 - Challenging eviction order under Article 226 of the Constitution of India - Senior citizen's eviction claim against his son and family accepted by Tribunal - Petitioners argue that eviction claim is moot post senior citizen's demise and due to a family settlement - Tribunal ignored prior ownership claims. (Paras 1-3, 4, 5, 6)

(B) Legal Procedure - Application for eviction lacked specificity regarding residency, ruled vague - Court asserts jurisdictional adherence requires clarity in claims. (Paras 4-5)

(C) Pending Matters - Eviction order cannot remain effective after the claimant's death. (Para 6)

Facts of the case:
Petitioners challenged eviction order against them based on a vacant application by a senior citizen, who later passed away, and referenced a family settlement indicating property ownership.

Findings of Court:
Order of eviction set aside due to the senior citizen's demise rendering the grievance moot.

Issues: Whether the senior citizen’s demise invalidates the eviction claim and the sufficiency of the application’s particulars.

Ratio Decidendi: The claim requires clear evidence of residency, and upon the senior citizen's death, the basis for eviction no longer exists, emphasizing ongoing civil disputes remain unsettled.

Result: Writ petition allowed; impugned eviction order set aside.

Table of Content
1. challenge to eviction order under maintenance act. (Para 1)
2. contentions regarding family settlement and will. (Para 2 , 3)
3. eviction order lacks sufficient evidence. (Para 4 , 5)
4. deceased senior citizen's grievance nullified. (Para 6)
5. writ petition allowed, eviction order set aside. (Para 7)

JUDGMENT

Manoj Bajaj, J.

Petitioner has filed this writ petition under Article 226 Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of certioari to challenge the order dated 18.05.2018 (Annexure P-8) passed by respondent No.1, whereby claim of senior citizen seeking petitioner's eviction under The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, was accepted.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that Jaswant Singh- respondent No.2 filed an application dated 03.03.2017 (Annexure P-2) under the Maintenance Act 2007 against his son Harjit Singh, daughter-in-law- Parwinder Kaur and grandson son- Harniv Singh with the averments that they are out of his control, who do not take care of him, therefore, he had disowned them by way of a publication dated 06.03.2006, and sought their eviction from the residential property, which has been accepted by the Maintenance Tribunal, Patiala through the impugned decision dated 18.05.2018 (Annexure P-8). Learned counsel submits that there was a family settlement on 25.07.2001 (Annexure P-1), whereupon the father had agreed to give the first floor of the house to petitioner No.1-Harjit Singh, but the Maintenance Tribunal ignored the petitioner's stand, while ordering their eviction on the basis of family settlement dated 25.07.2001. He submits that the brothers of petitioner No.1, namely, Bhupinder Singh and Baljit Singh, who were impleaded as LRs of Jaswant Singh after his death on 24.05.2018 instigated the senior citizens to file this claim. According to learned counsel, the brothers of petitioner No.1 have also propounded a Will dated 31.05.2017, allegedly executed by Jaswant Singh and the same is under challenge by way of a civil suit dated 06.08.2018 filed by petitioner No.1-Harjit Singh before Civil Judge (Sr.Division), Patiala, which is pending adjudication, wherein he has also relied upon the family settlement dated 25.07.2001, whereby the first floor of House No.257 (New No.258) situated at Dukh Niwaran Colony, Sirhind Road Patiala fell in his share. Learned counsel has pointed out that the claim of the senior citizen seeking eviction of the petitioner has lost its significance after his demise, therefore, the impugned order deserves to be set aside.

3. Learned counsel for the respondent has argued that Jaswant Singh- senior citizen clearly depicted his grievance in application dated 03.03.2017 (Annexure P-2) against the petitioner No.1-Harjit Singh and his family and prayed for their eviction by invoking the The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the order has been passed by the Maintenance Tribunal in accordance with law keeping in view the importance and object of the statute. Mr. Sapan Dhir, learned counsel for respondent has drawn the attention of the Court to the written statement and submitted that the petitioner Harjit Singh had previously filed a civil suit for declaration claiming his ownership of the first floor of House No.257, before the Court of Civil Judge (Sr.Division) Patiala (Annexure R-2/5), wherein the senior citizen filed his written statement dated 08.02.2018 (Annexure R-2/6). He submits that Jaswant Singh pleaded in the written statement that by virtue of sale deed bearing No.4547 dated 06.02.1984, he acquired absolute title in the property in question and the said suit is also pending adjudication. Learned counsel has not disputed this fact that the other sons of Jaswant Singh have propounded a Will and as per this, after death of Jaswant Singh, property is inherited by them. He prays that the impugned order dated 18.05.2018 (Annexure P-8) passed by respondent No.1 does not warrant int

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