IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
S. K. Phaujdar, J.
HARI NARAIN - Appellant
Versus
IVTH ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE, AZAMGARH - Respondents
C. M. W. P. 41526 Of 1999
Decided On : 12/02/1999
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE - JURISDICTION - SUIT FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION - RELIEF BASED ON FAMILY SETTLEMENT - JURISDICTION OF CIVIL COURT OUSTED - U. P. ZAMINDARI ABOLITION AND LAND REFORMS ACT, 1950, SECTIONS 229B, 331, SCHEDULE 2, ITEM 34 - SPECIFIC RELIEF ACT, SECTION 38.
Fact of the Case:
Plaintiff filed a suit for permanent injunction against the defendants, claiming sole ownership and possession of an agricultural plot. He alleged that he had acquired one-third share through a registered instrument, and the remaining two-thirds were transferred to him through a family settlement. The defendants denied the plaintiff's title and claimed that the suit was actually for a declaration of title and not for an injunction.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court held that it had jurisdiction to entertain the suit as the relief sought was for permanent injunction, which could only be granted by a civil court. However, the revisional court set aside the trial court's order, holding that the suit was cognizable by the revenue court under the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 (ZA and LR Act).
Issues: 1. Whether the civil court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit for permanent injunction based on a family settlement? 2. Whether the suit was cognizable by the revenue court under the ZA and LR Act?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The jurisdiction of a court is determined by the allegations made in the plaint and the reliefs claimed therein. 2. A permanent injunction is a relief granted to prevent a breach of an obligation existing in favor of the plaintiff or to prevent an invasion of the plaintiff's right to or enjoyment of a property. 3. In the instant case, the plaintiff claimed a right to the suit property through a family settlement, which required registration under Section 17 of the Registration Act. 4. The suit was, therefore, in the nature of a suit for a declaration of right under Section 229B of the ZA and LR Act and was cognizable by the revenue court. 5. The jurisdiction of the civil court was ousted under Section 331 of the ZA and LR Act.
Final Decision: The writ petition was dismissed, upholding the order of the revisional court that the suit was cognizable by the revenue court and the jurisdiction of the civil court was ousted.
( 1 ) THE petitioner had filed Suit No. 1230 of 1986 for permanent injunction against the present respondents, Kamala and others. It was his case that he was the sole owner of certain agricultural plot and was in possession thereof. It was stated that previously he was having only one-third share in the suit property, a second one-third belonged to one Rampat Rai and the rest one-third belonged to the respondent Kamala and his brother Subedar. The plaintiff purchased the share of rampat through a registered instrument and there had been a family settlement through which kamala and Subedar transferred their share in the suit property in favour of the petitioner through a written instrument dated 24. 12. 1971. Subsequently, however, Kamala and Subedar transferred their land to other defendants on the basis of which they were trying to interfere in the land in dispute and that gave the cause of action to the plaintiff-petitioner for permanent injunction. The petitioner asserted that for the Fasli year 1389 khatauni was prepared in his name for certain plots and for the Fasli years 1390 and 1395 khatauni was prepared in his name for some other plots. The defendants, however, denied that title of the petitioner on the suit property. The defendant Kamala also contested the suit and asserted that the plaintiff had not been the bhumidhar for one-third share in the suit property and the suit was really one for a relief for a declaration of his right and title to the extent of that one-third share and only the shape of an injunction suit was given although the real relief was of a declaration of title.
( 2 ) THE trial Judge framed several issues including one touching the jurisdiction of the civil court to take up the matter. The issue was decided by the trial Judge on 1. 9. 1992 in the affirmative, holding that the civil court had a jurisdiction to entertain the suit as the relief sought for was for permanent Injunction that could have been granted only by the civil court. A revision application, however, was preferred and by an order dated 27. 5. 1999 the IVth Additional District judge, Azamgarh, allowed the revision, set aside the order of the trial Judge dated 1. 9. 1992. This order has given rise to the present writ petition.
( 3 ) IT was contended on behalf of the petitioner that the jurisdiction of a Court is to be determined from the allegations made in the plaint and from the reliefs claimed therein. When it was a suit for a permanent injunction, none but the civil court could have taken cognizance of the suit. Moreover, the cause of action had arisen only on account of attempts on the part of the defendants to interfere in the possession of the plaintiff over the suit property. It was submitted that the revisional court had gone beyond its jurisdiction to take up the question of registration or absence of registration of the alleged family settlement.
( 4 ) THE U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act. 1950 (in short, the ZA and LR Act)makes certain provision for entertainment of suits by revenue courts to the exclusion of the jurisdiction of the civil court. Section 331 of this Act states that except as provided by or under this Act no Court other than a Court mentioned in column 4 of Schedule 2 shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the C. P. C. , take cognizance of any suit, application or proceedings mentioned in column II, thereof or of a suit, application or proceedings based on a cause of action in respect of which any relief would be obtained by means of any suit or application. It further provides that where a declaration has been made under Section 143 in respect of any holding or a part thereof, the provisions of Schedule 2 in so far as they relate to suits under chapter 8 shall not apply to such holding or part thereof. Chapter 8 of this Act deals with tenure. Section 331 further gives an explanation that if the cause of action is one in respect of which relief may be granted by the r
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