1995 Supreme(All) 35
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
BINOD KUMAR ROY
RAJ KUMAR - Appellant
Versus
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CONSOLIDATION, DISTRICT AZAMGARH - Respondents
C. M. W. P. 1535 Of 1976
Decided On : 01/09/1995
FAUJDAR RAI, U.K.MISHRA
The abatement of a suit does not affect the jurisdiction of the consolidation authorities to adjudicate the claims of title or other rights or interest in land involved in consolidation.
Headnote:
CONSOLIDATION OF HOLDINGS - ABATEMENT OF SUIT - EFFECT ON CONSOLIDATION PROCEEDINGS - ADVERSE POSSESSION - QUESTION OF, NOT DECIDED.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioners filed a suit for ejectment of Respondents 4 and 5 from the lands in question which was decreed by the trial Court, but the decree for ejectment could not be executed by the petitioners because of an order of stay passed under Order 41, Rule 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure by the Appellate Court. The Revisional Authority rejected the claim of the petitioners on the grounds, inter alia that since the petitioners could not execute the decree their claim is not tenable.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the impugned Revisional Order dated 20-1-1976 passed by the Deputy Director of Consolidation, Azanigarh in Revision No. 254/438 as well as the order dated 5-7-1976 passed by him, as contained in Annexure-III, both are quashed and Revision No. 254/ 438 is remitted back to Respondent No. 1 for fresh disposal in accordance with law.
Issues: 1. Whether the Revisional Authority was justified in rejecting the claim of the petitioners on the grounds that since the petitioners could not execute the decree their claim is not tenable? 2. Whether the consolidation authorities erred in recording their findings against the petitioners on the basis of the observation/ findings recorded in the appeals?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the petitioners could not be blamed for non effecting of the delivery of possession of the land in question. They did execute their decree for eviction but Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 got further proceedings in the execution case stayed. 2. The court also held that the consolidation authorities could not place reliance on different orders passed by the authorities in the suit and the appeal arising there from inasmuch as after passing of the order of abatement the judgments in the suit and or the appeal became nought.
Final Decision: The court quashed the impugned Revisional Order dated 20-1-1976 passed by the Deputy Director of Consolidation, Azanigarh in Revision No. 254/438 as well as the order dated 5-7-1976 passed by him, as contained in Annexure-III, both are quashed and Revision No. 254/ 438 is remitted back to Respondent No. 1 for fresh disposal in accordance with law.
( 1 ) THE petitioners pray to quash different orders passed by the Consolidation authorities. The Facts:-
( 2 ) THE relevant facts for the purpose of disposal of this writ petition are in narrow compass:- There appears to be a dispute between the petitioners and Respondents 4 and 5 concerning right, title, interest and possession over plot Nos. 1281 / 1 and 1287 / 2 of village Dhadha Chanwar in the District of Azamgarh (which both sides state that now it is part of the District Mau ). The petitioners filed a suit for ejectment of Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 from the lands in question which was decreed by the trial Court, but the decree for ejectment could not be executed by the petitioners because of an order of stay passed under Order 41, Rule 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure by the Appellate Court. The Revisional Authority rejected the claim of the petitioners on the grounds, inter alia that since the petitioners could not execute the decree their claim is not tenable. The Submissions:-
( 3 ) MR. Mishra, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners, contended as follows:- (i) Since further proceedings in the execution case filed for effecting delivery of possession pursuant to the decree of eviction was stayed on appeal preferred by Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 the Revisional authority was not justified in law in drawing an inference against the petitioner on that ground, (ii) The authorities have also failed to appreciate that after passing of the order of abatement of the suit, the finding either recorded in favour of the petitioners or in favour of the Respondents in the appeals arising therefrom (the suit at one stage has reached up to the Board of Revenue in 2nd Appeal and was remitted back to the Ist Appellate Court for fresh disposal) became non est and the consolidation authorities have erred in recording their findings against the petitioners on the basis of the observation/ findings recorded in the appeals, (iii) The claim of the other side in regard to the land in question was founded on the basis of long possession which in law does not constitute adverse possession. Their claim has been erroneously upheld holding that they have acquired title by adverse possession despite the fact that there was no pleading set forth by Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 regarding acquisition of title adverse possession, nor had they adduced evidence to support adverse possession.
( 4 ) MR. Rai, the learned counsel appearing for the contesting Respondents, on the other hand, prayed to dismiss this writ application submitting as follows:- (i) This writ application has been filed belately and accordingly it should be dismissed on account of limitation. (ii) No error of law, and or fact was committed by the Consolidation authorities in recording their findings against the petitioners (iii) The Petitioners have not appended copy of the objection preferred by Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 nor had they appended the deposition of their witnesses. My findings:
( 5 ) I take first the objection No. 1 taken by Mr. Rai. This writ appliction was filed on 29-7-1976 whereas the Revisional Order was passed on 20-1-1976. However, it appears that the following endorsements have been made on the certified copy of the impugned Revisional Order: (i) Date of application: 8-3-1976 (ii) Date of notice: 3-6-1976; and (iii) Date of issue: 7-7-1976. It appears that the Petitioner had filed a review application which was dismissed by order dated 5-7-1976.
( 6 ) MR. Rai, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the contesting Respondents, however, could not show me any provision of the Constitution of India or the Rules of this Court or the Limitation Act, 1963 that a writ petition has to be dismissed on the ground of limitation, if not filed within 90 days of the impugned order. He could not cite any decision that a writ petition admitted for hearing has to be dismissed on the ground of limitation. On the contrary the law which I know that there is n