IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
V. N. KHARE
RAM NATH - Appellant
Versus
TAPESARA - Respondents
Second Appeal 2364 Of 1972
Decided On : 08/27/1984
O. 21, R. 32 C. P. C. - Execution of Decree - Wilful Failure to Obey Decree - Easement - Destruction of Dominant Heritage - S. 45 of the Easement Act - Interpretation and Application
Fact of the Case:
Decree-holder appellant filed an execution application under O. 21, R. 32 C. P. C., alleging that judgment-debtors respondents had constructed a wall obstructing light and air to the doors and windows of his house, in violation of a compromise decree in an earlier suit.
Finding of the Court:
The appellate court found that the judgment-debtors had not wilfully disobeyed the compromise decree and that the dominant heritage had completely fallen down, attracting S. 45 of the Easement Act.
Issues: 1. Whether the judgment-debtors wilfully failed to obey the compromise decree? 2. Whether S. 45 of the Easement Act was applicable in the case?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. Wilful failure to obey a decree under O. 21, R. 32 C. P. C. requires a lack of bona fide and not merely a breach of the decree's terms. 2. S. 45 of the Easement Act applies when the dominant heritage is completely destroyed, extinguishing the easement.
Final Decision: The second appeal was dismissed, as there was no wilful failure on the part of the judgment-debtors and S. 45 of the Easement Act extinguished the easement due to the complete destruction of the dominant heritage.
( 1 ) THIS second appeal arises out of Execution Application filed by decree-holder appellant under O. 21, R. 32 C. P. C. before the Additional Munsif, Varanasi. 1-A. Brief facts relevant to this appeal are these : bhairo Ram and Mathura Prasad, the predecessors-in-interest of decree-holder appellant filed suit No. 87 of 1933 against Ghasi Kewat and others, the predecessors-in-interest of Judgment-Debtors-respondents. The case of plaintiffs in that suit was that they were residing in house No. A1/28, Mohalla Balebir-ki-Gali, Ghaighat, Varanasi and defendants of that suit were residing in the house lying north to the house of plaintiffs. Three doors and windows in the northern wall of plaintiffs house were in existence. It was pleaded in that suit that the defendants be restrained from constructing the wall towards north of that house in a manner so as to obstruct the light and air of the doors and windows of the plaintiffs house. Ultimately the suit was decreed in the terms of the compromise. The terms of the compromise were that the defendants shall not raise any construction on the first floor of the southern portion of their house which may be higher than the doors and windows of the plaintiffs northern wall and that in case if the defendants wanted to make construction above the first storey they may do so after leaving a space of 3 feet towards north of the northern wall of the plaintiffs house. On 26-7-1968 the decree-holder appellant moved an application under O. 21, R. 32 C. P. C. wherein it was alleged that the northern portion of the house No. A1/28 which was subsequently numbered as A1/28a came in his share as a result of partition, that the judgment-debtors constructed the southern wall of their house without leaving 3 feet space towards north of the house of the decree-holder and that newly constructed southern wall obstructed the light and air of the doors and windows of the decree-holders house. It was prayed therein that the wall so constructed by the judgment-debtors be attached and demolished by the judgment-debtors at their costs.
( 2 ) THE judgment-debtors respondents filed objection under S. 47 C. P. C. The objections inter alia were that judgment-debtors had not wilfully failed to obey the compromise decree and that in any case compromise decree passed in earlier suit was in respect of an easementary right and after the northern house of decree-holder had fallen down about 20 years back, that easementary right came to an end. The learned Additional Munsif allowed the application of the decree-holder and directed that an attachment order shall remain in force till the removal of southern wall of judgment-debtors house from its present position to a distance of 3 feet to northern wall of the decree-holders house in terms of the compromise decree. The learned Additional Munsif further directed that in case judgment-debtors failed to comply with the direction within one year the said house shall be sold and such compensation shall be awarded to the decree-holder out of the sale proceeds of the attached house as decree-holder is entitled. On appeal the learned Additional District Judge set aside the order of learned Additional Munsif and allowed the objection of judgment-debtors filed under S. 47 C. P. C.
( 3 ) LEARNED counsel for the appellant contended that the appellate Court has erroneously held that judgment-debtors had not wilfully disobeyed the compromise decree passed by the Court in suit No. 87 of 1933. The question that requires determination in the present case is whether the judgment-debtors wilfully failed to obey the decree of the Court. Order 21, R. 32 C. P. C provides that where the party against whom a decree for specific performance of contract or for restitution of conjugal rights or for injunction has been passed has had an opportunity of obeying the decree and has wilfully failed to obey it the decree may be enforced for specific performance of contract or for conjugal righ
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