TARUN AGARWALA, J.
Ved Prakash Rastogi
Versus
Nagar Palika, Budaun.
S. A. No. 2916 of 1986
Decided On : 1-8-2007
Injunction - Ownership Dispute - U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, Municipalities Act - 326 - The court held that a simpliciter suit for injunction is maintainable before a civil Court and can be filed under Section 9, C. P. C. The suit was clearly maintainable in a civil Court. The lower appellate Court had transgressed its jurisdiction and gave a finding on the basis of surmises and conjectures and proceeded on presumptions which was not part of the pleadings. The judgment of the lower appellate Court was quashed. Janeshwar Prasad and others v. Smt. Bismilla Begum and others, 1985 All LJ 325, State of Andhra Pradesh v. Manjeti Laxmi Kantha Rao, AIR 2000 SC 2220, Shyam Dhar v. XIth Additional District Judge, Allahabad and others, 2004 (3) AWC 1889, Rameshwar and Brajesh v. VIIth Additional District and Sessions Judge, Deoria and others, 2002 (2) AWC 1137, Smt. Sushila Devi v. Smt. Jasoda Bai and others, 1981 All LJ 263
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for permanent injunction alleging ownership and possession of certain plots. The defendants claimed adverse possession and contested the suit, alleging that the suit was not maintainable in a Civil Court and that the plaintiff should have filed the suit before the Revenue Court.
Finding of the Court:
The trial Court decreed the suit, holding the plaintiff as the owner and in possession of the plots. The appellate Court allowed the defendants' appeal, setting aside the trial Court's judgment and decree. The plaintiff filed a second appeal, challenging the decision of the appellate Court.
Issues: The issues included the maintainability of the suit in a Civil Court, ownership and possession of the plots, and the necessity of serving a notice under Section 326 of the Municipalities Act.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that a simpliciter suit for injunction is maintainable before a civil Court and can be filed under Section 9, C. P. C. The suit was clearly maintainable in a civil Court. The lower appellate Court had transgressed its jurisdiction and gave a finding on the basis of surmises and conjectures and proceeded on presumptions which was not part of the pleadings.
Final Decision: The judgment of the lower appellate Court was quashed, and the second appeal was allowed with costs.
"(A) That the defendant, its agents and employees be restrained by a decree of permanent injunction from interfering in the peaceful possession of the plaintiff and in making constructions over Khasra Plot No. 485, Khatauni No. 353 measuring 9 biswa pukhta, Khatauni No. 138 measuring 8 Biswa pukhta and Khasra Plot No. 486 Khatauni No. 138 measuring 3 Biswa pukhta enclosed by letters A B C D, D C F E shown by red colour in the site plan given at the foot of the plaintiff, situated in Budaun in any manner whatsover.
(B) That the defendant be restrained from destroying the bajra and chari crops standing in some portions of khasra plot Nos. 485 and 486 and from filling with mud the foundations after removing the bricks on the disputed plots itself or its servants or agents in any manner.
(C) That an injunction be issued against the defendant, its agents and employees to remove the Ghura illegally placed by it within the time fixed by the Court, failing the same be got removed by the Court at the expense of the defendants.
(D) If the plaintiff be found out of possession on any portion of the disputed plots the possession may also be awarded by ejecting the defendant.
(E) Cost of the suit be awarded."
2. The defendants contested the suit and filed his written statement contending that the defendants are the owners and in possession of the plots in question by adverse means. The defendants alleged that they had perfected their title by being in adverse possession for more than 12 years. The defendants further alleged that they had been throwing garbage in the said plot for several years and that the plaintiff was never in possession of the said plots. The defendant further alleged that Suit No. 113 of 1978 filed by Sri Raghunath Sahai, was a collusive suit, and in any case, the decision in the said suit had no bearing with the rights of the answering defendants nor was it binding upon them. The defendants also alleged that the suit was not maintainable in a Civil Court and that the plaintiff should have filed the suit before the Revenue Court.
3. The trial Court, after framing as many as nine issues and after considering the evidence brought on the record, decreed the suit. The trial Court held that the plaintiff was the owner and in possession of the plots in question. The trial Court further found that the plaintiff did not make any attempt to dig any foundation in July 1983. the trial Court further found that the judgment in Original Suit No. 113 of 1978 was decided inter se between the parties and, therefore, was binding upon them. The trial Court further found that the defendants did not acquire any right over the property by way of adverse possession and that the suit was not barred under Section 326 of the Municipalities Act for want of previous notice and
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