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2014 Supreme(MP) 1088

MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT
Rohit Arya, J.
Umkar Singh - Appellant
Versus
State of M.P. - Respondent
S.A. No. 775-2007
Decided On : 14-07-2014

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:S.G. Chitnis, Advocate.
For the Respondents:Raghavendra Dixit, Government Advocate.

Adverse possession requires peaceful, open, and continuous possession, and the burden is on the claimant to establish all necessary facts.

Headnote:

Adverse Possession - Land Dispute - Article 112 of the Limitation Act, 1963 - Karnataka Board of Wakf Vs. Government of India and others, (2004) 10 SCC 779

Fact of the Case:

The plaintiff claimed adverse possession over a government land adjacent to his owned land. The plaintiff's suit for declaration, permanent injunction, and cancellation of patta was dismissed by the trial court and the first appellate court.

Finding of the Court:

The courts found that the plaintiff failed to establish continuous, uninterrupted, and peaceful possession over the government land for the last 30 years to claim title under Article 112 of the Limitation Act, 1963. The patta granted in favor of defendant No. 2 was also cancelled, but this did not improve the plaintiff's case for adverse possession.

Issues: The main issue was whether the plaintiff could claim adverse possession over the government land and whether the patta granted in favor of defendant No. 2 was valid.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that adverse possession requires peaceful, open, and continuous possession, and the plaintiff failed to establish these elements. The court also emphasized that adverse possession is a blended question of fact and law, and the burden is on the claimant to establish all necessary facts.

Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed as the courts found no substantial question of law warranting interference under section 100 of the Code.

JUDGMENT

Rohit Arya, J.

1. This appeal by the plaintiff under section 100 CPC is directed against the concurring judgment and decree dated 31/07/2007 passed in civil appeal No. 1A/2007 by District Judge, Vidisha District Vidisha affirming the judgment and decree dated 22/11/2006 passed in civil suit No. 366A/2003 by Civil Judge, Class-II, Kurwai, plaintiff's suit for declaration, permanent injunction and cancellation of patta dated 31/05/2002 has been dismissed.

2. Facts necessary for disposal of this appeal in nutshell are to the effect that plaintiff claimed to be peaceful, continuous and uninterrupted possession over an agricultural land admeasuring 0.596 hectare falling in survey No. 281/341 situated in village Tamoiya, Tahsil Kurwai, District Vidisha (hereinafter referred to as 'the suit land'). Though, admittedly the suit land is a Government land but it is adjacent to the land owned and possessed by the plaintiff. During the long possession of 40 years, plaintiff has never been subjected to any action for disturbing his possession, as such, he acquired title by adverse possession. Hence, entitled to be registered in the revenue record as bhumi swami in respect of the suit land. Having apprehension that the suit land being awarded on patta to other persons, plaintiff filed suit for declaration and permanent injunction initially and later on, during pendency of the suit, since the same was granted on patta in favour of defendant No. 2, prayer was amended for relief of declaration that patta granted on 31/05/2002 in favour of defendant No. 2 be cancelled.

3. Defendant No. 2 has filed written statement and denied plaint allegations. It is denied that plaintiff has ever been in possession over the suit land. The suit land is a Government land and defendant No. 2 being eligible was granted patta on 31/05/2002. With the aforesaid pleadings, it was prayed that the suit be dismissed.

4. Based on the aforesaid pleadings, trial Court framed issues and allowed parties to lead evidence. Upon critical evaluation of the evidence on record, trial Court dismissed the suit. On appeal, first appellate Court has again reappreciated the entire oral and documentary evidence on record. It is found that claim for adverse possession over the suit land has not been established by plaintiff to the knowledge of State Government. Suit land is reserved for charnoi land. State Government is mentioned as owner thereof in khasra panchshala for the years 1999-2000 to 2000-01, however, in khasra panchshala (exhibit P/4) Samvat 2026 to 2030 (years 1969-70 to 1972-03), name of plaintiff's father is mentioned as an encroacher. Though, plaintiff's father was mentioned in exhibit P/4 but in khasra panchshala (exhibit P/5) for the years 1975-76 to 1978-79, the plaintiff's name is shown as an encroacher and in khasra panchshala (exhibit P/6) for Samvat 2020 to 2023 (years 1963 to 1966) in respect of suit land, name of one Ghorelal has been mentioned but plaintiff's name has not been mentioned. As such, upon critical evaluation of documentary and oral evidence on record, first appellate Court concluded that the plaintiff has failed to establish his continuous, uninterrupted and peaceful possession over the suit land which is Government land for the last 30 years to claim title thereon under Article 112 of the Limitation Act, 1963. Suit land has been found to be awarded on patta in favour of defendant No. 2 by Tahsildar in case No. 34/A-19/2001002 on 31/05/2002. However, the order dated 29/08/2005 passed by Sub Divisional Officer shows that it is stated that patta granted in favour of defendant No. 2 was cancelled observing that division (bhantan) taken place on 16/04/2001 was not correct and remanded the matter back to the Tahsildar to pass appropriate orders in the matter. The first appellate Court observed that thereafter, nothing has been brought on record in respect of factual aspect as to whether defendant No. 2 was again granted patta or not. Under such circums








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