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2023 Supreme(MP) 967

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT INDORE
Anil Verma, J.
Manohar s/o Shankarlal Patidar and another – Petitioner
Versus
Gokul S/O Panna Bheel and others – Respondent
M. Cr. C. No. 14975 of 2021
Decided On : 02-09-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Vishal Patidar
For the Respondent: Sunil Kumar Yadav

Headnote:(A) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 145 - Possession disputes - Order of S.D.M. directing parties not to interfere in possession affirmed by Additional Sessions Judge - Determination of title immaterial in proceedings under Section 145; focus is solely on actual possession at a particular time - Established principle that courts should refrain from interfering unless jurisdiction is exceeded. (Paras 6-8)

Facts of the case:
The petitioners sought to set aside orders barring interference in land possession claimed by both parties, with respondents asserting ownership over land allocated to tribes by the government.

Findings of Court:
The trial Court's order regarding possession was valid, maintaining it did not exceed jurisdiction; hence no grounds for interference were found.

Issues: The main issue was whether the S.D.M. and Additional Sessions Judge erred in their assessment of possession rights.

Ratio Decidendi: The court confirmed that proceedings under Section 145 focus on actual possession, emphasizing that title determination is not a criterion in such procedural matters.

Result: Petition dismissed.

Table of Content
1. ownership and possession disputes under section 145 crpc. (Para 1 , 2)
2. arguments on possession and errors in prior rulings. (Para 3 , 4)
3. court's reasoning on limited jurisdiction in possession cases. (Para 5 , 6 , 7 , 8)
4. final dismissal of the petition affirmed. (Para 9)

ORDER :

Anil Verma, J.

This petition under section 482 of CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE has been filed by applicants with a prayer to set aside the orders dated 19-11-2020 passed by S.D.M. Jawad District Neemuch in Case No. 0003/Cri/145/2020-21 and 25-2-2021 passed by Additional Sessions Judge Jawad District Neemuch in Criminal Revision No. 94/2020. The learned SDM by the impugned order directed that till the disposal of the matter, both the parties will not interfere in their respective possession. The said order was affirmed by the revisional Court.

2. According to the case, respondents No. 1 and 2 submitted an application under section 145 of CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE before the SDM by stating that they are owner of the disputed land on the way of western side of Ramnagar to Doodhtalai. The land in question is in possession of respondent No. 2 which was given to tribal by the government as mentioned in column 12 of khasra. Both the parties claimed their title over the said land, so there is probability to disturb peace by them. Therefore, the proceedings under section 145 of CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE have been initiated. Thereafter considering the allegation and facts of the case, S.D.M. passed impugned order dated 19-11-2020 and it was observed that father of non-applicant No. 2 is in possession of land mentioned in column No. 12, survey Nos. 139 admeasuring 1 hectare and 141 admeasuring 1 hectare and directed both the parties not to interfere in their respective possession. Thereafter applicants filed a criminal revision challenging the impugned order and the learned Additional Sessions Judge vide order dated 25-2-2021 dismissed the revision by affirming the impugned order passed by SDM.

3. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that both the Courts below have committed an error in not appreciating the fact that applicants have got possession over the suit land since last 45 years but the concerned Patwari and Revenue Inspector have given erroneous reports regarding possession. There is no material available on record upon which the learned Additional Sessions Judge can interfere in the order passed by learned SDM. Therefore, learned counsel for applicants prays for allowing this petition by setting aside both the orders.

4. Learned counsel for respondents opposes the submissions made by learned counsel for applicants and submits that the order passed by both the Courts below are based upon the fact and legal principle of law, therefore, no interference is warranted in the impugned orders.

5. Heard both the parties and perused the record.

6. In the case of Ram Sumer Puri Mahant vs. State of U. P. , reported in (1985) 1 SCC 427 , it has been held as follows :

    “In view of the fact that civil proceedings in respect of the disputed premises is pending before the competent civil Court, where interim reliefs have been prayed for and obtained, the reappears to be no justification for continuing with the proceedings under section 145, Criminal Procedure Code pending before the S.D.M.

    Shri Tiwari learned Counsel submitted that in case the plaintiffs suit is either withdrawn or dismissed, he would be left with no remedy. This submission cannot be accepted in view of the Supreme Court judgment as reported in Ram Sumer Puri Mahant vs. State of U. P. , reported in (1985)1 SCC 427”

7. It is settled position of law that in procedure of section 145 of CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE , determination of title is immaterial and such proceedings is limited to the question as to who is in actual possession on particular day, because the Revenue Authority has no jurisdiction to decide the question of title and section 145 of CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE is intended to p

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