KARNATAKA HIGH COURT
Ashok B. Hinchigeri, J.
H.A.Venkataswanappa —Appellant
versus
State of Karnataka and Ors. —Respondents
Regular First Appeal No. 1301 of 2009
Decided on 28.2.2014
Counsel for the Parties:
For the Appellant:Sri M. Ram Bhat, Senior Counsel for Sri G.S. Patil, Advocate.
For the Respondents: Smt. B.P. Radha, High Court Government Pleader.
IMPORTANT POINT
Clear and distinct pleading of plea of adverse possession is necessary.
Headnote:Adverse Possession—Suit seeking relief of declaration filed by plaintiff alleging that he had perfected his title by way of adverse possession—Suit dismissed by Trial Court—Appeal—Law mandates that plaintiff who seeks a declaration that he has perfected his title by way of adverse possession should specifically plead the date from which his possession becomes adverse to that of the defendant—However averments in the plaint in instant case were unspecific to say the least—When exactly the appellant’s father came in adverse possession was not pleaded—The vague pleadings failed to meet the foundational requirement—No documents produced in respect of any of three schedule lands to show that appellant and/or his father had been in possession for uninterrupted period of 30 years or more—On the contrary fine was imposed on appellant for being in possession of land unauthorisedly—On appreciation of pleadings evidence and on consideration of legal position, trial court arrived at the conclusion—Appeal having no merit, dismissed. (Paras 11 to 15, 20)
Result: Appeal dismissed.
Ashok B. Hinchigeri, J.—This appeal is preferred by the plaintiff aggrieved by the dismissal of his suit (O.S. No. 422 of 2006) by the Court of the Civil Judge (Senior Division) and JMFC, Anekal by its judgment and decree dated 14.8.2009.
2. The plaintiff’s version in brief is that the plaintiff’s father Sri Chikkannaiappa was in peaceful possession, cultivation and enjoyment of the plaint ‘A’ and ‘B’ Schedule lands from 1957-1958. His father has been in possession, occupation and enjoyment of Schedule ‘C’ land from 1950. On the death of his father in 1978-1979, the plaintiff continued to be in possession of the three schedule lands. He filed the suit seeking the relief of declaration that he has perfected his title by way of adverse possession. He also sought the relief of permanent injunction restraining the defendants (respondents herein) from interfering in his possession and enjoyment of the schedule lands.
3. For the reasons best known to themselves, the respondents did not take part in the suit proceedings. They were placed ex parte. Based on the pleadings in the plaint, the Trial Court formulated the following points for its consideration:
1. Whether the plaintiff proves that he has perfected his title and ownership in respect of the suit schedule property by way of adverse possession?
2. Whether the plaintiff is entitled for permanent injunction?
3. What order or decree?
4. The plaintiff got himself examined as PW1. He also adduced the evidence of an independent witness-H.A. Mohammed Peer as PW2. The documents at Exs. P1 to P43 are marked for the plaintiff. Based on the pleadings, oral and documentary evidence placed on its record, the Trial Court answered the points against the plaintiff and dismissed the suit.
5. Aggrieved by the same, this appeal is filed.
6. Sri M. Ram Bhat, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for Sri G.S. Patil for the appellant submits that the mahazar at Ex. P19 in respect of ‘C’ Schedule land clearly shows that the appellant’s father was in its possession. He submits that the RTCs at Ex. P17 and Ex. P18 also contain the particulars of the crops grown on Schedules ‘A’ and ‘B’ lands and also the name of the appellant’s father. The supporting record of rights in respect of Schedule ‘C’ land are at Exs. P21 to P25. The revenue documents unmistakably show the possession of the appellant’s father and of the appellant for over 30 years. For buttressing the submission that the length of occupation of the lands held by the appellant’s father has to remain accrued to the length of occupation of the appellant, he read out the following portion from M. Krishnaswamys Law of Adverse Possession published by Law Book Company (9th Edition -1979). It reads as follows:
“Where a father or other relation is in possession of the disputed property adversely to the plaintiff and on his death, the defendants, as the heirs of the deceased, continue in possession, in these circumstances, the defendants are entitled to tack their possession with that of their father, or other relation, and thereafter they acquire a right by adverse possession ....”
The learned Senior Counsel further submits that as the respondent/defendants have not resisted the claim of the appellant/plaintiff, the suit ought to have been decreed by the Trial Court.
8. Smt. B.P. Radha, the learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the appellant is baselessly claiming that he has perfected his title by way of adverse possession on the precious Government lands totally measuring 5 acres. She submits that the appellant’s representation at Ex. P 41 shows that his/his father’s possession was not peaceful. She submits that the appellant has failed to demonstrate that he and/or his father have been in continuous and uninterrupted possession of the schedule lands. She submits that for being in unauthorised occupation, the respondents imposed the fine on the appellant by passing (T.T. Fine order) in respect