JHARKHAND HIGH COURT
N.N. Tiwari, J.
Dhaniram Mahto and others —Appellants
versus
Most. Rango Devi and others —Respondents
S.A. No. 91 of 2008
Decided on 12.10.2012
Counsel for the Parties:
For the Appellants:L.K. Lal, Advocate.
For the Respondents: None.
Headnote:Suit for partition—Decreed by Trial Court—Title Appeal—Dismissed by Appellate Court—Second appeal—Trial Court as well as Lower Appellate Court, on thorough scrutiny and consideration of material and evidences, came to concurrent finding that there was unity of title and possession amongst parties in respect of suit property and that the plaintiffs were entitled to partition of their share, as claimed by them— The findings were based on evidences on record— No infirmity or illegality in the judgment and decree of Court below, giving rise to any substantial question of law—Appeal dismissed. (Paras 13 to 15)
Result: Appeal dismissed
N.N. Tiwari, J.—This appeal is against the judgment and decree dated 25th February, 2008 passed by Additional Judicial Commissioner. Fast Track Court. Khunti in Title Appeal No. 13 of 1997, whereby learned Lower Appellate Court has dismissed the title appeal, upholding the judgment and decree dated 30th November. 1996 passed by Sub Judge III in Partition Suit No. 10 of 1989.
2. The appellants were the defendants in Partition Suit No. 10 of 1989.
3. The said suit was filed by the plaintiffs/respondents, claiming their one third share in the suit property. The plaintiffs’ case is that the suit property belongs to the common ancestor Khedu Mahto. Khedu Mahto had four sons, namely, Dhani Mahto, Gangu Mahto, Bayar Mahto and Lachhu Mahto. Khedu Mahto and his son Bayar Mahto died before the revisional survey. After their death. the suit land was inherited jointly by Dhant Mahto. Gangu Mahto and Lachhu Mahto. Bayar Mahto died leaving behind his widow Most. Binod and two daughters. namely. Ghashini Devi and Domani Devi. The survey record of right was prepared in different Khewats. Khewat No. 5/9 was recorded in the name of Most. Binod, widow of Bayar Mahto. Said Most. Binod died in 1944 and after her death, the said portion of the property, recorded in Khewat No. 5/9. devolved upon the surviving sons of Khedu Mahto. The plaintiffs have one third share in the suit property. The parties were separately cultivating their lands, but it was not convenient for them to cultivate the lands without partition by metes and bound. The plaintiffs, thus, requested the defendants to partition the suit land, but they avoided. Hence, the said suit was filed for the aforesaid relief.
4. The suit was mainly contested by the sons of Most. Binod. It was, inter alia, stated that the land of Khewat No. 5/9 was exclusively recorded in the name of Most. Binod and as such, the same cannot be the subject-matter of partition. The said property, after the death of Most, Binod, was inherited by her daughters and after their death by the defendants Nos. 50 and 51 the descendants of said Ghasini Devi and Domani Devi. It has been further stated that Ghashini Devi was married to Jogu Mahto, who used to live in the house of Most. Binod, said Jogu Mahto died leaving behind his sons Puran Mahto, who was in continuous possession over the suit land. His possession is noted in the remarks column of the Khatiyan prepared in the recent survey. Puran Mahto died leaving behind two sons, namely, Gobardhan Mahto and Harihar Mahto. After the death of Gobardhan Mahto, the said defendants inherited the suit property and they have been continuously cultivating the said land of Khewat No. 5/9. The partition suit is, thus, not maintainable in respect of the land of Khewat No. 5/9.
5. On the basis of the said pleadings, several issues were framed by the learned Trial Court.
6. The plaintiffs led their evidences, but the defendants did not adduce any evidence. The defendants after filing of the written statement did not take any step nor they appear for cross-examining the P.Ws.
7. Learned Trial Court, on thorough discussion and appraisal of the facts and evidences on record, came to the finding that there was unity of title and possession amongst the parties in respect of the suit land and that the plaintiffs are entitled to the reliefs prayed for. Learned Trial Court decreed the plaintiffs suit.
8. The defendant Nos. 50 and 51 filed title appeal against the said judgment and decree in the Court of learned Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi, being Title Appeal No. 13 of 1997. The said title appeal was finally heard and disposed of by the Additional Judicial Commissioner. Fast Track Court. Khunti.
9. Learned Lower Appellate Court heard the parties and considered the grounds taken by the appellants. After careful perusal of the record and appraisal of the facts and evidences, learned Lower Appellate Court came to the finding that there was no illegality or infirmity in the judgm