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2023 Supreme(Telangana) 689

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
A. Santhosh Reddy, J.
M.Gautam Singh - Appellant
Versus
B.Kiran Lata - Respondent
C.R.P. No. 3008 of 2017
Decided On : 28-04-2023

Headnote:

Specific Relief Act - Recovery of Possession - Sec. 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 - [Sec. 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963] - The court discussed the provisions of Sec. 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963, which provides a summary remedy for restoration of possession. The legislative intention under Sec. 6 of the Act is to provide a quick remedy in cases of illegal dispossession, and the only issue required to be decided is whether the plaintiff was in possession at any time six months prior to the date of filing of the suit. The court emphasized that questions of title or better rights of possession do not arise for adjudication in a suit under Sec. 6, and the proceedings in such suits are almost summary in nature. The court also highlighted that the remedy of appeal or review against a decree passed in such a suit is specifically excluded by the Act.

Fact of the Case:

The respondents-plaintiffs filed a suit for recovery of possession under Sec. 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 against the petitioners-defendants in respect of a property. The defendants denied the allegations and claimed lawful possession of the property.

Finding of the Court:

The trial Court decreed the suit in favor of the plaintiffs, directing the defendants to deliver possession of the property and awarded mesne profits. The defendants filed a revision petition challenging the trial Court's decision.

Issues: The issues revolved around the possession and dispossession of the property, the validity of the partition deed, and the trial Court's consideration of contradictory pleas of the parties.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that in a suit under Sec. 6 of the Act, the only question to be determined is whether the plaintiffs were in possession of the disputed property and had been illegally dispossessed therefrom on any date within six months preceding the date of filing of the suit. The court found that the trial Court erred in deciding the title to the property and framing irrelevant issues in a suit filed under Sec. 6 of the Act.

Final Decision: The civil revision petition was allowed, and the matter was remanded to the trial Court for fresh disposal, directing the trial Court to decide the suit on the basis of whether the plaintiffs were in possession of the property and had been illegally dispossessed therefrom within six months preceding the date of filing of the suit.

JUDGMENT

1. This civil revision petition is filed under Sec. 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (for short "the CPC") against the judgment and decree passed in O.S.No.451 of 2009, dtd. 31/3/2017, by the learned XIV Additional Chief Judge, (F.T.C.).

2. Heard Sri Suresh Shiv Sagar, learned counsel for the petitionersdefendants and Sri Mohd.Osman Shaheed, learned counsel for the respondents-plaintiffs. Perused the record.

3. During the pendency of revision, petitioner No.1/defendant No.1 died, his legal representatives were brought on record as petitioner Nos.4 to 7.

4. The parties hereinafter referred to as the plaintiffs and defendants as arrayed in the suit before the trial Court.

5. The respondents-plaintiffs filed the main suit for recovery of possession under Sec. 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 (for short "the Act") against the petitioners-defendants in respect of the suit schedule property bearing M.C.No.14/8/385/2/1, admeasuring 260 square yards situated at Jummerat Bazaar, Hyderabad (hereinafter referred to as the "suit property"). It is averred in the plaint that husband of plaintiff No.1 and his brother by name Kunwar Singh jointly purchased the suit property comprising of one room and a compound wall from one Smt.Devi Rani, D/o.Laxmi Bai, under registered sale deed dtd. 13/12/1976 for a valid consideration and possession was also delivered to them. The husband of plaintiff No1 was looking after the suit property and leased out the same to one Ranbir Singh on monthly rent of Rs.500.00 on 22/12/1979 in order to keep Auto Rickshaw and cycle rickshaws. Thereafter, a dispute arose between the husband of plaintiff No.1 and his brother and settled at the intervention of elders. Pursuant to the said compromise, the elder brother of husband of plaintiff No.1 executed a gift settlement deed in favour of husband of plaintiff No.1 on 19/3/2009. The husband of plaintiff No.1 noticed that defendant Nos.1 to 3 who are no way concerned with the suit property started illegal construction from 1/2/2009 on a portion of the suit property and he immediately lodged complaint with the Assistant City Planner, Town Planning Sec., Circle VI, Hyderabad requesting him to stop the unauthorized construction marking copies to the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, GHMC Sardar Mahal etc., Even then, no action has been initiated by the authorities concerned. Plaintiff No.1 filed WP.No.8061 of 2009 before this Court and the same was allowed vide order dtd. 20/4/2009 directing the Assistant City Planner to act in accordance with law on the complaints filed by the husband of plaintiff No.1 as noted.

6. It is also averred that the authorities concerned have not taken action on the said orders. The defendants dispossessed the plaintiffs on 1/2/2009 illegally under protest. Hence, the plaintiffs filed the present suit.

7. Defendants filed written statement denying the allegations made in the plaint and further submit that their mother Smt.Devi Rani D/o.Smt.Lakshmi Bai had acquired house plot admeasuring 540 square yards bearing Municipal No.14/8/385/2 under registered a sale deed vide document No.1353/1975, dtd. 7/4/1975 from one Sri Sunder Singh S/o.Hannu Singh and since then their mother has been in possession and enjoyment of the property without interruption from anybody. After demise of their mother, they have partitioned the said property and under the said partition, the southern part of the building bearing No.14/8/385/2 admeasuring 176.40 square yards allotted to defendant No.1, northern part of the property admeasuring 176.40 square yards allotted to defendant No.2 and middle part of the property admeasuring 176.40 square yards allotted to defendant No.3. Since then, the defendants have been possession and enjoyment of their respective portions allotted as per registered partition deed bearing No.472/2009, dtd. 20/2/2009.

8. It is further submitted that the suit property was purchased by the mother of the defendants and she never sold any pa

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