GAHC010185242014 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT AT GUWAHATI (The High Court of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh)

Principal Seat at Guwahati RFA No. 35/2014.

Gopal Krishna Tea Company Private Limited, A registered company having its registered office at Marwari Patty, Jorhat, PO & PS-Jorhat, Dist.-Jorhat, Assam, Represented by its Director, Shri Pramode Kumar Jalan, S/o Late Askar Jalan, Resident of Agarwalla Tea Company, Marwary Patty, Jorhat, PO & PS-Jorhat, Dist.-Jorhat, Assam.

…… Appellant/Plaintiff.

-Versus

1. Sri Monibor Kurmi, S/o Late Bishnu Kurmi.

2. Shri Ramu Bhatre, S/o Shri Gangadhar Bharte.

3. Shri Basudeb Garh, S/o Shri Subedar Garh. 4. Shri Anjan Ragdi, S/o Shri Anil Ragdi.

5. Shri Lakhi Kanta Gowala, S/o Shri Thanu Gowala. 6. Shri Biju Baraik, S/o Shri Benu Baraik.

7. Shri Loknath Tirki, S/o Late Birdo Tirki.

8. Shri Durja Digal, S/o Shri Ganesh Digal.

9. Shri Monoranjan Bouri, S/o Late Karma Bouri.

10. Shri Sarbon Madraju, S/o Rupkumar Madraju. 11. Shri Philip Tanti, S/o Late Kusho Tanti.

12. Shri Tufan Gowalla, S/o Late Chatak Gowalla. 13. Shri Debaru Baraik, S/o Late Babulal Baraik. 14. Shri Surajit Tanti, S/o Late Rajendra Tanti.

15. Shri Jitu Gaur, S/o Shri Somnath Gour.

16. Shri Nolombar Deori, S/o Bhutu Deori.

17. Shri Arun Deka, S/o Late Jugen Deka.

18. Shri Subal Samasi, S/o Late Badul Samari.

All are residents of Village-Kargil, PO-Nellie, PS-Jagiroad, Mouza-Utarkhula, Dist.-Morigaon, Assam.

19. Shri Bapu Shyam, S/o Late Roshiklal Shyam, Resident of Village-Nellie, PO-Nellie, PS-Jagiroad, Mouza-Uttarkhula, Dist.-Morigaon, Assam.

…… Principal Respondents /Principal Defendants.

20. Shri Pradeep Kumar Sarat, S/o Late Lakhi Narayan Sarat, C/o Assam Trade Agency, 4^th Floor, 11 Pollack Street, Kolkata-1.

21. Shri Prakash Chandra Dassani, S/o Late Bahalal Dassani.

22. Shri Saitya Narayan Karnani, S/o Late Bhairadal Karnani.

Sl. Nos.21 and 22 are residents of Village-Gopal Krishna Tea Estate, PO-Killing Valley, PS-Jagiroad, Mouza-Uttarkhula, Dist.-Morigaon, Assam.

…… Proforma Respondents /Proforma Defendants.

BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ROBIN PHUKAN Advocate for the appellant/plaintiff :- Mr. G. N. Sahewalla, Sr. Adv.

Ms. S. Todi Advocate for the respondents/defendants :- Mr. Singha (R-5)

Date of Hearing :- 18.03.2025 Date of Judgment & Order :- 16.06.2025 JUDGMENT & ORDER (CAV)

Heard Mr. G. N. Sahewalla, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. S. Todi, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. R. Singha, learned counsel for the respondent No.5.

2. This appeal, under Section 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure, is directed against the judgment and decree dated 04.01.2024, passed by the learned Civil Judge, Morigaon („trial court‟ for short), in Title Suit No. 04/2011, notably vide impugned judgment and decree dated 04.01.2024, the learned trial Court has dismissed the suit filed by the present appellant for declaration of right, title and interest over the suit property.

3. The background facts‟, leading to filing of this appeal, is briefly stated as under:-

“The appellant herein namely, Gopal Krishna Tea Company (P) Limited, instituted a suit, being Title Suit No. 4/2011, for declaration of right, title and interest and recovery of khas possession for a plot of land measuring 9 Bighas 3 Kathas 8 Lessas covered by Dag No. 3, of Reedim Grant Patta No.1, Village No.1, Nellie Bagicha Kissam, of Morigaon District.

The pleaded case of the appellant is that one Askar Jalan @ Jalan, son of Late Mahadev Jalan, Lakhi Narayan Saraf, son of Late Chuhanlal Saraf, Baharlal Basani @ Dassani, son of Late Burthar Lal Dassani, Shri Satya Narayan Kanlani @ Karnani, son of Late Bhairadal Karnani and Smti. Narayani Devi, wife of Late Mahadev Prasad Jalan were the original pattadars of the suit patta land.

The plaintiff Gopal Krishna Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd., is a Registered Company and Askar Jalal @ Jalan was the Director of that company who died on 20.08.2004, leaving behind Promod Kr. Jalan, the plaintiff as his legal heir. After the death of Askar Jalan, the plain