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2007 Supreme(Online)(KER) 17759

HIGH COURT OF KERALA
M.N.KRISHNAN, J
SUNNY – Appellant
Versus
SUSHAMA – Respondent
WP(C)/16129/2007



Advocates:
SRI.K.K.CHANDRAN PILLAI, SRI.R.V.SATHYAPRIYAN NAIR, SRI.T.R.HARIKUMAR, SRI.V.G.ARUN

The court underlines the importance of resolving disputes through careful evidence collection, particularly when previous reports are conflicting.

Headnote:

Commission - Appointment of Commissioner - No specific act cited - Court emphasizes the necessity of appointing an experienced commissioner due to conflicting reports from previous commissions.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner challenged an order appointing a commissioner for property inspection, following conflicting reports from two previous commissioners in two related suits. The appellate court had remanded the case for fresh consideration.

Issues: Whether the appointment of the same commissioner previously involved is appropriate given the conflicting reports and the parties' dissatisfaction.

Ratio Decidendi: Successive appointments of different commissioners can create confusion; thus, it is vital to appoint an experienced commissioner who can ensure clarity and reliable reporting.

Final Decision: The writ petition is disposed of, setting aside the challenged orders and directing the appointment of a new, experienced commissioner.

JUDGMENT

This writ petition is field challenging Exts.P11 and P14 orders of the Munsiff's Court, Thodupuzha. The brief facts necessary for the disposal of the writ petition are stated as follows: The present writ petitioner filed a suit for injunction as O.S.No.314 of 2006 and a Commissioner visited the property and prepared Exts.P2 and P2(a). Defendants in the suit then filed a suit for mandatory injunction as O.S.No.320 of 2006 and Ext.P6 is the report submitted by yet another Commissioner in that case. Thereafter the court proceeded to decide the injunction application in O.S.No.314/2006 and interim mandatory injunction application in O.S.No.320/2006, rejected the prayer for injunction and granted relief for interim mandatory injunction. Against that, C.M.A.Nos.79 & 80 of 2006 were filed by the present writ petitioner before the Addl.District Court, Thodupuzha and the District Judge by Ext.P8 order dated 16.12.2006 remanded the case for fresh disposal. In paragraph 17 of the said order, the court held that “both counsel expressed their desire to get the property examined and the matter clarified by a third commission which I am not inclined to entertain in the C.M.As. Thereafter the court set aside the orders, remanded the cases back to the trial court and directed to consider the Commission application, if any, filed and to dispose of the matter after receiving the report of the Commissioner. Thereafter the plaintiff in O.S.No.320 of 2006 moved an application for issuance of a fresh Commission and the court below passed an order appointing the Commissioner, who inspected the property earlier in O.S.No.320/2006. Dissatisfied with the appointment of the said Commissioner, plaintiffs in O.S.No.314 of 2006 moved an application to change the Commissioner, but it was dismissed by the learned Munsiff by Ext.P14 order.

2. Now the question that has to be considered by the court is whether the order of the court below appointing one of the Commissioners, who had visited the property to revisit the property is proper in the light of their submissions before the appellate court and in the light of the application filed before the court below. Learned counsel for the parties before the appellate court really wanted the 3rd Commissioner to go and inspect the property and submit the particulars. Most probably with that in mind the plaintiff in O.S.No.320/2006 filed Ext.P9 application with a prayer to appoint a new Commissioner. But the court, instead of doing the same, appointed the very same Commissioner, who had submitted his report earlier. Now there are already two Commissioners' plans and reports before court. Both the parties are not satisfied with those reports. I am conscious of the fact that as far as possible, issuance of a successive Commissions in the very same suit by appointing different Commissioners cannot be done for the reason that conflicting reports may be filed and instead of helping the court to resolve the dispute, it will create controversy and confusion. But here is a case where already two Commissions had gone. One party is satisfied with one report whereas the other party is satisfied with the other report. What is the correct position is a matter which has to be ascertained by the court for deciding the issue. Most probably to find a way out, the counsel for the parties before the appellate court suggested for the issuance of a 3rd Commission to note down the particulars and in compliance with the same, the party also moved an application for appointment of a new Commission.

3. Taking into consideration the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and the way in which the matter is to be dealt with, I feel it is desirable that an experienced Commissioner be appointed to submit a plan and report by permitting both the parties to file work memo before the Commissioner. At the same time, it is equally important to preserve the things which were in existence on the date of the suit and it can be so done by dir

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