HIGH COURT OF DELHI
KRISHAN KUMAR MEHRA – Appellant
Versus
ROOP LALL MEHRA & ORS – Respondent
C.R.P.-240/2017
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Reserved on: 7th December 2021
Date of decision: 22nd December, 2021
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C.R.P. 240/2017 & CM APPLs.39489/2017, 11137/2018
KRISHAN KUMAR MEHRA
..... Petitioner
Through:
Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra and
Ms.
Sunita
Saxena,
Advocates.
(M:9818800830)
versus
ROOP LALL MEHRA & ORS.
..... Respondents
Through:
Mr.
Vishwa
Bhushan
Arya,
Advocate. (M:8920561855)
CORAM:
JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH
JUDGMENT
Prathiba M. Singh, J.
1.
The present petition challenges the impugned judgment and order
dated 23rd August, 2017, passed by the Ld. ADJ-04 (South East), Saket
(hereinafter“Trial Court”) in Civil Suit No. 208039/2016 titled Shir
Krishna Kumar Mehra v Shri Roop Lall Mehra by which the application
filed by the Respondent No.2/Maj. Prem Kumar Mehta/Defendant No.2
(hereinafter “Defendant No.2”) seeking leave to deposit 1/5th share of the
sale proceeds of the Defendant No.1 was dismissed. The said application
was
duly
supported
by
the
Petitioner
Sh.
Krishna
Kumar
Mehra/Plaintiff/Petitioner (hereinafter “Plaintiff”) and the Respondent
No.3/ Defendant No.3 (hereinafter “Defendant No.3”) & Respondent No.4/
Defendant No.4 (hereinafter “Defendant No.4”). The only contesting party
is Defendant No.1/Respondent No.1/Sh. Roop Lall Mehra (hereinafter
“Defendant No.1”).
2021:DHC:4337
Facts
2. The parties to the present revision petition are four sons and one
daughter of Late Shri. Pyare Lall Mehra, who passed away on 1st
November, 2008. Late Shri. Pyare Lall Mehra was the absolute owner of
property bearing No. J-17, Jangpura Extension, New Delhi, admeasuring
279 sq. yards (hereinafter “suit property”). The suit property has a ground
floor, first and half of the second floor constructed. As on date, the
possession of the ground floor is with Defendant No.2. Defendant No.1 is
in possession of the first floor and his son and his family are living on the
second floor. In effect, therefore, the first and second floor are in the
possession of and being enjoyed by Defendant No.1.
3.
The suit for partition being CS(OS) No.395 of 2009 titled Krishan
Kumar Mehra v. Shri Roop Lall Mehra & Ors., was filed by the
Petitioner/Plaintiff (hereinafter “Plaintiff”) seeking partition and rendition
of accounts in respect of properties belonging to his father including
movable and immovable property. In this suit, a preliminary decree was
passed on 21st December, 2009, by a ld. Single Judge of this Court in the
following terms:
2021:DHC:4337
4. The Court had, vide the same order, appointed a Local Commissioner
to inspect the suit property and submit a report as to whether the suit
property can be partitioned by metes and bounds. However, the Local
Commissioner reported that a physical metes and bounds partition would
not be possible. Accordingly, the High Court directed that an inter-se
bidding be conducted between the parties.
5.
In the inter-se bidding, sealed covers were stated to have been placed
by the parties before the Local Commissioner and Defendant No.2 offered
the highest price of Rs.10,40,00,000/-. Subsequently, an application bearing
IA No.700/2012 was filed by Defendant No.2 in CS (OS) 395/2009 seeking
permission to file a compromise agreement between Plaintiff and
Defendant No.2 to 4, to jointly acquire the suit property from Defendant
No.2. In this application, Defendant No.2 sought to satisfy his payment
obligation of the bid amount by deposit of only 1/5th share, being the share
of Defendant No.1, stating that the other parties being Plaintiff and
Defendant Nos.3 to 4 had agreed to not claim their shares in lieu of
retaining joint possession of the suit property. The said application was
dismissed by the learned Single Judge of this Court vide order dated 12th
January 2012 on the ground that all parties had not consented to the
compromise agreement. Therefore, the High Court direc