High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. SRINIVASAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.M. ABDUL WAHAB
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras and another
Versus
Rajamanickam & two others
Writ Appeal Nos. 2164 and 2165 of 1987
Decided On : 21-01-1996
Land Acquisition Act - Validity of Acquisition Proceedings - The court held that the writ petitions challenging the acquisition proceedings were not maintainable and that the parties should execute the decree obtained in the civil court and take appropriate proceedings to prevent interference with their possession. The court emphasized that the civil court decision would govern the rights of the parties, and jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India was not to be exercised for such purposes.
Fact of the Case:
The first respondent challenged the validity of proceedings for acquisition of their lands by filing suits for declaration that the acquisition proceedings were illegal and for consequential injunction. The suits were decreed by the District Munsif, and writ petitions were filed for issue of mandamus restraining the respondents from interfering with the right of the petitioners to be in possession and enjoyment of the properties.
Finding of the Court:
The court dismissed the writ petitions, stating that the parties should execute the decree obtained in the civil court and take appropriate proceedings to prevent interference with their possession. The court emphasized that the civil court decision would govern the rights of the parties, and jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India was not to be exercised for such purposes.
Issues: Validity of acquisition proceedings, maintainability of writ petitions, jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
Ratio Decidendi: The civil court decision would govern the rights of the parties, and jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India was not to be exercised for implementing decrees passed by the civil court.
Final Decision: The writ appeals were ordered accordingly, emphasizing that the civil court decision would govern the rights of the parties, and jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India was not to be exercised for such purposes.
M. Srinivasan, J.
1. The first respondent in each of these appeals challenged the validity of proceedings for acquisition of their lands by filing suits viz., O.S. Nos. 268 of 1986 and 369 of 1986 on the file of the District Munsif, Valangaiman for declaration that the acquisition proceedings culminating in the declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act were illegal, void and unenforceable in law and for consequential injunction restraining the defendants from proceeding further with the acquisition proceedings. The suits were decreed by the District Munsif on 27. 1987. In spite of having obtained a decree for declaration and injunction, these writ petitions were filed for issue of mandamus restraining the respondents therein from interfering in any manner with the right of the petitioners to be in possession and enjoyment of the properties. The learned single Judge dismissed the writ petitions without entertaining them in limine. However, he made some observations in the order that even if possession had been taken pursuant to the proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act, the petitioners shall be restored to possession and otherwise, serious consequences will follow. Aggrieved by the said observations, the Government has preferred these appeals.
2. In our opinion, once the writ petitions are dismissed as not entertainable, the learned Judge ought not to have made any observations such as found in the judgment. He might be stating the position in law. But, there should be no handle given to any litigant to take undue advantage of the proceedings which are wholly unwarranted in law. When once the first respondent in each of these appeals had obtained a decree in the court of the District Munsif, Valangaiman for declaration and injunction, it is for them to execute the said decree and take appropriate proceedings to prevent the defendants therein from interfering with their possession. Instead of doing so, they have chosen to file these writ petitions. It is not known how the writ petitions are maintainable at all. This Court cannot be used as a sort of executing court to implement the decrees passed by the District Munsif. The learned Judge should have simply dismissed the writ petitions directing the petitioners therein to approach the District Munsif for appropriate reliefs.
3. It is stated by the learned Government Pleader that appeals have been filed against the decrees. If that is so, it goes without saying that the result of the appeals will govern the rights of the parties, subject to further appeals or other proceedings therein.
4. It is made clear that whatever decision is rendered by the civil court ultimately, the parties thereto will be bound thereby and the decision of the civil court can be implemented by appropriate proceedings provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure. There is no question of exercising jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for such purposes.
5. With the above observations, the writ appeals are ordered accordingly.
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