Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 994 Guj
Judgement Date : 6 February, 2024
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/SECOND APPEAL NO. 193 of 2012
FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP N. BHATT
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1 Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed Yes
to see the judgment ?
2 To be referred to the Reporter or not ? Yes
3 Whether their Lordships wish to see the fair copy No
of the judgment ?
4 Whether this case involves a substantial question No
of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution
of India or any order made thereunder ?
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MALAVI BHANVARLAL GANESHJI & 1 other(s)
Versus
HIMMATNAGAR NAGARPALIKA OFFICE & 4 other(s)
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Appearance:
MRS NISHA M PARIKH(2397) for the Appellant(s) No. 1,2
MS ABHA B MAKWANA(3025) for the Appellant(s) No. 1,2
KUMAR H TRIVEDI(9364) for the Respondent(s) No. 1
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP N. BHATT
Date : 06/02/2024
ORAL JUDGMENT
1. The present Second Appeal is filed by the
appellants - original applicants by challenging the
impugned judgment dated 30.07.2010 passed below
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Exh.139 in Regular Civil Suit No.20 of 2002 by the rd learned 3 Addl. Senior Civil Judge, Himmatnagar as
well as the judgment dated 15.09.2011 passed below
Exh.25 & 26 in Regular Civil Appeal No.28 of 2010 by
the learned Principal District Judge, Sabarkantha,
whereby the same were dismissed by both the courts
below.
2. The present Second Appeal was filed in the year
2012 and is currently pending for admission. No further
orders have been passed since 2012, which is a highly
concerning aspect of this matter. It clearly indicates the
need for improvement in the system of the Registry for
listing cases. Upon perusal the proceedings of this case, it is revealed that it was initially filed on 07.09.2012
and subsequently listed before the learned Court on
26.09.2012, which came to be dismissed for want of
prosecution. However, by order dated 7.11.2012 in Misc.
Civil Application No.3044 of 2012 for restoration, the
Court restored the matter by allowing that application.
Despite this, it appears that the matter was never
brought before the Court again until 07.01.2020, when it
was finally listed again. Throughout the year 2020, the
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matter was scheduled for several occasions, but
unfortunately, no progress was made. For reasons best
known to the Registry, the matter wen to cut off, until
it was eventually brought back before this Court.
Consequently, the matter is now being taken up for
consideration.
3. Heard Mrs. Nisha M. Parikh, learned advocate for
the appellants. No notice is yet issued in the present
matter.
4. Brief facts of the case are as such that there is a
land bearing Survey No.23 admeasuring 28066 sq.mtrs.
at village Motipura, Ta.Himmatnagar. That there are
number of plots carved from the Revenue Survey No.23.
The Applicant No.1 has purchased the Plot No.8 from
survey No.23 by way of registered sale deed
dtd.24/1/2000 and the said sale deed registered at serial
no.162 as the registered maintain by the Registrar.
Similarly, applicant No.2 has also purchased the land
admeasuring 102.90 sq.ft., which was the part of the
Plot No.8 by way of registered sale deed on dtd.
24/1/2000 and the said sale deed registered at serial
no.163 as registered maintain by the Registrar. On the
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basis of the sale deed, the applicants have given the
application to the Himmatnagar Nagarpalika to be muted
their name in the record of the Nagarpalika. On the
basis of their application, their name came to be muted
in entry no.1129 on 23/5/2002. The applicants have put a
cabins and he is doing business. The applicants have
started to construct the common wall in the plot of their
own ownership. The respondent no. 2 to 5 have raised
the objection on it and made the representation to the
respondent no.1 to remove the said wall and cabin. It is
further the case of the applicants in this application that
the said entry came to be disputed and RTS/Case No.2-
3/04 was filed before the Mamlatdar, Himmatnagar by
the Respondent No.2. The Mamlatdar, Himmatnagar has passed the order on dtd.16/12/2004 to cancelled the entry
no.1129.
It is further the case of the applicants in this
application that being aggrieved against the order
dtd.16/12/2004, the present applicants have filled the
RTS/Appeal/Das/SR45/2006 before Himmatnagar on
21.7.2006. After considering all the facts and
circumstances, the Deputy Collector, Himmatnagar has
passed the order on 21.8.2006 to allow the appeal of the
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applicants and confirmed the entry No.1129. The Deputy
Collector, Himmatnagar has also stated that order passed
by the Hon'ble High Court in SCA No.11646/2006 and
11647/2006 is bound to both the parties. The applicants
have approached before this Court by way of SCA
No.11646/2006 and SCA No.11647/2006 against the
removal of the cabins of the applicants by the
Nagarpalika. This Court has passed the order on
dtd.17/1/2007, withdraw with liberty to file writ petition
before the learned Single Judge. Ss per the direction of
this Court, the applicants have filed the SCA
No.19681/2007 and 19682/2007 before the learned Single
Judge of this Court. In the said application, the learned
Signle Judge has passed the order dtd.18/9/2007, granted the permission to withdraw this petition with liberty to
approach before the appropriate forum.
It is further the case of the applicants in this
application that the applicants have also filed the RCS
No.20/2002 before the Civil Judge, Himmatnagar. The
Civil Court, Himmatnagar has dismissed the applicant's
suit on 30/7/2010 by considering the facts that the
applicants are not the owner of the suit property and
not able to prove possession over the suit property.
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Being aggrieved by the order dtd.21/8/2006 passed by the
Deputy Collector, Himmatnagar, the Respondent Nos.3
and 4 are approached the Collector, Sabarkantha by way
of RTS/Revision/Case No.5/2007. The Collector,
Sabarkantha has without considering the facts and
grounds of the applicants, allowed the said application on
dtd.20/12/2010 by stating that civil suit field by the
applicant was not allowed which is illegal and against
the provisions of law. Against the said order the
applicants have field the regular civil apple no.28/10
before the district court, which was rejected by the
learned Principal District Judge, Sabarkantha
Himmatnagar dtd 15-09-2011. Therefore, being aggrieved
by and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and decree dtd.15.09.2011 below Ex. 25 passed by the Ld.
Principal District Judge, Sabarkantha at Himmatnagar in
Regular Civil Appeal No.28/2010, the present appeal is
preferred.
5. Learned advocate for the appellants has submitted
that the courts below have wrongly considered the fact
that the appellants are not the owners of the suit
property and failed to prove the possession over the suit
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property. Furthermore, she has submitted that the
learned Judge has not exercised their jurisdiction in
appropriate manner, which is vested in them by the
provisions of law. Furthermore, she has submitted that
appellant is a owner of the o-1 Guntha Land, in Block
No.111 situate at village Satem, Ta. Navsari, Dist.
Valsad, while she has an adverse possession over the
remaining land of the said block from the decade.
Furthermore, she has submitted that the land bearing
block No.110 belonging to Nathubhai is situated at
Northern side of Block No.111 and land bearing survey
No.112 belonging to Jivanbhai is situated on South-West
side of Block No.111. The public way is available on
Eastern side of block No.111. Furthermore, she has submitted that there is a depute regarding removal of
the obstruction on the public way. Furthermore, she has
submitted that the impugned order is against the settled
position of law and contrary to the facts and
circumstances as well as evidence on record.
Furthermore, she has submitted that the appellants
cannot be considered as a trace passer as she is having
the adverse possession from 50-60 years, and not making
any obstruction in the public way. Therefore, looking to
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over all circumstances, the appellants pray is entitled to
get the relief as prayed in the suit. Therefore, she has
prayed that in view of the substantial question of law,
which is framed in paragraph 5 of the appeal memo, the
present Second Appeal is required to be allowed.
6.1 I have considered the rival submissions made at the
bar by the respective parties. The substantial question of
law as framed in paragraph 5 are as under:
(a) Whether the appellant is the legal owner of the
suit property and actual the possession of the suit
property?
(b) Whether the appellant proves that the suit is
barred by miss-joinder and non-joinder of parties?
(c) Whether the appellant proves that the suit is
barred for not giving statutory notice?
6.2 In view of the submissions made at the bar that
the appellants have tried to urged the point regarding
miss-joinder and non-joinder of the parties, whether the
suit is barred or not, giving the statutory notice as well
as also regarding the actual ownership of the property in
question. For considering these aspects, I have perused
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the impugned judgment, which is rendered by the
learned Addl. Senior Civil Judge, Himmatnagar. The
learned Addl. Senior Civil Judge, Himmatnagar has
considered the documentary evidences as well as oral
evidences in paragraph 19 to 21 in its judgment, as
under:
(19) The plaintiffs have adduced the following oral and documentary evidences to prove the facts stated in the plaint.
Sr.No. Subject Exhibit
Affidavit on oath of Bhavarlal Ganeshji Exh. 38
Affidavit on oath of Soni Hasmikhbhai Chimanbhai
Certified copy of order passed in RTS 45/06
True copy of sale deed dated 04/0/87
True copy of sale deed No. 1018 dated 04/06/87
True copy of registered sale deed No. 162 dated 24/01/1960
True copy of sale deed executed on 24/01/1960
"Akani Patra" (2001 to 2003)
True copy of "Akarni Patra" (2003-2004)
Closing purses
(20) The defendant no. 1 has produced the following oral and documentary
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evidences to rebut the case of plaintiffs.
Sr.No. Subject Exhibit
Affidavit on oath by Sanjaykumar Manubhai Pandya
Certified copy of N. A. order dated 15 /09/1978
True copy of NA plan
Village form 7/12 of plot no. 7
Village form 7/12 of plot no. 8
Village form no. 6 showing entry nos. 334, 554, 456 and 506
N. A. order dated 08-/09/1994
Village form no.6 showing entry nos. 1019 and 1020
Village form no.6 showing entry nos. 1024 and 1025
Resolution No. 19(1) dated 13/6/2000
Resolution passed by Ayojan Samiti bearing no. 19(1) and 30
Letter of intimation sent to plaintiffs dated 29/06/2000
Office copy of intimation sent to plaintiffs dated 30/8/2000
Resolution No. 643 dated 02/07/2001 passed by Managing committee of N. P.
Intimation letter dated 30/7/20001
Akarani Patrak for the year 1999-2000 and 2000-
2004 of property bearing no. 12/1326
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Office copy of notice given to plaintiffs
Order passed by by Hon'ble High Court in Special Civil Application Nos. 11646/07 and 11647/07
(21) The defendant nos 2 to 5 have produced the following oral and documentary evidences.
Sr.No. Subject Exhibit
Affidavit on oath of Patel Vijubhai Khimjibhai
Affidavit on oath Patel Natubhai Kanjibhai
Amended document dated 30/03/2000
4. 105 & 115 Closing purses
6.3 Thereafter, the trial court has farmed the issues
and decided the same as mentioned in paragraph 22 &
23 of the memo of the appeal, as under:
(22) My Learned Predecessor Judge has framed following issues vide Exh. 31 which are re-produced herein below.
ISSUES
1. Whether the plaintiffs prove that they have legally owner of the suit property?
2. Whether plaintiffs prove that they have actually possession of the suit property?
3. Whether the defendants prove that suit is barred by mis-joinder and non-
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joinder of parties?
4. Whether the defendant no.1 prove that suit is barred for not giving statutory notice?
5. Whether the defendants prove that plaintiffs have no right to file such suit?
6. Whether plaintiffs entitle to get the relief as prayed?
7. What order and decree ?
(23) My replies to the above issues are as under: -
(1) In negative
(2) In negative
(3) In affirmative
(4) In affirmative
(5) In affirmative
(6) In negative
(7) As per final order
6.4 In light of this background, it is imperative to
consider the findings given by the trial court when
deciding such issues. The appellants' contention, as the
original applicants, is that the suit primarily seeks
declaration and injunction as prayed. It is crucial to
examine the defendants' case in response, as presented
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through their written statements. Defendant No.1 has
submitted a comprehensive written statement at Exh.22,
contending that the plaintiffs lack the legal standing to
bring the suit. They have further contested the
ownership claimed by the plaintiffs and have disputed
the boundaries delineated in the plaint. It is also
contended that initially the name of the plaintiffs were
entered into the record maintained by defendant no.1
and that names of plaintiffs, entered in record, was
maintained by them on the basis of Pencil entry made
by village accountant, but subsequent to entering the
names of plaintiffs on the basis of Pencil entry,
defendant no.1 asked for certified entry from village
accountant by way of written communication and Talati
has intimated the defendant no.1 that entry Nos.1024
and 1025 were cancelled as plaintiffs have produced
amendment sale deed, whereby, they have purchased plot
No.16/A instead of plot No.8. Upon defendant No.1
receiving the letter from Talati stating out the above
mentioned facts. The defendant no.1 by way of general
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Resolution No. 643 dated 02/07/2001 cancelled the entry
by which the names of plaintiffs were mutated in the
record maintained by defendant no.1. It is also contended
in the written statement that plaintiffs herein had
sought permission of Nagarpalika to carry out the
construction, but permission was never granted as a road
was existing on the site, and without obtaining
permission, the plaintiffs had carried out some
construction which was removed. It is contended that the
permission sought by plaintiffs herein pursuant to the
said premises, was refused by Resolution No. 19(1) dated
13.06.2000, and the fact regarding refusal of construction
permission was also communicated by letter bearing
outward No.1025. It is further contended that the
plaintiffs herein have no title over the land on which
the road passes, but with a view to create title,
plaintiffs have filed the Suit by suppressing material
facts. It also transpires that considering these last
aspects, the suit of the plaintiff and averments made in
the pliant as well as written statement made by the
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defendant, the trial court has decided the issues and has
rightly come to the conclusion by appropriating oral as
well as documentary evidence. The trial court has after
considering the deposition as well as cross-examination of
the various witnesses, like Hasmukhlal Chimanlal Soni
and plaintiff himself had come to the conclusion that
the sellers in sale deeds which are on record vide Exh.
52 & 53 did not have any right or title to alienate the
property which was subject matter of sale deeds on
record vide Exh. 54 and 55 and, therefore, the Court has
found that since Soni Hasmukhlal Chimanlal had no title
or right to convey the property, which was subject
matter of sale deeds vide Exh. 54 and 55, no title was
conveyed to plaintiff Nos.1 & 2 by way of registered sale
deed and, therefore, plaintiff has not been able to prove
his legal ownership over the suit property. The trial
court has also found the proceeding of RTS Appeal No.45
of 2006, which indicates the plaintiff's possession over
the suit property. But the plaintiff has admitted in his
cross examination that the cabin installed on suit land
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has been removed. Considering the same admission on
behalf of the plaintiff, though it transpires that plaintiff
was in possession of the suit land once upon a time, but
subsequently, he was removed from the possession of the
suit property and now he is not in possession of the suit
property, as there is existing road on the suit land and
the cabin has also been removed.
6.5 Therefore, the trial court has also found that the
suit, which is filed by the plaintiff, is raised for non-
issuance of statutory notice to Nagarpalika. The trial
court has also found that the plaintiffs have miserably
failed in establishing ownership on the suit property. It
is settled law that one does not convey a better title
then what he has and when one has no title, none is
conveyed. It is observed that the plaintiffs have made a
feeble attempt to establish the legality of their ownership
by examining Hasmukhbhai Chimanbhai. This witness
has admitted in his cross-examination that sale deeds
which are on record vide Exh. 53 and 52 by which he
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had purchased suit property which wan executed in the
year 1987 and he had also admitted that sale deed on
record vide Exh. 52 shows the name of Aminabibi as
seller and sale deed vide Exh. 53 shows the name of
Chhaganlal Bechardas Darji as seller. Thus, the person
from whom he had purchased suit property did not have
title over suit property and could not have sold the suit
property and, therefore, the trial court has dismissed the
suit. It also transpires that the appellate court has also
considered the relevant aspects of the matter and has
framed the four points for determination in paragraph
12, and findings are also indicated in paragraph 13,
which are as under:
12. Heard learned Advocate Ms. K.R. Soni for the He
8/22 respondent-defendant No.1 and Advocate Mr. R.C.
Joshi for respondent-defendant Nos.2 to 5. produced his
written argument, which is at Exh.24. The points raised
for consideration of this Court are as under:
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POINTS
1. Whether the appellants prove that the Trial
Court has erred in plaintiffs have not deciding been that
successful the in proving that they are the legal owners
and in actual possession of the suit property?
2. Whether the appellants prove that the Trial
Court has erred in deciding that the suit is barred by
mis-joinder and non-joinder of the parties?
3. Whether the appellants prove that the Trial
Court has erred in deciding that the suit is barred for
not giving statutory notice and that the plaintiffs have
no right to file the suit.
4. What order?
13. My findings on the above points are as under for
the reasons following thereafter:
FINDINGS
1. In negative.
2. In negative.
3. In negative.
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4. As per final order.
6.6.1 On perusal of the order of the lower appellate
court, it transpires that the lower Appellate Court has
once again perused the entire material available on
record and re-appreciated the evidence in detail as an
appellate court and has observed in paragraph 24, as
under:
24. The plaintiffs have produced the attested copy of the
order passed by the Deputy Collector, Himatnagar in
RTS Appeal No.45/2006 at Exh.59 to support their claim
of their possession on the suit land. The documentary
evidence along with the oral deposition of the witnesses
clearly show that the plaintiffs have no legal right, title,
interests on the suit property. It has been stated by the
Chief Officer plaintiff in his had examination-in-chief
asked for the that permission the of construction by
producing the correction deed No.162 stating plot No.8 to
be read as plot No.16-A and on local inspection, it was
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found that at the suit place Nagarpalika had already
made a metal road and the place for which the
permission was sought for was a part of the road.
Bence, the cabin and the shed made of metal was
removed on 12.06.2000.
It has been held by this Court in case of
Vitthalbhai Chhaganbhai (since deceased)
through his legal representative Navnitbhai Vs.
State of Gujarat and Ors. reported in 2008 (4)
GLR 3522, that Section 185, Sub Section 2 of
the Gujarat Municipalities Act 1963, empowers
the Chief Officer of the Municipality to remove
obstruction made on Municipal land, whether
the obstruction was made before or after the
application of the Act to the term in question.
The said road appears to have been used by the
public since long. The Nagarpalika had made metal road.
It appears to have been dedicated to the public. Hence,
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the contention of the advocate к.к. Patel that the.к.к. Patel that the. Patel that the
Nagarpalika has not followed the procedure laid down
under Section 69 of the Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963
would not be tenable and as observed by the Hon'ble
High Court in Vitthalbhai Chhaganbhai's case (supra) the
Chief Officer, is empowered to remove the obstructions
made on the Municipal Land. Hence, in view of the
above discussion, point No.1 is answered in negative.
6.6.2 Thereafter, on point No.2 in its judgment, it is
observed in paragraph 25 by the trial court, as under:
25. The contention of the defendant Nos. 2 to 5 with
regard to nonjoinder of parties was with respect to not
joining one of the co-owners Moksingh Bhikusing
Parmar of the shop owned by defendant Nos. 2 to 5. It
appears from the dispute between the parties that
Moksingh Bhikusing Parmar is one of the proper
parties to be joined to the suit. The learned Advocate
had put some questions in cross examination with
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respect to the ownership of plot No.8, the original
owner Rasikbhai Ravjibhai Patel had sold the plot No.7
and 8 to Dilipkumar Nalinkant Gandhi, Jagdishchandra
Harishchandra Choksi, Shrichand Dwarkadas Talreja,
Ishwarlal Ganpatlal Patel and Dwarkesh Complex has
been constructed by them. They are the necessary and
proper parties to the suti. The plaintiff ought to have
joined them. The village form No.6 with Entry No.506
clearly shows them, as the owner of plot No.8, more so
it has come on record during the evidence of the Chief
Officer that they had made construction on the plot of
Dwarkesh Complex. They were the proper and necessary
party. They were required to be heard for the
adjudication of the reliefs claimed by the plaintiffs.
Hence, the Trial Court has rightly observed that the suit
of the plaintiffs is bad for mis-joinder and non-joinder of
the necessary parties. Hence, point No.2 is answered in
negative.
6.6.3 On point no.3, the trial court has observed in
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paragraph 26, as under:
26. Advocate Κ.Κ. Patel has contended statutory notice.Κ.Κ. Patel has contended statutory notice. Patel has contended statutory notice
was required to be that issued no to defendant No.1
prior to filing the suit against them, as the rights of the
plaintiffs were infringed by the defendant. The Trial
Court has observed that the plaintiff has admitted in the
cross examination that no statutory notice was issued by
them to the Municipality before instituting the suit.
Itappears from the evidence on record that the suit was
filed on 22.01.2002 and the cabin was removed by the
Chief Officer, on 12.06.2000, the fact regarding the date
of removal has not been challenged in the cross-
examination. The plaintiff had come with the cause of
action that the defendant Nos. 2 to 5 through defendant
No.1 were creating hindrance in their construction of the
compound wall. As per the evidence of the Chief Officer,
no permission was given to the plaintiffs for the
construction of the compound wall. In view of the fact,
the suit filed without issuing statutory notice to the
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Nagarpalika is bad in law. Thus, the Trial Court has
rightly observed that the suit is barred for not giving
statutory notice. The plaintiffs have failed to show their
legal right, title, interests on the suit property. They
have not bonafidely purchased the suit land. The claim
put forward is for the margin land of the plot belonging
to Dilipkumar Nalinkant Gandhi, Jagdishchandra
Harishchandra Choksi, Shrichand Dwarkadas Talreja,
Ishwarlal Ganpatlal Patel and therefore, the observation
of the Trial Court that the plaintiffs have no right to
file the suit is upheld. Hence, point No.3 is answered in
negative.
6.7 After considering the above findings, both the courts
below have given cogent and convincing reasons. While
exercising powers under Section 100 of the Civil
Procedure Code, the Court has to keep in mind the
certain aspect.
6.8 Section 100 of the Civil Procedure Code reads as
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under:
100. Second appeal.--(1) Save as otherwise expressly
provided in the body of this Code or by any other law
for the time being in force, an appeal shall lie to the
High Court from every decree passed in appeal by any
Court subordinate to the High Court, if the High Court
is satisfied that the case involves a substantial
question of law.
(2) An appeal may lie under this section from an
appellate decree passed ex parte.
(3) In an appeal under this section, the memorandum
of appeal shall precisely state the substantial question
of law involved in the appeal.
(4) Where the High Court is satisfied that a
substantial question of law is involved in any case, it
shall formulate that question.
(5) The appeal shall be heard on the question so
formulated and the respondent shall, at the hearing of
the appeal, be allowed to argue that the case does not
involve such question:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be
deemed to take away or abridge the power of the
Court to hear, for reasons to be recorded, the appeal
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on any other substantial question of law, not
formulated by it, if it is satisfied that the case involves
such question.
STATE AMENDMENT
Kerala.
In sub-section (1) of section 100 of the Principal Act,
after clause (c), the following clause shall be added,
namely:
(d) the finding of the lower appellate court on any
question of fact material to the right decision of the
case on the merits being in conflict with the finding of
the Court of first instance on such question.
6.9 It is relevant to refer some of the judgment of the
Hon'ble Apex Court, regarding exercising of powers under
Section 100 of the C.P.C., in the case of Narayana
Gramani and Others versus Mariammal and Others
reported in 2018 SCC OnLine SC 1427, the relevant
observations in para 17 reads as under:
"Subsection (1) of Section 100 says that
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the second appeal would be entertained by the High
Court only if the High Court is
"satisfied" that the case involves a "substantial
question of law". Sub section (3) makes it obligatory
upon the appellant to precisely state in memo of
appeal the "substantial question of law" involved
in the appeal. Subsection (4) provides that
where the High Court is satisfied that
any substantial question of law is involved in the case,
it shall formulate that question. In other words, once
the High Court is satisfied after hearing the appellant
or his counsel, as the case may be,
that the appeal involves a substantial
question of law, it has to formulate that
question and then direct issuance of notice
to the respondent of the memo of appeal along with
the question of law framed by the
High Court. Subsection (5) provides that the appeal
shall be heard only on the question
formulated by the High Court under sub-
section (4). In other words, the jurisdiction of the
High Court to decide the second appeal
is confined only to the question framed
by the High Court under subsection(4). The
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respondent, however, at the time of hearing
of the appeal is given a right under sub-
section (5) to raise an objection that
the question framed by the High Court under sub-
section (4) does not involve in the appeal. The reason
for giving this right to the respondent for raising such
objection at the time of hearing is
because the High Court frames the question
at the admission stage which is prior to issuance
of the notice of appeal to the respondent.
In other words, the question is framed behind the back of respondent and, therefore, sub section(5) enables him to raise such
objection at the time of hearing that the question
framed does not arise in the appeal. The proviso to
subsection (5), however, also recognizes the power of
the High Court to hear the appeal on any other
substantial question of law which was not initially
framed by the High Court under sub section (4).
However, this power can be exercised by the High
Court only after assigning the reasons for
framing such additional question of law at the time of
hearing of the appeal. (See Sanatosh
Hazari vs. Purushottam Tiwari [(2001) 3 SCC
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179] and Surat Singh vs. Siri Bhagwan & Ors.
[(2018) 4 SCC 562"
6.10 In light of the above considerations, and
examining the specifics of the case at hand, I am of the
view that both the courts below have rightly come to the
conclusion that the plaintiffs have failed to establish
their legal ownership despite presenting oral evidence
and documentary evidence, except the sale deed, which is
thereafter clarified by the courts below by interpreting
those documents that when the predecessor-in-title of the
plaintiffs are not having any right of ownership from
that very document, the plaintiffs cannot get better title
than that of regarding the suit property. Furthermore, as
the suit property is being the public nature of the
property in question, the findings given by the courts
below while deciding the issues framed by the trial court
and the points of determination set forth by the Lower
Appellate Court, align with legal principles. Hence, I am
of the opinion that there appears to be no error in the
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consideration of documents and oral evidence, nor in the
determination that no substantial question is raised in
this appeal. Therefore, it is my opinion that this Second
Appeal lacks merit and is required to be dismissed.
6.11 Accordingly, the present Second Appeal is
dismissed with no order as to costs.
(SANDEEP N. BHATT,J) DIWAKAR SHUKLA
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