Wednesday, 13, May, 2026
 
 
 
Expand O P Jindal Global University
 
  
  
 
 
 

G N Lakshminarayana vs Sharadamma W/O Late G C Channappa
2023 Latest Caselaw 8272 Kant

Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 8272 Kant
Judgement Date : 24 November, 2023

Karnataka High Court

G N Lakshminarayana vs Sharadamma W/O Late G C Channappa on 24 November, 2023

                                                  -1-
                                                          NC: 2023:KHC:42551
                                                        RSA No. 1298 of 2007




                        IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

                         DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023

                                            BEFORE

                           THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ASHOK S.KINAGI

                   REGULAR SECOND APPEAL NO. 1298 OF 2007 (DEC)

                   BETWEEN:

                   1.    G N LAKSHMINARAYANA
                         S/O LATE G.C. NANJUNDAIAH

                         SINCE DEAD BY HIS LR'S

                   1A. K.R. LASMIDEVI
                       W/O G.N. LAKSHMINARAYANA

                   1B. G.L. SHIVAKUMAR
                       S/O G.N. LAKSHMINARAYANA

                   1C. G.L. SHANKAR
                       S/O G.N. LAKSHMINARAYANA

Digitally signed   2.    G N KRISHNA MURTHY
by R DEEPA               S/O LATE G.C.NANJUNDAIAH
Location: High           AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS,
Court of
Karnataka          3.    G N MANJUNATH
                         S/O LATE G.C.NANJUNDAIAH
                         AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS,

                         APPELLANTS 1(A-C), 2, 3 ARE
                         R/AT No.121
                         MARKET ROAD
                         DODDABALLAPURA TOWN
                         BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT.
                           -2-
                                     NC: 2023:KHC:42551
                                  RSA No. 1298 of 2007




4.   G N VENKATESH
     S/O LATE G.C.NANJUNDAIAH
     SINCE DEAD BY HIS LR'S

4A. SMT. MANGALAGOWRAMMA K.N.
    AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS
    W/O LATE G.N. VENKATESH

4B. VASANTH KUMAR G.V.
    AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS
    W/O LATE G.N. VENKATESH

4C. NITHIN G.V.
    AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS
    S/O LATE G.N. VENKATESH

     APPELLANTS 4A TO 4C ARE
     R/AT No.2669
     WARD No.3, 22ND DIVISION
     HEMAVATHI PETE
     DODDABALLAPURA TOWN
     BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 561 203

5.   G N RAMACHANDRA @ RAMU
     S/O LATE G.C.NANJUNDAIAH
     SINCE DEAD BY HIS LR'S

5A. G.R. PRASHANTH
    AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS
    S/O LATE G.N. RAMACHANDRA @ RAMU

5B. NAVEEN G.R.
    AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS
    S/O LATE G.N. RAMACHANDRA @ RAMU

5C. G.R. ROOPASHREE
    AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS
    D/O LATE G.N. RAMACHANDRA @ RAMU

     APPELLANTS 5A TO 5C ARE
     R/AT No.2669
     WARD No.3, 22ND DIVISION
                            -3-
                                       NC: 2023:KHC:42551
                                    RSA No. 1298 of 2007




     HEMAVATHI PETE
     DODDABALLAPURA TOWN
     BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 561 203

                                            ...APPELLANTS

(BY SRI. SHIVASHANKAR, ADVOCATE FOR A1(B&C), A2, A3
    SRI. ARAVIND REDDY H., ADVOCATE FOR A1(B,C), A2, A3
    AND ALSO FOR LR'S OF A4(A-C) & LR'S OF A5 AS A5(A-C)

AND:

1.   SHARADAMMA
     W/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     SINCE DEAD BY HIS LR'S

2.   G C SHIVANANDA
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     SINCE DEAD BY HIS LR'S

2A   SMT. D.K. SUMITHRA
     W/O LATE SIVANANDA
     AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS

2B   BAGYALAKSHMI
     D/O LATE SIVANANDA
     AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS

2C   SRIDEVI
     D/O LATE SIVANANDA
     AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS

2D   RAKSHITH
     S/O LATE SIVANANDA
     AGED MAJOR

     LR'S 2A TO 2D ARE R/AT
     No.580, BALAJI RESIDENCY
     DEAL HOME TOWNSHIP
     RAJARAJESHWARINAGAR
     BENGALURU - 560 098.
                           -4-
                                        NC: 2023:KHC:42551
                                      RSA No. 1298 of 2007




3.   G C PRAKASH
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS

4.   G C SRINIVAS
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS

5.   G C CHOWDAPPA
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS

6.   G C SHIVAKUMAR
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS

7.   G C PARAMESH
     S/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS

     RESPONDENTS 1 TO 7 ARE
     R/AT NO.1451, DEVARAJNAGAR,
     DODDABALLAPURA TOWN,
     BANGALORE RURAL DIST. - 561 203

8.   G C SOWBHAGYA
     D/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS,
     R/AT SHANTHINAGAR,
     MUTHYALAMMA TEMPLE ROAD,
     DODDABALLAPURA TOWN,
     BANGALORE RURAL DIST - 561 203

9.   G C RAJALAKSHMI
     D/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
     AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
     12TH CROSS, CUBBONPET,
     BANGALORE-560 002

10. G C MAHALAKSHMI
    D/O LATE G C CHANNAPPA
    AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS
                                 -5-
                                            NC: 2023:KHC:42551
                                          RSA No. 1298 of 2007




      R/AT BOMMASANDRA,
      D. PLAYA, GOWRIBIDANURU TQ.,
      KOLAR DIST. - 563 101
                                               ...RESPONDENTS

[(BY SRI. UMESH MOOLIMANI &
    SRI. SHIVAKUMAR SWAMY, ADVOCATE FOR
    SRI. S.V. PRAKASH, ADVOCATE FOR R2, R2(2), R2(3),
    R2(4), R3, R4-R8, R9 & R10
    VIDE ORDER DATED 25.05.2023 SERVICE HELD
    SUFFICIENT IN R/O R2(2) & R2(3) ARE LR'S OF DECEASED
    R2(1)]

     THIS RSA IS FILED U/S 100 OF CPC AGAINST THE
JUDGEMENT AND DECREE DATED 11.01.2007 PASSED IN
RA.NO.48/2002(OLD.NO.94/00) ON THE FILE OF THE CIVIL
JUDGE (SR.DN.) DODDABALLAPUR, DISMISSING THE APPEAL
AND CONFIRMING THE JUDGEMENT AND DECREE DT.
15.04.2000 PASSED IN OS.NO.226/1989 ON THE FILE OF THE
ADDL.CIVIL JUDGE (JR.DN.) & JMFC DODDABALLAPURA.

     THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR FINAL HEARING, THIS
DAY, THE COURT DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

                         JUDGMENT

This second appeal is filed by the appellants challenging

the judgment and decree dated 11.01.2007, passed in

R.A.No.48/2002 (Old No.94/2000) by the Civil Judge (Sr. Dn.),

Doddaballapura, confirming the judgment and decree dated

15.04.2000 passed in O.S.No.226/1989 by the Additional Civil

Judge (Jr. Dn.) Doddaballapura.

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

2. For the sake of conveniences parties are referred to as

per their ranking before the trial Court. The appellants are the

defendants and respondents are the plaintiffs.

3. The brief facts leading rise to filing of this appeal are

as under:

The plaintiffs filed a suit for declaration of title and

permanent injunction. It is contended that one original

propositus Gutte Chowdappa had two wives. Out of wedlock

through first wife, Sri G.C.Nanjunda Murthy was born and out

of the wedlock through second wife Thimmakka, they had three

sons namely G.C.Channappa, G.C.Nanjunda Murthy and

Gurunanjunda Murthy. The said Gutte Chowdappa died about

25 years back leaving behind his children. During his lifetime,

himself and his sons were residing jointly and possessing

movable and other immovable property belongs to joint family

and they acquired some of the property out of earnings from

the joint family property. During the lifetime of said Gutte

Chowdappa, he had decided to partition the joint family

property. Accordingly, the Panchayath partition was effected on

12.09.1951 and the Panchayath palupatti was drawn which was

signed by Gutte Chowdappa and his sons and on the very same

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

day, the Will was also executed by Gutte Chowdappa. In the

said partition, 'A' schedule property of the panchayath palupatti

was allotted to the share of G.C.Channappa i.e., the husband of

plaintiff No.1 and father of plaintiff Nos.2 to 10 and 'B' schedule

property of the panchayath palupatti was allotted to the share

of G.C.Nanjundamurthy and the remaining property was

retained by Gutte Chowdappa and G.C.Nanjunda as both of

them wanted to continue to live jointly. Since from the date of

partition, the members of the family started to live separately

by enjoying their respective shares allotted to them. It is

contended that apart from 'A' schedule property to the

panchayath palupatti, two houses and vacant site was allotted

to the share of G.C.Channappa. During the lifetime of

G.C.Channappa, he was in peaceful possession and enjoyment

of the suit schedule property along with the plaintiffs. He died

in the year 1985 leaving behind the plaintiffs and the plaintiffs

have succeeded to the suit schedule property and after the

death of G.C.Channappa, the property was transferred in the

name of the plaintiffs and the plaintiffs are paying the tax. It is

contended that the defendants have no right, title or interest

over the suit schedule property. The defendants tried to

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

interfere into the peaceful possession. The plaintiffs lodged a

complaint against the defendants and the criminal case was

registered against the defendants. Inspite of it, the defendants

have not given up the illegal acts. Hence, cause of action arose

for the plaintiffs to file a suit for declaration of title and

permanent injunction.

4. Defendant No.1 filed the written statement denying

the averments made in the plaint and other defendants

adopted the same. It is denied that the Gutte Chowdappa died

about 25 years back. It is admitted that on 12.09.1951 there

was a partition in the joint family properties and at the time,

Will was executed by Gutte Chowdappa on 06.05.1952 and not

on 12.09.1951 as claimed by the plaintiffs in the plaint. The

said Will was executed by late Gutte Chowdappa in favour of

mother of the defendants, which includes the schedule landed

property. Further, it is contended that in the partition it is not

clear whether late G.C.Channappa bequeathed the suit

schedule property. It is contended that the defendants are not

aware about the property given to the other uncles of the

defendants i.e., G.C.Najundamurthy and

G.C.Gurunanjundamurthy. It is admitted that the remaining

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

property was retained by the grandfather i.e., Gutte

Chowdappa among other movables and immovable properties,

which include the suit schedule property. It is contended that

the plaintiffs have created panchayath palupatti. Further, it is

contended that the suit schedule landed property is in

possession and enjoyment of the father of the defendants and

all the revenue records clearly go to establish that it is in his

possession. Thereafter, the father of the defendants died and

the suit schedule property is in peaceful possession and

enjoyment of the defendants' mother Smt. Gowramma and the

entire documents are still in her name. It is contended that on

20.03.1963, late G.C.Channappa executed a sale agreement in

the presence of his brother agreeing to sell the suit schedule

property in favour of father of the defendants for valuable

consideration and since then, the defendants father and after

his death his wife i.e., these defendants' mother are in peaceful

possession and enjoyment of the same and cultivating the land

even today without any interruption. It is contended that some

of the documents are with the plaintiffs and the said documents

were got created by the plaintiffs. The legal notice was issued

to the Government for issuing a false revenue documents in

- 10 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

favour of the plaintiffs. It is contended that the plaintiffs have

no right, title or interest over the schedule property and there

is no cause of action to file a suit. It is contended that the first

plaintiff's husband and father of late G.C.Channappa executed a

sale agreement and took release from 20.03.1963 the date on

which the possession was handed over to the father of the

defendants. It is contended that the defendants dug-up a well

and constructed the same by obtaining a loan from P.L.D.

Bank. The suit land in question does not belongs to the

plaintiffs. Hence, prayed to dismiss the suit.

5. Defendant Nos.2 to 4 filed a memo adopting the

written statement filed by defendant No.1.

6. The plaintiffs filed a re-joinder to the written

statement filed by defendant No.1 denying the contents of the

written statement and prayed to decree the suit.

7. The Trial Court, on the basis of the above said

pleadings, framed the following issues:

1. Whether the plaintiffs prove that the suit schedule property was allotted to the share of

- 11 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

deceased G.C.Channappa in a partition dated 12.09.1951?

2. Whether the plaintiffs prove that ever since from the date of partition, they are in exclusive possession and enjoyment of the suit schedule property without any interference?

3. Whether the plaintiffs prove that there was an interference from the defendants?

4. Whether the defendants prove that the plaint schedule property was not allotted to the share of deceased G.C.Channappa?

5. Whether the defendants prove that they have perfected their title to the suit schedule property by way of adverse possession?

6. Whether the defendants prove that deceased G.C.Channappa had executed an agreement to sell dated 20.03.1963 in favour of their father in respect of the suit schedule property agreeing to sell the same?

7. Whether the defendants prove that the suit is bad for non-joinder of necessary party?

8. What decree or order?

- 12 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

8. In order to prove the case of the plaintiffs, the

plaintiff Nos.1 and 2 examined themselves as PW-1 and PW-2

and got examined three witnesses as PW-3 to PW-5 and got

marked 6 documents as Exs.P1 to P6. Defendant No.3

examined as DW-1 and got examined two witnesses as DW-2 &

DW-3 and got marked 15 documents as Exs.D1 to D15. The

trial Court on assessment of oral and documentary evidence,

answered issue Nos.1 to 3 in the affirmative, issue Nos.4 to 7

in the negative and issue No.8 as per final order and

consequently, decreed the suit of the plaintiffs. It is ordered

and declared that the plaintiffs are the absolute owners of the

suit schedule property. The defendants are restrained by way of

permanent injunction from interfering with plaintiffs' peaceful

possession and enjoyment of the suit schedule property.

9. The defendants aggrieved by the judgment and

decree passed in the above said suit, filed an appeal in

R.A.No.48/2002(New) R.A.No.94/2000(old) before the Civil

Judge (Sr. Dn.), Doddaballapura. The First Appellate Court,

after hearing the parties, has framed the following points for

consideration:

- 13 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

"Whether the impugned judgment and decree of the trial Court is illegal, arbitrary, perverse or contrary to the facts and circumstances of the case calling for interference?"

10. The First Appellate Court, on re-assessment of the

oral and documentary evidence placed on record by the parties,

answered point in the negative and consequently, dismissed

the appeal filed by the defendants, confirming the judgment

and decree passed by the trial Court. The defendants,

aggrieved by the judgments and decrees passed by the courts

below, have filed this second appeal.

11. This court admitted the appeal on the following

substantial question of law :

1. Whether the courts below were correct and justified in decreeing the suit holding that there was partition of the joint family properties on

12.09.1951 as per exhibit P1 without considering the rebuttal evidence placed by the defendants by producing exhibit D1 to D15 to dispute the same?

2. Whether the courts below were correct in decreeing the suit without taking into consideration the evidence produced by the

- 14 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

defendants regarding possession of defendants over the suit schedule property?

3. Whether lower appellate court was justified in dismissing the application filed by defendants/appellants for additional evidence?

12. Heard learned counsel for the defendants and

learned counsel for the plaintiffs.

13. Learned counsel for the defendants submits that the

plaintiffs have failed to prove the partition alleged to have been

taken place on 12.09.1951. He submits that the defendants are

in possession of the suit schedule property. Further, he submits

that the defendants have produced the documents Exs.D1 to

D15 to establish that the defendants are in possession of the

suit schedule property. He submits that though the Courts

below placed a reliance on Ex.P1, has passed the impugned

judgments and decrees. He submits that Ex.P1 is inadmissible

in evidence. The Courts below have committed an error in

placing a reliance on inadmissible document. He further

submits that the Courts below have not properly appreciated

the evidence of the defendants. Hence, on these grounds, he

prays to allow the appeal.

- 15 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

14. Per contra, learned counsel for the plaintiffs submits

that there was a partition between the plaintiffs and the

defendants amongst the family members of the plaintiffs and

the defendants on 12.09.1951 and the said partition was

reduced into writing on 12.09.1951. He further submits that the

said fact was admitted by DW.3 in the course of cross-

examination. The trial Court considering the admission of DW.3

and Ex.P1 has rightly held that there was a partition between

the family members of the plaintiffs and the defendants and the

same was reduced into writing as per Ex.P1. On the strength of

Ex.P1, names of family members were entered in the revenue

records. Subsequently, the defendants got deleted the names

of the parties in the revenue records. He further submits that

though the plaintiffs have produced Ex.P1 also filed an

application before the trial Court seeking a direction to

defendant No.1 to produce the original of Ex.P1. Though the

Court has passed an order but the defendant No.1 did not filed

a memo stating that defendant No.1 is not in possession of

original Ex.P1. He further submits that DW.3 in the course of

cross-examination has admitted that he possess original of

Ex.P1 and there is no difficulty in producing original of Ex.P1.

- 16 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

Hence, he submits that defendant No.1 has not produced the

original of Ex.P1 and the trial Court has rightly drawn an

adverse inference against defendant No.1 and rightly passed

the impugned judgment. Hence, the judgment and decree

passed by the trial Court is just and proper and does not call

for any interference. Hence, he prays to dismiss the appeal.

15. Perused the records and considered the

submissions of learned counsel for the parties.

16. Substantial questions of law Nos.1 to 3:

Substantial question of law Nos.1 to 3 are taken together for

common discussion as they are interlinked with each other.

17. Plaintiff Nos.1 and 2 were examined themselves as

PW.1 and PW.2 and reiterated the plaint averments in the

examination-in-chief and contended that there was a partition

in the family of the plaintiffs and defendants on 12.09.1951 and

the suit schedule properties were fallen to the share of

deceased G.C.Channappa and document was executed. The

said document was marked as Ex.P1. From the perusal of

Ex.P1, the said land bearing Sy.No.61/3 measuring 1 acre 37

- 17 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

guntas was allotted to the share of first plaintiff's husband

along with other properties. On the strength of Ex.P1, first

plaintiff's husband name was entered in the revenue records. In

order to prove the case of the plaintiffs, the plaintiffs have

produced Ex.P2 which stands in the name of the first plaintiff's

husband in the year 1986-87 and after his demise, the katha

was changed in the name of the plaintiffs and further the

plaintiffs have produced Exs.P5 and 6 i.e., the record of rights,

which discloses the suit schedule property was standing in the

name of first plaintiff's husband. Further, the plaintiffs in order

to prove the relationship between the parties, examined PW.3

to PW.5, who have deposed that there was a partition between

the family members on 12.09.1951 and as per partition deed,

the parties were put in possession of their respective shares

and on the basis of the said partition, the names of the

respective parties were entered in the revenue records. In

rebuttal, DW.3 was examined and he has deposed that the said

land belongs to the defendants as his father was growing

several crops like ragi etc. Further, he has deposed that there

was a partition in the year 1951. He admits about the partition

but disputes that the property allotted to the share of husband

- 18 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

of plaintiff No.1 was not the suit land, but the different land and

further deposed that G.C.Channappa had executed an

agreement of sale in respect of suit property in favour of his

elder brother i.e., the father of defendants on 20.03.1963 and

after the death of father, the defendants continued to be in

possession over the suit schedule property and further deposed

that the defendants are in exclusive possession without any

interference by the plaintiffs and they have acquired the title by

way of adverse possession and the defendants are in

possession of the suit schedule property for more than 40 to 45

years. Further, in order to prove the possession over the suit

schedule property, the defendants examined one witness, who

has deposed that the defendants are in possession of the suit

schedule property for more than 40 to 45 years. The trial Court

discarded the evidence of DW.2 on the ground that DW.1 in his

cross-examination has stated that the defendants are not

cultivating the suit property personally now, it is cultivated by

Virupakshappa and Shivanna on vara i.e., Will and further, he

has stated that they are cultivating the suit land for more than

12 years. Further, the defendants have not examined the

persons, who are cultivating the land on their behalf. From the

- 19 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

perusal of the records it is clear that there was a partition

between G.C.Channappa and his brothers. In the said partition,

the suit schedule property was fallen to the share of father of

the plaintiffs and the same was reduced into writing and

marked as Ex.P1. The execution of Ex.P1 has not been

seriously disputed by the defendants and further, DW.3 in the

course of cross-examination has clearly admitted that there

was a partition between the family members of the plaintiffs

and the defendants and the same was reduced into writing as

per Ex.P1. At one stretch, the defendants denied the partition

dated 12.09.1951 and at another stretch, the defendants

contended that the father of the plaintiffs executed an

agreement of sale in favour of the defendants and the

defendants are in possession of suit property in part

performance of the contract.

18. Further, the defendants are also claiming title by

way of adverse possession. The defendants are in possession of

the suit schedule property and they have acquired the title by

way of adverse possession. In order to claim adverse

possession, the defendants first shall admit the title of the

plaintiffs over the suit schedule property and must establish

- 20 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

that the defendants are in possession and enjoyment of the suit

schedule property openly without interruption and without

obstruction for more than 12 years. I would like to place

reliance on the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case

of SHAKEEL AHMED VS. SYED AKHLAQ HUSSAIN in

C.A.No.1598/2023 disposed of on 01.11.2023, wherein the

Hon'ble Apex Court held that "no title could be transferred with

respect to immovable properties on the basis of an

unregistered Agreement to Sell or on the basis of an

unregistered General Power of Attorney". The Registration Act,

1908 clearly provides that a document which requires

compulsory registration under the Act, would not confer any

right, much less a legally enforceable right to approach a Court

of Law on its basis. Even if these documents i.e. the Agreement

to Sell and the Power of Attorney were registered, still it could

not be said that the respondent would have acquired title over

the property in question.

19. Admittedly, in the instant case, the plaintiffs have

denied the execution of the alleged agreement of sale and

further, the defendants have not filed any suit for relief of

specific performance of contract on the basis of alleged

- 21 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

agreement of sale and further, the defendants have failed to

prove that they are in possession of the suit schedule property

for more than 12 years without any interruption.

20. Further, the plaintiffs have contended that there

was a partition in the year 1951 and the same was reduced into

writing. The plaintiffs have produced the copy of panchayath

palupatti effected between the family members.

21. The plaintiffs have filed an application for

production of original Ex.P1. The said application came to be

allowed by the trial court. Pursuant to the order passed by the

trial Court, defendant No.1 filed a memo stating that defendant

No.1 is not in possession of original Ex.P.1. The trial court

permitted the plaintiffs to lead secondary evidence and

partition deed was marked as Exaz.P.1. Further, DW.3 in the

course of cross examination has clearly admitted that he is in

possession of the original Ex.P.1 and he has no difficulty in

producing Ex.P.1. The defendants inspite of admitting in the

course of cross examination have not produced original Ex.P.1.

Hence, for withholding of document, an adverse inference has

- 22 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

to be drawn against the defendants under section 114(g) of

Evidence Act, 1872. The Courts below were justified in placing

reliance on Ex.P.1 and has rightly come to a conclusion, that

there was partition in the joint family properties on 12.09.1951

as per Ex.P.1.

22. In rebuttal, the defendants have not produced any

records to show that there was no partition as alleged by the

plaintiffs in the plaint on 12.09.1951. Though the defendants

have produced Exs.D1 to D15, but from the admission of DW.3,

it is clear that he is in possession of original Ex.P.1. The trial

court was justified in declaining to consider Exs.D1 to D15.

Further, the plaintiffs have also produced the records to show

that by virtue of Ex.P.1, property fallen to the respective shares

were delivered to the respective parties. The trial court was

justified in recording the finding that on the basis of Ex.P.1, the

parties are in respective possession of respective shares and

the plaintiffs are in possession of the suit schedule property. In

view of the above discussion, I answer substantial question

Nos.1 and 2 in the affirmative.

- 23 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

23. Substantial question No.3: During the pendency of

the suit, the defendants filed an application for production of

additional documents under order 41 rule 27 of CPC. The first

appellate court has recorded a finding that from the perusal of

the documents produced along with the application, the said

documents are not related to the suit schedule property. The

object of filing the application under Order 41 Rule 27 of CPC is

not to fill up lacuna. In the instant case, by way of filing an

application for production of additional documents, they are

trying to fill up the lacuna which is not permissible in the eye of

law. In view of the Hon'ble Apex court in the case of

N.KAMALAM (DEAD) AND ANOTHER VS. AYYASAMY AND ANOTHER

reported in (2001) 7 SCC 503, held that additional evidence

cannot be produced to fill up lacuna or the gaps or to patch up

omissions in the appeal. The first appellate court considering

the law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court, rejected the

application filed by the defendants for production of additional

evidence. In view of the above discussion, I answer substantial

question No.3 in the affirmative. Hence, I do not find any

grounds to interfere with the impugned judgments and decrees

passed by the Courts below.

- 24 -

NC: 2023:KHC:42551

24. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following:

ORDER

The appeal is dismissed.

The judgments and decrees passed by the courts below are hereby confirmed.

No order as to the costs.

In view of disposal of the appeal, pending I.As, if any, do

not survive for consideration and are accordingly

disposed of.

Sd/-

JUDGE

SSB,SKS

 
Download the LatestLaws.com Mobile App
 
 
Latestlaws Newsletter
 

Publish Your Article

 

Campus Ambassador

 

Media Partner

 

Campus Buzz

 

LatestLaws Guest Court Correspondent

LatestLaws Guest Court Correspondent Apply Now!
 

LatestLaws.com presents: Lexidem Offline Internship Program, 2026

 

LatestLaws.com presents 'Lexidem Online Internship, 2026', Apply Now!

 
 

LatestLaws Partner Event : IJJ

 

LatestLaws Partner Event : Smt. Nirmala Devi Bam Memorial International Moot Court Competition

 
 
Latestlaws Newsletter