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Shri. Gurudatt Umesh Kulkarni vs Dinakar Ananth Kamath
2024 Latest Caselaw 1313 Kant

Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 1313 Kant
Judgement Date : 16 January, 2024

Karnataka High Court

Shri. Gurudatt Umesh Kulkarni vs Dinakar Ananth Kamath on 16 January, 2024

                                                     -1-
                                                               RSA No.6121 OF 2010
                                                           C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011


                                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

                                           DHARWAD BENCH


                             DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2024

                                                   BEFORE

                                THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ANIL B KATTI
                               REGULAR SECOND APPEAL NO.6121/2010

                                                    C/W

                               REGULAR SECOND APPEAL NO.5033/2011
                      IN RSA No.6121/2010

                      BETWEEN:

                      KRISHNAMURTHY HEBBAR
                      S/O.NARAYAN HEBBAR
                      AGE: ABOUT 50 YEARS
                      OCC: CHIEF EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR,
                      NAGARIKA KANNADA AND
MANJANNA              WEEKLY NEWS PAPER
E
                      R/O: HONNAVAR, POST: HONNAVAR
Digitally signed by
MANJANNA E            DISTRICT: UTTAR KANNADA
Date: 2024.01.24
15:44:07 +0530        PIN CODE: 581 334
                                                                        ...APPELLANT

                      (BY SRI.S.V.YAJI, ADVOCATE)

                      AND:

                      1.     DINAKAR KAMAT
                             S/O ANANT KAMAT
                             AGE:77 YEARS
                             OCC: PLEADER
                             R/O.JOGAMATH ROAD
                             MASTIKATTA
                             POST: HONNAVAR
                             TQ: HONNAVAR
                             DIST: UTTAR KANNADA
                             PIN CODE: 581 334
                                -2-
                                         RSA No.6121 OF 2010
                                     C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011



2.   GURUDATTA KULKARNI
     S/O.UMESH KULKARNI
     AGE: 47 YEARS
     OCC: CIVIL ENGINEER & CONTRACTOR
     R/O.RAMATEERTH ROAD
     POST: HONNAVAR
     TQ: HONNAVAR
     DIST: UTTAR KANNADA
     PIN CODE: 581 334
                                                ...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI.RAMACHANDRA V.BHAT, FOR
    SRI.F.V.PATIL, ADVOCATE FOR R1
    SRI.S.N.BANAKAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2)

                               ***

     THIS REGULAR SECOND APPEAL IS FILED U/S.100 OF CPC.,
PRAYING   TO   AGAINST   THE   JUDGMENT   AND   DECREE   DATED
06.10.2010 PASSED IN RA NO.9/2005 ON THE FILE OF SENIOR CIVIL
JUDGE, HONNAVAR, DISMISSING THE APPEAL FILED AGAINST THE
JUDGMENT DATED 26.10.2004 AND THE DECREE PASSED IN
O.S.NO.45/2000 ON THE FILE OF THE PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (JR. DN.)
HONNAVAR, PARTLY DECREEING THE SUIT FILED THE DAMAGES.


IN RSA No.5033/2011

BETWEEN:

SHRI. GURUDATT UMESH KULKARNI
AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS
OCC: CIVIL ENGINEER & CONTRACTOR
R/O.RAMATHIRTHA ROAD
HONNAVAR-581 334
TQ: HONNAVAR, DIST: KARWAR

                                                   ...APPELLANT

(BY SRI.S.N.BANAKAR AND
    SRI.M.B.GONDI AND
    SRI.LINGESH V.KATTEMANI AND
    SRI.R.A.SHIRGAONKAR, ADVOCATE)
                                -3-
                                         RSA No.6121 OF 2010
                                     C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011


AND:

1.     DINAKAR ANANTH KAMATH
       AGED ABOUT 77 YEARS
       OCC: AGRICULTURIST & PLEADER
       R/O.JOGAMATH ROAD, MASTI KATTA,
       HONNAVAR-581 334
       TQ: HONNAVAR
       DIST: KARWAR

2.     KRISHNAMURTHY NARAYAN HEBBAR
       AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS
       OCC: CHIEF EDITOR & PROPRIETOR
       NAGARIKA KANNADA WEEKLY
       AT & POST HONNAVAR-581 334
       TQ: HONNAVAR
       DIST: KARWAR
                                                    ...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI.VENKATESH M KHARVI, ADVOCATE FOR R1
    SRI.N.S.BHAT, ADVOCATE FOR R2)



                               ***


       THIS REGULAR SECOND APPEAL IS FILED U/S.100 OF CPC.,
PRAYING   TO   AGAINST   THE   JUDGMENT       AND   DECREE   DATED
06.10.2010 PASSED IN RA NO.09/2005 ON THE FILE OF SENIOR
CIVIL JUDGE, HONNAVAR, DISMISSING THE APPEAL FILED AGAINST
THE JUDGMENT AND DECREE DATED 26.10.2004 PASSED IN
O.S.NO.45/2000 ON THE FILE OF THE PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (JR. DN.)
HONNAVAR, PARTLY DECREEING THE SUIT FILED THE DAMAGES.


       THESE   REGULAR   SECOND      APPEALS    COMING      ON   FOR
PRONOUNCEMENT      OF    JUDGMENT,     THIS    DAY,   THE    COURT
PRONOUNCED THE FOLLOWING:
                               -4-
                                        RSA No.6121 OF 2010
                                    C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011



                         JUDGMENT

Appellant/defendant No.1 filed RSA No.6121/2010

and appellant/defendant No.2 filed RSA No.5033/2011

feeling aggrieved by the judgment and decree of First

Appellate Court on the file of Senior Civil Judge, Honavar

in R.A.No.9/2005 dated 6.10.2010 preferred respective

appeal.

2. Parties to the appeal are referred with their

ranks as assigned in the Trial Court for the sake of

convenience.

3. The factual matrix leading to the case of the

plaintiff can be stated in nutshell to the effect that plaintiff

is a senior practicing Advocate of Honavar and earned

good name and respect in the public. The plaintiff is also

a social worker and elected President to the various

institutions and the family of the plaintiff is a respectable

and noble family. Defendant No.1 is Chief Editor, Publisher

and Printer of weekly paper "Nagarika" which is being

printed, edited and published by him in Honavar. The said

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

weekly paper has got vide publication in Honavar and

outside in the District and there are good number of

subscribers of the said weekly paper. Defendant No.2 is

doing contract business of constructing buildings and he is

not in good terms with plaintiff. Plaintiff has represented

number of his clients against defendant No.2 in the

dispute between flat owners and defendant No.2 who has

constructed apartments. There was election of Honavar

Urban Co-operative Bank, Honavar for electing Directors of

the Bank on 30.5.1999. Plaintiff and defendant No.2 along

with others has contested the said election. At the time of

scrutiny of nomination papers, one of the candidate raised

objection against defendant No.2 on the ground that his

brother is a permanent employee of the Bank and there

was some discussion about it. The plaintiff has participated

in the said discussion being one of the candidate.

Defendant No.2 misunderstood that plaintiff was

supporting the objectors and interested in disqualification

of candidature of defendant No.2. As a result, defendant

No.2 developed ill-feeling and hatred towards plaintiff.

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

Plaintiff and defendant No.2 belonged to opposite groups

in the election.

4. When such being the case, there was an article

published in "Nagarika" weekly dated 14.6.1999 against

the plaintiff with sub-heading of defendant No.2 allegation

on the front and last page of "Nagarika" weekly.

Defendant No.1 without ascertaining the truthfulness of

allegation of defendant No.2 has published the same and

defendant No.2 made such allegation against plaintiff

without being any basis. On account of such publication,

the reputation and image of plaintiff in the society was

degraded and people started enquiring about the said

article. The plaintiff was defamed in the eyes of general

public due to false allegations made in the article dated

14.6.1999 in "Nagarika" weekly. Defendant No.1 only on

the basis of written allegations communicated to

defendant No.1, he should not have published the article

without verifying truthfulness of the same. The plaintiff

has sent notice dated 23.7.1999 demanding damages of

Rs.50,000/- from the defendants. The defendants though

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

served with notice has not replied the same. Therefore,

the plaintiff was constrained to institute the suit for the

relief claimed therein.

5. In response to the suit summons, defendants

No.1 and 2 have appeared through their counsel and filed

separate written statement.

6. Defendant No.1 has contended that it is duty of

defendant No.1 to write the articles in public interest and

also publishing the articles in newspapers as per the

information received by him. The same was never

intended to tarnish the image of the plaintiff in the society.

Defendant No.1 has published the article against the

plaintiff as per the report given by defendant No.2 and he

has no ill-will against the plaintiff. It is only a reply to the

article published regarding plaintiff in his newspaper. The

statement given by defendant No.2 does not contain any

defamatory statement. If the reputation of plaintiff is

injured, it is only defendant No.2 who is answerable.

Therefore, prayed for dismissal of the suit against him.

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

7. Defendant No.2 filed written statement

contending that defendant No.2 is not working in the office

of defendant No.1 in any capacity and he is not

responsible for the article published by defendant No.1 in

his newspaper. Defendant No.2 is serving as a young

leader in public life in Honavar. Defendant No.2 being a

subscriber of "Nagarika" weekly has read the article

published on 25.9.1999 about the plaintiff. Defendant

No.2 after reading the said article in the newspaper, has

got published the real facts against the plaintiff. The

article published in the "Nagarika" weekly newspaper

belongs to the public life of the plaintiff and it never

intended to destroy the personal reputation of the plaintiff.

Therefore, on these grounds prayed for dismissal of the

suit.

8. The Trial Court on the basis of pleadings of both

parties has framed necessary issues. Plaintiff to prove his

case relied on the evidence of PWs.1 to 4 and the

documents at Exhibits P.1 to P.6. The defendants relied

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

on the evidence of DWs.1 to 5 and documents Exhibits D.1

to D.36. The Trial Court after hearing arguments of both

sides and after appreciation of the oral and documentary

evidence has partly decreed the suit of the plaintiffs and

directed each of the defendants to pay compensation of

Rs.5,000/- to the plaintiff.

9. Defendant No.2 challenged the said judgment and

decree of the Trial Court before the First Appellate Court in

R.A.No.9/2005. The First Appellate Court after re-

appreciation of evidence has dismissed the appeal filed by

defendant No.2 and allowed the cross appeal filed by

respondent No.1/plaintiff and modified the damages of

Rs.50,000/-. Further, directed both the defendants jointly

and severally to pay the amount.

10. The appellant/defendant No.1 in RSA

No.6121/2010 and appellant/defendant No.2 in RSA

No.5033/2011 challenged the judgment and decree of the

First Appellate Court contending that the First Appellate

Court has not properly appreciated the evidence on record.

- 10 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

The article published in the weekly newspaper "Nagarika"

does not contain any defamatory statement against the

plaintiff. The article was published only with an intention

to reveal the true facts against the plaintiff and never

intended to harm the reputation of the plaintiff in the

Society. The courts below have committed serious error in

holding that the article published in "Nagarika" weekly

newspaper was published without ascertaining the

truthfulness of the same and amounts to injure the

reputation of the plaintiff in the Society. The grant of

damages of Rs.50,000/- by defendants is without there

being any basis or necessary evidence. The approach and

appreciation of oral and documentary evidence and the

findings recorded by both the courts below are against the

evidence on record and the same cannot be legally

sustained. Therefore, prayed for allowing the appeal and

to set aside the judgment of both the courts below.

Consequently, to dismiss the suit of the plaintiff.

- 11 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

11. In response to the notice of both appeals, the

respondents appeared through counsel. The Trial Court

records have been secured.

12. This Court by order dated 7.3.2014 admitted

both the appeals to consider the following substantial

questions of law :

1) Whether both the Courts have committed a serious error in not looking to the facts that the comments made by the defendants was fair and bonafide and criticism made in the best interest of the public at large and therefore, it does not amount to defamation?

2) Whether the first appellate Court has committed a serious error in enhancing the damages to Rs.50,000/- without there being any material evidence on record?

3) Whether the judgment and decree of both the Courts and preserve and illegal for non-

consideration of material evidence placed on record?"

13. Heard the arguments of both sides in both the

appeals.

- 12 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

14. On careful perusal of oral and documentary

evidence placed on record, it would go to show that

plaintiff is a practicing Senior Advocate in Honavar and

also a social worker. The plaintiff is an elected member of

various institutions and associated with social activities.

Defendant No.1 is the Chief Editor, publisher and printer of

weekly newspaper "Nagarika" and defendant No.2 is doing

contract business of constructing buildings in Honavar.

Plaintiff and defendant No.2 have contested the election of

Honavar Urban Co operative Bank Ltd. on 30.5.1999. One

of the candidate has objected the candidature of

defendant No.2, since his brother is working in the said

Bank and there was discussion about it. Plaintiff has

participated in the said discussion as one of the candidate.

Plaintiff has represented his client in the litigation against

defendant No.2. On account of the above referred facts,

defendant No.2 was not in good terms with plaintiff.

15. Before adverting to the merits of the case, it is

necessary to decide I.A.I/2023 filed by

appellant/defendant No.1 under Order XLI Rule 27 read

- 13 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

with Section 151 of CPC. Defendant No.1 under I.A.1/2023

seeks to produce the certified copy of judgment of this

court in Crl.A.No.544/2006 dated 21.09.2011.

Appellant/defendant No.1 was accused No.1 in

C.C.No.5/2000 on the file of Principal JMFC, Honavar, U.K.

and he was convicted for the offence under Section 500

and 501 of IPC along with accused No.2. The defendant

No.1/accused No.1 challenged the said judgment of

conviction before the First Appellate Court on the file of

Sessions Judge, FTC-I Karwar in Crl.A.No.105/2004. The

First Appellate Court after re-appreciation of evidence on

record has acquitted defendant No.1/accused No.1. The

complainant has assailed the judgment of acquittal passed

by the First Appellate Court before this Court in

Crl.A.544/2006. The said appeal came to be dismissed by

confirming the judgment of the First Appellate Court. It

means that defendant No.1/accused No.1 is acquitted for

the offences alleged against him for the offence Punishable

under Section 500 and 501 of IPC. The question is as to

whether judgment of Criminal Court is binding on civil

- 14 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

Court in an action for damages against the defendants

who stood acquitted in the Criminal Court.

16. In this context of the matter, it is useful to refer

to the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in Sh.Vishnu

Dutt Sharma v. Smt. Daya Sapra reported in (2009)

13 SCC 729 wherein it has been observed and held in

paragraphs (26) and (27) as under :

"26. Any finding in a criminal proceedings by no stretch of imagination would be binding in a civil proceedings.

In M.S Sheriff and Another v. State of Madras and Others (AIR 1954 SC 397), a Constitution Bench of this Court was ceased with a question whether a civil suit or criminal case should be stayed in the event both are pending. It was opined that criminal matter should be given precedence.

In regard to the conflict of decisions, it was held that the law envisages such an eventuality when it expressly refrains from making the decision of one court binding on the other, or even relevant, except for certain limited purposes, such as sentence or damages.

- 15 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

It was held that the only relevant consideration was the likelihood of embarrassment.

(27) If primacy is given to a criminal proceeding, indisputably, the civil suit must be determined on its own keeping in view the evidence which has been brought on record before it and not in terms of the evidence brought in the criminal proceedings."

In another latest judgment of the Hon'ble Apex court

in Rajaram s/o.Sriramulu Naidu (since deceased)

through LRs v. Maruthachalam (since deceased)

through LRs reported in 2023 Live Law (SC) 46

wherein it has been observed and held in paragraph (30)

as under :

"30. Though it was sought to be argued before the High Court that in view of the judgment in the criminal proceedings, the suit

(s) was also liable to be dismissed, the High Court rightly observed that the adjudication in civil matters is based on preponderance of probabilities whereas adjudication in criminal case is based on principle that the accused is presumed to be innocent and the guilt of the

- 16 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

accused should be proved to the guilt and the proof should be beyond all reasonable doubt."

In view of the principles enunciated in both the

aforementioned judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court, it is

evident that judgment of criminal court is not binding on

the civil court, since standard of proof in criminal

proceeding differs with that in civil proceedings.

Adjudication in civil matters is based on preponderance of

probabilities, whereas adjudication in criminal case is

based on the principle that the accused is presumed to be

innocent and the guilt of the accused should be proved to

the hilt and the proof should be beyond all reasonable

doubt.

17. Therefore, even if the production of I.A.1/2023

is allowed and the judgment passed by this Court in

Crl.A.544/2006 is allowed to be produced, then also it will

not serve any purpose in view of the principles enunciated

in the aforementioned judgments of the Hon'ble Apex

Court. The civil action in a claim for damages will be to be

independently appreciated based on the evidence on

- 17 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

record. Hence, for the aforesaid recorded reasons,

I.A.1/2023 seeking production of document as additional

evidence is hereby rejected.

18. The genesis of cause to file the present suit is

the article published in "Nagarika" weekly dated 14.6.1999

which was printed, edited and published by defendant

No.1. Defendant No.1 has published the result of Honavar

Urban Co operative Bank Ltd. on 7.6.1999 Ex.D.1.

Defendant No.2 has addressed written communication to

defendant No.1 Ex.D2 and made several allegations

against plaintiff. It is on the basis of such written

communication of defendant No.2, defendant No.1 has

published the selected written communication in the

newspaper Ex.P.4 appearing on the first and last pages of

the said weekly newspaper under the title "¤ÃªÀÅ w½zÀAw®è

PÁªÀÄvÀgÀÄ" and made several allegation of corruption against

plaintiff. The plaintiff has contended that those allegations

are made by both defendants No.1 and 2 only with an

intention to degrade the plaintiff in public view and with an

- 18 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

intention to harm his reputation in the society. Defendant

No.1 without verifying the truthfulness of written

communication made by defendant No.2 has published the

same in the newspaper Ex.P.4.

19. The clients of plaintiff and the public started

enquiring with the plaintiff about the news article

appearing in Ex.P.4 and on account of it, he was

humiliated in the public view. The Trial Court has

extracted the allegations in the judgment at paragraph

(20) while dealing with issue No.4.

20. Defendants No.1 and 2 do not deny the

publication of article against plaintiff in Ex.P.4. Defendant

No.1 has contended that it is only a reply of defendant

No.2 on the article published in the newspaper and the

same was not intended to tarnish the image or reputation

of plaintiff in the society. The intention to publish the

written communication of defendant No.2 was in the form

of reply to the article published in the weekly newspaper

"Nagarika" which only amounts to views expressed by

- 19 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

defendant No.2 and defendant No.1 had no any malice in

publishing the article against the plaintiff. Whereas,

defendant No.2 has contended that the article published in

the newspaper Ex.P.4 based on his written communication

Ex.D.2 was only intended to bring the true facts of the

plaintiff to the public and never intended to tarnish the

reputation of plaintiff in the eyes of society.

21. The defendant No.2 does not deny having made

written communication Ex.D.2 addressed to defendant

No.1 and made sarcastic allegation against the plaintiff

indulged in corruption, mismanagement in the Institution

in which plaintiff is involved and also while practicing as an

Advocate. Out of the said allegations contained in Ex.D.2,

selected allegations are published in the weekly newspaper

of "Nagarika" of defendant No.1. The defendants by

evidence on record have failed to demonstrate the

minimum care was taken for asserting the truthfulness of

the allegations made in Ex.D.2 and just blindly proceeded

to publish those allegations in the weekly newspaper

"Nagarika" of defendant No.1. The defendant No.1 cannot

- 20 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

simply wash away his hands stating that it is the reply

given by defendant No.2 to the article published in the

weekly newspaper "Nagarika". The defendant No.1 before

publishing the allegations against plaintiff out of the

written communication of defendant No.1 Ex.D.2 would

have called upon defendant No.2 to produce some basic

documents to substantiate the allegations made against

the plaintiff.

22. The honour and dignity of everyone in the eye

of society has to be maintained. The freedom of speech

and expression guaranteed under Constitution cannot be

used as a weapon to tarnish the image of anybody in the

eye of society. It was equally the duty of defendant No.1

to verify the truthfulness of allegations sought to be

published by defendant No.2 by way of written

communication Ex.D.2, further would have called upon

defendant No.2 to produce basic documents to

substantiate the said allegations. The defendant No.1 has

failed to exhibit requisite care and prudence before

publishing the written communication of defendant No.2

- 21 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

vide Ex.D.2. The defendant No.2 has made allegations

against plaintiff by written communication Ex.D.2 without

there being requisite proof. The defendant No.2 seeks to

justify the allegations made in written communication

Ex.D.2. During trial also defendant No.2 has not produced

any concrete evidence to substantiate the allegations

made in the written communication Ex.D.2. Thus, both the

defendants have failed to demonstrate by evidence on

record that publication of article in the weekly news paper

"Nagarika" was in the public interest.

23. The defendants No.1 and 2 are also responsible

persons in the locality and have status in the society of

their own. The reputation of a person in the eye of the

society cannot be stigmatized by making false allegations

against him without verifying the truthfulness of the same.

The defendants by evidence on record have failed to

demonstrate that the article published against the plaintiff

was only intended in the best interest of the public to

know the conduct of the plaintiff in the society. The

- 22 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

defendants have not only published false allegations

against the plaintiff without verifying the truthfulness of

the same, but seeks to justify the publication as they

thought fit in their own wisdom. The defendants No.1 and

2 also having status in the society should have exercised

due care and diligence and collected requisite document at

least prima facie to justify the allegations made against

the plaintiff in the written communication of defendant

No.2 Ex.D.2 which was published in the weekly newspaper

"Nagarika" of defendant No.1. On facts, both the courts

below have concurrently held that the article published in

the weekly newspaper "Nagarika" of defendant No.1 on

the written communication of defendant No.2 is per se

defamatory and the reputation of the plaintiff in the

society is adversely affected due to false publication made

in the newspaper "Nagarika" Ex.P.4.

24. The courts below having appreciated the

evidence on record held that the allegations made in the

article Ex.P.4 was published without verification of the

truthfulness of the said allegations and the plaintiff has

- 23 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

proved that the allegations were intended to tarnish the

reputation of the plaintiff in the eye of society. Therefore,

the plaintiff is entitled for damages and the defendants

No.1 and 2 are liable to pay the damages to the plaintiff.

25. The Trial Court has granted damages of

Rs.5,000/- each payable by defendants No.1 and 2 to the

plaintiff. The First Appellate Court having concurred with

the finding of the Trial Court has dismissed the appeal of

defendant No.2 and allowed the cross objection of the

plaintiff and modified the decree of the Trial Court holding

that plaintiff is entitled for damages of Rs.50,000/- and

both defendants No.1 and 2 are jointly and severally to

pay the amount. The First Appellate Court has granted the

damages as sought by the plaintiff in the suit. The award

of quantum of damages has to be assessed based on the

evidence on record, nature of allegations made against the

plaintiff, the status of plaintiff in the society and other

attending circumstances. The First Appellate Court has

not assigned any valid reason to award the quantum of

damages as claimed by the plaintiff. Looking to the facts

- 24 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

and circumstances of the case, if defendants No.1 and 2

each are directed to pay damages to the plaintiff

amounting to Rs.15,000/- will meet the ends of justice.

Consequently, the substantial question of law accordingly

answered in the negative. Consequently, proceed to pass

the following :

ORDER

Appeal filed by appellant/defendant No.1 in RSA

No.6121/2010 and appeal filed by appellant/defendant

No.2 in RSA No.5033/2011 are hereby partly allowed.

The judgment and decree of First Appellate Court on

the file of Senior Civil Judge, Honavar in R.A.No.9/2005

dated 6.10.2010 and the judgment and decree of the Trial

Court in O.S.No.45/2000 dated 26.10.2004 are hereby

ordered to be modified as under :

The plaintiff is entitled for damages of Rs.15,000/-

each payable by defendants No.1 and 2 within a period of

two months from the date of this judgment. If the

defendants No.1 and 2 fail to pay the said amount, they

- 25 -

RSA No.6121 OF 2010 C/W RSA No.5033 OF 2011

are liable to pay interest at 6% p.a. from the date of this

judgment till realization of the entire amount.

Registry is directed to transmit the copy of this

judgment along with the records to the Trial Court.

Sd/-

JUDGE

rs

 
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