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Mayinkutty vs Appu Joseph
2025 Latest Caselaw 5228 Ker

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 5228 Ker
Judgement Date : 17 March, 2025

Kerala High Court

Mayinkutty vs Appu Joseph on 17 March, 2025

RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019


                                            1
                                                               2025:KER:22073
                                                                           CR

                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                     PRESENT

                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.A.ABDUL HAKHIM

            MONDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1946

                              RSA NO. 935 OF 2018

          AGAINST THE JUDGMENT&DECREE DATED 07.08.2018 IN AS NO.54 OF 2015 OF

SUB COURT, MANJERI ARISING OUT OF THE JUDGMENT & DECREE DATED 10.04.2015

IN OS NO.116 OF 2004 OF MUNSIFF COURT, MANJERI


APPELLANTS/APPELLANTS/DEFENDANTS 1 AND 2:

      1        APPU JOSEPH,
               AGED 78 YEARS
               SON OF VELLARINGAT JOSEPH, VELLARINGAT HOUSE, U P SCHOOL
               ROAD, PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P O, MAMPAD AMSOM, NILAMBUR
               TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-676542.

      2        TESSAMMA APPU,
               AGED 70 YEARS
               WIFE OF APPU JOSEPH, VELLARINGAT HOUSE, U P SCHOOL ROAD,
               PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P O, MAMPAD AMSOM, NILAMBUR TALUK,
               MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-676542.


               BY ADV R.RAJESH KORMATH


RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS PLAINTIFFS, DEFENDANTS 3,4, AND NOT PARTIES
BEFORE THE TRIAL COURT:

      1        MAYINKUTTY,
               AGED 69 YEARS
               SON OF MADHURAKARIYAN KUNHARAMU, PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P O,
               MAMPAD AMSOM, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-
               676542.

      2        THE KERALA STATE,
               REPRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM, CIVIL
 RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019


                                            2
                                                          2025:KER:22073
             STATION P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676505.

      3      THE SUPERINTENDENT OF RESURVEY,
             NILAMBUR TALUK, NILAMBUR P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679329.

      4      SHAMMEEM JUNAID,
             AGED 42 YEARS
             SON OF MADHURAKARIYAN MAYINKUTTY, PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P
             O, MAMPAD AMSOM, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-
             676542.

      5      SULAIKA,
             AGED 40 YEARS
             SON OF MADHURAKARIYAN MAYINKUTTY, PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P
             O, MAMPAD AMSOM, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-
             676542.


             BY ADVS.
             R2 AND R3 BY SR GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI DENNY DEVASSY
             R1 R4 AND R5 BY ADVS.SRI.K.RAMACHANDRAN
                                  SMT.M.A.ZOHRA
                                  SRI.K.MOHAMMED FAISAL NAHA



      THIS REGULAR SECOND APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 14.03.2025 ,
ALONG WITH CO.100/2019, THE COURT ON 17.03.2025 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019


                                            3
                                                              2025:KER:22073

                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                       PRESENT

                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.A.ABDUL HAKHIM

            MONDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1946

                               CO NO. 100 OF 2019

          AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 07.08.2015 IN A.S. 54/2015 ON THE FILES

OF THE COURT SUBORDINATE JUDGE OF MANJERI AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND DECREE

DATED 10.04.2015 IN O.S NO.116 OF 2014 ON THE FILE OF THE COURT OF MUNSIFF

OF MANJERI


CROSS OBJECTORS/RESPONDENTS 1,4 &5 IN RSA:

      1        MAYINKUTTY
               AGED 69 YEARS
               S/O. MADHURAKARIYAM KUNHARAMU MAMPAD AMSOM DESOM, NILAMBUR
               TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN - 676 542.

      2        SHAMEEM JUNAID
               AGED 42 YEARS
               (REPRESENTED BY POWER HOLDER 1ST RESPONDENT), D/O.
               MADHURAKARIYAN MAYINKUTTY, MAMPAD AMSOM DESOM, VADAPURAM
               P.O., NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN - 676 542.

      3        SULAIKA
               AGED 40 YEARS
               (REPRESENTED BY POWER HOLDER 1ST RESPONDENT), S/O.
               MADHURAKARIYAN MAYINKUTTY, PALAPARMBA, VADAPURAM P.O.,
               NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN - 676 542.


               BY ADV K.RAMACHANDRAN


RESPONDENTS/APPELLANTS1&2/RESPONDENTS2&3:

      1        APPU JOSEPH
               AGED 78 YEARS
               S/O. VELLARINGAT JOSEPH, VELLARINGAT HOUSE, U. P. SCHOOL
 RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019


                                            4
                                                          2025:KER:22073
             ROAD, PALAPARAMBA, VADAPURAM P.O., NILAMBUR TALUK,
             MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 542.

      2      TESSAMMA APPU
             W/O. APPU JOSEPH, VELLARINGAT HOUSE, UP SCHOOL ROAD,
             PALAPRAMBA, VADAPURAM P.O., NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM
             DISTRICT, PIN - 676 542.

      3      STATE OF KERALA
             REPRESENTED BY DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM, CIVIL STATION
             P.O., MALAPPURAM, PIN - 676 505.

      4      SUPERINTENDENT OF RE-SURVEY
             NILAMBOOR TALUK, NILAMBOOR P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN -
             679 329.


             R1 AND R2 BY ADV R.RAJESH KORMATH


      THIS CROSS OBJECTION/CROSS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
14.03.2025 , ALONG WITH RSA.935/2018, THE COURT ON 17.03.2025, DELIVERED
THE FOLLOWING:
 RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019


                                            5
                                                      2025:KER:22073



                                                                 CR

                           JUDGMENT

RSA 935/2018 & CROSS OBJECTION NO.100/2019

1. The defendants 1 and 2 in the suit are the appellants. They are

husband and wife. The plaintiff filed the suit seeking a

declaration of his rights over Plaint B schedule property,

mandatory injunction to the defendants 3 and 4, who are the

State and Superintendent of Survey, to correct the mistake in

resurvey by including Plaint A Schedule property as part of

Plaint B schedule property in resurvey records, and permanent

prohibitory injunction restraining the defendants 1 and 2 from

trespassing into plaint A schedule property and committing

waste therein.

2. Plaint A schedule property was originally shown as 9.7 cents of

land in Sy No.496/1A in Resurvey No.114/3 in Resurvey Block

No.82, and after the Commission Report it was amended as RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 8.94 cents incorporating Resurvey No.114/2 also. Likewise,

Plaint B schedule property was originally shown as 7 acres 12

cents of land in Sy No.496/1A in Resurvey Nos.99 &114/3 in

Resurvey Block No.82, and after Commission Report it was

amended as 7 acres 24.94 cents incorporating Resurvey

No.114/2 also.

3. The case of the Plaintiff is that A schedule property is a part of

plaint B schedule property lying on the northern extremity of

plaint B schedule property. The plaintiff derived a larger extent,

including plaint B schedule property as per Exts.A1 and A2

documents of the year 1973. Plaint B schedule property is the

property remaining with the plaintiff after alienations and

relinquishment for road. Plaint B schedule property is having

well defined boundaries on all sides. The property of the

defendants 1 and 2 is situated on the northern side of Plaint B

schedule property. Teak trees standing in a row separates the

plaint B schedule property from the property of defendants 1 RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 and 2. The plaint B schedule property and the property of

defendants 1 and 2 are easily distinguishable. The property of

one Achukutty Thomas is also situated on the northern side of

Plaint B schedule property, which is situated on the eastern side

of the property of defendants 1 and 2. There is barbed wire

fencing to separate plaint B schedule property with the property

of Achukutty Thomas. Kayyalas, constructed for the protection

of the property of the defendants 1 and 2 is lying north-south

and its southern end touches the northern boundary of Plaint B

schedule property. In resurvey, Plaint A schedule property is

included in RS No.114/3 in Block No.82, which is the resurvey

number of the property of the defendants 1 and 2 and taking

advantage of the same defendants 1 and 2 are attempting to

trespass into plaint A schedule property. The Plaint B schedule

property excluding A schedule property is included in

RS.No.99/1.

RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073

4. The defendants 1 and 2 opposed the suit prayers contending,

inter alia, that the Plaint A schedule property is not part of plaint

B schedule property. The identity of the plaint schedule

properties is not clear. The plaintiff has property in RS No.99,

and on the northern side of the plaintiff's property, defendants 1

and 2 have 6.04 acres in RS.No.114/3 as per Exts.B1 to B5 of

the year 1988. The plaintiff is claiming right over a portion of the

said property. There is no boundary separating the properties of

both parties. The allegation that there are teak trees in a row to

separate the property is incorrect. Trees are not boundary.

There are other trees in their property. There is no Kayyala as

boundary in their property. They believe that the claim of the

plaintiff is with respect to the trees belonging to them. The

property in the possession of the plaintiff is replanted in the year

1987. The property belonged to the plaintiff is replanted in the

year 1993. The Resurvey was conducted in the year 1975 and

hence the suit is barred by limitation.

RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073

5. The defendants 3 and 4 filed Written Statement contending that

the resurvey records came into force with effect from

01.04.1994. The Resurvey was done on 31.07.1975 in

accordance with law. Though the plaintiff had filed petitions

before the Superintendent of Survey, the same were dismissed

since there was boundary dispute.

6. The Trial Court decreed the suit in part, declaring that the

plaintiff is the absolute owner of Plaint B schedule property,

including Plaint A schedule property, and granting an injunction

against defendants 1 and 2 from trespassing and committing

waste in Plaint A schedule property. The relief of mandatory

injunction was denied, finding that the same is barred under

Section 14 of the Kerala Surveys and Boundaries Act.

7. The defendants 1 and 2 filed the Appeal, and the plaintiff filed

Cross Objection before the First Appellate Court. The First

Appellate Court dismissed the Appeal as well as the Cross

objection.

RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073

8. The defendants 1 and 2 alone filed the Regular Second Appeal.

This Court admitted the Regular Second Appeal on the following

substantial question of law.

Has not the appellate court erred in confirming the judgment and

decree of the Trial Court when the plaint schedule properties

were not measured and identified with reference to the title

deeds of the parties?

9. The plaintiff filed Cross Objection No.100/2019 challenging the

Decree of the First Appellate Court, confirming the decree

denying the mandatory injunction. The Cross Objection was

admitted without formulating substantial questions of law.

10. I heard the learned Counsel for the appellants,

Sri.Rajesh.R.Kormath, learned counsel for the respondents 1,2

and 5 Sri.M.A.Zohra and the learned Government pleader Sri.

Denny Devassy.

11. The learned counsel for the appellant contended that the

suit, as framed, is not maintainable. The suit should have been RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 one for the fixation of boundaries. No attempt was made to

identify the plaint schedule properties with reference to the title

deeds of the parties. The plaint schedule properties are not

identified in any of the Plans. Even though the plaintiff admitted

that he sold 45 cents out of the properties derived as per

Exts.A1 and A2, the location of the said property is not

disclosed, and the Sale deed with respect to the same was not

produced. The area admittedly surrendered by the plaintiff for

the road is also not disclosed. The suit is clearly barred as the

suit was filed in the year 2004 and the resurvey was completed

in the year 1975. The Trial Court simply accepted the boundary

on account of the existence of certain trees in the properties.

The property owner on the north-eastern side of the plaintiff's

property, Achukuty Thomas, is a necessary party, and hence,

the suit is bad for no joinder of necessary parties. Learned

counsel concluded the arguments by submitting that the suit RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 being an experimental one to grab the property of the

defendants 1 and 2, it is liable to be dismissed with costs.

12. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the party-

respondents contended that the judgment and decree of the

Trial Court and the First Appellate Court are well founded. The

plaint schedule properties have been lying with clear cut

boundaries as found by the Courts. Hence there is no need for

fixation of boundaries. Since the dispute is only regarding Plaint

A schedule property, which is the northern portion of the Plaint

B schedule property, there is no need to measure the property

as per the title documents. The Trial Court and the First

Appellate Court considered the lie and nature of the disputed

Plaint A schedule property and found that it has similarities with

those of the Plaint A schedule property and not with those of the

property of the defendants 1 and 2. The Trial court and the First

Appellate Court found clear cut boundary between the

properties of the plaintiff and the defendants 1 and 2 on account RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 of the existence of a row of teak trees, the existence of which is

specifically denied by the defendants 1 and 2. The Advocate

Commissioner has clearly identified the Plaint A schedule

property in the Ext.C7 Plan. Achukutty Thomas is not a

necessary party as there is no dispute between Achukutty

Thomas and the plaintiff. The records would clearly reveal that

a part of plaintiff's property was wrongly included in the

Resurvey number of the defendants 1 and 2 and the plaintiff

was taking all his efforts to correct the mistake in resurvey.

Learned counsel concluded her arguments by submitting that

the defendants 1 and 2 may not be allowed to grab the property

of the plaintiffs taking undue advantage of mistake in resurvey.

The First Appellate Court ought to have allowed Cross objection

granting mandatory injunction to correct the mistake in resurvey.

13. Learned Government Pleader submitted that the boundary

dispute between the parties is to be resolved between them.

The relief of mandatory injunction was rightly denied finding that RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 the same is barred under Section 14 of the Kerala Surveys and

Boundaries Act. It is not liable to be interfered in the Cross

Objection.

14. I have considered the rival contentions.

15. The Plaint schedule properties are claimed to be part of

the property obtained by the plaintiff as per Exts.A1 and A2

documents of the year 1973. As per Exts.A1 and A2 plaintiffs

derived 8.28 acres of land in Sy No.496/1A. The party-

defendants claim that their property is having an extent of 6.04

acres as per Exts.B1 to B5 documents. Originally, all these

properties are situated in Old Survey No.496/1A. Admittedly, the

properties are not identified with reference to title deeds.

Admittedly, the property of the party-defendants is situated on

the northern side of the plaintiff's property. Ext.C5 and C7 Plans

were there before the Court. In both these plans, Plaint A and B

Schedule properties are not referred. The properties are

identified with reference to Resurvey Number. Ext.C5 Plan does RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 not serve any purpose as it does not provide the relevant details

to identify the properties of the parties.

16. In Ext.C7 Plan, the property in the possession of the

plaintiff in RS No.99/1 is shown as 'ABCDEF'. There is no

dispute with respect to this land having an extent of 3.0792

Hectares. Property in possession of the plaintiff near the

property of Achukutty Thomas is shown as 'CHID' having an

extent of 1.71 are equivalent to 4.225 cents in RS.No.114/2. The

party-defendants can not have any claim over this property as

the said plot is abutting the property of Achukutty Thomas and

it is situated in RS No.114/2 in which the party-defendants do

not claim any property. The disputed portion is shown as

'BGHC' in RS No.114/3 having an extent of 1.91 ares equivalent

to 4.720 cents. The northern boundary line of the said plot is

'BGH'. The row of six teak trees are situated in this line. The

southern boundary line of the said plot is 'BC'. This is the Survey

boundary line between RS No.99 and RS.No.114 also. The RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 learned counsel for the appellants much stressed on the point

that non-identification of the properties as per title deeds is fatal

to the case of the plaintiff. If the disputed property is clearly

identified before the Court, the Court can very well consider the

title and possession of the same if sufficient evidence is

available before it. In all cases, it is not necessary to identify the

property with reference to the title deeds. It depends on the facts

and circumstances of each case. In the case on hand, both

sides claim that plot 'BGHC' is part of their property. The parties

have clear idea about the identity of the disputed land. Hence,

non-identification of the property with reference to the title deed

and non-disclosure of the details of the assignments and

surrender for the road by the plaintiff are not material factors.

17. With respect to the contention of non-joinder of Achukutty

Thomas, it is seen that plots 'BGHC' having 1.91 ares and

'CHID' having 1.71 ares would make an extent of 3.62 ares

equivalent to 8.945 cents. These two Plots make the Plaint B RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 schedule property of 8.94 cents. The contention of the plaintiff

is that Achukutty Thomas is not having any dispute with the

Plaintiff with respect to the title of 'CHID' Plot. The Advocate

Commissioner has also reported that the said Plot is in the

possession of the plaintiff. In Ext.C6, the Advocate

Commissioner has reported that there is barbed wire fencing

between the property of the plaintiff and the property of

Achukutty Thomas. In these circumstances, the party-

defendants could not raise a contention that there is a non-

joinder of necessary parties on account of the non-impleadment

of Achukutty Thomas as Achukutty Thomas has nothing to do

with the dispute between the plaintiff and the party -defendants

over Plot 'BGHC'.

18. If the 'BGH' line having a row of six teak trees is taken as

the northern boundary of the plaint schedule properties, Plaint

A schedule property shall belong to the plaintiff. If the 'BC' line

running along with the survey line is taken as the northern RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 boundary of the plaint schedule properties, Plaint A schedule

property shall belong to the party- defendants. Since, as per the

old survey, both the properties had been remaining in the same

survey sub division number, there is no meaning in measuring

the properties as per old Survey Plan for identifying the

properties of the respective parties. The boundary of the

properties could not be decided as per survey lines. Admittedly,

no natural boundary is there to separate the properties. The

presence of only a row of teak trees alone is available in that

area. These teak trees are situated on the northern side of Plaint

A schedule property identified by the Advocate Commissioner.

If the row of teak trees is not taken as the northern boundary,

there is nothing to prove the boundary between the properties,

and in such case, without fixation of boundaries in a suit for

fixation of boundaries, the title over the plaint A schedule

property could not be claimed. In such a case, the properties will RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 have to be identified with reference to the title deeds of the

parties to fix the boundary.

19. Though the learned counsel for the appellant argued that

man-made boundary cannot be considered to decide the

boundary line and only natural boundary alone should be

considered to decide the boundary line, I am unable to accept

such contention. If there is evidence for age-old man-made

separation between two properties, there is nothing wrong in

accepting the same as a boundary line in the absence of any

evidence to the contrary.

20. Merely because, a portion of the property of the plaintiff is

included in the Resurvey of the party-defendants and remedy

for challenging the same is barred, the party- defendants could

not claim title over such portion. It is a well-settled principle of

law that revenue records cannot confer title. As resurvey

records are also revenue records resurvey also cannot change

title. In the decision of this Court in Ibrahim and Others v. RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 Saythumuhammed and Others [2013(4)KLT 435], it is held

that simply because it was wrongly shown in the survey plan or

the basic tax register that a portion of the property covered by

the title deed stood in the name of another person, that does not

mean that the plaintiff has lost his title to the property nor can it

be presumed, based on such a wrong entry in the revenue

records or plan, that the plaintiff was out of possession of the

property or that the other person in whose name it is registered

could obtain title to the property. In the decision of this Court in

Venugopalan Nair v. Saraswathy Amma [2013(4) KLT 717],

this Court held that only because there are changes in the extent

of the property in the re-survey, that by itself would not confer

title and that even beyond the period of one year after

finalization of resurvey, a suit on title disputing the re-survey is

maintainable. In Cheriyanad Grama Panchayath v. State of

Kerala and Others [2019(5) KHC 699], this Court held that it is

neither permissible nor advisable for the resurvey authorities to RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 refix the boundary line of particular survey under the guise of

resurvey based on possession; that no such power can be

vested with the resurvey authority and hence what is done by

them by refixing the boundary based on possession can only be

considered as without any authority or exceeding the authority

vested with them; that the resurvey authority cannot exercise

the jurisdiction of a Civil Court to fix any boundary based on

possession and that the possession is really a matter to be

decided by a Civil Court. In view of the aforesaid settled legal

proposition, I am of the view that the dispute involved in this suit

cannot be decided on the basis of resurvey records. In other

words, the inclusion of the disputed portion in the resurvey of

the party-defendants alone will not conclude the issue.

21. Now the questions to be considered is whether the row of

teak trees is made for separating the properties of the parties

and is there any indication to show that the disputed portion is

a part of the property of the plaintiff or party- defendants. For RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 answering these questions there is no need to measure the

entire properties of the parties as per their title deeds, especially

when the parties have a clear idea about the disputed portion.

Measurement of the entire properties is required only if it is

found that there is no boundary between the properties of the

parties and boundary is to be fixed in a suit for fixation of

boundaries.

22. The plaintiff has specifically averred in the plaint that there

is a row of teak trees to separate the boundary of his property

with the property of the party-defendants. The party-defendants

have specifically pleaded in their Written Statement that there is

no such row of trees. The Advocate Commissioner has

specifically found the existence of a row of teak trees. The 'BGH'

line having row of teak trees and 'HI' line separating the property

of the plaintiff and the property of Achukutty Thomas is in a

straight line. It is difficult to think that a property owner will plant

teak trees in a row inside his property away from the boundary. RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 Such row of teak trees is seen only at one place of the property.

In such a case, the probability is that the teak trees are planted

along with the boundary line to separate the properties of the

plaintiff and the party-defendants. This can only be the possible

conclusion when other boundary marks are absent to separate

the properties of the plaintiff and the party-defendants. In Ext.C5

Report, the Advocate Commissioner has specifically reported

that the plantation direction of two of the four rubber trees in the

disputed area is similar to the plantation direction of rubber trees

on the property of the plaintiff. The platforms for the rubber trees

in the plaintiff's property and the disputed property are found to

be similar. No similarity is reported between the disputed

property and the property of the party-defendants. It would also

strengthen the case of the plaintiff.

23. The party-defendants did not mount to witness box to prove his

case offering himself for cross examination. Both sides cited the

decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vidhyadhar v. RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 Mankikrao and another [AIR 1999 SC 1441] in support of their

respective arguments. The learned counsel for the appellant

cited the decision to substantiate the point that even if the

defendant does not enter into witness box, still he can raise any

legitimate plea available to him under law to defeat the suit of

the plaintiff. As pointed out by the learned counsel for the party

respondents, it is specifically held in the said decision that

where a party to the suit does not appear in the witness box and,

states his own case on oath, and does not offer himself to be

cross examined by the other side, a presumption would arise

that the case set up by him is not correct as has been held in a

series of decisions passed by various High Courts and the Privy

Council, making it clear that the question would depend upon

the pleadings of the parties, the nature of the suit, the nature of

the deed, the evidence led by the parties in the suit and other

attending circumstances. Here, the party-defendants could

have made the reasonable explanation of the aforesaid various RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 factors found in favour of the plaintiff, offering themselves for

cross-examination by the plaintiff. No such attempt was made

by the party- defendants. In the facts and circumstances of the

case, the absence of examination of any of the party-defendants

is fatal, and hence adverse inference is to be drawn against the

party-defendants.

24. The learned counsel for the appellant cited the decision of the

Hon'ble Supreme Court in Moran Mar Basselios Catholicos

and another v. Most Rev.Mar Poulose Athanasius and

Others [1954 KLT 385] and the decision of this Court in K. M.

Paul v. K. Pradeep [2006(2) KLT 20] to highlight the settled

principle of law that in a suit based on title, the plaintiff can

succeed only on proof of his title and mere destruction of the

defendant's title carries the plaintiff nowhere. In the case on

hand, the plaintiff has not attempted to destruct the title of the

party-defendants, but only attempted to prove that he has title

and possession over the disputed portion. The party-defendants RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 have not made any attempt to prove their title apart from

producing Exts.B1 to B5.

25. Considering the nature, character, and lie of the disputed

area, I am of the view that the 'BGH' line having a row of teak

trees in Ext.C7 Plan is the boundary separating the plaint

schedule properties from the property of the party-defendants.

There is nothing in the 'BC' line running along with survey line

to show that it is the boundary. The plaint schedule properties

are having well defined boundaries on its northern side

separating from the property of the party-defendants as pleaded

by the plaintiff. When a well-defined boundary is there

separating the plaint schedule property, there is no need to

measure the plaint schedule properties with reference to the title

deeds of the parties. The substantial question of law is

answered in the negative and against the appellants.

26. The plaintiff has established identity, title, and possession

of the plaint schedule properties. The plaintiff is entitled to a RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073 declaration and injunction, and the Trial Court is perfectly

justified in granting the same. I do not find any ground to

interfere with the judgment and decree of the Trial Court, which

is confirmed by the First Appellate Court.

27. The Cross objection was admitted without formulating any

substantial question of law. It is against the denial of the relief of

mandatory injunction. The mandatory injunction is sought

against defendants 3 and 4, who are the State and

Superintendent of Survey, to correct the mistake in the resurvey

by including Plaint A Schedule property as part of Plaint B

schedule property in resurvey records. It was denied by the Trial

Court finding that the same is barred under Section 14 of the

Kerala Surveys and Boundaries Act. It is confirmed by the First

Appellate Court. There is nothing wrong in the said finding. No

substantial Question of law arises in the Cross Objection.

Hence, the Cross Objection is liable to be dismissed. RSA No.935/2018 &Cross Objection 100/2019

2025:KER:22073

28. The Regular Second Appeal and Cross Objection are

dismissed without costs.

Sd/-

M.A.ABDUL HAKHIM JUDGE Jma/shg

 
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