I.Berkmans vs S.A.M.Seyed Ali Akbar
2025 Latest Caselaw 4108 Mad

Madras High Court

I.Berkmans vs S.A.M.Seyed Ali Akbar on 18 March, 2025

Author: G.R.Swaminathan

Bench: G.R.Swaminathan

                                                                           W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022


                       BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

                                               DATED : 18.03.2025

                                                        CORAM

                            THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN
                                               and
                             THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN

                                      W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022
                                                     and
                                    C.M.P.(MD)No.2518, 2523 and 2531 of 2022

                     W.A.(MD)No.260 of 2022:-

                     1.I.Berkmans

                     2.B.Vivek                                                        ... Appellants

                                                             Vs.

                     1.S.A.M.Seyed Ali Akbar

                     2.The District Collector/Member Secretary,
                       Tirunelveli Local Planning Authority,
                       Tirunelveli.

                     3.The Commissioner,
                       Tirunelveli City Municipal Corporation,
                       Tirunelveli District.                                          ... Respondents


                     Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to allow
                     the writ appeal and set aside the order dated 19-01-2022 in
                     W.P(MD).No.888 of 2021 on the file of this Court.

                     1/10

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis             ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm )
                                                                                  W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022



                                  For Appellants     : Mr.H.Lakshmi Shankar

                                  For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani,
                                                        Spl. Government Pleader for R2.
                                                    Mr.D.Nallathambi for R1.
                                                    Mr.S.P.Maharajan for R3.

                     W.A.(MD)No.261 of 2022:-

                     1.I.Berkmans

                     2.B.Vivek                                                               ... Appellants

                                                                    Vs.

                     1.S.A.M.Seyed Ali Akbar

                     2.The District Collector,
                       Collectorate,
                       Tirunelveli District.

                     3.The District Revenue Officer,
                       District Revenue Office,
                       Tirunelveli District.

                     4.The Tahsildar,
                       Palayamkottai Taluk,
                       Tirunelveli District.

                     5.The Commissioner,
                       Tirunelveli City Municipal Corporation,
                       Tirunelveli District.

                     6.Abuthahir

                     7.Abdul Kareem


                     2/10

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis                    ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm )
                                                                                  W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022


                     8.Pathumuthu Sakara                                                     ... Respondents



                     Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to allow

                     the writ appeal and set aside the order dated 19-01-2022 in

                     W.P(MD).No.1091 of 2021 on the file of this Court.


                                  For Appellants     : Mr.H.Lakshmi Shankar

                                  For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani,
                                                        Spl. Government Pleader for R2 to R4.
                                                    Mr.D.Nallathambi for R1.
                                                    Mr.S.P.Maharajan for R5.

                     W.A.(MD)No.263 of 2022:-

                     I.Berkmans                                                              ... Appellant

                                                                    Vs.

                     1.S.A.M.Seyed Ali Akbar

                     2.The District Legal Services Authority,
                       Tirunelveli District Court Campus,
                       Palayamkoattai, Tirunelveli - 627 002.

                     3.The Inspector General of Registration,
                       100, Santhome High Road,
                       Raja Annamalai Puram,
                       Chennai - 600 028.

                     4.The Deputy Inspector General of Registration,
                       Office of Deputy Inspector General of Registration,
                       St.Marks Street,

                     3/10

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis                    ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm )
                                                                            W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022


                        Behind Johns Higher Secondary School,
                        Near Sankar Colony, Palayamkottai,
                        Tirunelveli District – 627 002.

                     5.The District Registrar(Registration),
                       District Registrar Office,
                       Collectorate Campus,
                       Kokkirakulam,
                       Tirunelveli - 627 009.

                     6.The District Registrar(Administration),
                       District Registrar Office,
                       Collectorate Campus,
                       Kokkirakulam,
                       Tirunelveli - 627 009.

                     7.The Sub Registrar,
                       Sub Registrar Office,
                       35-B, Firthouse Complex,
                       1st Floor, Ambai Road,
                       Melapalayam,
                       Tirunelveli - 627 005.

                     8.Abuthahir

                     9.Abdul Kareem

                     10.Pathumuthu Sakara

                     11.V.O.A Abdul Sukkoor

                     12.Sharmila

                     13.Hithayathulla

                     14.Kaleel Ahamed                                      ... Respondents



                     4/10

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis              ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm )
                                                                                     W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022


                     Prayer : Writ Appeal filed under Clause XV of Letters Patent, to allow

                     the writ appeal and set aside the order dated 19-01-2022 in

                     W.P(MD).No.1512 of 2020 on the file of this Court.


                                  For Appellants        : Mr.H.Lakshmi Shankar

                                  For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani,
                                                        Spl. Government Pleader for R3 to R7.
                                                    Mr.D.Nallathambi for R1.


                                            COMMON JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the court was delivered by G.R.Swaminathan, J.)

Heard both sides.

2.The subsequent purchasers are the appellants before us in these

writ appeals. They challenge the order dated 19.01.2022 made in

W.P.(MD)No.1512 of 2020 and W.P(MD).Nos.888 and 1091 of 2021 on

a limited ground. In W.P.(MD)No.1512 of 2020, the Lok Adalat award

dated 08.01.2019 made in O.S.No.275 of 2018 on the file of the Principal

Sub Court, Tirunelveli was challenged. The learned Single Judge gave a

categorical finding that the Lok Adalat award ought not have been

passed. It was characterized as collusive and fraudulent. We do not

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm ) W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

propose to interfere with the said finding. We affirm the finding of the

learned Single Judge that the impugned Lok Adalat award is fraudulent.

3.The appellants who are subsequent purchasers were not parties to

the Lok Adalat award. Therefore, imposing cost of Rs.10,000/- on

I.Berkmans, the tenth respondent in W.P.(MD)No.1512 of 2020 is set

aside.

4.It is also seen that the purchases were made one year after the

Lok Adalat was passed. The appellants make it clear that they are not

tracing their right or title to the Lok Adalat award. Five persons joined

together and filed W.P.(MD)No.1512 of 2020 challenging the Lok Adalat

award. The appellants herein purchased the respective shares from four

out of five writ petitioners even during pendency of the writ petition.

That is why, except S.A.M.Seyad Ali Akbar, the other writ petitioners

were transposed as respondents 11 to 14.

5.During the pendency of this writ appeal, the appellants have

purchased the lands of S.A.M.Seyad Ali Akbar, the remaining writ

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm ) W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

petitioner also. Therefore, the appellants can seek mutation of patta on

the strength of the aforesaid sale deeds dated 03.12.2020, 04.01.2021,

22.02.2021 and 21.10.2023 executed in their favour by the respective

vendors. To this extent, the restraint order passed by the learned Single

Judge stands vacated. Based on the aforesaid purchases, the appellants

can work out their rights in the manner known to law.

6.These writ appeals are disposed of accordingly. No costs.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

                                                                              (G.R.S. J.,) & (M.J.R. J.,)
                                                                                    18.03.2025
                     NCC                : Yes/No
                     Index              : Yes / No
                     Internet           : Yes/ No
                     ias

                     To:

1.The District Collector / Member Secretary, Tirunelveli Local Planning Authority, Tirunelveli.

2.The District Collector, Collectorate, Tirunelveli District.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm ) W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

3.The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Tahsildar, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

5.The District Legal Services Authority, Tirunelveli District Court Campus, Palayamkoattai, Tirunelveli - 627 002.

6.The Inspector General of Registration, 100, Santhome High Road, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai - 600 028.

7.The Deputy Inspector General of Registration, Office of Deputy Inspector General of Registration, St.Marks Street, Behind Johns Higher Secondary School, Near Sankar Colony, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District – 627 002.

8.The District Registrar(Registration), District Registrar Office, Collectorate Campus, Kokkirakulam, Tirunelveli - 627 009.

9.The District Registrar(Administration), District Registrar Office, Collectorate Campus, Kokkirakulam, Tirunelveli - 627 009.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm ) W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

10.The Sub Registrar, Sub Registrar Office, 35-B, Firthouse Complex, 1st Floor, Ambai Road, Melapalayam, Tirunelveli - 627 005.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm ) W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

and M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

ias

W.A.(MD)Nos.260, 261 and 263 of 2022

18.03.2025

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/03/2025 05:18:48 pm )