Harbans Singh Vs. Guran Ditta Singh [1991] INSC 54 (20 February 1991)

Ramaswamy, K. Ramaswamy, K. Kasliwal, N.M. (J)

CITATION: 1991 SCR (1) 614 1991 SCC (2) 523 JT 1991 (2) 138 1991 SCALE (1)345

ACT:

Redemption of Mortgages (Punjab) Act 2 of 1913-Sections 4, 12 and 13-Application for redemption dismissed-Whether mortgagor's right of redemption barred-Whether suit for redemption under section 60-Transfer of Property Act maintainable and civil court has jurisdiction.

HEAD NOTE:

Kala Singh predecessor of the respondents executed three mortgages hypothecating agricultural lands in favour of the appellants. The mortgagor filed an application under Section 4 of the Redemption of Mortgages (Punjab) Act 2 of 1913 and sought redemption of the mortgages, by paying Rs.10 in respect of each of the mortgage. The parties compromised regarding the amount payable and the Collector passed the order on compromise under Section 11 of the Act on Feb. 3, 1964. The mortgagor having committed default in making the payment within the time allowed for the purpose, the petitions were dismissed by the Collector. Thereupon the mortgagor filed three separate suits against each mortgagee for redemption within one year under Section 12 of the Act on June 12, 1964 and during the pendency of the suits, he having died the suits were dismissed. The respondents after obtaining mutation of their names in the revenue records, filed separate suits for redemption of the mortgages but beyond one year as contemplated under section 12 read with Art.14 of the Limitation Act 1908. The suits were dismissed by the trial court; which order was later affirmed both by the first appellate Court as also by the High Court. On a further appeal under the Letter Patent Act, the Division Bench of the High Court allowed the appeals and set aside the judgments and Decrees of the courts below and granted decree of redemption holding that the suits were not barred by limitation. The appellants have thus filed these appeals after obtaining special leave.

The appellants have reiterated their contention amongst others that the suits were barred by limitation and further the High Court was not right in applying the provisions of Section 60 of the Transfer of Property Act.

Dismissing the appeals this Court, 615

HELD: Section 13 creates a bar to make any further petition under the Act by the mortgagor or his successor in interest. A reading of Section 12 clearly postulates that the aggrieved party, be it mortgagor or mortgagee, against an order made under ss. 6 to 11 is empowered to institute a suit to establish his right in respect of the mortgage.

Subject to the result of the suit, the order passed by the Collector shall be conclusive. Article 14 of the Limitation Act, 1908 which is equivalent to Article 100 of the Limitation Act, 1963, prescribes limitation of one year from the date of the decision or the order of the officer of the Government in his official capacity. Article 61 of the present Limitation Act provides 30 years for redemption and recovery of the possession of the hypotheca. The limitation of 30 years runs from the date when the right to redemption or posession accrues. Articles 105, 134 and 145 of the old Limitation Act would apply to the present litigation and the limitation is 60 years.(619A-C) The creation of mortgage is an act intervivos and not a statutory or common law right. The Act accords summary remedy and the default of compliance entails with dismissal of the application and section 13 prohibits second application for the self same relief. The remedy of civil suit for redemption available at common law, subject to limitation, is not taken away. Civil suit is not a declaratory suit, but one to redeem the mortgage and to recover possession of mortgage property. [621B-C] In the instant case, applying the principle of Justice, Equity and Good conscience though section 60 of the Transfer of Property Act, per se, did not apply, the principles in section 60 would apply. [622G] Though the application for redemption was dismissed under section 11 of the Act and and became conclusive under section 12, the mortgagor's right to redemption is not barred. A suit for redemption under section 60 of the Transfer of Property Act will be maintainable and civil court has jurisdiction to grant the decree of redemption.

[622G] The suits for redemption are admittedly within limitation either under the old Limitation or under the new Limitation Act. The bar of section 12 of the Act does not oust the jurisdiction of the civil court to entertain and grant decree of redemption. [623B] Raghunath Singh & Ors. v. Mt. Hansraj Kanwar and Ors. A.I.R. 1934 P.C. 205; Tulsi Dass @ Nirmal Das Ors., v. diala Ram AIR 1943. 616 Lah. 176; Sheo Lal & Ors. v. Sultan and Ors. [1970] 2 SCR 405; Mussammat Bhagwan Devi v. Mussammat Bunyadi Khanum [1902] Punjab Record 348; Safdar Ali v. Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Ors., [1915] (1) Punjab Record 406; Mian Nizam & Din Mohammed v. Lala Ramsukh Das, AIR 1938 Lah. 286; Milkha Singh v. Mst. Shankari & Ors., AIR (34) Lahore 1;Ms. Ram Gopal Dula Singh v. Sardar Gurbux Singh Jiwan Singh and Ors., AIR 1955 Punjab 215; Atma Singh & Gian Singh v. Mangal Singh and Ors., ILR 1957 Jan.-June (Vol. 10) 79; Ganesh Lal v. Jyoti Pershad, [1953] SCC 243, Suryanarayan v. Sri ramulu, [1913] (25) M L.J.P.16;-Referred to.

Gangu & Ors., v. Maharaj Das & Ors., ILR 15 Lahore 380; Kaura v. Ram Chand, [1925] ILR 6, Lah.206-Distinguished. Bhagat Ram & Ors. v. Jamna Ram and Ors., [1928] 114 I.C.

447-Not approved.

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal Nos. 12224 of 1975.

From the Judgment and Orders dated 9.4.1974 of the Punjab & Haryana High Court in L.P.A. Nos. 213,214 and 215 of 1973.

S.K. Mehta, Dhruv Mehta and Aman Vachher, for the Appellants.

K.C. Dua for the Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by K. RAMASWAMY, J. The appellants are mortgagees. The respondents are the heirs of Kala Singh, the mortgagor.

Kala Singh executed three mortgages in favour of the appellants Resham Singh, Jaswant Singh and Harbans Singh on September 17, 1962, June 17, 1961 and May 31, 1962 respectively hypothecating the agricultural lands of 16 kanals 16 marlas in each of the first two mortgages and 16 kanals in the third mortgage. The mortgagor filed an application under Sec. 4 of the Redemption of Mortgages (Punjab) Act, 2 of 1913, for short 'the Act'. He deposited a sum of Rs.10 in each mortgage and sought redemption of the mortgages. Ultimately the parties compromised and the mortgagor agreed to pay the balance of Rs.340 to each mortgagee within a month from May 1, 1964. The Collector passed the order on compromise under s.11 thereof on February 3, 1964. He committed default in the payment thereof. The petitions were dismis- 617 sed. He filed separate suits against each mortgagee for redemption within one year under Sec. 12 of the Act on June 12, 1964. Pending suits he died. Thereafter the suits were dismissed. After obtaining mutation of their names in the revenue records the respondents filed separate suits for redemption of the mortgages, but beyond one year as contemplated under Sec. 12 read with Art. 14 of the Limitation Act, 1903. The suits were dismissed by the Trial Court and were confirmed by the First Appellate Court and by the High Court in Second Appeals. But the Division Bench under Clause (10) of the Letter of Patent allowed the appeals and set aside the Judgments and Decrees of the courts below and granted decree of redemption in terms of the prayer by Judgment dated April 9, 1974. Assailing the legality thereof the appeals have been filed after obtaining leave under the Art. 136 of the Constitution. Since common questions of facts and law arise for decision in these appeals, they are disposed of by a common judgment.

The only question that was argued before the High Court and reiterated in this Court is whether the suits are barred by limitation. The contention of Shri Mehta, the learned counsel for the appellants is that the order passed by the Collector under Sec. 12 of the Act is conclusive between the parties unless the suits are laid under Art. 14 of the Limitation Act within one year from the date of the Order.

Admittedly, the present suits have been filed beyond such limitation of one year. The High Court committed a grave error of law in applying the provisions of Sec. 60 of the Transfer of property Act and the ratio of the Privy council in Raghunath Singh & Ors. v. MT. Hansraj Kanwar & Ors., A.I.R. 1934 P.C. 205. He contends that the Act provides a right and remedy to the mortgagor and mortgagees. Section 12 of the Act makes the order conclusive and binding and Sec. 13 bars second application in that regard unless the suit is filed within one year from the date of the order.

It is not open to the Civil Court to go behind the order of the Collector and enlarge the limitation provided under Art.

14 of the Limitation Act. All the provisions of Transfer of Property Act were not applicable to State of Punjab.

Certain Provisions relating to Sale-deeds and gifts were made applicable to the State of Punjab with effect from April 1, 1955 and to the area comprised in the erstwhile Pepsu State, w.e.f. May 15, 1957. As on the date when the suits were laid, s. 60 of Transfer of Property Act did not apply to Punjab and so the ratio in Raghunath Singh's case (supra) is inapplicable. The High Court committed manifest error in applying s.60. He cited decisions of Lahore High Court in support of the contention that the suit shall be laid within one year which we would advert to at a later stage. Shri Dua, learned counsel for the respondents contended that the High 618 Court is justified in holding that the suit is not barred by limitation and the ratio of the decision cited by the appellants cannot be applied.

The Act is a beneficial legislation giving right to the mortgagors to seek redemption and restoration of possession of the hypotheca in summary proceedings before the revenue courts. The Act applied only to mortgage of land where the principal money secured under the mortgage does not exceed Rs. 5,000 and the hypotheca does not exceed 50 acres of land. Section 4 gives right to the mortgagor and other persons entitled to sue for redemption at any time after the principal money becomes payable and before the suit for redemption is barred, by presenting a petition to the collector for a direction i.e. mortgage be redeemed and erstwhile morgages shall put the mortgagor in possession of the hypotheca, after following the procedure in that behalf.

Secs. 5 to 11 deal with the procedure. Under s. 11 if the Collector, on an enquiry, forms an opinion that the sum is rightly due under the mortgage, he shall, unless he dismisses the petition under Sec. 10, make an order under Sec.6. If the sum is found larger than the sum deposited, the mortgagor shall deposit the amount with any further sum that may be due on account of interest upto date of the deposit; on making deposit within the period or extended period not exceeding 30 days, thereafter, the Collector shall make an order under Sec.6 thereto. On committing default by the Mortgagor, the Collector shall dismiss the petition. Section 6 provides the relief of redemption; of restoration of possession to the martgagor; delivery of the mortgage, deed and payment of the mortgage money to the mortgagee. Section 12, which is material for the purpose of this case, reads thus:

(1) "Saving of suits to establish rights-Any party aggrieved by an order made under Section 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 of this Act may institute a suit to establish his right in respect of the mortgage, but subject to the result of such suit, if any, the order shall be conclusive.

(2) Setting aside ex-parte orders or orders of dismissal-Notwithstanding anything in this section a mortgagee against whom an ex-parte order under section 7 has been made or a petitioner, whose petition has been dismissed in default under section 6 may apply to the Collector to have such order of dismissal set aside, and Collector may in his discretion set aside such order of dismissal, on such terms as to costs or otherwise as he may deem fit; provided that the order of dismissal shall not be set aside unless notice of 619 the application has been served on the opposite party." Section 13 creates a bar to make any further petition under the Act by the mortgagor or his successor in interest.

A reading of Sec. 12 clearly postulates that the aggrieved party, be it mortgagor or mortgagee, against an order made under ss. 6 to 11 is empowered to institute a suit to establish his right in respect of the mortgage, subject to the result of the suit the order passed by the Collector shall be conclusive. Article 14 of the Limitation Act, 1908 which is equivalent to Art. 100 of the Limitation Act 1963, prescribes limitation of one year from the date of the decision or the order of the officer of the Government in his official capacity. Article 61 of the present Limitation Act provides 30 years for redemption and recovery of the possession of the hypotheca. The limitation of 30 years runs from the date when the right to redemption or possession accrues. Articles 105, 134, and 145 of the Old Limitation Act would apply to the present litigation and the limitation is 60 years. In Tulsi Dass @ Nirmal Das & Ors. v. Diala Ram, (2) AIR 1943 Lah. 176 a Full Bench for which Tek Chand. J. wrote the leading judgment held at page 189 thus:

"The order of the Collector does not affect the rights of the parties in any way; it is conclusive to this extent only that the petition for summary redemption has been dismissed and no other petition under the Act would lie. No suit under s. 12 being necessary or comptetent, there was no bar to the mortgagor suing for redemption in the civil Courts within the period allowed by law in ordinary course. It must, therefore, be held that the mortgagor's suit in A.I.R. 1929 Lah. 513 was rightly decreed and that the contrary conclusion reached by the Single Bench in A.I.R. 1927 Lah. 461 and re-affirmed by the Division Bench in A.I.R. 1938 Lah. 638 that it is the form of the order of the Collector which has to be seen and not the substance of it, is erroneous.

This view was approved by this Court in Sheo Lal & Ors. v. Sultan & Ors., [1970] 2 SCR 405 by a Bench of three Judges. The facts were that the Collector did not decide the dispute on merits, but rejected the application filed under Sec. 4 of the Act holding that the application raised complicated question of facts and law and thereby he declined to exercise summary jurisdiction under the Act. On institution of the suit the plea of limitation under Art. 14 of Old Limitation Act was raised which was upheld by the Trial Court, but on 620 appeal the decree of redemption was granted and was confirmed by the High Court in Second Appeal. The same contention was reiterated before this Court. In that context Shah, J. as he then was, speaking for the court, held that it is not the form of the order of dismissal but its substance will determine the application of the period of limitation prescribed by Art. 14 of the Limitation Act.

An order relegating the mortgagor to a civil suit for obtaining an order of redemption, event if becomes final, does not bar a suit for redemption for it raises no cloud on the title of the mortgagor arising out of the mortgage.

Such an order is not one which is required to be set aside.

An order required to be set aside is one which the officer making it has jurisdiction to make it and has the effect of barring the claim for relief unless it is set aside.

It is clear that an order passed by the Collector under ss. 6 to 11 is only conclusive for what was decided therein and if the adjudication made by the Collector in summary proceedings are sought to be reopened, certainly, unless the order is got over, either by the martgagor or by the mortgagee, or any person claiming right, title or interest through them being an aggrieved person within the meaning of Sec. 12, the order of the Collector binds the parties or the persons claiming right, title or interest from the parties.

Take for instance, there is a dispute as in the present case about the mortgage money before the Collector. Kala Singh disputed the money secured of hypothecation but had compromised and agreed to pay the amount mentioned in the mortgages bond, namely, Rs.850-Rs. 10 in each of the mortages disputed but in the suit filed within one year he reiterated his original stand. Had the same stand been taken by the respsondents disputing the mortgage money, certainly it would not be open to the respondents as successor in interest of the mortgagor to contend that the money advanced under the mortgage was not Rs. 850, but something less. That is not the case in the present suit.

They agreed to pay Rs. 850 as decided by the Collector and sought redemption in the civil suit. Thereby they are not seeking to set aside the order of the Collector, but they are seeking redemption of the mortage. Take another instance where the mortgagor disputed the execution or validity of the mortgage, bond itself and the finding was recorded against the mortgagee, i.e. the mortgage bond was not either executed or is void for being vitiated by fraud, coercion or undue influence, etc. The mortgagor successfully avoided the mortgage by a specific order passed by the Collector under the relevant provisions of the Act.

If no suit was filed within a period of one year, the findings of the Collector become conclusive between the mortgagee and the mortgagor and it is not open to assail the order of the Collector after one year in a suit of 621 foreclosure or sale by the mortgagee. Therefore, what was prohibited by Sec. 12 is only the substance of the order and not the form.

Once a mortgage always a mortgage and gets extinguished by payment of mortgage money by the mortgagor or decree of redemption is passed and satisfied. The creation of mortgage is an act intervivos and not a statutory or common law right. The Act accords summary remedy and the default of compliance entails with dismissal of the application and s. 13 prohibits second applications for the self same relief. The remedy of civil suit for redemption available at common law, subject to limitation, is not taken away.

Civil suit is not a declaratory suit, but one to redeem the mortgage and to recover possession of mortgaged property.

The question then is whether the respondents are entitled to redemption of the mortgage. Section 60 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 gives right to redemption of the mortgage by instituting a suit for redemption of the mortgage property. But as seen, at the relevant time section 6D was not made applicable to Punjab. In Mussammat Bhagwan Devi v. Mussammat Bunyadi Khanum, [1902] Punjab Record 348 the Division Bench held that although the Transfer of Property Act and the Indian Easement Act are not in force in Punjab, the Punjab Courts when deciding cases in which principles of law dealt with by the provisions of those Acts are involved, may adopt those provisions as embodying law applicable to the case especially when the law enunciated therein coincides with the principles of equity, good conscience and justice for which there is no statutory law applicable to the Punjab. In that it was held that the mortgagor in possession had no authority, without the consent of the mortgagee, to do an act which was likely to prove destructive or permanently injurious to the property mortgaged.

In Safdar Ali. v. Ghulam Mohi-ud-din & Ors., [1915] 1 Punjab Record 406 the Full Bench was to consider whether Doctrine of Clogging would apply when the Transfer of Property Act was not made applicable to Punjab. The Full Bench held that though the Doctrine of Clogging, in terms does not apply in Punjab, when there is no statutory prohibition, governing the matter be restricted to case where something unconscionable or oppressive in the bargain calls for redress. In terms the Full Bench applied the Principles in the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act consistent with the Doctrine of Justice, Equity and Good Conscience. In Mian Nizam & Din Mohammad v. Lala Ram Sukh Das, AIR 1938 Lahore 286 the right of prior mortgagee purchasing property mortgaged to him be deemed to keep alive for his benefit as against subsequent mort- 622 gagee. It was held that the principles contained in s. 101 of Transfer of Property Act would be applicable and applied.

In Milkha Singh v. Mst. Shankari & Ors., AIR (34) Lahore 1 a Full Bench of five Judges applied the Doctrine of Part Performance under s. 53A of the Transfer of Property Act as a defence. It was further held that s. 53A is based on equitable principles which were previously applicable to whole of India, though the Transfer of Property Act per se was not applied to Punjab. In M/s Ram Gopal Dula Singh v. Sardar Gurbux singh Jiwan Singh & Ors., AIR 1955 Punjab 215 Kapur, J., as he then was speaking for the Division Bench, held that though s. 6 of the Transfer of Property Act is not applicable to Punjab, the right to expectancy may not be transferred. It was further held that in Punjab and Lahore there is no disagreement as to Principles of Transfer of Property Act being applicable to Punjab because they are based on Justice, Equity and Good-conscience. This view was again reiterated in Atma Singh & Gian Singh v. Mangal Singh & Ors., I.L.R.1957 Jan. -June (Vol.10) 79 and applied ss. 58, 92 and 100, Doctrine of Subrogation, but excluded the applicability of the technical rules. This Court in Ganeshi Lal v. Jyoti Pershad, [1953] SCC 243 held that though the Transfer of Property Act 1882 does not apply to Punjab, the priciple of equity, justice and good conscience would apply to Punjab. If one of the several mortgagor redeems the entire mortage by paying a sum less than the full amount due under the mortgage, he is entitled to receive from his co-mortgagors only their proportionate shares on the amount actually paid by him. He is not entitled to claim their proportionate shares on the amount which was due to the mortages under terms of the mortgage on the date of redemption. The same principle laid down in Suryanarayan v. Sriramulu, [1913] 25 M.L.J. p. 16 was referred to with approval in Ganeshi Lal's case. Though in Ganeshi Lal's case the entire claim under the suit for contribution was not decreed, the provision of Transfer of Property Act were applied, on the Principles of equity, justice and good conscience and granted degree pro rata.

We hold that applying the principle of Justice, Equity and Good Conscience though s. 60 of the Transfer of Property Act per se did not apply, the principles in s. 60 would apply. Though the application for redemption was dismissed under s.11 of the Act and became conclusive under s. 12 the mortgagor's right to redemption is not barred. A suit for redemption under s. 60 of Transfer of Property Act will be maintainable and civil court has jurisdiction to grant the decree of redemption.

In Gangu & Ors., v. Maharaj Das & Ors., I.L.R. 15 Lahore 380 a 623 Full Bench following Kaura v. Ram Chand [1925] I.L.R. 6 Lah.

206 held that unless the order of the Collector be challenged within one year the civil court has no jurisdiction to entertain the suit. In this case the right to redemption of mortgage itself was barred by limitation.

Therefore, the ratio does not apply. Though the ratio in Bhagat Ram & Ors. v. Jamna Ram & Ors. [1928] 114 I.C. 447 is in favour of the appellants, in our view the ratio therein is not good law. Thus we hold that the suits for redemption are admittedly within limitation either under the Old Limitation or under the new Limitation Act. The bar of Sec. 12 of the Act does not oust the jurisdiction of the civil Court to entertain and grant decree of redemption.

The appeals are accordingly dismissed, but in the circumstances parties are directed to bear their own costs throughout.

Y.L. Appeal dismissed.

 Back