Raimati
Sahuani Vs. Pankaja Sahu & Ors [1995] INSC 473 (8 September 1995)
Ramaswamy,
K. Ramaswamy, K. Hansaria B.L. (J)
CITATION:
JT 1995 (9) 591 1995 SCALE (5)447
ACT:
HEAD NOTE:
O R D
E R
Leave
granted.
The
learned counsel appearing for the respondents states that in spite of his
repeated letters written to the respondents he did not receive any response. On
April 21, 1995, we had given four weeks time to
the counsel for the respondents at his request. Today also, he has repeated the
same and requested another chance but we decline to grant further adjournment.
We
have heard learned counsel for the appellant. The appellant-plaintiff laid the
suit for declaration of title and for possession. Her case is found on the
undisputed fact that her father Urddhaba is owner of 88 acres of the plaint
property. She claims that the respondents are not concerned with the property
in whatsoever manner but remained in possession. The respondents set up the
plea of adoption.
Admittedly,
the predecessor in interest of respondents is brother's son of the Urddhaba.
The trial court accepted the plea of adoption and dismissed the suit. In First
Appeal 196/77, by judgment and decree dated December 3, 1992, the learned single judge of the
High Court confirmed the decree.
Hence,
this appeal by special leave.
The
learned counsel for the appellant contended that the respondent in the written
statement pleaded that Urddhaba was 50 years old when his first wife Mahadei
died and his second wife had given birth to one daughter and one son who died
later. He had requested his natural father, the defendant, to give adoption. As
a result he became the adoptive son of Urddhaba. The first respondent claimed
that he was practically adopted when he was one year old child and remained in
the adopted family. The adopted father Urddhaba died in 1938. As a consequence,
he claimed to have succeeded to the father's estate as a sole son. Counsel for
the appellant contended that this plea is clearly unsustainable when it is
taken note of is that the natural father had lost five children and the
defendant being the only son, it would be highly improbable that the natural
father would lose his only son and give him in adoption to Urddhaba. He also
contended that from 1912 till 1950, there is no documentary evidence to
establish that the defendant was an adopted son of Urddhaba. The only entry is
in the electoral roll of 1950 in which his claim to be the son of Urddhaba,
which could be at any rate be a self created document. Reasons given by the
courts below are clearly unsustainable. He has drawn our attention to the
statement that Urddhaba was 35 years old at the time of adoption in the year
1912 and that was clearly show that Urddhaba would not be inclined to take the
first respondent in adoption.
In
view of the fact that the respondent is not represented by a counsel and since
it is a matter to be examined in detail, we do not feel inclined to go into the
facts in this case. The learned counsel stated that there is voluminous
documentary evidence in proof of the appellant's case and the High Court had
not adverted to the material documentary evidence and, therefore, case requires
reconsideration. We deem it appropriate that the High Court would dispose the
appeal afresh after giving hearing to both the parties and decide the matter as
per law.
The
appeal is allowed accordingly and the judgment and decree of the High Court are
set aside and matter is remitted for early disposal. No costs.
Back