State of
Punjab & Ors Vs. Ram Rakha & Ors
[1997] INSC 133 (6 February 1997)
K.
RAMASWAMY, S. SAGHIR AHMAD
ACT:
HEAD NOTE:
O R D E
R
Application for substitution and appointment of legal guardian is ordered.
This
appeal by special leave arises from the judgment of the High Court of Punjab
and Haryana at Chandigarh, made on May 7, 1980 in RSA No.602/80 confirming the judgment of the
District Court dated November
7, 1979.
The
admitted position is that one Gobind Mal, father of the respondents, had possessory
mortgage from the holders of the suit land in the year 1887-88. When the land
was declared as an evacuee property under the Evacuee Interest (Separation)
Act, 1951, the Union of India claimed the land belonged to them. The
respondents filed a civil suit for a declaration that after the expiry of the
period of 60 years from the date of the mortgage, they have become absolute
owners as the mortgage became irredeemable and as a consequence they are the
owner of the property. Though the trial Court has dismissed the suit, on
appeal, it was reversed and decree was granted. The High Court in the second
appeal confirmed it by dismissing in limine. Thus, this appeal by special
leave.
From
the evidence on record, it is seen that mutation entries have been effected to
show that the respondents were in possession of the property as mortgagees
through the tenants. That evidence was corroborated by DW-2, Kanugo and the
mutation order DW-2/1. The District Court also relied upon Jamabandi for the
year 1887-88. Under those circumstances, the mutation in regard to year 1896-97
is only referable to the earlier mortgage of 1886-87. As a consequence, by the
time the Act has come into force, the land became irredeemable by the original
mortgagor.
Resultantly,
they had lost title to the typothica, The title to the land was rightly
declared to belong to the respondents and it cannot be declared to be a evacuee
property nor the Government can claim interest in the land as evacuee property.
The decree granted by the District Judge, therefore, is according to law and
needs no interference.
The
appeal is accordingly dismissed. No cost.
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