Yabdyarlaros
Dajiba Shrawane Vs. Ma & Niolrasl Harakchand Shah (Dead) [2002] Insc 330 (2 August 2002)
S.Rajendra
Babu & D.P.Mohapatra. D.P.Mohapatra,J.
This
appeal filed by the plaintiffs is directed against the judgment of the Bombay
High Court, in Second Appeal No.164/1968 in which the High Court allowed the
appeal, No.123-A, filed by the defendants, set aside the decree passed by the
lower appellate court and restored the decree passed by the trial court.
The
appellants filed the suit as representatives of Akhil Digambari Jain community
of village Shirpur, Talaq Washim, District Akola. The defendants who are
respondents herein were impleaded as representatives of Swetambari Jain
community of the area. The plaintiffs prayed for the following main reliefs in
the suit :
"(a)
Order passed by the Court of S.D.M. on 17.12. 1927 and that passed by the Court
of the Addl. Judl. Commissioner on 6.8.1928 against the plaintiffs be set
aside.
(b) It
be declared that the whole of the Digambari Jain community is entitled to have
full possession, Wahiwat and enjoyment of rights, over the field S.No.197 as
described hereinabove and the defendants be directed to put the plaintiffs in
possession of the said field in the condition in which it may be. Similarly, it
be declared that the whole of the Digambari Jain community is entitled to have
joint rights in field S.No.198/1 as detailed and described hereinabove and the
defendants be directed to put the plaintiffs in joint possession of it also in
the condition in which it may be.
(c) The
reliefs regarding rights as stated by the plaintiffs in plaint paras nos. 5(b)
to (i) and shown in the map dated 2.10.37 be granted to them if necessary and
in the alternative." The case of the plaintiffs sans unnecessary details
may be stated thus :
There
are two fields under Survey No.197 and 198/1 situate at mouza Shirpur Tq. Washim,
District Akola, measuring 2 acres 5 gunthas and 1 acre 22 gunthas,
respectively. The two fields adjoin each other. In Survey No.197 there is a
very old Hemadpanthi temple of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath known as Pawli temple. This temple
and its precincts spread over 20 gunthas of land were being preserved as an
ancient monument by the Archeological Department of Government of India during the period 1925 to 1964. In
this field near the temple there is a garden having fruit bearing and flowering
trees.
The
shrine in the said temple is worshipped by both Digambari and Swetambari sects
of Jains. Originally the management of the temple of Shri Antariksha
Parshwanath temple
was in the hands of Maratha and Kunbi servants of the Jain community. These
servants were known as Paulkars. In course of time the Paulkars, began to
assert their rights to management of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath temple and
this led to disputes between the members of the Jain community on the one hand
and the Paulkars on the other. In the proceedings initiated under section 145
Criminal Procedure Code the S.D.M. Washim by order dated 7.9.1903 held that the
Jain Community was in exclusive possession of the property of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
Maharaj Sansthan and accordingly the receiver was directed to hand over
possession of the property of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj Sansthan to Panchas
of the Jain community.
Near
about the year 1908 dispute started between the two Sects of Jain community,
the Digambaris and the Shawetambaris and each sect started to claim that Shri Antariksha
Parshwanath Maharaj temple was a temple of their sect, the idol was an idol of
their sect. Each sect claimed exclusive management of the temple and worship of
the deity according to the tenets of its own Sect.
Eventually,
the Swetambaris instituted Civil Suit No. 4 of 1910 in the Court of the
Additional District Judge, Akola to
establish their right, title and management of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
temple against the Digambaris.
The
suit was filed by certain members of Swetambari sects in their representative
capacity as representing the Swetambari community and similarly the defendants
of the suit were sued as representing the Digambari community.
The
suit was partly decreed by the trial court. Against the decree the Swetambaris
preferred appeal First Appeal No.39-B of 1918 in the Court of Judicial
Commissioner, Nagpur. The Digambaris filed cross
objection in that appeal. The Judicial Commissioner, Nagpur, confirmed the
right of exclusive management and worship of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
temple, Shirpur in favour of the Swetambaris and dismissed the cross objection
of the Digambari sect. The relevant portion of the decree passed by the
Judicial Commissioner, runs as follows:
"We
declare that the Swetambaris are entitled to the exclusive management of the
temple and the image of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj at Kasbe Shirpur,
with Katisutra, Kardora and Lape, and that they have the right to worship that
image with Chakshu, Tika and Mugut and to put ornaments over the same in
accordance with their custom. That the Digambaris have a right of worshipping
the image in accordance with the arrangement made in 1905 without Chakshu, Tika
and Mugut or ornaments, but are not to remove or interfere with the Kachota, Katisutra
and Lape; we also declare that the Digambari Sect are permanently restrained
from obstructing the Swetambari Sect in getting the image restored to its
original form adorned with the Kachota, Katisutra and plastering the same now
and hereafter. In supersession of the lower Court's decree, a decree as above
will now be passed. The cross objections are dismissed. As regards costs, we
think it proper that each party should bear its cost." Against the said
decree the Digambaris preferred appeal before the Privy Council being
No.69/1927. The Privy Council dismissed the appeal and confirmed the decree
passed by the Judicial Commissioner's Court vide its judgment dated 9.7.1929.
In the
meanwhile, near about the year 1927 disputes started between the Digambaris and
Swetambaris over possession of the two fields, Survey No.197 and Survey
No.198/1. of Shirpur village. These disputes between the two sects led to a proceedings
under section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the S.D.M. Washim,
registered as Misc. Cr. Case No.15 of 1927. By his order dated 17.12.1927 the
S.D.M. held that the Swetambaris were in exclusive possession of these two
fields. Feeling aggrieved by the said order the Digambaris filed Criminal
Revision Application No.1 of 1928 in the Court of the Sessions Judge, Akola. The Additional Sessions Judge, Akola made a reference to the Court of
Judicial Commissioner, Nagpur. The Additional Judicial
Commissioner, Nagpur on 6.8.1928 rejected the reference
and confirmed the order of the S.D.M, Washim upholding the possession of Swetambaris
over the two fields. The Digambaris thereafter instituted the present suit
against the Swetambaris for setting aside the order of the S.D.M. Washim. The
suit was filed by the Digambaris on 6.8.1931 in the Court of the Sub-Judge II Washim.
It was registered as Civil Suit no.300/1931. On the objection raised on behalf
of the defendants (Swetambaris) that the suit was under valued the trial court
considered the preliminary issue relating to valuation of the suit and held
that the suit was under- valued and requisite court fee of Rs.5,500/- was to be
paid. After the plaintiffs paid the requisite court fee and amended the plaint
by correcting the valuation the Court of the Subordinate Judge, Class II, Washim
passed an order that it had no jurisdiction to try the suit and the plaint was
returned to the plaintiffs for presentation to the proper Court. On the same
day 13.4.1933 the plaint was presented to the Court of the Sub-Judge Class I Washim,
and was registered in that Court as Civil Suit No.23 of 1933. Subsequently, it
came to be re-registered as transferred Civil Suit No.123-A of 1958.
The
claim of the plaintiffs in the suit may briefly be stated as follows:
"The
hemadpanthi temple of Antriksha Parshwanath i.e. the "Pawli temple" situated in Survey
No.197 belongs to and is under the management (Wahiwat) of the Digambari Jain
Community. Survey No.197 (containing the temple and the garden) exclusively
belongs to the Digambari Community and has all along been in the exclusive
possession of the Digambari Community. Survey No.198/1 has been used to
accommodate the Digambari Jain pilgrims coming to the Pawli temple.
The Digambari
Jain pilgrims have been using this field to fix their tents, and to hold
meetings, religious functions (Dinners, Bhajans etc.). Since 1913- 14, the Swetambaris
have also been using Survey No.198/1 as co- religionists. That filed was
accordingly recorded in the name of both the Jain communities. Later on, taking
advantage of the confidence reposed by the Digambari Jain Community, the Swetambaris,
with the intention of defrauding Digambari Jain Community and without its
knowledge, got the present entry made in the name of Swetambaris alone in the Jamabandi
patrak. The Digambari plaintiffs came to know of this in the year 1927.
According
to the plaintiffs, the Digambari plaintiffs and the Swetambari community are
jointly entitled to possession and enjoyment of Survey No.198/1.
The
suit field Survey No.197 and a joint half share in Survey No.198/1 belong to
the Pawli temple. The Digambari plaintiffs as owners, worshippers and Wahiwatdars
of this Sansthan as formed by the temple and idol situated in Survey No.197,
and known as Pawli Temple Sansthan, are claiming the suit fields from the
defendants. This Sansthan, as formed by the Deity and the temple in this suit
and situated in Survey No.197 has absolutely no concern in respect of ownership
and management with the Sansthan or the Deity of the same name in the town of Shirpur. The litigation fought out
previously in respect of the other Sansthan in the town has no relation
whatsoever with this Sansthan or the Deity which is quite an independent one.
This Sansthan is outside the town and is known as Pawli temple. These two
fields Survey No.197 and 198/1 belong to this Pawli temple and not to the other
Sansthan. This Sansthan exclusively belongs to Digambari Sect, while the other
sect of the Swetambaris is allowed to worship there as co- religionists. The
management of this Sansthan known as Pawli Temple and its property were not the
subject- matter of the previous litigation in Civil Suit No.4 of 1910 of the
Court of the Additional District Judge, Akola, which was in respect o the other Sansthan in the town.
In the
alternative, even if this Pawli temple and its property are held to be
belonging to the Sansthan in the town of Shirpur, still the plaintiffs' right
to claim the reliefs in the present suit remains unaffected by the decision in
the previous suits, because the previous decrees related only to the right of
management of the temple and the idol situated in the town. The plaintiffs, as
worshippers and devotees of the Deity in the town of Shirpur, have a right to
claim possession of the field Survey No.197 and joint possession of the field
Survey No.198/1. They accordingly in the alternative claim them as worshippers
of the deity Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj.
Further,
in the alternative, the plaintiffs submit that if the plaintiffs are not held
entitled to claim possession of Survey No.197 and joint possession of Survey
No.198/1, they claim a declaration of their right of Wahiwat (easement) in
respect of these fields as worshippers of the Deity, which right has continued
from ancient times. Thus, even if the Digambaris establish their exclusive
right of management in the capacity of managers of the suit fields, the
plaintiffs are entitled to enjoy the aforesaid fields unobstructedly, even if
it is held that the fields belonged to the Deity and the temple in the town,
the plaintiffs being worshippers of the deity. These rights are
(i)
The right to use the two pathways to the Pawli temple.
(ii)
The right to take Dindis to the Pawli temple at the time of Jalyatra on Miti Kartik
Shuddha 14 and 15 every year.
(iii)
Right of pathway to the well and to take water of the well.
(iv)
Right to use the water of the well for watering the garden in Survey No.197.
(v)
Right to use the way AB on all sides i.e. B.H.B.D.E.D. as shown in the
Commissioner's map as an easement of necessity.
(vi)
The right to use Survey No.198/1 for camping of Digambari pilgrims, and for
parking of unyoked bullock- carts, for performing Puja, Pratistha by pilgrims
and holding of discussions, meetings, and gatherings by pilgrims.
(vii)
The right to use Kotha and rooms in Survey No.197.
(viii)
The right to take fruits and flowers from the trees in the garden in Survey
No.197.
In the
relief clause in the plaint, the Digambari plaintiffs prayed for the following reliefs
:- (i) Setting aside of the order of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Washim
dated 17-12-1927.
(ii)
Declaration that the whole of the Digambari Jain community is entitled to full
possession, Wahiwat and enjoyment of rights over Survey No.197 and actual
possession of the said field.
(iii)
Declaration of the Right of the Digambari Jain community to have joint
possession, Wahiwat and enjoyment of rights in Survey No.198/1 and actual joint
possession of that field.
(iv)
Relief regarding rights as stated in paragraphs 5(b) to (i) of the
plaint." The Swetambari-defendants denied the contentions raised by the Digambari-plaintiffs.
According
to them the Pawli temple had no idol in it, the pedestal was without an idol.
The moveable and small idol was placed there about 30/35 years ago by somebody
as the pedestal was empty. The Pawali temple does not belong to Digambari sect.
It was a Swetambari temple owned and managed by Swetambaris. In civil suit No.4
of 1910 the Swetambaris had been declared to be the exclusive managers of the
said temple and idol of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj Sansthan with only
a limited right of worship given to the Digambaris. According to the defendants
previously there was no idol of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath nor was there any
temple in survey no.197. The Digambari near about the year 1927 surreptitiously
put a stone slab on the Pawli temple falsely describing it as "Digambari Mandir".
The defendants Swetambaris claimed that a portion of the suit Survey No.197 was
acquired by the Swetambari Jains on 2.8.1976 from one Shankar Sadashiv Pande
under a Rajinama and Kabuliyat, for their use as exclusive owners and Managers
of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj Sansthan, and they had later on sunk the
well in the field. It was the further case of the defendants that during the
last more than 70 years the defendant Swetambaris had been in exclusive
possession of the field survey No.197. According to them the suit property was
purchased by the Swetambari on 20.12.1900 from the original owner by a
registered sale deed in the name of Deoba Raoji and Ananda Mehpati of Shirpur,
as managers on behalf of Swetambaris, and the Swetambaris had all along been in
possession of the said field.
The
trial court found that the Pawli temple is not known as Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
and it did not belong to the plaintiff Digambari community. On the contrary the
Pawli temple and its Sansthan were the property of the town temple of Shri Antariksha
Parshwanath Maharaj. The final decision in Civil Suit No.4 of 1910 did not
operate as res judicata on the point of title, ownership and possession of the
present suit property, but that decision operated as res judicata only as
regards the right to manage the suit property.
The
Court further found that both, survey No. 197 and Survey No.198/1 did not
belong to the Pawli temple or its Sansthan but had been acquired by the manager
of the temple in the town. The field Survey No.197 had not been in the
exclusive possession of the plaintiff Digambaris. The plaintiffs had only been
using the well in Survey No.197 and the pathways to the Pawli temple.
The Digambaris
were not entitled to exclusive possession of Survey No.197 nor to joint
possession of Survey No.198/1. The suit is not barred by limitation and the trial
court had jurisdiction to try the suit. On these findings the trial court
dismissed the Digambari plaintiffs' claim for declaration of title for setting
aside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's order, and for exclusive possession of
Survey No.197 and joint possession of Survey No.198. But the trial court
granted a limited decree in Digambari plaintiffs' favour in following terms:-
"The plaintiffs as worshippers of the idol of the Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
Maharaj Sansthan have the following rights:
(i) Using
the ways A.B.H., A.B.C.D., D1 and the way in the southern portion of Survey
No.198/1 from East to West turning to the North and at the western end near the
temple and proceeding to the temple for entry at ML as shown in the map No.8 in
the Commissioner's papers.
(ii)
Enjoying water of the well "W" for purposes of drinking, bathing
washing clothes and pots and watering cattle by working Mots on it.
(iii)
Temporary parking of carts and tethering of bullocks of the pilgrims during the
periodical, annual Yatra day on portions of Survey No.197 and 198/1 happening
to be vacant and not under cultivation." Aggrieved by this decree the Digambari
plaintiffs filed Civil Appeal No.96 of 1965 in the District Court, Akola.
Against the partial decree passed by the trial court in favour of the Digambari
plaintiffs, the Swetambari defendants filed cross objections. The lower
Appellate Court agreed with the trial court that the suit was not barred by
limitation, and that the suit was not affected by the provisions of Section 32
of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1950 and that the suit was also not
barred by the orders passed by the Charity Commissioner. However, disagreeing
with the trial Court, the lower Appellate Court found that Survey No.197
belonged exclusively to the plaintiff Digambari Sect and that Survey No.198/1
belonged to the Digambaris and Swetambaris jointly. The lower Appellate Court,
therefore, allowed the appeal of Digambari plaintiffs and dismissed the cross
objections of Swetambari defendants by passing a decree in following terms:
"The
appeal is allowed. The decree of the trial court is set aside and in its place,
the following decree is substituted:-
(1)
The order passed by the Sub- Divisional Magistrate on 17.12.1927 and Judicial
Commissioner, Nagpur on 6.8.1928, are set aside. It is
hereby declared-
(2)
That the plaintiffs who are the representatives of the Jain community are
exclusive owners of Survey No.197 of Shirpur.
They
shall be put in possession of that property. It is also declared that Survey
No.198/1 jointly belongs to the Digambari community as well as Swetambari
community. The plaintiffs shall be put in joint possession of the same. The
remaining claim is dismissed as it does not survive.
Respondents
no.1 to 3 shall bear the costs of the appellants throughout. The respondent
no.4 to bear his own costs. The cross objection of the respondents no.1 to 3 is
dismissed." Aggrieved by this decision of the lower Appellate Court the Swetambaris
defendants preferred the second appeal.
In
Para 12 of the judgment the High Court formulated the contentions raised by the
counsel for the appellant as follows:
"Shri
Palshikar, the learned counsel for the appellant defendants, contended that
this finding of fact arrived at by the lower Appellate Court was not binding on
this Court in this second appeal because the lower Appellate Court
(a) had
failed to consider certain relevant and admissible evidence on record of the
case,
(b) had
based its finding partly on consideration of certain inadmissible evidence,
(c) had
mis-construed some of the material documents governing the question of title to
the suit properties, and
(d) had
based its findings on inferences which could never be drawn from the documents,
and on surmises and conjectures.
This
contention of the appellants has first to be closely examined." The High
Court noted the gist of the claims of the plaintiffs Digambaris that the two
suit fields belonged either to the Pawli temple which itself was a separate Digambari
Sansthan as distinguished from the Shri Antariksha Parshwanath temple and Sansthan
in the town of Shirpur or that the two suit fields belonged to the Digambari
Community, Survey No.197 exclusively and Survey No.198/1 jointly along with the
Swetambaris.
The
Court took note of the contentions raised on behalf of the defendant Swetambaris
that the Pawli temple and the two fields were the exclusive properties of the
town temple of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath and were in their exclusive
possession. The High Court noted the admission made by the witness Haribhau Rangnath
Tikait PW 5 who claimed to be a Digambari jain. His statement in cross
examination was to the effect that "Pawli temple is part of the temple in
the town and part of the estate of that temple. The gardens are known by the
name of Pawli Bagicha".
Proceeding
further the High Court considered in detail the documentary evidence relied
upon by the lower appellate court in support of the finding that the Pawli
temple and two suit fields were the properties of Swetambaris defendants. The
High Court in its detailed discussions in paragraphs 13 of the judgment has
brought out clearly and succinctly how the lower appellate court relied upon
evidence inadmissible in law, in view of the provisions of section 57 of the
Indian Evidence Act; and brought out certain fallacies in the reasons given by
the lower appellate court.
The
High Court further observed that the recital about the inscription with date
and the recital about this being the original temple from which tradition
claims that the image was transferred to the modern principal temple in the
village, clearly tend to support the appellants Swetambari, that the Pawli
temple being a part of the property of Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj Sansthan
by establishing a definite co-relation between the two temples.
The
High Court held that the question of title to a temple or field property could
hardly be said to be a question of public history nor would a report of the
Archeological Survey be an appropriate book of reference for deciding such a
controversy. The Court placed reliance on the case of Farzand Ali and which it
was observed:
"We
are inclined to think that the use of the historical works to establish title
to the property cannot be justified on the strength of Section 57 of the Indian
Evidence Act. The question of title between the trustee of a mosque, though an
old and historical institution, and a private person, cannot, in our opinion,
be deemed to be a "matter of public history" within the meaning of
the said Section." Reference was also made to the case of Mahant Shri Srinivas
Ramanydas vs. Suraj Narayan Das and another (AIR 1967 Supreme Court 256) where
it was observed :
"These
statements in the Gazetteer are not relied on as evidence of title but as
providing historical material and practice followed by the Math and its head.
The Gazetteers can be consulted on matters of public history." The High
Court found that the lower Appellate Court had erroneously accepted the
evidence Exh. P47 that the Pawli temple belong to Digambaris, that it had also
erred in accepting those recitals in the extracts as 'evidence' to serve as the
basis of the findings.
In para
33 of the judgment the High Court referring to several decisions of this Court
held that the finding of fact reached by the lower Appellate Court that the
field Survey No.197 exclusively belongs to the Digambaris community and that
field Survey No.198/1 jointly belongs to the Digambaris and the Swetambaris is
not binding on the Court in the second appeal. Some of the decisions referred
to are Deo Chand and others vs. Shiva Ram and others (1969) 3 SCC 307; Ramappa
vs. Bojappa (AIR 1963 SC 1633); Dhirajlal Girdharilal Sonawati and others vs. Shriram
and another (AIR Haripada Jana (AIR 1971 SC 1049); Sir Chunilal V. Mehta and
Sons Limited vs. Century Spinning and Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (AIR 1962 SC
1314); Bhusawal Borosh Municipality vs. Amalqamated Electricity Co. Ltd. Bhusawal
and another (AIR 1962 SC 1952); 1963 SC 884) etc. etc..
Discussing
the evidence on record in para 35 of the judgment the High Court held that
survey no. 198/1 which was purchased subsequently did not belong exclusively to
the Digambaris as claimed by them. On the other hand it showed that the
purchase was made from the funds of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath Sansthan. In para
40 of the judgment the High Court has discussed the entries relating to the
suit fields made in the revenue records and has discussed the reasons for
holding that the entries do not support the case of the exclusive claim made by
the Digambaris Jain to the property in the field.
In para
59 of the judgment the High Court held :
"It
would thus seem that there is no documentary evidence at all to show that the Pawli
temple was a separate Sansthan going under the name Antariksha Parshwanath Maharaj,
as distinguished and separate from the Sirpur town Antariksha Parshwanath
temple and Sansthan, or that any such Pawli temple sansthan, going under the
name of Antariksha Parshwanath, owned the suit fields as its property."
The High Court noted the evidence of Nathusa son of Pasusa, a Digambari Jain
examined on Commission, who made the statement - "There is no other Mandir
or Sansthan known as Antariksha Parashwanath except the one at Sirpur." In
para 62 of the Judgment the High Court dealt with the alternative contention
raised on behalf of the Digambaris that in the event of their failure to put
forth any document of title to support their claim of title to the two suit
fields the presumption of lost grant may be invoked in their favour. In this
connection the High Court noted the following observations of the Supreme Court
in the case of B. Satyanarayana and others vs. Konduru Venkatapayya and others
(AIR 1953 SC 195):
"There
is no doubt on the authorities that a presumption of an origin in some lawful
title may, in certain circumstances, be made to support possessory rights long
and quietly enjoyed, where no actual proof of title is forth-coming, but it is
equally well established that that presumption cannot be made where there is
sufficient evidence and convincing proof of the nature of grant and the persons
to whom it was made." The High Court also quoted the following observation
of the Supreme Court in the case of Manohar Das vs. Charu Chandra (AIR 1955 SC
228):
"It
was a presumption made for securing ancient and continued possession which
could not otherwise be reasonably accounted for. But it was not a "presumtio
Juris et de jure" and the Courts were not bound to raise it if the facts
in evidence went against it." Referring to the oral evidence adduced by
the parties in para 63 of the Judgment the High Court held that the oral
evidence on either side is more or less of little value except insofar as the
witnesses on each side may have yielded in cross examination critical
concessions in favour of their rivals.
The
High Court summed up its finding in para 64 of the judgment in the following
words:
"Disagreeing
with the lower Appellate Court, I hold that the Digambaris plaintiffs have
failed to prove that the two suit fields belong to the Pawli temple or that the
Pawli temple itself belongs to the Digambari Community or that the two suit
fields belong to the Digambari Community. That finding clearly entails
dismissal of the main claim of declaration and possession laid by the Digambari
plaintiffs, except in respect of decree for their rights of user as passed by
the trial Court." In para 66 of the judgment the High Court considered the
contention that the present suit is barred by the principle of res judicata, in
view of the judgment in Civil Suit No.4/1910, and answered the point in the
negative holding that that suit related to right of worship and exclusive
possession or management of the main town temple of Shri Antariksha Parshwanath
at Sirpur. The issue of title to the present two suit fields was not directly
and substantively involved in that suit. Therefore, the High Court held that
the decree in Civil Suit No.4/1910 as ultimately confirmed by the decision of
the Privy Council Appeal No.69/1927 would not operate as res judicata for the
purpose of the present suit.
On the
discussions in the judgment the High Court set aside the decree passed by the
lower Appellate Court and ordered the decree of the trial court to be restored.
From
the discussions in the judgment it is clear that the High Court has based its
findings on the documentary evidence placed on record and statements made by
some witnesses which can be construed as admissions or conclusions. The
position is well settled that when the judgment of the final Court of fact is
based on mis-interpretation of documentary evidence or on consideration of
inadmissible evidence or ignoring material evidence the High Court in second
appeal is entitled to interfere with the judgment. The position is also well
settled that admission of parties or their witnesses are relevant pieces of
evidence and should be given due weightage by Courts. A finding of fact
ignoring such admissions or concessions is vitiated in law and can be
interfered with by the High Court in second appeal. Since the parties have been
in litigating terms for several decades the records are voluminous. The High
Court as it appears from the judgment has discussed the documentary evidence
threadbare in the light of law relating to their admissibility and relevance.
On
perusal of the judgment of the High Court and on consideration of the matter we
do not find that the judgment suffers from any serious illegality or infirmity
which calls for interference in this appeal filed by special leave.
Accordingly, the appeal fails and is dismissed with costs.
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