SRIHARI (DEAD) THROUGH LR. SMT. CH. NIVEDITHA REDDY Vs SYED MAQDOOM SHAH .
Bench: SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA,PRAFULLA CHANDRA PANT
Case number: C.A. No.-002352-002354 / 2008
Diary number: 23290 / 2005
Advocates: ANIL KUMAR TANDALE Vs
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REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NOs.2352-2354 OF 2008
SRIHARI (DEAD) THROUGH LR. SMT. CH.NIVEDITHA REDDY .…
APPELLANT
VERSUS
SYED MAQDOOM SHAH & ORS. ……RESPONDENTS
J U D G M E N T
PRAFULLA C.PANT,J.
1. All these three appeals are directed against the common
judgment and order dated 21.4.2005 passed by the High Court
of Andhra Pradesh in A.S.M.P. No.11880 of 2004, A.S.M.P.
No. 1098 of 2005 and A.S.M.P. No.1099 of 2005 (moved in
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A.S. No. 734 of 1991) whereby the High Court
exercising powers under Section 152 of the Code of Civil
Procedure,1908 (hereinafter referred as ‘the Code’), has
allowed the applications, and directed that the preliminary
decree passed in A.S. No. 734 of 1991, be amended allotting
and dividing half share of Syed Makdoom Shah (defendant
No.11) and Syed Hussain Shah in the suit schedule property in
addition to 1/4th share of legal heirs of plaintiff Khadar Nawaz
Khan (since dead) and 1/4th share of the legal heirs of
defendant Feroz Khan (died on 22.1.1978).
2. Brief facts of the case are that one Qamaruddin Ali Khan
was original owner and pattadar of agricultural land bearing
S.Nos. 41 to 43 situated in Village Kokapet. The land was
purchased by Khadar Hussain Khan through a registered sale
deed, who died in the year 1942. Khadar Hussain Khan died
issueless as an unmarried person, leaving behind his real sister
Shahzadi Bee and two step brothers namely Feroz Khan and
Khadar Nawaz Khan (plaintiff). Khadar Hussain Khan
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remained in possession and enjoyed the property in suit as
absolute owner till his death in the year 1942 (year 1352 Fasli).
It is pleaded by the plaintiff that after death of Khadar Hussain
Khan the property was succeeded by his real sister Shahzadi
Bee, and two step brothers namely Feroz Khan (died on
22.1.1978) and Khadar Nawaz Khan (plaintiff). On the death
of Feroz Khan in the year 1978, his share is inherited by his
widow Habib Khatoon (Defendant No.1) and children Moin
Khatoon (Defendant No.2), Zehra Khatoon (Defendant No.3),
Tehera Khatoon (Defendant No.4), Sughra Sameena Khatoon
(Defendant No.5), Kaneez Fatima Khatoon (Defendant No.6),
Butool Khatoon (Defendant No.7), Aysha Khatoon (Defendant
No.8) and Khaderalikhan (Defendant No.9). A suit (O.S.No.
471 of 1987) was instituted by plaintiff Khadar Nawaz Khan for
partition of his 1/4th share from plot S. Nos. 41 to 43 measuring
area Ac.49.24 gts situated in aforesaid village Kokapet. It is
further pleaded by the plaintiff that after death of Feroz Khan,
plaintiff and defendant nos. 1 to 11 are in joint possession of
the property. It is alleged by him that defendant no. 12 (Srihari)
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had no concern with the property in suit but he is trying to claim
right over the property on the basis of some document said to
have been executed by one of the co-sharers. Therefore the
plaintiff felt that he is unable to enjoy his property, in joint
possession with the original co-sharers as such he filed suit for
partition of his 1/4 th share .
3. Defendant Nos. 1 to 9 and defendant No. 11 in substance
admitted the case of the plaintiff.(Defendant No.10 during the
pendency of proceeding has died and his heirs are on record.)
Defendant No. 11 filed his written statement and defendant
Nos.1 to 9 adopted the same. It is admitted to defendant Nos.1
to 9 and defendant no. 11 that after the death of Khadar
Hussain Khan, the property in suit devolved and was inherited
by his real sister Shahzadi Bee and two step brothers namely
Feroz Khan and Khadar Nawaz Khan. However, mutation was
done in the name of Feroz Khan being elder male member in
the family, and names of Shahzadi Bee and Khadar Nawaz
Khan were shown ‘shikmi’. It is further pleaded by the
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aforesaid defendants that on the death of Feroz Khan on
22.1.1978, defendant Nos. 1 to 9 (i.e. widow and children of the
deceased) inherited his share. Defendant No.11 is the son of
Shahzadi Bee (real sister of Khadar Hussain Khan). It is also
admitted by the aforesaid defendants that defendant No.12
Srihari had no concern with the property in suit. It is further
pleaded by aforesaid defendants (Nos.1 to 11) that the land in
question is to be partitioned between the plaintiffs and the
defendants.
4. Defendant No.12 Srihari, filed his separate written
statement and contested the suit. Denying the allegations
made in the plaint, he pleaded that the suit property is not joint
family property of plaintiff and the defendant Nos. 1 to 11. He
further pleaded that the plaintiff has filed the suit in collusion
with defendant Nos.1 to 11. However, defendant no.12
admitted that the property in suit originally belonged to
Qamaruddin Ali Khan which was purchased by Khadar Hussain
Khan through registered sale deed, and for valid consideration.
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He (defendant No.12) pleaded in his written statement that on
the death of Khadar Hussain Khan, his step brother Feroz Khan
(husband of Habib Khatoon defendant No.1 and father of
defendant nos. 2 to 9) inherited the property by virtue of
Succession Certificate No. 812 of 1357 Fasli issued by Director
of Settlements. It is pleaded by defendant no.12 that Feroz
Khan perfected his title over the land in suit being in exclusive
possession as an absolute owner in the year 1965-66. It is
pointed out that there had been some litigation under Section
145 of Code of Criminal Procedure between Firoz Khan and
one Krishna Murthy but the same was closed. It is also pleaded
by defendant no.12 that Feroz Khan thereafter instituted a suit
(O.S. No. 31 of 1966) in the Court of IIIrd Additional Judge, City
Civil Court, Hyderabad against Krishna Murthy for injunction
which was renumbered as O.S.No. 512 of 1973 in the Court of
Vth Additional Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad. In the said
suit Feroz Khan (husband of defendant No.1 and father of
defendant nos. 2 to 9) entered into settlement, and the entire
land of S.Nos. 42 and 43 and portion of S.41 vested with the
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defendant no.12. It is further pleaded that in pursuance of said
settlement, defendant no.12 was impleaded as second plaintiff
with Feroz Khan (plaintiff no.1 of Suit No. 512 of 1973). Finally,
Feroz Khan who was in need of money offered to sell land
measuring Ac.18.25 gts of S.No.43 and executed agreement of
sale on 23.3.1973. Said suit No. 512 of 1973 was disposed of
by IVth Additional Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad holding
that defendant No.12 (who was plaintiff No.2 in suit No. 512 of
1973) and Feroz Khan (plaintiff No.1 of said suit) were the
owners of the land. Aggrieved by said judgment and decree
dated 30.9.1976, Krishna Murthy (defendant of said case) filed
an appeal No. CCA 142 of 1976 in the High Court. The legal
proceedings referred above were finally decided in favour of the
vendor. In the second round of litigation, defendant No.12 filed
O.S.No.164 of 1981 before Vth Additional Judge, City Civil
Court, Hyderabad for permanent injunction restraining
defendant nos. 1 to 9, and present plaintiff from selling or
otherwise disposing of the land covered by S.43 of Kokapet
Village, except to the defendant no.12 (who was plaintiff of Suit
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No. 164 of 1981). Present defendant nos.1 to 9 contested Suit
No. 164 of 1981 and the same was decreed in favour of present
defendant no.12, and the defendants of said suit were
restrained from transferring the suit land to third party.
Aggrieved by the said judgment and decree, present defendant
nos. 1 to 9 filed appeal bearing No. AS 66 of 1984 before Chief
Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad which was dismissed by the
said Court on 27.11.1984. The appeal filed by Krishna Murthy
bearing CCCA No. 142 of 1976 was also dismissed by the High
Court on 11.12.1985. Thereafter, defendant No. 12 filed
Original Suit No. 150 of 1986 for specific performance of
agreement of sale dated 23.3.1973 in respect of land Ac.18.25
gts covered by S.No.43 of Village Kokapet. In pursuance to the
order in said case possession of the land in question was jointly
delivered to defendant no. 12 and defendant nos. 1 to 9 by the
Bailiff and the suit was decreed by M.M. West on 2.11.1987
directing the defendant nos. 1 to 9 to execute sale deed in
favour of defendant No.12. Present plaintiff Khadar Nawaz
Khan never attempted to get impleaded in the aforesaid
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litigations. It is alleged by the defendant no.12 that after
colluding with defendant no. 1 to defendant no.9, plaintiff has
filed the present suit for partition to deprive defendant no.12 of
his rights.
5. The trial court on the basis of the pleadings of the parties
framed as many as eight issues, and after recording evidence
and hearing the parties gave the finding that Feroz Khan had
perfected title over the land in suit, and the plaintiff is not
entitled to partition. On the issue of limitation, the trial court held
that the suit is barred by limitation. With the above findings trial
court (Additional Subordinate Judge/R.R. District) dismissed the
suit vide judgment and decree dated 16.10.1990.
6. Aggrieved by the judgment and decree dated 16.10.1990
in O.S. No. 471 of 1987, the plaintiff Khadar Nawaz Khan filed
an appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Andhra
Pradesh which was registered as appeal No. 734 of 1991.
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7. After hearing the parties, the Appellate Court re-
appreciated the evidence and came to the conclusion and
observed as under:
“It is not disputed that the original owner of the property is one Qamaruddin Ali Khan and from him, Khader Hussain Khan purchased the same. The appellant late Feroz Khan and Shahzadi Bee are the step brother and sister of Khader Hussain Khan. It is also not disputed that the properties are matrooka properties. It is also not disputed that Khader Hussain Khan died as a bachelor leaving behind him Shahzadi Bee, his sister and step brothers, Feroz Khan and the appellant Khader Nawaz Khan. After the death of Khader Hussain Khan, the only heirs are late Feroz Khan and Khadar Nawaz Khan i.e. the appellant and Shahazadi Bee. It is also not disputed that the suit properties being matrooka properties, under Muslim Laws, the property devolves on all the three heirs of Khader Hussain Khan viz., Shahzadi Bee, Feroz Khan and Khadar Nawaz Khan. When once the properties devolved on these three persons, who are the successors of Khader Hussain Khan, they are entitled to claim from out of the shares in accordance with Muslim Law and they are co-owners of the property. It is not disputed that when a co-heir is found to be in possession of the properties, it is presumed to be on behalf of the other co- owners and joint title and the possession of one co-heir is to be considered in Law as possession of all the co-heirs. The co-heir in possession cannot render his possession
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adverse to the other co-heirs not in possession. Therefore, on the death of Khader Hussain Khan, late Feroz Khan, Khadar Nawaz Khan, Khadar Nawaz Khan the appellant, Shahzadi Bee, who succeeded as co-heirs, are entitled to joint possession and even assuming that Feroz Khan was in possession of the property, his possession is on behalf of Shahzadi Bee and Khadar Nawaz Khan, who are the co-heirs/co-owners along with him. At this stage, it is relevant to refer Ex.A-2 which was relied on in the Judgment in CCCA No.142 of 1976 filed by Krishna Murthy against late Feroz Khan and the 1st respondent. In this appeal, a reference was made to the succession certificate granted to late Feroz Khan and Shahzadi Bee, the appellant i.e. Khadar Nawaz Khan. The relevant portion has been marked as Ex.A-2 in the present suit. It reads: “Letter No. 745 dated 7th Tir 1356 Fasli shows that the succession for three survey numbers was sanctioned in the name of the plaintiff. His younger brother Khadar Nawaz Khan and sister Shahzadi Bee are shown as co-sharers (Shikami)”. From a reading of Ex.A-2, it is clear that the possession obtained under Muslim Law was recognized by granting succession certificate in favour of all the three co-heirs.
The learned Judge, forgetting the legal position obtained under the Muslim Law and relying on various documents, held that late Feroz Khan was the exclusive possessor and pattadar of the suit land. The documents on which he relied are Ex.B-7, Pahani Patrika for the year 1970-71, Ex.B-23 Khasra Pahani for the year 1954-55, Ex.B-24 certified copy of
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Faisal Patti, Ex.B-25 certified copy of Pahani Pathrika and Ex.B-26 to B-26 certified copies of Pahani Pathrikas. On the basis of various entries made in the revenue records, the learned Judge held that late Feroz Khan was in exclusive possession of the property. It is true that in all the entries in the revenue records, late Feroz Khan and his legal representatives and the respondents were shown as the possessors of the land. However, they are only entries made in the revenue records. In other words, these are the entries relating to mutation proceedings effected on the death of the original owner and also on the death of Feroz Khan and after purchase by the defendant no.12”.
8. After further discussing the evidence on record, the
Appellate Court held that merely for the reason that the
plaintiff did not raise any objection and did not participate in
various proceedings, it cannot be said that he stood ousted
from the co-ownership in the property inherited from Khader
Hussain Khan. The Appellate Court further held that in fact
plaintiff appears to have no knowledge of the proceedings in
which he was not a party. It further observed that the joint
possession over the land in suit of other co-sharers was also
with the plaintiff. The Appellate Court after holding that the
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property was jointly owned by the parties decreed the suit for
partition vide its judgment and decree dated 25.1.1999.
9. It appears that three applications viz. A.S.M.P.
No.11880 of 2004, A.S.M.P. No. 1098 of 2005 and A.S.M.P.
No.1099 of 2005 were moved on behalf of the defendants for
declaration of their shares in the preliminary decree passed in
A.S No. 734 of 1991 arisen out of Suit No.471 of 1987. The
High Court by exercising powers contained in Section 151,
and Section 152 read with Section 153 of the Code, disposed
of these applications vide order dated 21.4.2005 which is
challenged before us. The High Court by its order dated
21.4.2005 allowed the above mentioned applications and
directed that half share belonging to Syed Maqdoom Shah
and Syed Hussain Shah (heirs of Shahzadi Bee), 1/4 th share
of Basheer Khatoon, Quadir Hussain Khan, Rabia Khan,
Razia Moiuddin, Dr. Masood Nawaz and Mohammad Yousuf
Ali Khan (heirs of Khadar Nawaz Khan), and 1/4 th share of
Habib Khatoon, Moin Khatoon, Zehra Khatoon, Tehera
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Khatoon, Sughra Sameena Khatoon, Kaneez Fatima Khatoon,
Butool Khatoon, Aysha Khatoon and Khaderalikhan (heirs of
Feroz Khan) be partitioned.
10. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and
perused the papers on record.
11. On behalf of defendant No.12 Srihari (appellant before
us), it is argued that the impugned order passed by the High
Court is beyond the scope of Section 152 (read with Section
151 and Section 153) of the Code. In support of his argument
he relied in the case of State of Punjab vs. Darshan Singh
AIR 2003 SC 4179: (2004) 1 SCC 328 and Bijay Kumar
Saraogi vs. State of Jharkhand (2005) 7 SCC 748.
Before further discussion, we think just and proper to quote
the relevant provision of law under which impugned order
appears to have been passed by the High Court. Section 152
of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 reads as under:
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"Amendment of judgments, decrees or orders. - Clerical or arithmetical mistakes in judgments, decrees or orders or errors arising therein from any accidental slip or omission may at any time be corrected by the Court either of its own motion or on the application of any of the parties."
12. From the language of Section 152 of the Code, as quoted
above, and also from the interpretation of the section given in
the case of State of Punjab vs. Darshan Singh (supra), the
section is meant for correcting the clerical or arithmetical
mistakes in judgments, decrees or orders or errors arising
therein from any accidental slip or omission. It is true that the
powers under Section 152 of the Code are neither to be
equated with the power of review nor can be said to be akin to
review or even said to clothe the Court under guise of invoking
after the result of the judgment earlier rendered. The
corrections contemplated under the section are of correcting
only accidental omissions or mistakes and not all omissions and
mistakes. The omission sought to be corrected which goes to
the merits of the case is beyond the scope of Section 152. In
Bijay Kumar Saraogi (supra) also it has been reiterated that
Section 152 of the Code can be invoked for the limited purpose
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of correcting clerical errors or arithmetical mistakes in
judgments or accidental omissions.
13. Now we have to examine whether by the impugned
order, the High Court has only corrected the clerical,
arithmetical or accidental omission in the decree passed or not.
To appreciate the same, first we think it necessary to mention
as to what the word “expression accidental omission” means.
In Master Construction Co. (P) Ltd. Vs. State of Orissa and
Another AIR 1966 SC 1047, expression – accidental slip or
omission has been explained as an error due to a careless
mistake or omission unintentionally made. It is further observed
in the said case that there is another qualification, namely, such
an error shall be apparent on the face of the record, that is to
say, it is not an error which depends for its discovery, elaborate
arguments on questions of fact or law.
14. Whether the High Court has acted within the scope of
Section 152 of the Code or not, we have to see as to what were
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the pleadings of parties, what was the decree passed, and what
was the correction made in it.
15. The relevant part in paragraph 12 of the plaint of Original
Suit No. 471 of 1987 filed by Khader Nawaz Khan for partition,
reads as under:
“ Hence it is prayed that, kindly the suit of the plaintiff be decreed as follows:
a) A preliminary decree be passed declaring the plaintiff is entitled for 1/4th share in the matrooka properties i.e. land Survey Nos. 41, 42 and 43 admeasuring Ac 49-24 guntas situated at Kokapet Village, Rajendranagar Revenue Mandal, RR District and a Commissioner be appointed for partition be delivered to the plaintiff to the extent of his share, if due to any legal hitch the court finds that the property is not partition able then the property be put in auction and sale proceeds be paid to the plaintiff to the extent of his 1/4th share in the interest of justice.
b) Cost of the suit to be awarded;
c) Any other relief or reliefs which the plaintiff is legally entitled to the same”.
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16. Defendant no. 11 Syed Maqdoom Shah (respondent
No.1 in these appeals) at the end of para 12 of his written
statement, has pleaded and prayed as under:
“Hence it is prayed that the suit of plaintiff may be decreed along with the share of defendant no.11 as shown under para no.6. Further the amount of Rs.2,082/- spent by the defendant no. 11 during last 28 years as shown above at para no. 7 and it may be decreed from the share of the plaintiff and other defendants or otherwise give 4 acres of land in lieu of Rs.2,182/- from the share of the plaintiff and other defendants in addition to his own share to meet the ends of justice”.
Para 6 of which reference is given in above quoted para
as pleaded by defendant no.11 reads as under:
“The shares ascertained as given by the plaintiff under para (6) are correct”.
17 In para 6 of the plaint, shares are mentioned as under:
“ 6) That, the shares of the parties are as follows:
The defendants No. 10 and 11 are entitled for half share to the extent of their mother Shahzadi Bee.
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The plaintiff is entitled for 1/4th share in the entire property.
The defendant no. 1 to 9 are entitled for 1/4 th share only”.
18. Now we re-produce the last sentence of judgment and
order passed by the Appellate Court – High Court of Andhra
Pradesh in first appeal A.S. No. 734 of 1991 whereby suit for
partition is decreed –
“The suit is accordingly decreed and appeal is allowed with costs”.
19. By the impugned order dated 21.4.2005 exercising
powers under Section 152 of the Code, the First Appellate
Court has now directed as under:
“Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, these applications are allowed and the decree in A.S. No. 734 of 1991 dated 25.1.1996 is directed to be amended allotting and dividing half share in the suit schedule property to the petitioners 1 and 2, one-fourth share to respondents 1 to 6 herein and one-fourth share to respondents 7 to 15 herein. There shall be no order as to costs”.
20. Had the appellate court, not decreed the suit with
discussion of evidence after rejecting the plea of the defendant
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No.12 as to his claim of ownership, and had the defendants 1 to
11 not pleaded for separation of their shares with admission of
share of the plaintiff as decreed by the Appellate Court , it could
have been said that the High Court erred in declaring shares of
the plaintiff or the defendants by resorting to Section 152 of the
Code. But in the present case since there is a clear finding of
shares of the parties in the judgment and order dated
25.1.1996, as such by clarifying the decree by the impugned
order, in our opinion the High Court has committed no mistake
of law. In this connection, we would like to re-produce sub-rule
(2) of Rule 18 of Order XX of the Code, which reads as under:
“18. Decree in suit for partition of property or separate possession of a share therein --Where the Court passes a decree for the partition of property or for the separate possession of a share therein, then,--
xxx xxx xxx xxx
(2) if and in so far as such decree relates to any other immovable property or to movable property, the Court may, if the partition or separation cannot be conveniently made without further inquiry, pass a preliminary decree declaring the rights of the several
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parties, interested in the property and giving such further directions as may be required”.
Above quoted sub-rule clearly indicates that in the preliminary
decree not only the right of the plaintiff but rights and interests
of others can also be declared.
21. At the end, we would also like to refer the case of Shub
Karan Bubna alias Shub Karan vs. Sita Saran Bubna and
Others (2009) 9 SCC 689 wherein it is explained that “partition”
is a redistribution or adjustment of pre-existing rights, among
co-owners/coparceners, resulting in a division of land or other
properties jointly held by them into different lots or portions and
delivery thereof to the respective allottees. The effect of such
division is that the joint ownership is terminated and the
respective shares vest in them in severalty.
22. This Court has earlier also reiterated in U.P.SRTC vs.
Imtiaz Hussain (2006) 1 SCC 380 has reiterated that the
basis of provision of Section 152 of the Code is found on the
maxim 'actus curiae neminem gravabit' i.e. an act of Court shall
prejudice no man. As such an unintentional mistake of the
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Court which may prejudice the cause of any party must be
rectified. However, this does not mean that the Court is allowed
to go into the merits of the case to alter or add to the terms of
the original decree or to give a finding which does not exist in
the body of the judgment sought to be corrected.
23. For the reasons as discussed above, we do not find force
in these appeals which are liable to be dismissed. Accordingly,
the appeals are dismissed. No order as to costs.
….…………………………………………..J
(SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA)
………………………………………………J
(PRAFULLA C. PANT)
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014.
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