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1953 DIGILAW 3 (PAT)

Umar Yashir Ashim v. State Of Bihar

1953-01-05

SARJOO PRASAD, V.RAMASWAMI

body1953
Judgment Sarjoo Prosad, J. 1. This is an application under Article 226 of the Constitution praying for an appropriate writ against the opposite party for quashing of an order passed against the petitioner declaring him an evacuee under Sec.2(d)(ii) of the Evacuee Property Ordinance, and also for restraining the opposite party from interfering with his estate. This case was heard along with -- S. M. Zaki V/s. State of Bihar, AIR 1953 Pat 112 (A) because, the points involved were substantially common. 2. The Assistant Custodian by an order dated 29-6-1950, found that the petitioner was a resident of Pakistan and for that reason was unable to occupy or supervise or manage in person his property in India. On appeal, the Deputy Custodian affirmed the said order. These officers found that the petitioner had purchased about 15 kathas of land bearing a house in Dinaj-pur sometime in January, 1948. The petitioner tried to explain that ha was merely a name-lender in respect of that purchase, but this explanation was held to be false. In the sale deed relating to the purchase in question the petitioner was described as a resident of Dinaj-pur. It was also found that during the period from January, 1948 to July, 1949, the petitioner was admittedly away from his village and had executed a power of attorney in favour of a friend or relation of his who was in possession of the properties during this period. Here again the explanation of the petitioner that he had been staying at Lucknow for treatment of gout could not be substantiated, and the said officers pointed out that the purchase at Dinajpur significantly synchronised with the early part of this period. The agent of the petitioner during the period aforesaid settled several plots of land & sold a few others. It was urged that this power of attorney in favour of the agent was cancelled in July, 1949, but there was nothing to support this contention. In course of the arguments before this Court stress was also laid upon certain purchases of lands alleged to have been made by the petitioner in June and November, 1948. It was urged that this power of attorney in favour of the agent was cancelled in July, 1949, but there was nothing to support this contention. In course of the arguments before this Court stress was also laid upon certain purchases of lands alleged to have been made by the petitioner in June and November, 1948. In dealing with an application for a writ it is usually unnecessary for us to go beyond the findings arrived at by the Assistant and the Deputy Custodians which are based upon evidence; but even these purchases do not help the petitioner because the purchases are not in the name of the petitioner himself. On the above materials the two officers clearly held that the petitioner was an evacuee within the meaning of the section. The Deputy Custodian emphatically came to the conclusion as follows : "All these facts leave no doubt in my mind that the appellant left the Indian Union and was living in Pakistan." It is true that the notices were served upon the petitioner personally at his original residence at Laheria-sarai in Darbhanga, but the Assistant Custodian observes that although the petitioner was residing in Pakistan, it was not difficult for him to make an appearance now and then at his native village with a view to avert if possible the consequences of the Evacuee Property Ordinance. These are pure questions of fact; and if after a consideration of the relevant materials, these authorities have come to a definite conclusion that the petitioner was resident of Dinajpur now forming part of Pakistan it is not for us to interfere with that decision which is entirely within the Jurisdiction of those authorities, and hold to the contrary. 3. Dr. Sultan Ahmad contends that the word "resident" in Clause (ii) of Section 2(d) connotes permanent stay in Pakistan disowning allegiance to India and acquiring a new domicile in Pakistan itself. In the absence of any such finding, he says the petitioner could not be declared an "evacuee". I have already examined in AIR 1953 Pat 112 (A) the legal implications of this contention & have held that the word "resident" as used in Clause (ii) of Sec.2(d) connotes some amount of permanence but it does not necessarily mean a change of domicile. I have already examined in AIR 1953 Pat 112 (A) the legal implications of this contention & have held that the word "resident" as used in Clause (ii) of Sec.2(d) connotes some amount of permanence but it does not necessarily mean a change of domicile. Indeed, for the purpose of this case it would be unneces-sary to decide whether the petitioner has completely lost his right of citizenship in India. In my opinion, the authorities below have rightly held that the petitioner came within the ambit of Clause (ii) of Sec.2(d), Evacuee Property Ordinance and were justified in declaring him an evacuee. 4. It has been next contended that the petitioner was not given sufficient opportunity of placing all the materials before the said authorities in order to satisfy them about his own case. Notice was issued on him under Section 7(i) of the Ordinance on 27-2-1950. He was called upon to show cause by the 15th of March next. On that date he applied for grant of certified copies of relevant papers. The Assistant Custodian offered to give him a copy of the order dated 27-2-1950, only. He was, however, allowed on 1-5-1950, to get a copy of the specific allegations made against him in the report of the enquirying officer, and he was directed to reply to the same and also to file papers in support of his case by 25-5-1950. The matter, however, could not be taken up on that date and was actually disposed of on 28-6-1950. The submission of the petitioner is that he could not Set enough time to present all the relevant materials in support of his case. The order of the, Assistant Custodian, however, shows that there was no such complaint made before him. On the contrary, he appears to have been completely silent on the point, and said nothing about the filing of papers in support of his statement that during the intervening period between January, 1948 to July, 1949 he was staying at Lucknow for treatment of gout. In the grounds of appeal before the Deputy Custodian he undoubtedly alleged that he was not afforded an opportunity to adduce evidence in the case. As I have shown, the order-sheet belies this contention because the petitioner had plenty of time before the matter was finally taken up by the Assistant Custodian to place any evidence he liked. In the grounds of appeal before the Deputy Custodian he undoubtedly alleged that he was not afforded an opportunity to adduce evidence in the case. As I have shown, the order-sheet belies this contention because the petitioner had plenty of time before the matter was finally taken up by the Assistant Custodian to place any evidence he liked. In any case he could have placed the relevant materials before the Deputy Custodian if he so desired; but there is nothing to show from the order itself that he ever attempted to do so or that the Deputy Custodian shut him out from giving further evidence. The petitioner, therefore, could have no grievance on that score. Be that as it may, these are matters which could well be urge.d by the petitioner before the superior authorities dealing with the matter under the law. The petition filed on behalf of the State of Bihar in response to this application shows that the petitioner has moved the Custodian General of Evacuee Property, and that the matter is still pending before him. I would not, therefore, like that my observation on the point should prejudice the case of the petitioner before that officer. Taking everything into account, I do not find any justification for the petitioner to approach this Court for the grant of a writ in his favour as there are no special circumstances in this case to warrant that procedure. The petitioner is, however, left to pursue his remedies under the law itself. 5 This application is without any merit and must also fail. It is accordingly rejected with costs to the State of Bihar : hearing fee five gold mohurs. Ramaswami, J. 6 I agree.