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2002 DIGILAW 741 (MP)

Ahilya Bai v. Sardar Bhagat Singh

2002-08-02

A.K.MISHRA

body2002
JUDGMENT Petitioner is assailing the orders passed by the SDO and Collector district Sagar contained in Annexure-B and C dismissing the application filed by her for annulling the transaction entered into by the petitioner with Sardar Bhagat Singh, respondent No.1. Sale-deed was executed on 19.6. 1962 with respect to 4.84 acres of land for a consideration of Rs. 1,200/-. Petitioner claimed that she is holder of agricultural land in the weaker section of society and transaction in question was prohibited transaction of loan within the meaning of section 2(f) of the Act called M.P. Samaj Ke Kamjor Vargon Ke Krishi-Bhumi Dharakon Ka Udhar Dene Walon Ke Bhumi Hadapane Sambandhi Kuchakron Se Paritran Tatha Mukti Adhiniyam, 1976, Act No. 3/1977. Petitioner's case is that it was agreed at the time of sale that on repayment of loan the sale-deed was not to be acted upon. The petitioner approached to repay the loan but, the respondent No.1 delayed the matter. Respondent No.1 executed a sale-deed on 18.5.1964 in favour of respondent No. 2 Roop Singh for a consideration of Rs. 1.750/-. An application was filed alter 20 years in the year 1982 by the petitioner before the SDO for claiming protection of Act No 3/1977. Initially the application was allowed and transaction was annulled as per order Annexure-A passed by the SDO. An appeal was preferred against the order, in which the matter was remanded to the SDO to examine the witnesses mentioned in the sale-deed and to decide the application afresh. After remand of the case the SDO examined various witnesses and on appreciation of evidence recorded a finding that it was the case of out and out sale. Statement made by Roop Singh that it was agreed that the land was to be returned on repayment, but, the petitioner could not make the arrangement of money. has not been relied upon as this admission has been made by respondent No. 1 after parting with interest in 1964 and the fact that sale-deed was executed in favour of the respondent No.2 was to the knowledge of the petitioner and on enquiry finding has been recorded that adequate consideration was paid at the rate which was prevalent of such land in the year 1962. Thus, the transaction was fair and no undue benefit was taken adequate consideration was paid. Thus, the transaction was fair and no undue benefit was taken adequate consideration was paid. On appeal being preferred before the Collector, the Collector has agreed with the SDO and has dismissed the appeal. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed. Learned counsel for the petitioner Shri K.N. Agrawal submits that the finding recorded by the SDO and the Collector are perverse and the transaction ought to have been held to be a prohibited transaction of loan as defined in section 2(f) of the Act No. 3/1977. Statement of Roopsingh is enough to hold that it is a case of prohibited transaction of loan as the petitioner is holder of agricultural land in the weaker section of people as defined in section 2(c). Thus, the petitioner has been wrongly deprived of protection of the Act. Shri Virendra Verma, learned counsel appearing for the respondents submits that the orders are proper and call for no interference. Findings of facts have properly been recorded. Transaction was challenged as an after thought after 20 years. Due consideration was paid. Mutation was immediately made. Possession was handed-over to the purchaser. Thus, no interference is required to be made in the concurrent findings of facts recorded. A perusal of the orders passed by the SDO indicates that the SDO has appreciated the evidence minutely and the findings have been approved by the Collector. Finding of fact has been recorded that it was a case of out and out sale not that of prohibited transaction of loan. Due consideration was paid at the market rate of the land which was prevalent at that time. Statement of Roop Singh has been considered and discarded as he had parted with the interest in the year 1965, thus, his statement cannot bind on respondent No. 2 and his LRs. It is settled law that after parting with the interest no admission can be made by a seller in derogation to the interest of purchaser as held by this Court in Shafiuliah Khan v. Abdul Wahab, 1963 JLJ SN 14. Overall assessment or evidence and Circumstances has been made. I find no perversity in the findings recorded. It has also been taken into consideration that the petitioner had waited for two decades and was well aware of the sale-deed which was executed by respondent No. 1 in favour of the respondent No. 2 in the year 1964. Overall assessment or evidence and Circumstances has been made. I find no perversity in the findings recorded. It has also been taken into consideration that the petitioner had waited for two decades and was well aware of the sale-deed which was executed by respondent No. 1 in favour of the respondent No. 2 in the year 1964. I find no merit in the writ petition. It is dismissed. Costs on parties. Security amount, if deposited, be refunded to the petitioner.