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2010 DIGILAW 2589 (PAT)

Umesh Prasad Son Of Sri Mahabir Prasad v. Mehrunisa Wife Of Late Bikku Mian

2010-12-03

S.N.HUSSAIN

body2010
JUDGEMENT S.N.Hussain, J. 1. This second appeal has been filed by the sole Plaintiff-Respondent-Appellant challenging the judgment and decree of the lower Appellate Court by which the judgment and decree of the Trial Court was set aside and the claim of the Plaintiff was rejected. During the pendency of this second appeal the sole Defendant-Appellant-Respondent died and his heirs were substituted. 2. The matter arises out of Eviction Suit No. 05 of 1989, (01/1991) filed by the sole Plaintiff-Respondent-Appellant for eviction of the sole Defendant- Appellant-Respondent (now deceased) from the suit premises, which is a shop room measuring 19 ft. x 117 ft. bearing Holding No. 82.A (part of old Holding No. 82) within Ward No. 5 of Bihar Municipality under P.O. and PS. Bihar Sharif in the District of Nalanda on the grounds of personal necessity of the Plaintiff for the suit premises, default in payment of rent by the Defendant and breech of the term of tenancy. Following reliefs were claimed in the suit: (i) Decree for eviction of Defendant from the suit premises. (ii) Decree for arrears of rent against Defendant for Rs. 1,300.00. (iii) Decree for pendente lite and future rent @ Rs. 200.00 per month. (iv) Cost of suit to be paid by the Defendant in favour of the Plaintiff. (v) Any other relief/reliefs to which Plaintiff is deemed entitled. 3. The claim of the Plaintiff was that the suit premises was ancestral property of one Noor Hassan who left behind only a daughter Bibi Eidan after whose death the ancestral properties including the suit premises were inherited by her children including Rahat Hussain. It is also claimed that the Defendant was inducted as tenant in the suit premises by Rahat Hussain in 1978 on the rent of Rs. 200.00 per month. Plaintiff further stated that the said heirs executed a deed of agreement for sale with the Plaintiff on 28th April, 1988 (Exh. 3) and finally they sold the suit premises to the Plaintiff for valuable consideration of Rs. 46,000.00 by registered deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8) and since then the Plaintiff is the owner-landlord of the suit premises and had been duly mutated. 4. 3) and finally they sold the suit premises to the Plaintiff for valuable consideration of Rs. 46,000.00 by registered deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8) and since then the Plaintiff is the owner-landlord of the suit premises and had been duly mutated. 4. The Plaintiff further claimed that he informed the Defendant about the said purchase and requested him to vacate the suit premises, which the Plaintiff required for his own requirement, whereafter the Defendant acknowledged the Plaintiff as his landlord and promised to pay the said rent to him and also to vacate the suit premises by 31st July, 1988. It was also stated that the Defendant betrayed his promises and he neither paid any rent to the Plaintiff nor vacated the suit premises, in spite of repeated requests by the Plaintiff and in spite of written agreement between them dated, 1st August, 1988 according to which Defendant was to vacate the suit premises by 31st December, 1988. Hence the suit was filed by the Plaintiff in February, 1989 for eviction of the Defendant. 5. On the other hand the Defendant contested the suit asserting his own right and title over the suit premises and claiming that one Himmat Atishbaz was the original owner of the suit property and he gifted it to Gulani Atishbaz by sada deed dated, 16th January, 1923 as the property was valued at Rs. 25.00 only, whereafter in 1923 itself the donee constructed his residential house there on, which, after his death, was inherited by his son, namely the Defendant, who demolished the old structure and constructed a new shop room, which was numbered as Holding No. 55.B in Bihar Municipality and the Defendant runs his business of electrical decorators therein. It was also averred that for the first time municipal tax was assessed in 1984-85, to the tune of Rs. 37.60 which the Defendant paid on 28th May, 1988 for which Receipt No. 4713 was granted to him, but when he received notice dated, 2nd November, 1998 from Bihar Municipality, he made enquiries and found that entry in the municipal demand register was forged. 6. It was further claimed by the Defendant that the land of Plaintiffs vendor was towards north of the suit premises and he had no concern with the suit land, which was completely unconnected with the adjacent premises of the Plaintiff. 6. It was further claimed by the Defendant that the land of Plaintiffs vendor was towards north of the suit premises and he had no concern with the suit land, which was completely unconnected with the adjacent premises of the Plaintiff. Hence he claimed the suit premises on the basis of his own title asserting that the suit was not maintainable and was barred by the law of limitation etc. The Defendant stated that in the said circumstances, there was never any relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties and accordingly there was no question of payment of rent or default therein nor the Plaintiff was entitled to get possession of the suit premises on the ground of his requirement. 7. On the basis of the pleadings of the parties, the Trial Court framed the following issues for deciding the eviction suit: (i) Is the suit as framed maintainable ? (ii) Whether there is any cause of action for the suit? (iii) Is there any relationship of landlord and tenant between the Plaintiff and the Defendant? (iv) Whether the Plaintiff has got personal bona fide need of the suit premises and whether he is entitled to get a decree of eviction against the Defendant on this ground? (v) Whether part eviction of the Defendant from the suit premises will serve the purpose of the Plaintiff? (vi) Whether the Defendant has defaulted in payment of rent? (vii)Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to get a decree for Rs. 1,300.00 being arrears of rent and whether the Plaintiff is also entitled to a decree for pendente lite and future rent at the rate of Rs. 200.00 per month? (viii)Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to any relief or reliefs? 8. After hearing the arguments on behalf of both the parties, Additional Munsif-1, Bihar Sharif decreed the suit (Title Suit No. 05 of 1989) on contest with cost vide his judgment and decree dated, 15th April, 1993 after arriving at the following findings: (a) Defendants claim of title over the suit premises has no leg to stand and it is a mere pretence to frustrate the purpose of the suit. (b) Plaintiff is the landlord and Defendant is his tenant for the suit premises. (c) Plaintiff has personal need for the suit premises for shifting his business, which at present he is running in a rented house. (b) Plaintiff is the landlord and Defendant is his tenant for the suit premises. (c) Plaintiff has personal need for the suit premises for shifting his business, which at present he is running in a rented house. (d) Defendant has defaulted in payment of rent for over six months. (e) Plaintiff is entitled to the arrears of rent Rs. 1,300.00 as well as pendente lite rent and future rent @ Rs. 200.00 per month. (f) Defendant is liable to be evicted from the suit premises and Plaintiff is entitled to a decree of eviction. (g) Suit as framed is maintainable and there is valid cause of action for the suit. (h) Plaintiff is entitled to the reliefs as claimed for. 9. Against the aforesaid judgment and decree of the Trial Court the Defendant filed Title Appeal No. 27 of 1993, which was contested by the Plaintiff. However after considering the respective claims of the parties, the lower Appellate Court formulated the following point for determination in the title appeal: Whether there is relationship of landlord and tenant between the Plaintiff and the Defendant. 10. After hearing the arguments raised on behalf of both the parties Additional District Judge, Nalanda allowed the title appeal (Title Appeal No. 27 of 1993), set aside the judgment and decree of the title suit finding that the Defendant had made out a case of title and thus remitted the matter to the Trial Court vide his judgment dated, 12th August, 1994 for fresh consideration of the following matter: Whether the question of valuation will be gone into by the Court. Suit valuation be fixed by the Court. If he finds it to be beyond pecuniary jurisdiction of the Court, the plaint shall be returned, if not the Plaintiff may be asked to pay ad valorem Court fee. The evidence already led by the parties shall in that event continue to be good evidence but the parties will be permitted to lead further evidence on the question of title. 11. On remand Title Suit No. 05 of 1991 was renumbered as Title Suit No. 20 of 1996 and fresh issues were framed by the Trial Court for deciding the suit as per the abovementioned judgment of remand passed by the lower Appellate Court. The fresh issues were as follows: (i) Is the suit as framed maintainable ? (ii) Has the Plaintiff got any cause of action? The fresh issues were as follows: (i) Is the suit as framed maintainable ? (ii) Has the Plaintiff got any cause of action? (iii) Is the suit under valued and the Court fees paid insufficient? (iv) Whether the Plaintiff or the Defendant have got title over the suit land? (v) Whether there is any relationship of landlord and tenant between the Plaintiff and the Defendant? (vi) Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to a decree for eviction on the ground of personal necessity? If yes, whether partial eviction is any possibility and practicable? (vii) Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to any relief or reliefs as claimed for? 12. After considering the pleadings and evidence of the parties, Munsif, Bihar Sharif decreed the suit (Title Suit No. 90 of 1996) on contest with cost vide his judgment and decree dated, 30th September, 1997 after arriving at the following findings: (a) Issue Nos. (i) and (ii) were not pressed at the time of argument, hence decided in favour of the Plaintiff. (b) Issue regarding valuation and Court fee already decided during the hearing of the suit and accordingly Court fee has been paid. (c) Evidence of the Defendant on the points of gift and construction of house are contradictory and not trustworthy. (d) Municipality has cancelled the only receipt granted to the Defendant, but he relied upon it despite the knowledge. (e) Defendant did not mention about the gift before the municipal Authority or in the petition. (f) Gift deed has been forged and fabricated for the exigency of this case. (g) Plaintiffs registered sale deed is valid and genuine and some of the vendors came to support his case. (h) Plaintiff has got right, title and interest over the suit premises. (i) Defendant was occupying the suit premises with leave and license of Plaintiffs vendor. (j) Defence of the Defendant has been struck off and hence his defence against ejectment cannot be looked into. (k) Lower Appellate Court in its judgment of remand has given a definite finding that Plaintiff was not able to prove relationship of landlord and tenant between the Plaintiff or his vendor. (l) Lower Appellate Court had permitted the parties to lead evidence on the question of title, but no further evidence was led on the point of relationship. (m) I dare not to disturb the finding of the Appellate Court on that point (relationship). (l) Lower Appellate Court had permitted the parties to lead evidence on the question of title, but no further evidence was led on the point of relationship. (m) I dare not to disturb the finding of the Appellate Court on that point (relationship). (n) Issue No. (v) is decided in favour of the Plaintiff. (o) Plaintiff has not uttered a word regarding his personal necessity in his deposition and had only said that he informed the Defendant that the suit premises was purchased for his own use. (p) Admittedly Plaintiff is doing business in another shop but no evidence has been led to show any threat of eviction. (q) Plaintiff has not proved his bona fide and reasonable requirement of the suit premises. (r) Defendant contested the suit on false and wrong pretence and without any basis. (s) Plaintiff has been able to prove his title and hence he deserves equitable relief under Order VII Rule 7 of the Code of Code of Civil Procedure for ejection of Defendant. 13. Against the aforesaid judgment and decree of the Trial Court, the Defendant filed Title Appeal No. 45 of 1997 (01 of 1998). Keeping in view of the earlier judgment of remand passed by the lower Appellate Court, the following point was framed for deciding the title appeal: Whether the Plaintiff has got title to the suit property and if so whether Plaintiff was entitled to recovery of possession.? 14. In the aforesaid title appeal the Plaintiff, who was Respondent, filed a Cross Objection challenging those findings of the Trial Court which were against the Plaintiff, including those with respect to relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties as well as with respect to the grounds of eviction sought by the Plaintiff. However, this cross objection was completely ignored by the lower Appellate Court, which did not even mention it in its judgment. 15. After considering the pleadings and evidence of the parties, Additional District Judge-3, Nalanda allowed the title appeal (Title Appeal No. 45 of 1997), set aside the judgment and decree of the Trial Court and rejected the claim of the Plaintiff vide his judgment and decree dated, 30th June, 1999 after arriving at the following findings: (a) It is proper to consider only those facts and evidence which relate to the question of title. (b) The earlier Appellate Court has already held that there is no relationship of landlord and tenant between the Plaintiff and the Defendant in respect of the suit premises and the said finding is final, so the evidences on the point of tenancy need no consideration. (c) For deciding issue No. (iv) as to "whether the Plaintiff or Defendant have got title over the suit and", the Trial Court framed two points for determining it, namely whether the vendors of the Plaintiff had title and interest over the suit premises and whether the disputed shop is part and parcel of the property transferred to the Plaintiff or it has got separate entity. (d) The Trial Court while deciding issue No. (iv) erred in raising the abovementioned second point which was wrong and unwarranted. (e) it is an admitted fact that suit premises is situated within the area of Bihar Municipality which remained unsurveyed and hence record of right, map, area, boundary etc. of the suit premises or any adjacent land are not available. (f) Plaintiff should have given the area and dimension of the khund which belonged to his vendors and out of which they transferred a portion to the Plaintiff and hence the suit land cannot be located either from the plaint or the map attached to it. (g) Denying the claim of the Plaintiff, it is stated by the Defendant in his written statement that Plaintiff any how obtained a mutation order on 22nd September, 1988 (Exh. 18) and a correction slip on 27th September, 1988 (Exh. 16.A) with respect to some land which is not the suit land in collusion with municipal staff. (h) Even if it is assumed that there is no dispute regarding location of the suit land and both parties are litigating for one and same property, the question remains to be considered is whether the Plaintiff succeeded in establishing his title and possession over the suit property. (i) Municipal tax receipts (Exh. 9 series) with respect to Holding No. 69, 62 and 82 are of no help as they do not and cannot suggest that the disputed land was a part of holding bearing on it. (j) Exh. (i) Municipal tax receipts (Exh. 9 series) with respect to Holding No. 69, 62 and 82 are of no help as they do not and cannot suggest that the disputed land was a part of holding bearing on it. (j) Exh. 10 is the application of Plaintiffs vendor to the Commissioner Bihar Municipality for permission to construct building on a specific land, which bears the endorsement of sanction by the said Authority, but the site plan has not been filed by the Plaintiff and hence an adverse inference is to be drawn against him. (k) From the correction slip of Executive Officer, Bihar Municipality dated, 23rd September, 1988 (Exh. 16) the actual area and the location of the subject matter of the mutation in favour of the Plaintiff cannot be ascertained. (I) Exh. 17, 17A and 17B are municipal assessment list of holding No. 62, 82 and 86 bearing the name of Plaintiffs vendor in which the area of the khund is mentioned as 2 kathas, but the Plaintiff neither mentioned it in his written statement nor got it measured through the agency of the Court. (m) The documents relied upon by the Plaintiff to establish his title are actually no document of title and title cannot be ascertained there from. (n) From the pleadings of both the parties it is clear that when the dispute initially arose between the parties prior to the suit, they took the matter to the municipality, where the Plaintiff claimed on the basis of his purchase and the Defendant denied. (o) Admittedly Plaintiff purchased by registered deed dated, 16th July, 1988 and applied for mutation on 5th September, 1988 on which order was passed on 22nd September, 1988, and correction slip was prepared on 23rd September, 1988 without giving one month statutory notice to the Defendant who was in possession. Hence no reliance can be placed upon mutation proceeding or the order passed in it. (p) From the testimony of Plaintiffs witnesses including PWs 10, 11 and 13 it appears that papers relating to house and khund were with the vendors of the Plaintiff, hence non-filing of those documents by the Plaintiff leads to adverse inference against him. Hence no reliance can be placed upon mutation proceeding or the order passed in it. (p) From the testimony of Plaintiffs witnesses including PWs 10, 11 and 13 it appears that papers relating to house and khund were with the vendors of the Plaintiff, hence non-filing of those documents by the Plaintiff leads to adverse inference against him. (q) Admittedly Defendant is in possession of the suit premises and the earlier judgment of the Appellate Court has negatived the relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties, hence it is for the Plaintiff to prove his title and right to recovery of possession. (r) Defendant has claimed possession over the suit land since 1923, hence it is for the Plaintiff to establish his title and not the Defendant. (s) Learned Munsif has held that Plaintiff acquired title by registered sale deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8) and declared Defendant to be in possession over the suit premises as his licensee with his permission and awarded equitable relief of recovery of possession, but here it is found that Plaintiff miserably failed to prove that the suit land ever formed part and portion of the khund owned by the vendor of the Plaintiff. (t) Plaintiff failed to prove his title over the suit property and the finding of the Trial Court is erroneous and unsustainable. 16. Against the abovementioned judgment and decree of the lower Appellate Court, the Plaintiff filed the instant second appeal (S.A. No. 281 of 1999), which was admitted by a Bench of this Court vide order dated, 16th July, 2002, after framing the following substantial questions of law: (i) Whether the lower Appellate Court is justified in reversing the findings of the Trial Court based on oral and documentary evidence of the parties? (ii) Whether the Defendant lost his defence by withdrawing the suit filed by him unconditionally on the principles of waiver, estoppel and acquiescence? (iii) Whether the Defendant has been able to prove his prima facie title to the disputed shop and failure on the part of the Defendant to prove his better title renders him liable for eviction? (iv) Whether title can be acquired by an unregistered deed of gift and in view of the finding of the Trial Court about the gift deed being forged and fabricated, the lower Appellate Court is justified in reversing the finding of the Trial Court, on title? (iv) Whether title can be acquired by an unregistered deed of gift and in view of the finding of the Trial Court about the gift deed being forged and fabricated, the lower Appellate Court is justified in reversing the finding of the Trial Court, on title? (v) Whether the lower Appellate Court committed error by not considering the cross appeal filed by the Plaintiff? (vi) Whether the judgment passed by the lower Appellate Court is liable to be set aside on the ground that it failed to give any specific finding about the title of the suit premises, specially the alleged title of Himmat Atishbaz, through whom the Defendant claims to have derived title? 17. Contesting the aforesaid substantial questions of law raised on behalf of Plaintiff-Appellant, learned Counsel for the Defendant-Respondents argued that vide order of remand dated, 12th August, 1994 passed by the lower Appellate Court in Title Appeal No. 27 of 1993 it is quite apparent that the remand was not an open remand and was only for limited purpose, as it was decided therein that there was no relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties and the Trial Court was directed to see only the question of title. Hence, he claimed that once ownership of the Defendant with respect to the suit premises has also been decided vide impugned Judgment and decree dated, 30th June, 1999 by the lower Appellate Court in Title Appeal No. 45 of 1997, nothing remains to be decided now. 18. Learned Counsel for the Respondents further claimed that as per the judgment of remand dated, 12th August, 1994 passed in Title Appeal No. 27 of 1993, the Trial Court was to consider only the question as to whether the Plaintiff had title to the suit property and if so whether he was entitled to recovery of possession. He further averred that this claim of the Plaintiff was falsified by Exh. 13 which was a partition deed between the vendor of Plaintiff and his co-sharers executed on 22nd July, 1988 in which the suit plot was not subject matter of partition and only in the boundary of land included in the partition deed, Plaintiff was shown. He further averred that this claim of the Plaintiff was falsified by Exh. 13 which was a partition deed between the vendor of Plaintiff and his co-sharers executed on 22nd July, 1988 in which the suit plot was not subject matter of partition and only in the boundary of land included in the partition deed, Plaintiff was shown. Hence it is claimed that the findings arrived at by trie Court of appeal below are findings of facts regarding title which cannot be interfered with in a second appeal under the provision of Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 19. Learned Counsel for the Respondents also submitted that Exh. 2 is the order sheet of Title Suit No. 08 of 1989 which was withdrawn by them on 27th March, 1989 as Title Suit No. 05 of 1989 was already filed by the Appellant and was pending, hence no adverse inference can be drawn by the said withdrawal. 20. So far the substantial questions of Law No. (iii), (iv) and (vi) are concerned, they are on the question of title of the parties with respect to the suit properties, hence they are taken up together for consideration. The lower Appellate Court has taken much pains in considering as to whether the property claimed by the Plaintiff was the same property regarding which the Defendant also had claimed title and had arrived at an assumption that they were different properties because the Plaintiff had claimed that the suit property was a part of the khund which belonged to his vendor but had failed to give the area and dimension of that khund. 21. The Plaintiff had specifically claimed that the suit premises along with other properties belonged to one Noor Hassan and Rahat Hussain and others were his grand children who inherited the said properties. It was also claimed by the Plaintiff that the said heirs, namely Rahat Hussain and others executed a deed of agreement for sale dated, 28th April, 1988 (Exh. 3) with the Plaintiff with respect to the suit premises and finally sold the suit premises to the Plaintiff for a consideration of Rs. 46,000.00 by registered deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8). 3) with the Plaintiff with respect to the suit premises and finally sold the suit premises to the Plaintiff for a consideration of Rs. 46,000.00 by registered deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8). From the facts and circumstances of this case, it is quite apparent that one Receipt No. 4713 of 28th May, 1988 was issued in favour of the Defendant and hence Miscellaneous Case No. 07 of 1988 (Exh. 18/A) was filed by the Plaintiff against the same in which notice dated, 2nd November, 1988 was issued to the Defendant and ultimately the said receipt was cancelled by the authorities concerned, as it was issued without any order of any Authority. It is also apparent that the Plaintiff applied for mutation on the basis of his purchase by registered document on which the Rent Collector of the Municipality submitted his report (Exh. 14) and finally mutation order (Exh. 18) was passed by the Municipality with respect to the suit premises in favour of the Plaintiff. Subsequently even order of fixation of rent (Exh. 19) was passed by Anchal Adhikari. The order of Municipality was passed after notice to the Defendant and on contest, but the said orders were never challenged. Hence, it is quite apparent that the Defendant was raising his claim with respect to the same property regarding which the name of the Plaintiff was mutated. Furthermore, in his written statement also Defendant no where claimed that his land was different from the land which was claimed by the Plaintiff in his plaint and he contested the eviction suit on merits. Hence, the presumption of lower Appellate Court was absolutely baseless and against the record of the case. 22. In fact, the Defendant was merely claiming that the suit premises was not part of Holding No. 82 rather it was an independent premises bearing Holding No. 55.B which was assessed for the first time by the Municipality in the year 1984-85 in the name of the Defendant, but no Assessment Register or Demand Register or any other document was produced by the Defendant in support of his claim and only one rent receipt was produced by him and that too at the appellate stage and not at the trial stage. Even the said rent receipt had been found to be forged and was cancelled by the municipal authorities vide order (Exh. Even the said rent receipt had been found to be forged and was cancelled by the municipal authorities vide order (Exh. 18/A) passed in Miscellaneous Case No. 07 of 1988. 23. So far the question of title is concerned, although the Defendant claimed that the suit premises belonged to one Himmat Atishbaz who gifted it to Defendants father Gulani Atishbaz by sada deed dated, 16th January, 1923 and the donee constructed a residential house thereon in 1923 which on his death devolved upon his son, namely the Defendant who demolished the old structure and constructed a new shop and remained in possession thereof and the said shop room has been made subject matter of the instant eviction suit. However, there is no document at all to show that the aforesaid Himmat Atishbaz had any concern with the suit property nor the sada deed dated, 16th January, 1923 can be legally relied upon, as oral gift, although permitted under the provisions of the Mohammedan Law, it has to stand the strict test of three essential ingredients, namely the voluntary act of gift by the donor and the voluntary act of acceptance of gift by the donee as well as delivery of possession by the donor in favour of the donee immediately on the date of gift, but the Defendant failed to prove any of the said ingredients nor could he produce any document to prove the title of his predecessor in interest or possession since 1923 or even construction of any house either by his predecessor or by him. 24. The Defendant had produced only four documents out of which Exh. A was a sada payment receipt for supplying wood; Exh. B was a cheque of State Bank of India; Exh. C was the sole receipt of Bihar Municipality which admittedly was subsequently cancelled; and Exh. D was an unregistered deed of gift in favour of Defendant by his grandfather. None of these documents, as discussed above, provided any semblance of right or title upon the Defendant. The Defendant also produced seven witnesses out of whom DW 6 and 7 were formal witnesses proving Exh. A and B, whereas DWs 1, 2 and 3 merely deposed about the construction of shop by the Defendant and DW 4 also reiterated the same bald statement adding a statement regarding the unregistered deed of gift (Exh. D). The Defendant also produced seven witnesses out of whom DW 6 and 7 were formal witnesses proving Exh. A and B, whereas DWs 1, 2 and 3 merely deposed about the construction of shop by the Defendant and DW 4 also reiterated the same bald statement adding a statement regarding the unregistered deed of gift (Exh. D). Thereafter it was merely the Defendant himself deposing as DW 5 who supported his pleadings. Thus the entire claim of title raised by the Defendant was based upon his unsubstantiated statement only. 25. On the other hand, the claim of the Plaintiff is based upon the title of his vendor, namely Rahat Hussain and others, who made construction on the suit premises after getting sanction (Exh. 10) from the Authority concerned in the year 1949 and thereafter paid rent and got rent receipts (Exh. 9 series) from 1946 to 1988. Furthermore, the claim of the Plaintiff was also based upon the agreement for sale (Exh. 3) executed by the said Rahat Hussain and others in favour of the Plaintiff followed by a registered sale deed (Exh. 8) of the premises for valuable consideration, whereafter the name of the Plaintiff was duly mutated (Exh. 18) by the appropriate Authority after report (Exh. 14) received from the Rent Collector of the Municipality and the Anchal Adhikari also passed order of fixation of rent (Exh. 19) in favour of the Plaintiff and continuous Municipal Tax Receipts (Exh. 4 series) and Government Rent Receipts (Exh. 5 series) are being granted in favour of the Plaintiff with respect to the suit premises. These documents are reliable documents fully supported by other evidence produced on behalf of the Plaintiff and cannot be ignored merely on the basis of frivolous and baseless claim of the Defendant not supported by any document of title or any other valid or reliable piece of evidence. 26. These aspects of the matter had been fully considered by the Trial Court which decreed the claim of the Plaintiff but the lower Appellate Court misdirected itself on the basis of mere surmises and conjectures and frivolous presumptions and committed grievous error in law which gave rise to substantial questions of law. Reference in this regard may be made to a decision of the Apex Court in case of Budhwanti and Anr. v. Gulab Chand Prasad, reported in AIR 1987 SC 1484. 27. Reference in this regard may be made to a decision of the Apex Court in case of Budhwanti and Anr. v. Gulab Chand Prasad, reported in AIR 1987 SC 1484. 27. So far the substantial questions of Law No. (i) and (ii) are concerned, it is quite apparent that the Defendant had filed Title Suit No. 08 of 1989 with respect to the same property which is involved in the instant suit for declaration of his title, but admittedly the said suit was withdrawn by the Defendant qn 27th March, 1989 (Exh. 22). Although learned Counsel for the Appellant had stated that the said withdrawal was due to pendency of Title Suit No. 05 of 1989 filed by the Plaintiff for the same property, but the said order does not bear any such statement of the Defendant rather it was a plain, simple and unconditional withdrawal of the suit. This clearly showed that the Defendant had withdrawn his claim as was raised in the said Title Suit No. 08 of 1989 by him. Furthermore, the Defendant can also not refute the deed of partition dated, 22nd July, 1988 (Exh. 13) between the vendor of the Plaintiff and his co-sharers in which the suit premises was not the subject matter and rightly so because the suit premises had already been transferred by them in favour of the Plaintiff by registered sale deed dated, 16th July, 1988 (Exh. 8). In the said circumstances, the lower Appellate Court was not at all justified in reversing the findings of the Trial Court which was authentically based on oral and documentary evidence adduced by the parties. 28. Considering the entire facts and materials mentioned above, it is quite clear that the lower Appellate Court has committed serious mistakes in the construction of documents and failed to consider some important aspects and arrived at irrelevant and inadmissible conjectures and surmises which affected the result of the title appeal, resulting in miserable failure in discharge of the duties of a first Appellate Court. So far the Trial Court is concerned, it had appreciated the entire matter legally and properly after considering the evidence and pleadings as well as the provisions of law applicable thereto, including the agreement between the parties (Exh. So far the Trial Court is concerned, it had appreciated the entire matter legally and properly after considering the evidence and pleadings as well as the provisions of law applicable thereto, including the agreement between the parties (Exh. 11) with respect to the undertaking for vacation of the suit premises by the Defendant and has rightly come to the conclusion that the Defendant was contesting the suit on wrong and false pretence and also without any evidence of title and hence the Defendant was not entitled to any sympathy while considering the quantum of equitable relief, whereas on the other hand Plaintiff had fully proved his claim and had borne all the perils of the trial and clearly deserved the equitable relief under the provision of Order VII Rule 7 of the Code of Civil Procedure. In the said circumstances, it is quite apparent that the Trial Court had fully and clearly justified its importance as a Court of equity. 29. In the aforesaid circumstances, this second appeal is allowed, the judgment and decree dated, 30th June, 1999 passed by Additional District Judge-3, Nalanda in Title Appeal No. 45 of 1997 are hereby set aside, whereas the judgment and decree dated, 30th September, 1997 passed by Munsif, Bihar Sharif in Title Suit No. 90 of 1996 are hereby affirmed and the claim as well as the suit of Plaintiff is decreed to the extent it was decreed by the Trial Court. 30. However, in the facts and circumstances of this case, there shall be no order as to cost.