Panna Lal Sharma through LRs v. Municipal Corporation, Jaipur
2014-10-27
R.S.CHAUHAN
body2014
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT 1. - The petitioner has challenged the order dated 17.7.2013 passed by Addl. Civil Judge (Jr. Div.) No.4, Jaipur Metropolitan, whereby the learned Magistrate has closed the petitioner's evidence; the petitioner has also challenged the order dated 4.10.2013 passed by the said learned Magistrate, whereby an application filed by the petitioner for reopening of the evidence has also been dismissed. 2. The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner had filed a suit for permanent injunction alleging therein that in field bearing khasra No.39 situated at Mojasisi Maharaj Gopalpura @ Chak Sundarka Bass, Tehsil Sawai Jaipur, District Jaipur, there was a bara, owned and possessed by its khatedar, late Nand Lal. It was alleged that said Nand Lal was the plaintiff's brother. He had bequeathed this property to the plaintiff. Later on a document was also executed on 31.3.1973. It was alleged that the petitioner is in possession of this land since 1950. Electric and water connections have also been obtained by the petitioner in his name. A house was also constructed by the petitioner on the said land. The land building tax is also being paid by the petitioner. The house was assigned Municipal No.173, and the petitioner is paying entire house tax and building tax etc. since 1975. But the Municipal Council, Jaipur was trying to interrupt the petitioner's peaceful possession. It is bent upon to demolish the house. Under such circumstances, the petitioner filed the present suit for declaration and for permanent injunction. 3. The defendant, the Municipal Council filed reply; according to it, the land is seevai chak, and is vested with the Municipal Council. As such, they are owners of the property in dispute. However, they have admitted the possession of petitioner. Although they have denied installation of water and electric connections. They have admitted that the house tax has been deposited for a long time. 4. The trial court framed the issues, and the case was fixed for evidence of the plaintiff. However, the trial court closed the plaintiff's evidence on 17.7.2013 on the ground of sufficient opportunities having been given. The petitioner submitted an application under Order 18, Rule 17 read with Section 151 CPC. However, the trial court dismissed the application on 4.10.2013. Hence, this petition before this court. 5. Mr.
However, the trial court closed the plaintiff's evidence on 17.7.2013 on the ground of sufficient opportunities having been given. The petitioner submitted an application under Order 18, Rule 17 read with Section 151 CPC. However, the trial court dismissed the application on 4.10.2013. Hence, this petition before this court. 5. Mr. M.M. Ranjan, the learned senior counsel for the petitioner, has contended that the learned Magistrate is unjustified in claiming that thirteen opportunities were given to the petitioner for submitting his evidence. Since Om Prakash Sharma, the petitioner No.1/2, had filed his affidavit on 17.8.2012, merely few opportunities were given to produce his evidence. Moreover, his cross-examination could not be completed till 17.7.2013. But on the same date the petitioner's evidence was closed. According to the learned counsel, two more witnesses still need to be examined on behalf of the petitioner, namely Mahadev Prasad and Govind Ram Saini. Further, if the petitioner is not permitted to examine these two witnesses, he would not be in a position to establish his case against the respondent-defendants. Therefore, the learned counsel has prayed that a last opportunity should be given to the petitioner to examine the two witnesses named above. 6. On the other hand, Mrs. Naina Saraf, the learned counsel for the respondents, has strenuously claimed that sufficient opportunities were given on different dates to the petitioner to produce his witnesses. But he has failed to do so. Therefore, the learned counsel has supported the impugned orders. 7. A bare perusal of the impugned orders clearly reveal that Om Prakash had submitted his affidavit on 17.8.2012. Subsequently, the matter was listed on 12.10.2012 and 12.12.2012. On 4.1.2013 the cross-examination was left incomplete -- for which the petitioner could not be blamed. On 23.2.2013 a new counsel was engaged who had submitted his vakalatnama. After 23.2.2013, although the case was directed to be listed on 11.4.2013, since it was declared to be a holiday the case was listed on 12.4.2013. On 12.4.2013 the learned counsel for the respondents took time to complete the cross-examination. Therefore, the case was directed to be listed on 17.7.2013. On 17.7.2013 while the cross-examination was completed, the petitioner's right to submit further evidence was closed. 8. A bare perusal of the facts mentioned above clearly reveal that immediately after the completion of the cross-examination, the right to produce further evidence has been closed.
Therefore, the case was directed to be listed on 17.7.2013. On 17.7.2013 while the cross-examination was completed, the petitioner's right to submit further evidence was closed. 8. A bare perusal of the facts mentioned above clearly reveal that immediately after the completion of the cross-examination, the right to produce further evidence has been closed. The petitioner cannot be blamed for the adjournment of the case. Thus, the learned Magistrate is not justified in claiming that despite having given thirteen opportunities the evidence was not produced. 9. It is, indeed, trite to state that ample opportunities have to be given to the parties to establish their case. Thus, the learned Magistrate should have allowed the application filed under Order 18, Rule 17 read with Section 151 CPC. 10. For the reasons stated above, this court quashes and sets aside the orders dated 17.7.2013 and order dated 4.10.2013, and directs the learned Trial Court to permit the petitioner to examine Mahadev Prasad and Govind Ram Saini on the same day provided the petitioner pays a cost of Rs. 5,000/- to the respondents. 11. With these directions this petition and the stay application are, hereby, disposed off.Petition Allowed. *******