The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed the second appeal filed by plaintiffs against the lower courts' finding that they failed to establish possession over the suit property, which is a Grama Natham.
The second appeal was dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions were closed. No costs awarded.
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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
Dated: 11.01.2017
C o r a m
The HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY
S.A (MD) No.565 of 2016 and C.M.P(MD)Nos.8079 & 10997 of 2016
1.Dharmar
2.Ponnusamy
.. Appellants/Appellants/Plaintiffs
Vs.
1.State of Tamil Nadu,
Tuticorin.
2.Subbiah Asari .. Respondents/Respondents/Defendants
Prayer:- Second Appeal has been filed under Section 100 of Civil Procedure Code against the Judgment and Decree dated 21.01.2008 made in A.S.No.45 of 2007 on the file of the Sub Court, Kovilpatti, confirming the Judgment and Decree, dated 31.01.2007 made in O.S.No.4 of 2004 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Vilathikulam.
For Appellants : Mr.K.Hemakarthikeyan For R – 1 : Mr.R.Anandha Raj Government Advocate
For R2 : No Appearance
JUDGMENT
The above second appeal arises against the Judgment and Decree passed in A.S.No.45 of 2007 on the file of the Sub Court, Kovilpatti, confirming the Judgment and Decree passed in O.S.No.4 of 2004 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Vilathikulam.
2.The appellants are the plaintiffs and the respondents are the defendants in the suit. The plaintiffs filed the suit in O.S.No.4 of 2004 on the file of the District Munsif Court, https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ Vilathikulam, for declaration and permanent injunction.
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3.Heard the learned counsel for the appellants and the learned counsel for the first respondent.
4.The learned counsel appearing for the appellants submitted that the suit property is a Natham Poramboke and that the respondents are taking steps to evict the plaintiffs from the suit property. Further, the learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the patta granted in favour of the plaintiffs was cancelled by the authorities. Though the plaintiffs contended that they are in possession of the property, they have not produced any document to establish that they are in possession of the suit property. The learned counsel appearing for the appellants further submitted that the District Collector has been made as one of the defendants only for the reason that the authority had cancelled the patta issued in favour of the plaintiffs.
5.In the absence of any acceptable evidence produced by the plaintiffs, the Courts below concurrently held that the plaintiffs are not in possession of the property. Since, admittedly, the suit property is a Grama Natham, the first defendant-the State of Tamil Nadu, rep. By the District Collector, Tuticorin has no role to play. However, the plaintiffs have filed the suit against the State seeking for declaration and permanent injunction. So far as the cancellation of patta is concerned, the order passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer can be challenged by way of appeal before the authorities. However, the outcome of the appeal is not known to this Court. Since the Courts below have concurrently held that the plaintiffs have not established their possession over the suit property by adducing oral and documentary evidences, I do not find any reason to interfere with the concurrent findings of the Courts below.
6.In these circumstances, I find no ground much less any substantial question of law to interfere with the concurrent findings of the Courts below and the Second Appeal is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, the same is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are also closed.
Sd/-
Assistant Registrar(CSII)
/True Copy/
Sub Assistant Registrar
ps
To
1.The Sub Judge, https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ Kovilpatti.
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2.The District Munsif, Vilathikulam.
+1cc to Mr.K.Hemakarthikeyan,Advocate Sr.No. 2430
+1cc to Spl.Government Pleader Sr.No. 2287
JAM/03.02.17/PN/SAR 3/3p-5c
S.A(MD)No.565 of 2016 11.01.2017
3 issues framed by the court
Whether the second appeal can be allowed in the absence of any substantial question of law arising from the concurrent findings of the courts below regarding the plaintiffs' lack of possession.
Whether the District Collector has a role to play in a suit concerning a Grama Natham property.
Whether the cancellation of the patta issued in favour of the plaintiffs requires interference by this Court before the outcome of the appeal before the authorities is known.
Dharmar and Ponnusamy
State of Tamil Nadu and Subbiah Asari
M. Duraiswamy
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
