M.NARAYANASWAMY(died)1.N.KARPAGAVALLI v. P.Rajasekaran
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, S.A.No.1278 of 2013, decided 20-01-2025 by R.N. Manjula J.: plaintiff's suit for bare permanent injunction over 2000 sq.ft. dismissed for failure to plead and prove possession of the entire extent; burden/onus of proving possession on plaintiff; Commissioner's report not evidence of possession; necessity of declaratory relief where perfected title claimed; no evidence admissible beyond pleadings; interplay with cross-suit O.S.No.1033/1997 (declaration and recovery of 120 sq.ft., decree executed) and companion appeal S.A.No.1279/2013 dismissed as infructuous on joint compromise memo; second appeal under Section 100 CPC dismissed, courts below confirmed; LRs of deceased sole appellant impleaded by order dated 04.03.2024 in CMP.Nos.5125, 5126 & 5130 of 2024.
What did the court decide?
The plaintiff, pleading possession, bore the primary responsibility/burden to prove possession of the entire 2000 sq.ft.; the Commissioner's report cannot be considered as evidence to prove possession of either party over the suit property.