Saturday, January 11, 2020

Allahabad High Court in Asheesh Kumar vs. State of UP [13.11.2019]


Allahabad High Court
Asheesh Kumar vs State Of U.P. And 4 Others on 13 November 2019
Bench: Pradeep Kumar Baghel, Piyush Agrawal

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
 Court No. - 21

 Case:- PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 77 of 2019

 Petitioner:- Asheesh Kumar
 Respondent:- State Of U.P. And 4 Others
 Counsel for Petitioner:- Ajay Sengar
 Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C.

Hon'ble Pradeep Kumar Singh Baghel,J.
Hon'ble Piyush Agrawal,J.

The petitioner has preferred this P.I.L. for non-compliance of the communications dated 26.10.2017 & 16.11.2017 made by Executive Engineer-respondent no.5 addressing to District Magistrate-respondent no.3 whereby a request has been made to provide adequate aid for removal of encroachments made on pond land of Gata No. 113 and 115, Mohalla- Baghakatra, Kasba-Auriaya, District Auraiya.

We had granted time to learned Standing Counsel to seek instructions in the matter. He has passed on a copy of instructions dated 9.4.2019 to us. In the instructions, it has been admitted that 2.44 acre land of Gata No. 113 is recorded as pond in revenue papers. Over pond land, Mahesh and Naresh sons of Nawab Singh and Govind son of Kamal Singh have constructed two shops and permanent structures. Further on pond land of Gata No. 115, Sri Narayan Guest House has also been raised unauthorisedly. It has further been mentioned that notices have been issued to encroachers for removal of unauthorised constructions made over pond land. It has also been mentioned that in respect of Plot No. 115 a Civil Suit No.133 of 2017, Anuruddha Kumar and others Vs. State of U.P. and others, has been filed in which no interim order has been granted to the plaintiff.

We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel and perused the material on record including the instructions passed on us, which has been taken as part of record.
From the materials on record, we find that the Nagar Palika Parishad, Auraiya has issued notices to the persons who are illegally in occupation of the pond land but no effective steps have been taken for the removal of the encroachment. It is also mentioned in the writ petition that one of the person who has encroached the land of the pond has filed a Civil Suit but no interim order has been passed in the said Civil Suit .

The Supreme Court in the case of Hinch Lal Tiwari Vs. Kamla Devi and others, (2001) 6 SCC 496 has held that all ponds should be restored to their original position. The said judgment has been consistently followed in the case of Jagpal Singh and others Vs. State of Punjab and others, AIR 2011 SC 1123, and by a Division Bench of this Court in the case of Support India Welfare Society Vs. State of U.P. and 7 others in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 1474 of 2019. The direction issued by this Court in the case of Support India Welfare Society (supra) to the Principal Secretary, Revenue, Government of Uttar Pradesh (supra) reads as under:-

"(i) The Chief Secretary of the State of Uttar Pradesh shall constitute a Committee in consultation with the Chairman, Board of Revenue, which shall monitor the compliance of the judgements of the Supreme Court and this Court. The said Committee shall also invite Justice Ram Surat Ram (Maurya) (Former Judge of this Court) as a special invitee in its meeting. Justice Maurya shall be paid Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) remuneration for attending each such meeting in addition to his conveyance and other charges;

(ii) the Collectors of each District of the State shall entrust the the Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) to make a list of ponds which are recorded in the revenue records in the year 1951-52. He shall also prepare a list of the ponds which are under the encroachment or in respect of which the lease has been granted;

(iii) we charge the Additional District Magistrates (Finance & Revenue) of each District of the State to comply these directions;

(iv) the Collectors shall proceed to cancel the lease of the ponds and restore the ponds in accordance with law and directions issued by the Supreme Court. The Collectors shall send a progress report in every six month to the Committee constituted by the Chief Secretary;

(v) the Committee shall hold its meeting, at least, after every three to four months and monitor the progress of restoration of ponds in the State. In case any legal impediment arises, the Collector shall apprise the monitoring Committee, which shall issue appropriate guidance to the Collector concerned in accordance with law; and

(vi) the other Committees, which were constituted earlier at State level and District level, shall also send their report to the Monitoring Committee.

We make it clear that any negligence in compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court and this order shall be treated as a negligence of duty and appropriate action shall be taken against the concerned Officer(s) under the relevant Service Rules."

In view of the admitted fact that there is encroachment at the pond land we dispose of this writ petition with the direction upon District Magistrate Auriaya to take appropriate action strictly as per aforesaid settled legal position enunciated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court as well as this Court and fix the responsibility of the authority concerned for compliance of the said judgement.

We leave it open to the petitioner to file a fresh representation along with certified copy of the judgement within three weeks.

Office shall furnish xerox copy of this order without payment of usual charges to Mr. Satyendra Pratap Singh, learned Standing Counsel for communication of this order to District Magistrate.

Order Date :- 13.11.2019 SY 



Friday, January 10, 2020

Sri.V.Nagarajan vs The Deputy Commissioner


Bangalore District Court


Sri.V.Nagarajan vs The Deputy Commissioner on 7 November, 2019

IN THE COURT OF THE XLII ADDL., CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS JUDGE AT
                BENGALURU CITY (CCH.NO.43).


                PRESENT: Sri.P.SRINIVASA,
                                  B.A.L., LL.M.,
                         XLII ADDL., CITY CIVIL AND
                        SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU.


            Dated this the 7th day of November, 2019.


                        O.S.No.4440/2015


 Plaintiffs:-            1.   Sri.V.Nagarajan,
                              S/o.S.Veerappa Naidu,
                              Aged about 62 years,

                         2.   Smt.Jayalakshmi,
                              W/o.V.Nagarajan,
                              Aged about 54 years,

                         Both are R/at No.1 (Site No.18),
                         "Lakshmi Nilaya", 4th Cross,
                         9th Main, Nanjappa Reddy Layout,
                         HRBR, 1st Block, Banaswadi,
                         Bangalore-560 043.

                               (By Adv. B.Roppesha)


 Defendants:- 1.   The Deputy Commissioner,
                              Bangalore East Taluk,
                              Bangalore-560 009.

                         2.   The Assistant Commissioner,
                              Bangalore North Taluk,
                              Bangalore-560 009.




                                                        Judgment
                         2             O.S.No.4440/2015

                         3.       The Thasildar,
                                  Krishnarajapuram,
                                  Bangalore East Taluk,
                                  Bangalore-560 049.

                           (Defs.1 to 3 by Adv. Kiran Pradeep)


Date of institution of the suit      :   22.05.2015

Nature of the suit                   :   Permanent Injunction

Date of commencement of              :   28.07.2016
Recording of the evidence

Date on which the Judgment           :   07.11.2019
was pronounced

Total Duration                       :    Years      Months     Days
                                           04          05        15




                                 (P.SRINIVASA)
                 XLII ADDL., CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS JUDGE,
                                BENGALURU CITY.


                              JUDGEMENT
The plaintiffs have filed the above suit for permanent injunction and costs.

2. The plaintiffs' case in brief as under:-

Originally, Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village, measuring 2 acres 16 guntas was owned by one Ankanna Reddy and after his death, his children partitioned the above said property and all the Judgement sons of Ankanna Reddy got 24 guntas each in Sy.No.248 as per the Partition Deed dated 21.02.1969 and revenue records are mutated in their names. The legal representatives of Ankanna Reddy formed revenue layout and sold site No.18, Khata No.766, carved out of Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village i.e., suit schedule property to one K.Krishna. Said K.Krishna sold the suit schedule property to one K.Geetha Krishnan and T.R.Sudarsanam vide., registered Sale Deed dated 29.09.1997. Said K.Geetha Krishnan and T.R.Sudarsanam sold the suit schedule property in favour of plaintiffs vide., Sale Deed dated 28.11.2001. The plaintiffs are the absolute owner and in possession and enjoyment of the suit schedule property. The khatha of the said property stands in the name of the plaintiff and they are also paying taxes to the concerned authority. After obtaining sanctioned plan from BBMP, the plaintiffs have constructed house consisting ground and first floor in the suit schedule property and they are residing in the said house. The plaintiffs received notice dated 09.07.2012 from defendant No.3 under Section 192-A of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, alleging that as per survey report conducted on 06.07.2009 the plaintiffs have constructed house by encroaching Sy.No.211. The plaintiffs have filed reply to the said notice contending that the said survey was conducted without notice to them and they have not encroached any portion of Sy.No.211 of Judgement Banasawadi Village and they have constructed their house in Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village and requested defendant No.3 to drop the proceedings. The defendant No.3 without considering the objections filed by the plaintiffs and without passing any orders, after lapse of 2 years issued another notice dated 29.12.2014 under Section 94 and 104 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, calling upon the plaintiffs to vacate the suit schedule property. After receipt of the said notice, the plaintiffs approached the defendants and requested them to consider their reply but, once again issued notice in the 1st week of April, 2015 and threatened to vacate the plaintiffs from the suit schedule property. Hence, the plaintiffs filed W.P.No.15254/2015 on 22.04.2015 before the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka and Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka was pleased to direct the plaintiffs to file objections before the defendants and the defendants to consider said objections and pass necessary orders, until such time, defendants not to take any coercive action. As per the orders passed in the said writ petition, the plaintiffs filed detailed reply to the defendants on 04.05.2015 and on 06.05.2015 appeared before the defendants and filed another representation requesting the defendants not to precipitate the matter until a decision taken by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in W.P.No.15255/2015. On 07.05.2015, the defendants Judgement and their officials came near the schedule property to conduct survey of Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. The defendants without responding to the plaintiffs request, continued their illegal acts and brought JCBs near the suit schedule property and threatened to demolish the building. With great difficulty, the plaintiffs were able to resist the illegal acts of the defendants. Hence, the plaintiffs have filed the above suit for permanent injunction.

3. In response to the suit summons, the defendants 1 to 3 appeared before the court through their counsel and filed the written statement before this court. In the written statement, the defendants have contended that Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village is a Government land, measuring 42 acres 38 guntas and the suit schedule property is part of said Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village. The defendants have denied plaintiff's title over the suit schedule property. The defendants have contended that plaintiffs' vendors had no title over the suit schedule property and Sale Deed executed by plaintiffs' vendors is non-est, illegal and doesn't confirm any title to the plaintiffs. Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village is a sarakari kere and suit schedule property comes within Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village. The layout alleged to be formed by plaintiffs' vendor is illegal and it is formed without any authority of law and it is formed on the Government land hence, Judgement plaintiffs' vendors had no right or title over the suit schedule property. Further, the defendants have contended that BBMP or BDA or any other authorities have no authority to issue khatha certificate or to approve building plan in respect of sarakari kere i.e., Government land in the name of the plaintiffs or any other persons. The title documents and tax paid receipts are manipulated and obtained with oblique motive to knock of the Government land. Further, the defendants have contended that by issuing notices to the encroachers and in the presence of the encroachers and general public twice survey was conducted to ascertain the encroachment. The plaintiffs have constructed their house by encroaching Sy.No.211 i.e., Government land. The plaintiffs' possession over the Government land is illegal and same is liable to be evicted. The defendants have denied the plaint averment that on 1st week of April 2015, the defendants tried to dispossess the plaintiffs. The defendants admit issuance of notices to the encroachers including the plaintiffs. The defendants are statutory authorities and they are discharging their statutory duty to remove illegal encroachments in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village. The plaintiffs cannot seek equitable relief of injunction, restraining the authorities in exercising the statutory right in accordance with law. The defendants have initiated action against every individuals who have encroached different portion Judgement of Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village. The defendants have issued notices and after holding an enquiry, the defendants have passed order under Karnataka Land Revenue Act dated 23.04.2015, holding that encroachment should be removed. The plaintiffs have not challenged the said order dated 23.04.2015 passed by the Tahasildar, which has attained finality. The plaintiffs have alternative remedy and they cannot invoke civil court and present suit is not maintainable. The plaintiffs have not approached the with clean hands and they have suppressed material facts. The Government of Karnataka has taken decision to remove illegal encroachments over Government land in and around Bengaluru. The Government of Karnataka had constituted a committee headed by Sri.A.T.Ramaswamy and said committee submitted a report and thereafter, Government of Karnataka has taken action to remove illegal encroachment. To confirm the encroachment, survey was also held and the Government has set up special task force to remove illegal encroachment. If injunction is granted, it will defeat the very purpose of decision taken by the Government, to save and protect the Government lands. The relief sought by the plaintiffs is against public interest. The Government is entitle to take possession of the land which is illegally occupied by the plaintiffs by evicting them or demolishing the structure. Hence, prayed that suit may be dismissed with costs.

Judgement

4. On the basis of above pleadings, below mentioned issues arise for consideration:-
ISSUES
1. Whether the plaintiffs prove their lawful possession over the suit schedule property as on the date of the suit?
2. Whether the plaintiffs prove the alleged interference of the defendants?
3. Whether the plaintiffs are entitled for the relief of permanent injunction?
4. What order or decree?
5. To prove the case of the plaintiffs, plaintiff No.1 examined himself as PW-1 and marked Ex.P1 to P21. The defendant No.3 examined as DW-1 and got marked Ex.D1 to D5.
6. Heard arguments. The learned counsel for defendants 1 to 3 has relied upon the following citations reported in:

1. Judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No.1132/2011 @ SLP(C) No.3109/2011, in the case of Jagpal Singh and others v. State of Punjab and others.

2. Order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, in W.P.Nos.104463/2014 & 110042-58/2014 Judgement (KLR-RES) dated 10.12.2014, in the case of Fakirappa Kareppa Hanchinamani and others v. The State of Karnataka and others.

3. Order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi at New Delhi In RFA.No.116/2019, in the case of Ashok Atree v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi and another.

4. LAWS (APH) 2006 6 167, in Writ Petition 162890 of 1996, in the case of S.V.Ramanna v. District Collector.

5. AIR 1962 Madras 149, in the case of Alagi Alamelu Achi v. Ponniah Mudaliar.

7. My findings on the above said issues are as follows:-
              Issue No.1    :-    In the Negative.
              Issue No.2    :-    In the Negative.
              Issue No.3    :-    In the Negative.
              Issue No.4    :-    As per final order.
                                  for the following:-


 REASONS

8. Issue Nos.1 to 3:- These issues are taken up together for consideration to avoid repetition of facts, evidence and convenience.

9. PW-1 in his examination-in-chief has stated that Sy.No.248 of Banaswadi Village, measuring 2 acres 16 guntas originally belonged to one Ankanna Redd and after his death, his Judgement children partitioned the said property and as per Partition Deed dated 21.02.1969, 24 guntas each in Sy.No.248 was allotted to the sons of Ankanna Reddy. In support of the said contention, the plaintiffs have produced certified copy of Partition Deed dated 21.02.1969 at Ex.P2. Ex.P2 is more than 30 years old document, hence, presumption has to be raised regarding execution of Ex.P2. Hence, this court can rely upon Ex.P.2. From the recitals of the Ex.P2, it discloses that all the children of Ankanna Reddy have partitioned their family properties including Sy.No.248 and 24 guntas each is allotted to the share of sons of Ankanna Reddy. The defendants are not claiming any right, title or possession over Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. Further, PW-1 in his examination-in-chief has stated that legal representatives of Ankanna Reddy formed revenue layout and sold site No.18 i.e., suit schedule property to one K.Krishna. Said K.Krishna sold the suit schedule property to K.Geetha Krishnan and T.R.Sudarsanam vide., registered Sale Deed dated 29.09.1997. Said K.Geetha Krishnan and T.R.Sudarsanam sold the suit schedule property to plaintiffs vide., Sale Deed dated 28.11.2001. Further, PW-1 has stated that khatha of the suit schedule property is mutated in the name of the plaintiffs and they are paying taxes to the concerned authorities and by obtaining sanctioned plan from BBMP they have constructed residential house consisting ground and first Judgement floor in the suit schedule property and the plaintiffs are residing the said house along with their family members. In support of plaintiffs' contention, the plaintiffs have produced original Sale Deed dated 28.11.2001 at Ex.P1, certified copy of of the Sale Deed dated 29.09.1997 executed in favour of K.Geetha Krishnan and T.R.Sudarsanam at Ex.P3, Khatha Certificate, Khatha Extract, Tax Paid Receipt, Sanctioned Plan, photographs, electricity and water bills and receipts and encumbrance certificate before this court at Ex.P3 to P14. Advocate for the plaintiffs argued that suit schedule property is carved out from Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village and the plaintiffs have purchased the suit schedule property vide., registered Sale Deed and they have constructed house in the suit schedule property and residing in the said suit schedule property and the plaintiffs are the absolute owner and in possession of the suit schedule property and the defendants illegally tried to interfere with plaintiffs' possession. Hence, plaintiffs are entitle for permanent injunction. Per contra, advocate for the defendants argued that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village and Sy.No.211 is a Government land i.e., sarakari kere and plaintiffs have put up construction by encroaching Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village. Further, argued that plaintiffs are not in lawful possession of the suit schedule property. The defendants have discharged their duty Judgement as per law and the plaintiffs are not entitle for the relief of injunction against true owner i.e., Government. Hence, prayed that suit may be dismissed. It is pertinent to note that, plaintiffs' claim that they are the absolute owners of the suit schedule property. Per contra, the defendants contend that suit schedule property is situated in the Government land i.e., sarakari kere therefore, Government is the owner of the suit schedule property. The defendants have produced RTC of Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village at Ex.D2. From Ex.D2, it goes to show that Sy.No.211 is a Government land i.e., sarakari kere. From the pleadings and evidence of both parties, it discloses that both parties are claiming title over the suit schedule property. In AIR 2008 Supreme Court page 2033, in the case of Anathula Sudhkar v. P.Buchi Reddy (Dead) by L.Rs. & Others, wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held with regard to the relief of injunction in respect of immovable property as follows:-

(A) Specific Relief Act (47 of 1963), S.38 - Prohibitory injunction relating to immovable property - Suit for - Scope of.

The position in regard to suits for prohibitory injunction relating to immovable is summarised as under:
(a) Where a cloud is raised over plaintiff's title and he does not have possession, a suit for Judgement declaration and possession, with or without a consequential injunction, is the remedy. Where the plaintiff's title is not in dispute or under a cloud, but he is out of possession, he has to sue for possession with a consequential injunction. Where there is merely an interference with plaintiff' lawful possession or threat of dispossession, it is sufficient to sue for an injunction simpliciter.
(b) As a suit for injunction simpliciter is concerned only with possession, normally the issue of title will not be directly and substantially in issue. The prayer for injunction will be decided with reference to the finding on possession. But in cases where de jure possession has to be established on the basis of the title to the property, as in the case of vacant sites, the issue of title may directly and substantially arise for consideration, as without a finding thereon, it will not be possible to decide the issue of possession.
(c) But a finding on title cannot be recorded in a suit for injunction, unless there are necessary pleadings and appropriate issue regarding title (either specific or implied). Where the averments regarding title are absent in a plaint and where there is no issue relating to title, the Court will not investigate or examine or render a finding on a question of title, in a suit for injunction. Even where there are necessary pleadings and issue, if the matter involves complicated questions of fact and law relating to title, the Court will relegate the parties to the remedy by way of comprehensive suit Judgement for declaration of title, instead of deciding the issue in a suit for mere injunction.
(d) Where there are necessary pleadings regarding title, and appropriate issue relating to title on which parties lead evidence, if the matter involved is simple and straight forward, the court may decide upon the issue regarding title, even in a suit for injunction. But such cases, are the exception to the normal rule that question of title will not be decided in suits for injunction. But persons having clearly title and possession suing for injunction, should not be driven to the costlier and more cumbersome remedy of a suit for declaration, merely because some meddler vexatiously or wrongfully makes a claim or tries to encroach upon his property. The Court should use its discretion carefully to identify cases where it will enquire into title and cases where it will refer to plaintiff to a more comprehensive declaratory suit, depending upon the facts of the case.
Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held as follows:-

(B) Specific Relief Act (47 of 1963). Ss.34, 38 - Suit for injunction simpliciter - Maintainability - Plaintiffs claim for possession purely based on title through 'R' who claimed to be owner in pursuance of oral gift in year 1961 without property being mutated in her name - Whereas defendant claimed title from original owner who was registered as owner in revenue records - Complicated question of title involved - Could be examined only in a title suit, for Judgement declaration and consequential reliefs, and not in a suit for injunction simpliciter.

11.1 Where a plaintiff is in lawful or peaceful possession of a property and such possession is interfered or threatened by the defendant, a suit for an injunction simpliciter will lie. A person has a right to protect his possession against any person who does not prove a better title by seeking a prohibitory injunction. But a person in wrongful possession is not entitled to an injunction against the rightful owner.

11.2 Where the title of the plaintiff is not disputed, but he is not in possession, his remedy is to file a suit for possession and seek in addition, if necessary, an injunction. A person out of possession, cannot seek the relief of injunction simpliciter, without claiming the relief of possession.

11.3 Where the plaintiff is in possession, but his title to the property is in dispute, or under a cloud, or where the defendant asserts title thereto and there is also a threat of dispossession from defendant, the plaintiff will have to sue for declaration of title and the consequential relief of injunction. Where the title of plaintiff is under a cloud or in dispute and he is not in possession or not able to establish possession, necessarily the plaintiff will have to file a suit for declaration, possession and injunction.
From the above judgment, it is clear that if plaintiffs' title to the property is in dispute or under a cloud and where the defendants Judgement asserts title thereto and there is also a threat of dispossession from the defendants, the plaintiff has to sue for declaration of title and consequential relief of injunction. In the present case, the defendants are claiming that suit schedule property is a Government land and as per plaintiffs' case the defendants are trying to evict the plaintiffs from the suit schedule property. Therefore, there is a cloud over the title of the plaintiffs. Hence, on the above said ground the present suit for bare injunction without seeking the relief of declaration is not maintainable under law.

10. Both parties admit existence of house in the suit schedule property. The plaintiffs contend that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. It is pertinent to note that, in the Sale Deed i.e., Ex.P1 there is no recital to the effect that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. Similarly, in Ex.P3 (i.e., Sale Deed of plaintiffs' vendors) there is no recital to the effect that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. The plaintiffs have not produced any documentary evidence before this court to show the location of suit schedule property in Sy.No.248 of Banasawadi Village. Therefore, adverse inference has to be drawn against the plaintiffs. On the other hand, the defendants in order to show that suit schedule Judgement property is situated in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village, have produced certified copy of order passed by the Tahasildar in N.C.R.C.R.170/09-10 dated 23.04.2015, RTC of Sy.No.211, Survey Sketch, Banasawadi Village Map and Settlement Akaarbandu at Ex.D1 to D7. From Ex.D2 i.e., RTC, it discloses that Sy.No.211 is a Government land. Ex.D1 is the proceedings initiated by Tahasildar under Karnataka Land Revenue Act against the encroachers of Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village including the plaintiffs herein. From Ex.D1, it discloses that plaintiff No.1 is arrayed as Respondent No.56 in the said proceedings. It is pertinent to note that, PW-1 in his cross-examination admits that he has signed the order sheet of the said proceedings. From the above admission of PW-1, it clearly goes to show that plaintiff No.1 has participated in the proceedings before the Tahasildar. In the said proceedings, the Tahasildar has held that the plaintiffs and other encroachers have encroached Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village i.e., Government land. From Ex.D3 i.e., Sketch, it discloses that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village i.e., Government land. The plaintiffs contend that survey was not conducted in their presence and notices were not issued to them. It is pertinent to note that, in Ex.D1 i.e., order of the Tahasildar, the Tahasildar has categorically stated that at the request of the encroachers survey Judgement was ordered and notices were issued to the encroachers and general public and survey was conducted in the presence of encroachers and general public. There is no reason to disbelieve the order of the Tahasildar. Therefore, contention of the plaintiffs that survey was conducted without notice to the plaintiffs and in their absence, cannot be accepted. From the survey sketch produced Ex.D3, it clearly demonstrates that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village i.e., Government land. The defendants have produced sufficient documentary evidence to show that suit schedule property is situated in Government land. Therefore, plaintiffs are in unauthorized and illegal possession of the Government land. Hence, the contention of the plaintiffs that they are in lawful possession of the suit schedule property cannot be accepted.

11. PW-1 in his evidence has stated that the defendants are illegally trying to interfere with plaintiffs' possession and are trying to evict the plaintiffs from the suit schedule property. It is pertinent to note that, the defendants have produced sufficient material evidence before this court to show that suit schedule property is situated in Sy.No.211 of Banasawadi Village i.e., Government land. Admittedly, the defendants 1 to 3 are Government Authorities. The defendants 1 to 3 are empowered under law to take necessary legal action to evict unauthorized / Judgement illegal occupants from the Government lands. Therefore, contention of the plaintiffs that defendants illegally tried to interfere with their possession cannot be accepted.

12. Advocate for the plaintiffs argued that the plaintiffs are in possession of the suit schedule property. Hence, they are entitle for permanent injunction.

In (2011) 11 Supreme Court Cases 396, in the case of Jagpal Singh and others v. State of Punjab and others, wherein the lordships have held as under:

"A. Panchyats and Zilla Parishads - Common village land / Community land / Commons -
Encroachment of Gram Panchayat land - Regularization of - Impermissibility - Held, illegal encroachments of village / Gram Panchayat lands shall not be regularized - Long duration of occupation or huge expenditure in making constructions thereon or political connections are no justification for regularizing such illegal occupations - However, regularization may be permitted where lease is granted to landless labourers or members of Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes, or where there is already a school, dispensary or other public utility on said land - In present case, appellant unauthorizedly encroached village pond of Gram Panchayat by filling it and raising constructions thereon - Collector directing regularization of land by Judgement recovering its cost, since huge money was spent by appellants on said land - Held, Gram Sabha land must be kept for use of villagers of the village

- Common interest of villagers shall not suffer merely because unauthorized occupation has been subsisting for many years - Hence, regularization Letter dt.26-9-2007 by State Government in favour of unauthorized occupants, held, illegal, not valid and without jurisdiction - Constructions must be removed and possession shall be restored to Gram Panchayat - Further held, orders issued by all State Governments permitting Gram Sabha land to private persons and commercial enterprises on payment of money are illegal and should be ignored - All State Governments are directed to prepare schemes for eviction of illegal / unauthorized occupants of Gram Sabha / Gram Panchayat / promboke / shamlat land and restoration of Gram Panchayat - Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961 (18 of 1961) - S.7 - Constitution of India - Arts.39(b) and 300-A - Utilization of community resources for common good - Tenancy and Land Laws - Land Grabbomg - encroachment of Gram Panchayat land - Regularization of - Impermissibility."

In the Order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, in W.P.Nos.104463/2014 & 110042-58/2014 (KLR-RES) dated 10.12.2014, in the case of Fakirappa Kareppa Hanchinamani and others v. The State Judgement of Karnataka and others, wherein the lordships have held as follows:

"3. It is submitted by the Additional Government Advocate that an interim direction is issued by the Division Bench of this Court headed by the Hon'ble Chief Justice which is pending in W.P.No.15500/2013 and connected matters wherein specific direction is issued to revenue department to initiate necessary proceedings to clear encroachments. In that view of the matter, question of entertaining these writ petitions by quashing the notices issued by 5 th respondent pursuant to direction issued by second respondent in implementation of the report of Sri.V.Balasubramanian Committee and also the interim directions issued by the Division Bench of this Court in W.P.No.15500/2013 and connected matters does not arise. Accordingly, these writ petitions are dismissed."

From the above citations it is clear that, unauthorized occupants of Government land / gomala land etc. are not entitle for relief of injunction. In the present case, the plaintiffs are occupying the Government land unauthorizedly therefore, they are not entitle for the discretionary relief of injunction. In the light of the above discussion, I answer Issue Nos.1 to 3 in the Negative.

13. Issue No.4:-

In view of my above discussion, I proceed to pass the following:

Judgement ORDER Suit of the plaintiffs is dismissed with costs.

Draw decree accordingly.

(Dictated to the Judgement Writer, typed by her, the transcript thereof corrected and then pronounced by me, in the open court, this the 7th day of November, 2019) (P.SRINIVASA) XLII Addl., City Civil & Sessions Judge, Bengaluru City.

ANNEXURE I. List of witnesses examined on behalf of:

(a) Plaintiffs' side:

PW.1 - Sri.V.Nagarajan

(b) Defendants' side:

DW.1 - Sri.N.Tejas Kumar II. List of documents exhibited on behalf of:

      (a)     Plaintiff's side:

        Ex.P1             :       Original Sale Deed dated
                                  28.11.2001
        Ex.P2             :       Certified copy of Partition Deed
                                  dated 21.02.1969
        Ex.P3             :       Certified copy of Sale Deed dated
                                  29.09.1997
        Ex.P4             :       Khatha Certificate
        Ex.P5             :       Khatha Extract
        Ex.P6             :       Tax Paid Receipt




                                                           Judgement


      Ex.P7           :    Sanctioned Plan
      Ex.P8 & 9       :    2 Photos
      Ex.P10          :    CD
      Ex.P11          :    Electricity Bill
      Ex.P12          :    Water Bill
      Ex.P13 & 14     :    Encumbrance Certificates
      Ex.P15          :    Certified copy of Order passed in
                           W.P.No.15254/2015 (KLR-RES)
      Ex.P16          :    Documentation dated 03.05.2015
      Ex.P17          :    Representation dated 06.05.2015
      Ex.P18          :    Certified copy of order passed in
                           W.P.No.19659/2015 (KLR-RES)
      Ex.P19          :    Tax Paid Receipt
      Ex.P19(a)       :    Acknowledgement
      Ex.P20          :    Electricity Bill
      Ex.P21          :    Water Bill


     (a) Defendants' side:

      Ex.D1           :    Certified copy of Orders passed by
                           Tahsildar in Case
                           No.N.C.R.C.R.170/09-10 dated
                           23.04.2015
      Ex.D2           :    RTC
      Ex.D3           :    Certified copy of Survey Sketch of
                           Re-Survey No.211, Banasawadi
                           Village
      Ex.D3(a)        :    Encroachment made by the
                           plaintiff
      Ex.D4           :    Village Map
      Ex.D4(a)        :    Survey No.211 in Village Map
      Ex.D5           :    Aakarbandh




XLII ADDL., CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS JUDGE BENGALURU CITY.

                  Digitally signed by SRINIVASA
                  DN: cn=SRINIVASA,ou=HIGH
                  COURT OF
                  KARNATAKA,o=GOVERNMEN
SRINIVASA         T OF
                  KARNATAKA,st=Karnataka,c=           Judgement
                  IN
                  Date: 2019.11.08 15:48:13 IST