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AN INTERESTING FACT OF FABRICATION OF REVENUE RECORDS IN 1950’S REPORTED IN CASE LAW

Kolla Bovi vs Thimma Bovi ILR 1991 KAR 3834, 1991 (3) KarLJ 502 "It is quite interesting to note from the records that the 5.00 acres land was originally granted to Thimma Bovi s/o Govinda Bovi on 28-1-1951 and Saguvali Chit was issued. Subsequently on certain complaints of impersonation and Saguvali Chit was being obtained on fraudulent means the Deputy Commissioner in his order dated 12-12-1956 has directed the grant to be cancelled and restore the land to the Government he has also directed the Sub-Divisional Officer (Assistant Commissioner) to conduct enquiry into the matter and to take suitable disciplinary action against the village Officers. The records further discloses that the Shanbogue and Patel of the village were fined Rs. 3/-and 2/- respectively for having attested the wrong thumb impression of Thimma Bovi. One interesting item is there are no further orders of cancellation of grant in the records, instead there is an application dated 31-7-1957 from Thimma Bovi (page 107 of DRR/58-59 of Taluk Office file) that he has prayed for issue of permanent Saguvali Chit and to exempt him from pay Rs. 20/-. There is also a receipt for Rs. 30-47 paid by Thimma Bovi on 13-5-1958. This goes to prove that inspite of the order of the Deputy Commissioner dated 12-12-1956 the grant was not cancelled but he continued to be in possession of the land in contrary to the allegation of the appellant. This proves beyond reasonable doubt that the land is a granted land....."

REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS MADE ON THE LAND – NO PROTECTION – PTCL CASES

The Constitutional validity of the Act was upheld by Karnataka High Court in Judgment reported in I.L.R. 1982 KARNATAKA 1310, Krishnappa S.V. vs. State of Karnataka and later by the Supreme Court in the Decision . , Manche Gowda vs. State of Karnataka. 6. The Transfer of Property Act, 1982 was enacted by the Parliament to define and meet certain parts of the law relating to the transfer of property by act of parties. Section 5 of Transfer of Property Act provides that the expression "transfer of property" means an act by which the living person conveys property, in present or future, to one or more other living person. The transfers covered by Transfer of Property Act are transfers inter-vivos, between the living persons and transfers by operation of law are not covered. The transfer which attracts provisions of Section 4 of the Act are made by the grantee in favour of the transferee and in contravention of the terms of grant. The land is granted by the Government and the conditions of grant confers right on the Government to resume the land in case any of the terms of the grant is contravened. The Government Grants Act, 1895 was enacted to explain the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, so far as it relates to grants from the Government and to remove certain doubts as to the powers of the Government in relation to such grants. Section 2 of this Act inter-alia provides that nothing in the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 shall apply or shall be deemed ever to have applied to any grant made by or on behalf of Government and every such grant shall be construed and take effect as if the Transfer of Property Act had not been passed. Section 3 of this Act then prescribed that all prohibitions, restrictions, conditions and limitations contained in any grant shall be valid and shall take effect according to tenor, and not Rule of Law, statutory enactment of Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding. The plain reading of Sections 2 and 3 of this Act makes it clear that the provisions of Transfer of Property Act have no application in respect of transfers effected by the Government by nature of grant. The Supreme Court in the Decision , State of UP. of Zahoor Ahmad & Anr. observed that the effect of Section 2 of Government Grants Act is that in the construction of an instrument governed by the Government Grants Act the Court shall construe such grant irrespective of the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act. The grant shall be construed to take effect as if the Transfer of Property Act does not apply. The lands in respect of which the Assistant Commissioner holds that the transfer is null and void under Section 4 of the Act are the lands granted by the Government and consequently the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act will have no application while resuming the lands under Section 5 of the Act………………… 7. Even assuming that the provisions of Transfer of Property Act, especially Section 51 of the said Act, is applicable, still the contention that the transferee is entitled to the benefit of the improvements made cannot be accepted. In the first instance, the transfers are declared null and void and the said transfer is deemed not to have conveyed any right, title or interest in favour of the transferee under Section 4 of the Act. Once the transaction is declared null and void, then in the eyes of law the transaction had never taken place and consequently the transferee cannot claim any benefit flowing from such transaction and claim cannot be made in respect of improvements made in pursuance of the transaction. Secondly, Section 51 of the Transfer of Property Act is attracted where the immovable property is transferred and improvements are made by the transferee in good faith that the transferee is absolutely entitled to the property. ……..It is a far cry to suggest that the transferee has made the improvements in good faith or the transfer war secured bona fide. The transferee was fully conscious that the transferee is in possession of the land under a grant issued by the Government and the terms and conditions of the grant specifically prohibits the transferor from alienating the land for a duration of 15 years from the date of grant It is impossible even to suggest that the transferee, who secured the transfer within the period of prohibition, can claim that the transferee acted bona fide and in good faith made improvements on the land. Thirdly, the benefit of Section 51 is available only to a certain category of transferees. The Section prescribes that when the transfree who made improvements in good faith is subsequently evicted by any person having a better title, then only the transferee has a right to require the person causing the eviction to value the improvements and pay the same. The crucial words are transferee is subsequently evicted by any person having a better title. The transferee is evicted by the Assistant Commissioner in exercise of statutory power under Section 5 of the Act and not because the Assistant Commissioner has a better title than that of the transferee. The eviction takes place because the transfer is null and void being in contravention of the terms of the grant made in favour of a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, The granted land always belong to the Government and the grantee was not entitled to alienate the land during the prohibited period and the Government had a right to resume the same. The right which flows to the transferee under Section 51 of the Transfer of Property Act is available only when the transferee is evicted by a person having better titfe and in our judgment, such a contingency does not arise when the transferee is evicted under Section 5 of the Act because the transfer is declared as null and void under Section 4 of the Act.

DEPRESSED DHARKASTH RULES AND NO RULE PERIOD IN IN MYSORE STATE

B. Mohammad vs Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina ILR 1999 KAR 634, 1998 (6) KarLJ 30 At this stage, it may be apt to advert to in brief the prior statutory position as regards the right to alienate the granted land. In 1929 by order No. R.2122-81/L.R.368-28-5 dated 12th September, 1929, we find certain concessions being granted to persons belonging to depressed classes. (Depressed class as defined did not include all communities classified as Scheduled Caste/Tribe). The main concession in this behalf is what is contained in regard to subsequent transfers. It stated thus: "With a view to speed up the disposal of darkhasts and to prevent the possibility of interested parties exploiting the ignorant members of the Depressed Classes, the Deputy Commissioner, Chitaldurg District suggested the introduction of the system of granting lands to them on a "restricted tenure" on condition that the grantees should not alienate them without the permission of the Deputy Commissioner, and stated that this system was prevalent in certain parts of the Bombay Presidency. The Revenue Commissioner who was consulted in the matter is not in favour of introducing this innovation. He however states that according to the existing standing orders grants made to Adikarnatakas are subject to the condition that the grantees should not alienate them for a period of 10 years, and that to further safeguard their interests the period may be raised suitably, if need be, upto a maximum limit of 20 years. Government agree with the views of the Revenue Commissioner, and direct that the first proposal be dropped and the period within which the lands should not be alienated be raised from 10 to 20 years". ……………….This concession is seen repeated in the subsequent Government orders as well i.e., issued under Section 233 of the Mysore Land Revenue Code from time to time. Meanwhile, the Mysore Land Revenue Act, 1964 was enacted by the Legislature and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 197 of the said Act, the Mysore Land Grant Rules, 1968, referred to above, were framed. (A variation was made in relation to the period during which an alienation cannot be made). It did not touch upon any enabling condition, enabling to alienate the land to a member of the Scheduled Caste or Tribe.

Bandyamma vs Assistant Commissioner ILR 1993 KAR 2694 b, 1994 (1) KarLJ 1 "GOVERNMENT ORDER NO.R. 2122-81/LR.368-28-5 dated 12 September, 1929. With a view to speed up the disposal of darkhasts and to prevent the possibility of interested parties exploiting the ignorant members of the Depressed Classes, the Deputy Commissioner, Chitradurg District, suggested the introduction of the system of granting lands to them on a "restricted tenure" on condition that the grantees should not alienate them without the permission of the Deputy Commissioner, and stated that this system was prevalent in certain parts of the Bombay Presidency. The Revenue Commissioner who was consulted in the matter is not in favour of introducing this innovation. He however states that according to the existing standing orders grants made to Adikarnatakas are subject to the condition that the grantees should not alienate them for a period of 10 years, and that to further safeguard their interest the period may be raised suitably, if need be, upto a maximum limit of 20 years. Government agrees with the view of the Revenue Commissioner, and direct that the first proposal be dropped and the period within which the lands should not be alienated be raised from 10 to 20 years."



The Government Order referred to in the said judgment dated 12.9.29 reads as follows:
GOVERNMENT OF HIS HIGHNESS
The Maharaja of Mysore
GENERAL AND REVENUE DEPARTMENTS
G.O NO.R 2122-81/L.R.368-28-5, Bangalore, Dated 12th September 1929. Depressed Classess

Directs that the period within which lands granted on consessional terms should not be alienated or raised from ten to twenty years.

Read
1. Government Order No. R. 4850-8/L.R.261-72-141 dated 29th March 1924 and Government Order No. R. 869-75/ L.R 75-25-2 dated 18th August 1925 passing orders reg the grant of lands to depressed classes at concessional rates and directing that the lands granted should not be alienated by them for a period of 10 years.
2. Letter No. M5-161/27-28 dated 9th January 1928 from the Deputy Commissioner, Chitradurga District suggesting that the lands granted to the depressed classes may be given to them on a "restricted tenure" with the condition that such lands should not be alienated without the permission of the Deputy Commissioner etc. as in some parts of the Bombay Presidency.
3. Letters Nos. C3117/27-28 dated 6th February 1928 and No. C. 4800/28-29 dated 1st January 1929 from the Revenue Commissioner in Mysore furnishing his opinion on the points raised by the Deputy Commissioner, Chitradurga in the correspondence read above.

ORDER NO. R.2122-81/L.R.368-28-5 DATED 12th SEPTEMBER 1929

With a view to speed up the disposal of darkhasts and to prevent the possibility of interested parties exploiting the ignorant members of the Depressed classes, the Dy. Commissioner, Chitradurga Dist. Suggested the introduction of the system of granting lands to them on a "restricted tenure" on condition that the grantees should not alienate them with out the permission of the Dy. Commissioner, and stated that this system was prevalent in certain parts of the Bombay Presidency. The Revenue Commissioner who was consulted in the matter is not in favour of introducing this innovation. He however states according to the existing standing orders grants made to Adikarnatakas are subject to the condition that the grantees should not alienate them for a period of 10 years, and that to further safeguard their interests the period may be raised suitably, if need be, up to a maximum limit of 20 years. Government agree with the views of the Revenue Commissioner, and direct that the first proposal be dropped and the period within which the lands should not be alienated be raised from 10 to 20 years."
B. NARAYANASWAMY IYENGAR
Offg. General Secretary to Government.

SUCH GOVERNMENT ORDERS ARE QUASHED AND NO RULE PERIOD ENSUED AFTER 2004

This rule is quoted in Mariyappa vs Dr. N. Thimmarayappa And Ors. ILR 2004 KAR 3298, 2004 (5) KarLJ 255 And held that On the date of the grant, except this Government order, there was no rule framed by the State Government. If that is so, in the absence of any such rule regulating conditions of grant, it cannot be said that a Government Order could put restriction on alienation of such grant. Further, the restriction that could be imposed restraining alienation has to be authorised by the rules as provided under Section 36 of the Code. In the absence of any such rule framed by the State Government regarding disposal of the Government land, no reliance can be placed on the said Government order. Therefore, in our opinion, the decision referred to above has not laid down the correct proposition of law. 

PRESUMPTION OF GENUINENESS OF OLD DOCUMENTS DOES NOT APPLY TO CERTIFIED COPIES

Section 90 of the Evidence Act, lays down the presumption regarding signature and every other part of a thirty year old document to be in that person's handwriting by whom it purports to be signed and executed and permits raising of presumption of its due execution and attestation provided the document is produced from the custody which is proper in Court's view, in the circumstances of the case. The presumption under Section 90 is available and can be raised if thirty years old original document is produced. It does not apply where original is not produced. It does not apply to copy of document even namely the certified copy thereof.

Presumption under Section 90 does not apply to a copy or a certified copy even though thirty years old: but if a foundation is laid for the admission of secondary evidence under Section 65 of the Evidence Act by proof of loss or destruction of the original and the copy which is thirty years old is preduced from proper custody, then only the signature authenticating the copy may under Section 90 be presumed to be genuine. (Sri Lakni Baruan And Others vs Sri Padma Kanta Kalita & Ors AIR 1996 SC 1253.)

This section deals with the admissibility of ancient documents without proof in the usual manner. The rule is founded on Necessity and Convenience. It is extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to prove the handwriting or signature or execution of ancient documents after the lapse of many years. The words duly executed and attested merely mean execution and attestation according to the formalities prescribed by the law. It is therefore presumed that all persons acquainted with execution and of the documents, if any, are dead, and proof of those facts are dispensed with. The presumption relates to the execution of the document, i.e. signature, attestation, etc, in other words, its genuineness. Therefore, under Section 90 of the Indian Evidence Act, it can be presumed that the said Deed is duly executed and attested. The presumption so drawn only relates to the fact that the signature and every other part of such document, which purports to be in the handwriting of any particular person, is in that person's handwriting, and, in the case of a document executed or attested, and that the said document is duly executed or attested by such person. But, the proof of signature or handwriting does not establish that whatever is stated in the document is also correct. That must be proved like any other fact. That has to be proved not only by production of documents but by proving its contents as well. There is no presumption that the document has the legal effect it purports to have. It does not involve any presumption that the contents of the documents are true or that it had been acted upon. Such allegation has to be proved on adducing relevant evidence. It does not involve any presumption of correctness of every statement in it which may contain narratives of past events, or that the contents of the document are true, or that it has been acted upon. Though documents are declared admissible without proof, if produced from proper custody, the credit to be given to them depends on the discretion of the court, and the particular circumstances of each case. It has nothing to do with the question of their relevancy which must be determined in accordance with the rules regarding relevancy. Hence, no presumption under Section 90 of the Evidence Act, could be raised to the effect that the adoption recorded in the deed is proved, when the recitals in the documents show that the person who is adopted is not capable of being taken in adoption, and the deed is not executed by the person giving the boy in adoption. (Gangavva And Ors. vs Ningavva And Ors. ILR 2008 KAR 1667)

WHEN THERE IS NO ORIGINAL DOCUMENT – TO PRODUCE SECONDARY EVIDENCE OF DOCUMENT ONE MUST FOLLOW SEVERAL PROCEDURAL LEGAL ASPECTS IN DOCUMENTS AND ITS CERTIFICATION. WITHOUT THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO ASSUME AND PRESUME OVER DOCUMENTS

Section 65 of the Evidence Act provides that in cases where the originals have been destroyed or lost, the party may adduce any secondary evidence of the contents of the document. The words "any secondary evidence of the contents of the document is admissible" are very significant and clear enough to exclude any other construction to be placed on them. The word "any" indicates that the party can adduce any kind of secondary evidence. What are public documents is described in Section 74 of the Evidence Act. The definition of "certified copies" is to be found in Section 76 of the Evidence Act. That section provides that any public officer having custody of a public document which any person has a right to inspect, shall give that person, on demand, a copy of it on payment of the legal fees prescribed therefor together with a certificate written at the foot of such copy that it is a true copy of such document or part thereof as the case may he, and that such certificate shall be dated and subscribed by such officer with his name and official title and shall be sealed whenever/ such officer is authorized by law to make use of a seal and that such copies so certified shall be called as "certified copies". That clause 'of Section 65 of the Evidence Act which provides that "in case of (e) or (f) a certified copy of the document but no other kind of secondary evidence is admissible" seems to 'apply to a case in which a public document is still in existence on the public records, and that provision appears to have been intended to protect the originals of public records from the danger to which they would be subject by constant production of such documents in Courts in 'evidence, and the said, clause does not interfere with the general rule of evidence given in Clause (c) i.e., in cases where the original is destroyed or lost.

Regarding issuance of certified copy of public documents, Section 76 Indian Evidence Act reads as follows: "Every public officer having the custody of a public document, which any person has a right to inspect, shall give that person on demand a copy of it on payment of the legal fees therefor, together with a certificate written at the foot of such copy that it is a true copy of such documents or part thereof, as the case may be, and such certificate shall be dated and subscribed by such officer with his name and his official title, and shall be sealed, whenever such officer is authorized by law to make use of a seal; and such copies so certified shall be called certified copies."

Gurubasappa And Ors. vs Gurulingappa AIR 1962 Mys 246, ILR 1961 KAR 878 In deciding this question, it would be necessary to consider the true scope and effect of sections 91 and 92 of the Evidence Act. Chapter VI of the Evidence Act which begins with section 91 deals with the exclusion of oral evidence by documentary evidence, section 91 of the Act provides: "When the terms of a contract, or a grant, or of any other disposition of property, have been reduced to the form of a document, and in all cases in which any matter is required by law to be reduced to the form of a document, no evidence shall be given in proof of the terms of such contract, grant or other disposition of property, or of such matter, except the document itself, or secondary evidence of its contents in cases in which secondary evidence is admissible under the provisions herein before contained". The normal rule is that the contents of a document must be proved by primary evidence which is the document itself in original. Section 91 is based on what is described as best evidence rule. The best evidence about the contents of a document is the document itself and it is the production of the document that is required by section 91 in proof of its contents. In a sense the rule enumerated by section 91 can be said to be an exclusive rule inasmuch as it excludes the admission of oral evidence for proving the contents of a document except in cases where secondary evidence is allowed to be led under the relevant provisions of the Evidence Act. Section 92 of the Evidence Act runs as follows: "When the terms of any such contract, grant or other disposition of property, or any matter required by law to be reduced to the form of a document, have been proved according to the last section, no evidence of any oral agreement or statement shall be admitted, as between the parties to any such instrument or their representatives in interest, for the purpose of contradicting, varying, adding to or subtracting from, its terms". It is manifest that section 92 excludes the evidence of oral agreement and it applies to cases where the terms of a contract, grant or other disposition of property have been proved by the production of the relevant documents themselves under section 91 of the Act. In other words, after the document had been produced to prove its terms under section 91, the provisions of section 92 of the Act come into operation for the purposes of excluding the evidence of any oral agreement or the statement for the purpose of contradicting, varying, adding to or subtracting from its terms. It would be noticed that sections 91 and 92 are in effect supplementary to each other. Section 91 would be frustrated without the aid of section 92 and section 92 would be inoperative without the aid of section 91. Since section 92 excludes the admission of oral evidence for the purpose of contradicting, varying, adding to or subtracting from the terms of the document properly proved under section 91, it may be said that it makes the proof of the document conclusive of its contents. Like section 91, section 92 can be said to be based on best evidence rule.

Bhinka And Others vs Charan Singh 1959 AIR 960, 1959 SCR Supl. (2) 798 " The Court shall presume to be genuine every document purporting to be a certificate.......... which is by law declared to be admissible as evidence of any particular fact, and which purports to be duly certified by any officer -of the Central Government or of a State Government................................................ Provided that such document is substantially in the form and purports to be executed in the manner directed by law in that behalf. The Court shall also presume that any officer by whom any such document purports to be signed or certified, held, when he signed it, the official character which he claims in such paper ". Under this section a Court is bound to draw the presumption that a certified copy of a document is genuine and also that the officer signed it in the official character which he claimed in the said document. But such a presumption is permissible only if the, certified copy is substantially in the form and purported to be executed in the manner provided by law in that behalf.

C.H. Shah vs S.S. Malpathak And Ors. AIR 1973 Bom 14, Section 79 only raises a rebuttable presumption with regard to the genuineness of certified copies and that too only if they are executed substantially in the form and in the manner provided by law. ……………………..Section 79, as laid down by the Supreme Court in Bhinka's case already referred to above it must be shown that the certified copy was executed substantially in the form and in the manner provided by law. There would, therefore, be a check or safeguard in so far as the officer certifying it in the manner required by law would have to satisfy himself in regard to the authenticity of the original and in regard to the accuracy of the copy which he certifies to be a true copy thereof. On the other hand if the original of a public document is to be admitted in evidence without proof of its genuineness, there would be no check whatever either by way of scrutiny or examination of that document by an officer or by the Court.

WHEN IT IS NOT A FREE GRANT AND WHEN IT IS FOR UPSET PRICE KPTCL PROVISION ATTRACTION IS TO BE VERIFIED

Hanumanna vs Machappa ILR 1995 KAR 3507, 1996 (1) KarLJ 359 A plain reading of the above contents of the Grant Certificate (Annexure-A) would clearly indicate that it was not a free grant. On the other hand, it would indicate that the land had either been sold or granted for an upset price. There is nothing to indicate from the Grant Certificate that it was a free grant. When the grant is not made free of cost and it is made for an upset price, the condition embodied in the above Rule would clearly indicate that it shall not be alienated for a period of 10 years. It would be required to be stated here itself that the word "upset price" has been defined in Rule 43(2) of the Rules under the Mysore Land Revenue Code, which was in force from 1939 onwards and Rule 43(3) of the amended Rules, which were in force in 1956. Both the definitions are identical and they are extracted herein below :- "43(2). The "Upset Price" shall not be arbitrarily fixed but shall represent the actual market value of the land, as nearly as it can be ascertained by local enquiries and by the examination of records of sales of similar lands in the neighbourhood, and if necessary, of the registration statistics relating to them."

In this context, it has to be stated that in case where the land had been granted to persons belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, who are poor, under Rule 43-A(1), the Competent Authority can even waive Rs. 200/- out of the upset price; the balance being payable in annual instalments not exceeding three. Therefore, in the case of poor Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe persons, the price may be fixed by waiving Rs. 200/- out of the upset price. The above definition would clearly indicate that the upset price would represent the actual market value of the land as nearly as it can be ascertained by local enquiries and by the examination of records of sales of similar lands in the neighbourhood and if necessary, of the registration statistics relating to them. But, at the same time, a discretion has also been given to the Competent Authority to reduce the price in the case of persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who are poor. The order of the Assistant Commissioner is, however, silent with regard to the nature of the grant. But, the Order of the Deputy Commissioner would clearly indicate vide Paragraph-2 that the land in question was actually granted to the first respondent as per Order No. HKF.20/59-60 on 29.12.1959 at an upset price. The learned Single Judge, however, on his own interpretation of the sum of Rs. 45/- mentioned in the Grant Certificate, came to the conclusion that the grant was free of cost. There is absolutely no scope for such interpretation having regard to a plain reading of the terms of the grant as incorporated in the preamble to the Grant Certificate, In fact, the learned Single Judge himself has stated in the course of his order that the Saguvali Chit (Annexure-A) does disclose that a sum of Rs. 45/- was collected from the grantee towards Kimmat and Phodi Fee. This would clearly indicate that in the Grant Certificate, the Kimmat and Phodi fee have been separately mentioned and the word 'Kimmat' in its common connotation would mean the 'price'. It may be that the price mentioned therein may not be equal to the market value of the land that was prevailing at the time of the grant, but it was certainly not a free grant. It is to be remembered that in the case of poor Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe persons, even from the upset price, a sum of Rs. 200/- can be waived. Therefore, there was no scope for the learned Single Judge to have interpreted the grant as free of cost. In fact, under the Land Grant Rules, the term 'free grant' and the term 'upset price' are used in different context and in the case of poor Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe persons, even out of the upset price, Rs. 200/- can be waived. Therefore, it is very clear from a plain reading of the contents of the Grant Certificate (Annexure-A), in the light of the provisions of the Land Grant Rules, that it was not a free grant and in all probability, it was for an upset price or for a reduced upset price. In fact, the Deputy Commissioner himself would observe in the course of his order that it was a grant for an upset price. Therefore, by no stretch of imagination, the grant in this Case can be regarded as a free grant. We are unable to share the view of the learned Single Judge that it was a free grant. We shall, therefore, conclude on the basis of the materials placed on record that it was not a free grant, but it was made for an upset price as has been stated by the Deputy Commissioner. That being so, the period of non-alienation would be 10 years and not 15 years as per the Rule stated supra. In this case, the first respondent had sold the land to the appellant after the expiry of the period of 10 years from the date of the Grant Certificate (the Grant Certificate was issued on 4.5.1967 and the land in question was sold on 24.8.1977). Therefore, in any event, there was no contravention of the terms of the grant and as such, the transaction in question was not hit by Section 4 of the Act. Therefore, the alienation made in favour of the appellant cannot be declared as null and void under Sections 4 and 5 of the Act as there was no contravention of the terms of the grant of such land or the law providing for such grant.

PERSONS WHO GOT GRANT OF LANDS AS TENANTS DOES NOT GET ATTRCTED WITH KPTCL ACT

The Full Bench in Chikka Kullegowda's case, ILR 1991 KAR 4557, 1991 (3) KarLJ 142 , after considering the various cases, including Siddamma's case, held as follows: "The above discussion makes it clear: (a) Rule 43-J contemplated grants to persons who were already cultivating the lands for several years, by being in possession in pursuance of temporary leases granted to them, who formed a separate and distinct class; and in such cases, there was no need to stipulate any of the conditions specified in Rule 43-G which were applicable to only grants relating to unoccupied lands where possession was yet to be delivered; (b) in view of the non-obstante clause with which Rule 43-J began and in the absence of any indication in Rule 43-J that the grants under that rule to persons who were already in possession would be governed by the conditions in Rule 43-G and having regard to the express provision in Rule 43-G that the conditions therein would apply only to the grants made in the preceding rules (that is, Rules 43-C and 43-D, the only inescapable conclusion is that conditions stipulated in Rule 43-G were inapplicable to grants under Rule 43-J. We are thus in respectful agreement with the views expressed in Siddamma's case, supra. We, therefore, answer the question referred for opinion in the negative"

Smt. Hambamma vs State Of Karnataka And Others AIR 1998 Kant 91, ILR 1999 KAR 261, 1998 (3) KarLJ 688 Once the conditions stipulated in Rule 43-G cannot be applied to the grants under Rule 43-J as there is no power or authority to impose any condition stating that the land granted under Rule 43-J cannot be alienated for a period of 15 years or any other period. It is a settled principle of law that the delegate cannot exceed his power and he has only to act within the power conferred on him. Therefore, the condition imposed by the Tahsildar in the Saguvali Chit, at the time of issuing the same, that the grantee shall not alienate the land for a period of fifteen years, when such condition was not imposed by the order or the authority making the grant, cannot be sustained.

Smt. Hambamma vs State Of Karnataka And Others AIR 1998 Kant 91, ILR 1999 KAR 261, 1998 (3) KarLJ 688 The second question for consideration is what is the effect of the condition imposed by the Tahsildar at the time of issuing the Saguvali Chit. The granting Authority, as well as the Tahsildar, derive their power from Rule 43-J. When there is no power to impose any condition in the Saguvali Chit under Rule 43-J, at the time of grant, the subordinate authority, i.e., the Tahsildar has exceeded his limit in imposing the condition. The Tahsildar being the delegate, has no power to impose any condition in the Saguvali Chit. Even if such condition is imposed, the same is not valid in the eye of law and it is without power and jurisdiction. Therefore, the condition imposed by the Tahsildar in the Saguvali Chit stating that the grantee cannot alienate the land for a period of 15 years or any other period is not valid. In the absence of any such condition, it is open to the grantees to enjoy the land as they like, including the right to alienate the land.

Smt. Hambamma vs State Of Karnataka And Others AIR 1998 Kant 91, ILR 1999 KAR 261, 1998 (3) KarLJ 688 The learned Counsel for the original grantees contended that the grant is not under Rule 43-J, but it is under Rule 43-G. We have perused the orders of the original authority cancelling the grant and upholding the same by the Appellate Authority. Both the orders show that the grantees were in possession on temporary lease when they were granted the land by virtue of Rule 43-J; whereas for the grantees under Rule 43-C the unoccupied lands are given. Therefore, the grants involved in these cases are under Rule 43-J and therefore, we are not able to accept the contention of the original grantees. .. It is also contended that the State has collected the upset price from the grantees. Therefore, the grant has to be presumed under Rule 43-C and Rule 43-D and other sub-clauses. Government has taken a policy decision to grant the lands to temporary holders on a concessional price. After Rule 43-J is framed, such lands are granted to various persons and concessional price is collected. Merely because some price is collected, it cannot be said that the collection of upset price is not correct. The impugned grant is under Rule 43-G, when it was actually made under Rule 43-J. Even on this aspect, we do not see any force in the contention raised by the learned Counsel for the original grantees.

THIS ABOVE FULL BENCH DECISION IS OVERRULED BY SUPREME COURT IN AIR 2005 SC 4013 CLICK HERE TO READ IT

Smt. Siddamma v. Chikkegowda and Ors., 1991(1) Kar. L.J. 210 (DB) which was affirmed by a Division Bench in Siddamma's case, wherein law has been clearly stated that in respect of lands granted under the provisions of Section 43-J of the Mysore Land Revenue Code, 1888, no condition restricting alienation of the land could have been imposed; that any sale of such land can never be said to be in violation of the terms of the grant nor of any condition which in fact cannot be imposed by the authorities granting the land; that in spite of such sale transactions, the authorities under the Act does not assume jurisdiction for examination of an application under Section 4 of the Act.

Onkarappa vs Sanna Neelappa ILR 1990 KAR 727, 1990 (1) KarLJ 54 Another important aspect which requires to be noticed in these cases is that all these grantees were invested with possession anterior to the grand of lands made on 11-2-1960 by lease of lands to the grantees prior to 11-2-1960 under the "Grow More Food Scheme". Even though undue importance cannot be attached to possession given under the Grow More Food Scheme in the form of a lease, too much of emphasis on possession becomes superfluous in the context. At the risk of repetition, it has to be observed that what is relevant and germane to the issue is whether in all these cases alienation has taken place before the expiry of a period of ten years from the date of commencement of the grants. My opinion is that there is no violation of the condition imposed against alienation for a period of ten years. Computing the period from the date of the grant, it has to be held that in all these cases, alienation has taken place after the expiry of the period of ten years.

GROW MORE FOOD SCHEME LAND GRANT DOES NOT ATTRACT KPTCL PROVISIONS

Smt. Hambamma vs State Of Karnataka And Others AIR 1998 Kant 91, ILR 1999 KAR 261, 1998 (3) KarLJ 688 The erstwhile Government of Mysore introduced a Scheme, with the intention of improving the food production in the State issued an order dated 11-4-1942 (clarified by Act 13 of 1978) authorising the Deputy Commissioner to grant uncultivated land, to persons who are agriculturists, for a temporary period of not less than three years with option to purchase the same at reasonable upset price which will not exceed more than the amount prescribed therein. Thus number of persons, irrespective of the caste and creed were granted lease and in most of the cases their successors are in possession of such lands.

Mysore Cultivation of Fallow Lands Act, 1951

Mysore Cultivation of Fallow Lands Act, 1951 (Mysore Act No. XVII of 1951). By a perusal of the preamble of the Act, it is seen that it is with a view to bring fallow lands under cultivation in the State of Mysore except Bellary District, the provisions are made so as to enable landless to cultivate the lands subject to certain conditions. Sub-section (4) of Section 1 thereof makes it clear that the Act shall remain in force for a period of five years, and upon its expiry, the provisions of Section 6 of the Mysore General Clauses Act, 1899, shall be applicable as if it had been repealed by a Mysore Act. In other words, those persons who continued to cultivate the lands belonging to the Government under the said Act, even after the expiry of five years, shall continue to be lessees under the State of Karnataka. Therefore, even after the expiry of the period of five years, the right or interest accrued in such persons by virtue of the said Act cannot be taken away without due process of law. Section 12 of the said Act conferred upon the State Government power to make Rules for carrying out the purposes of that Act and in the absence of any Rules made thereunder, as long as their rights and interests are not taken away in accordance with law, they cannot be said to be persons who have lost their rights.

WOMEN RIGHT TO ANCESTRAL PROPERTY – WOMEN WHO DIED BEFORE 09-09-2005, WHEN THERE IS NO PENDING CASE – IS NOT A CO-PARCENER – JUSTICE SMT ROSHAN DALVI

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SMT. ROSHAN DALVI, J of Bombay High Court, in Sadashiv Sakharam Patil & Ors vs Chandrakant Gopal Desale & Ors Judgment passed on 6 September, 2011 It is stated "Only on and from 9th September 2005 on which date the Amendment Act 39 of 2005 came into force that the daughter who was then living would become a coparcener."

In the case of Sugalabai Vs. Gundappa A. Maradi & Ors. ILR 2007 KAR 4790 the first three words of the aforesaid section came to be considered and interpreted in paragraph 24. It has been observed that the words "on and from" mean "immediately and after" - the commencement of the Act. It is observed that in other words as soon as the amending Act came into force the daughter of the coparcener becomes, by birth, a coparcener in her own right in the same manner as the son. In that case the change in law came into effect during the pendency of the Appeals. It was held that the changed law applied to pending Appeals and consequently, the said Appeal. Hence the daughter in that case was held to be the coparcener. It was observed that there was nothing in the Act which showed that only those born on and after the commencement of the Act would become coparceners. Hence it was held that even a daughter who was born prior to the amendment Act became a coparcener immediately on and after the Amendment Act.

This is the case where the daughters had already expired prior to the coming into force of the amendment Act and prior to any litigation, her son having filed the suit himself. There is nothing in the Section which shows that it would apply to all females retrospectively including a daughter who had expired prior to the coparcener himself, prior to any litigation and prior to the amendment Act itself. If such a daughter was also to be included the entire population would come to be included and the children and grandchildren of all deceased females would claim their share in the estate of their grandparents and great grandparents through their mother. It would have to be seen whether the legislation is capable of such an absurd interpretation.

The words "on" and "from" show and suggest that on a date prior to the Act coming into force the daughter (female) would not be included as a coparcener. Consequently, all daughters born to coparceners in a Hindu joint family living at the time the Act came into force would become coparcener. Daughters (females) who had expired a day prior thereto, unfortunately, could not, because they would be covered by the law prior to the amendment. If such interpretation is not given the words "on" and "from" "the commencement of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005" would lose their significance all together and would be rendered otiose.

This aspect is essentially decipherable from the proviso to Section 6(1) of the Act cited above. This provision has been specifically enacted to lay down a cutoff date for the daughter of a coparcener to claim her right as a coparcener including her right of partition which is restricted by any disposition or alienation made prior to 20th December 2004. Hence when the Act came into force on 9th September 2004 partition could be claimed by a daughter, if the coparcenery property was not partitioned about nine months prior thereto. This shows that the earlier dispositions and alienations could not be challenged so that whilst the daughter was not a coparcener and certain rights were created they would stand. This is to lend stability to facts and circumstances that may have prevailed in innumerable families having joint family properties prior to the creation of the new right in favour of the daughter. Counsel on behalf of the original Plaintiff sought to show that the proviso has been held to be ultra vires the constitution by the Karnataka High Court which judgment shall be considered presently.

It has been held in the case of Pravat Chandra Pattnaik & Ors. Vs. Sarat Chandra Pattnaik & Anr. AIR 2008 Orissa 133 that the aforesaid Section was enacted for removing the gender discrimination that prevailed leading to oppression and negation of the fundamental right of equality to women and to render social justice by giving them equal status in the Society. The Act came into force from 9th September 2005 and the statutory provisions under Section 6 of Hindu Succession Act, 1956 thereof created a new right. The provisions are not expressly made retrospective by the legislature. The Act is clear and there is no ambiguity. Therefore, words cannot be interpolated. They do not bear more than one meaning. The Act is therefore, prospective. It creates a substantive right in favour of the daughter. The daughter gets a rights of a coparcener from the date when the amended Act came into force. Consequently, the contention that only the daughters who were born after 2005 would be treated as coparceners was not accepted. It specifically clarifies that the daughter gets a right as a coparcener from the year 2005 whenever she may have been born. She can claim a partition of the property which was not partitioned earlier. However, the judgment specifies a rider. That is in view of the proviso to Section 6(1) of the Act.

"But if the same was effected earlier i.e., prior to 20th December, 2004 the same should not be reopened."

It is, therefore, that it is rightly contended on behalf of the Defendants in the suit that Sakharam's succession opened on 4th October 1995 on that date his daughters Muktabai and/or Narmadabai were not coparceners. His coparcenery property would devolve by survivorship to his only son Sadashiv. The devolution of interest in the coparcenery property as specified in the sub- title/heading of Section 6 would take place only to the son. The words in the sub-title "devolution of interest" also therefore, show that for an interest to devolve upon a person that person must be alive. No devolution of interest in coparcenery property can take place upon a deceased coparcener. On the date of the death of Sakharam his daughters were not even coparceners; they were not even alive. No devolution of interest upon them could take place.

In the case of Sheela Devi & Ors. Vs. Lal Chand & Anr. (2006) 8 SCC 581 the Court considered the estate of one Babu Ram who died in the year 1989. He was one of the 5 sons of Tulsi Ram and one of the members of the coparcenery property. He left behind two sons and three daughters. Babu Ram had inherited 1/5th share of the property of his father and 1/20th share through another brother who had died intestate without issues. The succession between the two brothers and their descendants was in issue. The applicability of the Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 was under consideration. Though that is a different matter, observation in paragraph 21 of the judgment relates to the new Act of 2005. It was inter alia observed that the succession was opened in 1989 and hence the provisions of the amendment Act 2005 would have no application. Thereupon Section 6(1) of the old Act of 1956 which related to succession on the death of a coparcener in the event the heirs were only male descendants came to be considered.

My attention has been drawn by Counsel on behalf of the original Plaintiff to the judgment in the case of G. Sekar Vs. Geetha & Ors. (2009) 6 SCC 99 to show that this aspect has been negated in the later judgment of the Supreme Court. Paragraph 49 of the judgment extracts the case of Sheela Devi and the entire paragraph 21 thereof. It is observed that in the case of Sheela Devi the amendment Act had no application as the succession has opened prior to 1989 and hence that contention came to be negatived to consider and interpret the vesting of the right of the coparcener under the old Act. It is, therefore, entirely erroneous to contend upon reading the word "negatived" that the contention that upon the succession opening in 1989 the amendment would have no application was negatived without reading the entire paragraph 49 as a whole. It may be clarified that in the case of Sheela Devi upon the applicability of Section 6 of the old Act, the contention with regard to the applicability of the new Act was negatived and the old Section was considered. Consequently, the fact that succession did open in 1989 when Babu Ram died which did not make the new Act applicable was accepted. We would do well to read the two judgments together.

We are concerned with only the aspect of the applicability of the amendment Act on the date the succession opened. Since it was held that the new Act would not apply when succession opened prior to the date on which it came into force - in that case in 1989 - the Court considered Section 6 of the earlier Act.

In fact the observation in paragraph 8 of the judgment in the case of Miss. R. Kantha, d/o Doddarmaiah Reddy Vs. Union of India & Anr. AIR 2010 Karnataka 27 to which also my attention has been drawn by Counsel on behalf of the original Plaintiff would be material. It runs thus: "It follows, therefore, that the provisions of the Act can be enforced when the right to succession opens and not before. The petitioner's father is said to be alive and hence her right to succession as a co-parcener has not opened." In that case the Plaintiff/Petitioner applied for partition of the coparcenery property whilst her father was alive under Section 6 of the new Act of 2005 upon the premise that she, as a coparcener, was entitled to all the rights of coparcener including partition. Her father was alive at that time. It was held that Section 6 of the new Act of 2005 was the law relating to intestate succession which regulates the succession of properties of all Hindus by its heading itself which speaks of "devolution" of interest. It was held that "Devolve" means to pass from a person dying to a person living. Hence, the right of a daughter to be treated like a son should be construed only with regard to the share that "devolves" on her when her right to succession opens having regard to the scope and ambit of the Act itself. Hence the judgment in the case of Ms. R. Kanta shows the restrictive operation of Section 6 as applying to devolution of interest upon the death of coparcener only.

RELAVANCE OF SPOT INSPECTION REBUTING PRESUMPTION OF REVENUE ENTRY

Mohan Balaku Patil & Ors. vs Krishnoji Bhaurao Hundre AIR 1999 SC 1114, JT 1999 (1) SC 183, 1999 (1) SCALE 191 When in fact the Tribunal made local enquiry by spot inspection and had come to the conclusion that the appellants were in possession that factor should have weighed with the appellate authority, particularly in the face of the admission made by the respondent that the appellants had constructed the building on the land and were paying charges in respect of the electric pump set used for irrigating the land and ought to have held that the appellants were cultivating the land. In addition, the land in question was shown not to be cultivated by the respondent as the respondent was residing nowhere the land but at a far away place and that the land was not cultivated personally by the owner and the persons cultivating the land were not members of their family nor there was any evidence that the appellants were servants or hired labourers on wages and ought to have on that basis held the appellants as deemed tenant in respect of the land. The presumption arising under Section 133 of the Act in respect of the entries made in the record of rights stood displaced by the finding of fact recorded that the appellants were in actual possession of the land and were cultivating the same. In the face of such an admission made by the respondent it is difficult to accept the finding recorded by the appellate authority as affirmed by the High Court that in view of the entries made in the record of rights the appellants could not be stated to be in possession of the land on the relevant date nor was cultivating the same.

TENANCY UNDER LAND REFORMS

The Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, came into force on 2-10-1965. The Act was in execution of the policy of agrarian reforms and was intended to give ownership of the land to the actual lawful tiller and to avoid absentee landlordism. Certain revolutionary amendments were made to the provisions of the Act by Act No. 1/1974, which came into force w.e.f. 1-3-1974. The Land Reforms Act so amended is relevant for the purpose of this case. According to the Land Reforms Act as amended, all agricultural lands which were under cultivation by the tenants as on the appointed date i.e. as on 1-3-1974 stand vested in the State Government under Section 44 of the Act, Section 45 of the Act provided for registering the tenants as occupants of the agricultural lands of which they were the tenants.

Section 2(34) of the Land Reforms Act defined the word 'tenant' reads:- "2(34) 'tenant' means an Agriculturist (who cultivates personally the land he holds on lease) from a landlord and includes, - (i) a person who is deemed to be a tenant under Section 4; (ii) a person who was protected from eviction from any land by the Karnataka Tenants (Temporary Protection from Eviction) Act, 1961; (iia) a person who cultivates personally any land on lease under a lease created contrary to the provisions of Section 5 and before the date of commencement of the Amendment Act; (iii) a person who is a permanent tenant; and (iv) a person who is a protected tenant.

2 (23) “permanent tenant” of the Land Reforms Act means a tenant who cultivates land personally,— (a) the commencement or duration of whose tenancy cannot satisfactorily be proved by reason of antiquity of such tenancy; or (b) whose name or the name of whose predecessor-in-title has been entered in the record of rights or in any public record or in any other revenue record as a permanent tenant; or (c) who by custom, agreement or the decree or order of a court holds the land on lease permanently; or (d) who holds land as mulgenidar, mirasdar or khata kul; and includes any person whose tenancy is under the provisions of any law presumed to be co-extensive with the duration of the tenure of the landlord;

Section 4 of the Land Reforms Act reads:- "4. Persons to be deemed tenants:- A person lawfully cultivating any land belonging to another person shall be deemed to be a tenant if such land is not cultivated personally by the owner and if such person is not - (a) a member of the owner's family, or (b) a servant or a hired labourer on wages payable in cash or kind but not in crop share cultivating the land under the personal supervision of the owner or any member of the owner's family, or (c) a mortgagee in possession:

Provided that if upon an application made by the owner within one year from the appointed day - (i) the Tribunal declares that such person is not a tenant and its decision is not reversed on appeal, or (ii) the Tribunal refuses to make such declaration but its decision is reversed on appeal, such person shall not be deemed to be a tenant."

Section 2(11) of the Land Reforms Act defines "to cultivate personally" as follows : Cultivate land on one's own account i) By one's own labour, or ii) by the labour of any member of one's family, or iii) by hired labour or by servants on wages payable in cash or kind but not in crop share, under the personal supervision of one self or by member of one's family.".

Preamble to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act would show that the said Act has been enacted to have uniform law relating to agrarian. Confirmation of ownership on tenant, ceiling of land holding and for certain other matters. Interpretation has to be in favour of the weaker sections of the society which would achieve the object in terms of the intentment of the legislation. 'Agriculture' has been defined so also 'agricultural labourer' in the Act. 'Tenant' has been defined to mean an agriculturist who cultivates personally the land he holds on lease from a landlord, and 'Agriculturist' has defined to mean a person who cultivates land personally. ……..

Crop-share is one mode of tenancy in agricultural operation. In ascertaining the status of a person as tenant, the mode of cultivation as shown in the Act becomes very relevant. There are in all, six modes, viz. (i) cultivated by holder himself, (ii) cultivated by hired labourer; (iii) tenant paying cash; (iv) share of crop; (v) fixed quantity of produce and (vi) proximity of aforesaid forms. It is true that burden of proving tenancy is upon the person who asserts it or who claims it.

Tenancy means relationship of landlord and tenant but in view of the peculiar and special provisions of Section 2(18) and Section 4, a person in possession may have no relation with the landlord in a given case but he, nevertheless, be called as tenant. The provisions show that a person who is merely in possession, lawfully of course, is also a tenant. Definition of "tenant" is divided into two parts - one contractual and the other statutory or who can be described for brevity's sake "deemed tenants". It could very well be visualised from the aforesaid provisions that "deemed tenant" or a statutory tenant means a person who lawfully cultivates any land belonging to another person if such person is not a member of the owner's family or a servant on wages payable in cash or kind but not in share or a hired labour cultivating the land under the personal supervision of the owner or any member of the owner's family or a mortgagee in possession. Section 4, therefore, far from defining a statutory tenant, raises a presumption of statutory tenancy in the circumstances provided therein. A presumption can be rebutted by showing not necessarily the exceptions provided in the section itself but by other circumstances also by showing that the person holding the land is not so holding in the capacity of a tenant but in some other position. The concept of "tenant" in the Tenancy Act is founded primarily on "land" and its "cultivation". The process of thinking embodied in Section 4 is primarily based on the "land" and its lawful cultivation and not merely cultivation. The cultivation must have its origin in some lawful act and that is why the section describes and not defines a deemed tenant, as one who is "lawfully cultivating any land belonging to another" that is to say, so cultivating any land in his own right and not on behalf of another. The expression "lawfully cultivating" would mean the same thing as cultivating "on one's own account" and for "one's own profit", in part or in full. The underlying purport and design behind Section 4 is to protect a lawful cultivator actively engaged in the act of raising the crops on the land or its major part though he may not be holding the land on lease in a traditional sense of the terms. The expression "lawfully cultivating" is now very well settled. It cannot exist without the concomitant existence of lawful relationship which can be proved even without the formal proof of a traditional form of lease.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary, (Vth Edition 1964) defines 'agriculturist' at page 26 under the term 'agriculture' as follows; "Cultivation of the soil. Hence agricultural, agriculturist." In other words the meaning to' be attached to the term 'agriculturist' is the person who cultivates the soil.

The term has been legally defined under the Karnataka Land Reforms Act to mean a person who cultivates land personally. 'To cultivate' with Its grammatical variations and cognate expressions means to till or husband the land for the purpose of raising or improving agricultural produce whether by manual labour or by means of cattle or machinery, or to carry on any agricultural operation thereon; and the expression 'uncultivated' shall be construed correspondingly.

TENANT UNDER MYSORE LAND REVENUE CODE 1888

LAND REVENUE CODE 1888 SECTION 79. Amount of rent payable by tenant. A person placed, as tenant, in possession of land by another, or, in that capacity, holding, taking or retaining possession of land permissively from or by sufferance of another, shall be regarded as holding the same at the rent, or for the services, agreed upon between them; or, in the absence of satisfactory evidence of such agreement of the rent payable or services renderable by the usage of the locality, or, if there be no such agreement or usage, shall be presumed to hold at such rent as, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, shall be just and reasonable. And, where, by reason of the antiquity of a tenancy, no satisfactory evidence of its commencement is forthcoming, and there is not any such evidence of the period of its intended duration, if any, agreed upon between the landlord and tenant, or those under whom they respectively claim title, or any usage of the locality as the duration of such tenancy, it shall, as against the immediate landlord of the tenant, be presumed to be co-extensive with the duration of the tenure of such landlord and of those who derive title under him.

Explanation. In the following cases, such a presumption shall be raised.

(1) where the tenant has been recognised as a permanent tenant by the landlord or by a Court in a suit to which the landlord was a party;

(2) where a tenant holds land in respect of which any alienation has been recognised by the landlord or by a Court in a suit to which the landlord was a party or where the alienation has not been contested by the landlord for twelve years from the date of the service of notice of alienation to the landlord;

(3) where for the better cultivation of the holding the tenant has made permanent improvements thereon to the knowledge of the landlord and has been in undisturbed possession of the holding continuously for twelve years thereafter: provided that the landlord has made no contribution for such improvements nor recovered enhanced rent from the tenant nor given any notice in writing to the tenant that such improvements would not create any new rights;

(4) where, in the absence of a contract regarding the nature and duration of the tenancy, the tenant has established that he has been in continuous possession on payment of fixed rent for a period of twelve And where there is no satisfactory evidence of the capacity in which a person in possession of land in respect of which he renders service or pays rent to the landlord, receives, holds or retains possession of the same, it shall be presumed that he is in possession as tenant. Nothing contained in this section shall affect the right of the landlord (if he have the same either by virtue of agreement, usage or otherwise) to enhance the rent payable, or services renderable, by the tenant, or to evict the tenant for non-payment of the rent or non-rendition of the services, either respectively originally fixed or duly enhanced as aforesaid.

ENTRY IN REVENUE RECORD CANNOT BE REBUTED BY MERE STATEMENT

Karewwa And Ors. vs Hussensab Khansaheb Wajantri AIR 2002 SC 504 (2002) 10 SCC 315 We do not dispute the legal position as stated by the learned counsel for the appellant, but the presumption of correctness of an entry in revenue record cannot be rebutted by a statement in the written statement. Mere statement of fact in the written statement is not a rebuttal of presumption of correctness of an entry in the revenue record. The respondent was recorded as a tenant in the revenue record in the year 1973 and under law the presumption is that the entry is correct. It was for the appellant to rebut the presumption by leading evidence. The appellant has not led any evidence to show that entry in the revenue record is Incorrect. We, therefore, do not find any merit in the contention.

FAMILY ARRANGEMENT NEED NOT BE REGISTERED

Fakirappa Bailappa Kambar v. Kristappa Bailappa Kambar, ILR 1985 KAR 3063. Wherein the Division Bench of Karnataka High Court has held as follows: "It is open to the members of the coparcenary to arrange amicably separate possession and enjoyment of the family properties without effecting partition or disruption of the joint family, but at the same time whether co-owners in exclusive possession of different portions of joint family property held the same in the partition or under an arrangement as to the possession, depends upon the intention to the parties which has to be gathered from the facts and circumstances of each case. Where direct evidence of intention is available, there is no difficulty in determining the question. In cases where such direct evidence of intention is wanting, the fact that the members have been living separately and enjoying the properties, separately may be taken into consideration in arriving at the conclusions but that is not conclusive... where exclusive possession of land by co-owners is not in conformity with the shares of respective parties, generally, the indication is that it is not a partition, but it may be an arrangement not intended to be permanent. Therefore, the fact that the parties were in possession of different properties and different properties have been entered in their individual names in the record or rights, is not by itself sufficient to hold that there was such a partition .... Nothing turns out from the long duration. It depends upon the affinity and nature of relationship of the parties. A provisional arrangement which for some reason continued for a long time without objections does not take away its provisional character and make it permanent. There must be some other evidence indicating that the parties have been living separately under a permanent arrangement or partition".


Dayal, Raghubar Supreme Court in Bharat Singh v. Mst Bhagirathi, 1966 AIR 405, 1966 SCR (1) 606 wherein Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed as follows: "There is a strong presumption in favour of Hindu brothers constituting a joint family. It is for the person alleging severance of the Joint Hindu Family to prove it. The mere fact that after the death of the father mutation entry was made in favour of three brothers and indicated the share of each to be one-third, by itself could be no evidence of the severance of the joint family which, after the death of the father consisted of the three brothers who were minors" …. The appellants filed a suit for a declaration that the entry in the name of the respondent in the Jamabandi papers of certain villages was incorrect and alleged that they along with their brother, the husband of the respondent, constituted a joint Hindu family, that their brother died as a member of the joint Hindu family and thereafter his widow- the respondent--lived with the appellants who continued to be owners and possessors of the property in suit, the widow being entitled to maintenance only, and that by mistake the respondent's name was entered in village records in place of the deceased husband. The respondent contested the suit alleging, inter alia, that her husband did not constitute a joint Hindu family with the appellants at the time of his death and also that the suit was barred by time as she had become owner and possessor of the land in suit in 1925 on the death of her husband when the entries in her favour were made, and the suit was brought in 1951. The respondent had admitted in certain documents about the existence of the joint Hindu family or a joint Hindu family firm. The trial Court decreed the suit, which on appeal, the High Court set aside. The High Court did not use the admissions of respondent as she, when in the witness box, was riot confronted with those admissions; and as those documents, if read as a whole did not contain any admissions on behalf of the respondent that there was any joint family still in existence. In appeal by certificate to this Court. HELD : (i) There is a strong presumption in favour of Hindu brothers constituting a joint family. It is for the person alleging severance of joint Hindu family to establish it. The mere fact of the mutation entry being made in favour of the respondent on the death of her husband was no clear indication that there was no joint Hindu family of the appellant, and the respondent's husband at the time of the latter's death. 


Fazalali, S Murtaza Supreme Court in Kale and Ors. v. Deputy Director of Consolidation and Ors., 1976 AIR 807, 1976 SCR (2) 202  wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court has laid down as follows : "The family arrangement may be even oral in which case no registration is necessary. The registration would be necessary only if the terms of the family arrangement are reduced into writing. Here also, a distinction should be made between a document containing the terms and recitals of a family arrangement made under the document and a mere memorandum prepared after the family arrangement had already been made either for the purpose of the record or for information of the Court for making necessary mutation. In such a case the memorandum itself does not create or extinguish any rights in immovable properties and is therefore, not compulsorily registrable. The members who may be parties to the family arrangement must have some antecedent title, claim or interest even a possible claim in the property which is acknowledged by the parties to the settlement. Even if one of the parties to the settlement has no title but under the arrangement the other party relinquishes all its claims or titles in favour of such a person and acknowledges him to be the sole owner, then the antecedent title must be assumed and the family arrangement will be upheld and the Courts will find no difficulty in giving assent to the same. Even if bona fide disputes, present or possible which may not involve legal claims are settled by a bona fide family arrangement which is fair and equitable the family arrangement is final and binding on the parties to the settlement".
 The object of a family arrangement is to protect the family from long drawn litigation or perpetual strife which mars the unity and the solidarity of the family. A family arrangement by which the property is equitably divided between the various contenders so as to achieve an equal distribution of wealth, instead of concentrating tho same in the hands of a few, is a milestone in the ad ministration of social justice. Where by consent of the parties a matter has been settled, the courts have learned in favour of upholding such a family arrangement instead of disturbing it on technical or trivial grounds. Where the courts find that the family arrangement suffers from a legal lacuna or 1 formal defect, the rule of estoppel is applied to shut out the plea of the person who being a party to the family arrangement, seeks to unsettle a settled dispute and claims to revoke the family arrangement under which he has himself enjoyed some material benefits.
(i) The family settled must be bona fide so as to resolve family disputes. (ii) It must be voluntary and not induced by fraud, coercion or undue influence; (iii) It may be even oral, in which case and registration is necessary; (iv) Registration is necessary only if the terms are reduced to writing but where the memorandum has been prepared after the family arrangement either for the purpose of record or for information of court, the memorandum itself do not create or extinguish any rights in immovable property and, therefore. does not fall within the mischief of s. 17(2) of the Registration Act and is not compulsorily registrable; (v) The parties to the family arrangement must have some antecedent title, claim or interest, even a possible claim in the property which is acknowledged by the parties to the settlement. But, even where a party has no title and the other party relinquishes all its claims or titles in favour of such a person and acknowledges him to be the sole owner, then, the antecedent title must be assumed and the family arrangement will be upheld by the courts; (vi) Where bona fide disputes are settled by a bona fide family arrangement. such family arrangement is final and binding on the parties to settlement.

K Ramaswamy, B Hansaria Hon'ble Supreme Court in Digambar Adhar Patil v. Devram Girdhar Patil, AIR 1995 SC 1728, 1995 (2) SCALE 802, 1995 Supp (2) SCC 428 wherein Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that under Hindu law, it is not necessary that the partition should be effected by a registered partition deed. Even a family arrangement is enough to effectuate the partition between coparceners and to confer right to a separate share and enjoyment thereof.

KARNATAKA LAND LAWS

CASE LAW ON LAND LAWS