BALESHWAR TEWARI/& ORS. vs. SHEO JATAN & ORS.

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 1 of 9 PETITIONER: BALESHWAR TEWARI/& ORS. Vs. RESPONDENT: SHEO JATAN & ORS. DATE OF JUDGMENT: 20/03/1997 BENCH: K. RAMASWAMY, S. SAGHIR AHMAD ACT: HEADNOTE: JUDGMENT: O R D E R This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment of the single judgment of the single judge of the High Court of Patna, made on April 27, 1979 made in S.A. No. 326/1978 dismissing the appeal in limine. The respondent-plaintiff laid the suit for declaration of title to 3 bighas and six kathas of land bearing Plot No. 235 and 243 in Khata No. 952 situated in Mauza Nainijore Pachhim Diara, Police Station Brahmpore, District Bhojpur. The admitted position is taht the respondent had purchased the land on May 23, 1957 for a sum of Rs. 82.2 annas from the Raja Dumraon Raj. Proceedings under Section 145 or Cr.P.C. were initiated in which it was held that the appellant was found in possession of the land. Consequent thereto, the above declaratory suit came to be filed by the respondent. It is the case of the appellant that he has been in possession of the land as a leasee since the year 1925. The trial Court accepted his contention and recorded a nding as under: "These own documents of the Dumraon Raj clearly show that the defendant has been in possession over the suit land as a raiyat since 1925. The defendant has also filed the original Khatiswani of the year 1350 fasli prepared by Dumraon Raj Which also finds the name of defendant’s ancestor over the suit land. Ex. C is the jamabandi Register of the Dumraon Raj Which also has the name of defendant’s ancestor over the suit Khata No. 91. Thus, the above documents of the defendant clearly prove that the suit land was never the proprietor’s Zeerat land and was never in Khas possession of Dumraon Raj. Rather these documents show that the Defendant has been in possession of the suit land as a http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 2 of 9 raiyat." On that basis, the suit was dismissed. On appeal, the Subordinate Judge held that the entries for the year 1952-69 show that the respondent was in possession of the land and , therefore, Raja Dumraon Raj had leased out the land to the appellant on year to year basis and thereby in the enquiry under Rule 7 - E(iii) of the Bihar Land Reforms Act [for short, the "Act"] no suit could be brought in any civil Court in respect of the order passed thereunder. Thereby, it seen that at page 21, he recorded thus: "Since the suit land was given on lease from year to year being proprietor’s private land, it was not necessary to prove that the Dumraon Raj was in khas possession over the suit land. It is important to add here that the plaintiff has been able to show by production of Chitha that Dukhi Tiwari and other persons were recorded in several years of Chitha in respect of the suit land. This fact also establish the fact that the suit land were given on lease from year to year by the Dumraon Raj and the defendant or other person in different years clearly do not confer any right of occupancy of title over the suit land of those persons recorded in the chitha." At page 22, it is further recorded that "The possession of different persons of the suit land on the basis of lease does not change the character of private land nor it can confer a title to those persons not perfect title by adverse possession." Thus, he concluded that the respondent had the title of the property. Accordingly, he declared that the respondent had valid title to the property. It is also evidenced that in 1979, in execution of the decree, the respondent came into possession of the land. From these facts, the question that arises for consideration is: whether the respondent’s prodecessor-in- title, Dumraon Raj was in Khas possession of the land and thereby the respondent acquired title of the property under the sale deed? Shri Ranjit Kumar, learned counsel for the appellants, contends that the finding recorded by the subordinate judge is clearly incorrect in view of the law laid down by this Court. shri B.B. Singh, learned counsel for the respondents, contends ha in view of he provisions of section 6(1) and the order passed under Rule 7-E(iii), the land is the private land of the Dumraon Raj and the appellant had not acquired any raiyat right under the Bihar Land Reforms Act. The estate was abolished in 1951. thereafter, the appellant was not recognised as a raiyat. Therefore was no evidence that he was recognised as owner of the land. Therefore, the respondent has proved that he is the owner of the land. The declaration of title is vitiated by error of law. In view of the respective contentions, the question for consideration is : whether the view taken by the Subordinate Judge is correct in law? Section 6(1) of the Act states that http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 3 of 9 on and from the date of vesting, all lands used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, which were in "khas" possession of an intermediary on the date of such vesting, including proprietor’s private lands let out under a lease for a term of years of under a lease from year to year, referred to in Section 116 of the Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885...Shall, subject to be settled by the State which such intermediary and he shall be entitled to retain possession thereof and hold them as a raiyat under the State having occupancy rights in respect of such lands subject to the payment of such fair and equitable rent as may be determined by the Collector in the prescribed manner. Sub-section (2) postulates that if the claim of an intermediary, as to his khas Possession over the lands referred to sub-section (1) or as to the extent of such lands, is disputed by any person prior to the determination of the rent of such lands under the said sub-section, the Collector shall on application, made such inquiry into the matter as he deems fit and pass such order as may appear to him to be just and proper. Khas Possession has been defined in Section 2(K) of the Act which reads as under: "2(K) Khas possession with reference to the possession of a proprietor or tenure-holder of any land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes means the possession of such proprietor or tenure-holder by cultivating such lands or carrying on horticultural operations thereon himself with his own stock or by his own servants or by hired labour or with hired stock." This controversy relating to Khas possession is no longer re integra. This Court in Gurcharan Singh Vs. Kamla singh & Ors. [(1976) 2 SCC 152 at 162 in paragraph 20 and 21] had dealt with this aspect and a three judge Bench held as under: "There is no case that the sub- clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section 6(1) apply. Counsel’s contention is that he comes within the ambit of the main paragraph, being allegedly in Khas possession. To appreciate the further discussion, it is useful to recapitulate that the appellant has averred in his plaint that he had been dispossessed as early as 1954 by a brazen act or trespass by the contesting respondents who were holding adversely to him. Undaunted by this fatal fact Counsel claimed to be in possession and argued still. The focus was turned by him on the concept of Khas possession defined in Section 2(K). He presented a historical perspective and suggested that the genesis of khas possession could be traced to be Bengal Tenancy Act, 1885. May be , the draftsman might have drawan upon those earlier land tenure laws for facility, but we must understand right at the outset that http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 4 of 9 the Constitution of India has inaugurated a new jurisprudence as it were, guided by Part VI and reflected in Part III. When there has been a determined break with traditional jurisprudence and a big endeavour has been made to overturn a feudal land system and substitute what may be called a transformation of agrarian relations, we cannot hark back to the bygone jura or hold a new legislation captive within the confiners of vanishing tenurial though. De hors the historical links - a breakaway from the past in the socio-legal system is not accomplished by worship of the manes of the law - khas possession means of the law- Khas possession means what the definition, in plain English, says. The definition clause is ordinarily a statutory dictionary, and viewed that was, we have in the early part of this judgment explained how it means actual, caltivatory possession - nothing less, nothing else. Off course, Section 6(1) makes a special addition by ’including’ other demised lands by express enumeration. Section 6 does not stop with merely saving lands in khas possession of the intermediary (erstwhile proprietor) but proceeds to include certain lands outstanding on temporary leases or mortgages with other, as earlier indicated. These are private lands as khown to the Bihar Tenancy Act, privileged lands as known to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, lands outstanding with mortgagees pending redemption and lands which are actually being cultivated by the proprietor himself. Ordinarily what is outstanding with lessees and mortgagees may not fail within khas possession. The legislature, however, though that while the permanent tiller’s rights should be protected and, therefore raiyats and under-raiyats should have rights directly under the State eliminating the private proprietors, the zamindar or proprietor also should be allowed to hold under the State, on payment of fair rent, such lands as have been in his cultivatory possession and other lands which were really enjoyed as private or privileged lands or mortgaged with possession by him. With this end in view, http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 5 of 9 Section 6(1) enlarged its scope by including the special categories. The word "include’ is generally used in interpretation clauses in order to enlarge the meaning of the words or phrases occurring in the body of the stature. It is obvious that Section 6(1) uses the word ’including’ to permit enlargement of the meaning of khas possession for the limited purpose of that section, emphasising thereby that, put for such enlargement, the expression khas possession excludes lands outstanding even with temporary lessees. It is perfectly plan, therefore, that khas possession has been used in the restricted sense of actual possession and to the small extent it had to be enlarged for giving relief to proprietors in respect of ’private’, ’Privileged’ and mortgaged lands inclusive expressions had to be employed. Khas possession is actual possession, that is a foothold on the land, an actual entry, a possession in fact, a standing upon it, and occupation of it, as a real, administrative act done Constructive possession or possession in law is what is covered by the sub-clause of Section 6(1). Even so, it is impossible to conceive, although Shri Misra wanted us to accept, that possession is so wide as to include a mere right to possess, when the actual dominion over the property is held by on e in hostility to the former Possession, correctly understood, means effective, physical control or occupation: The word possession is sometimes used inaccurately as synonymous with the right to possess. (Words and Phrases, 2nd Edn., John B. Sounders, p.151). In the Dictionary of English Law (Earl Jowitt) 1959 at p. 1367 "possession" is defined as follows: "Possession, the visible possibility or exercising physical control over a thing, coupled with the intention of doing so, either against all the world, or against all the world except certain persons, there are, therefore, three requisite of possession. First three requisite of possession. First there must be actual or potential physical control. Secondly physical control http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 6 of 9 is not possession, unless accompanies by intention: hence, if a thing is put into the hand of a sleeping person he has not possession of it. Thirdly, the possibility and intention must be visible or evidenced by external sings, for if the thing shows no sign of being under the shows no sings of being under the control of anyone, it is not possessed; . . .," In the end of all, however, the meaning of "possession’ must depend on the context, (ibid p. 153) Maybe, in certain situations, possession may cover right to possess. it is thus clear that in Anglo-American jurisprudence also, possession is actual possession and in a limited set of cases, may included constructive possession but when there is a bare right to possess bereft of any dominion or factum or control, it will be a owner is in possession merely because he has a right to possess when a rival, in the teeth of owner’s opposition, is actually holding dominion and control over the land admittedly, in the present case, the possession of the plaintiff had ceased totally at least two years before the vesting under Section 4 took place. This situation excludes khas possession." This was reiterated by a Bench of two Judges in Ramesh Bejoy Sharma vs. Pashupati Rai & Ors. [(1979) 4 SCC 27 at 37 in paragraph 28] held as under: "The word used in Section 6 is not ’possession’ but it is qualified by the adjective ’Khas possession its equivalent being ’actual possession’ as the word is understood in contradistinction to the word ’constructive possession’. Frankly speaking the law has still not provides clear and unambiguous definition of the jurisprudential concept of possession. Number of angular approaches to the problem of possession can be referred to with confidence. Here we are concerned with what is called "Khas possession’ in statue for ushering agrarian reforms and, therefore, the purpose and object behind the legislation must inform the interpretation must till in favour of the actual cultivator, the tiller of the soil, Dealing with this expressions this Court in Gurucharn Singh vs. Kamla Singh has observed as under : http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 7 of 9 "There are, therefore, three requisites of possession, First there must be actual or potential physical control. Secondly physical control is not possession, unless accompanies by intention; hence, if a thing is put into the hand of a sleeping person he has not possession of it. Thirdly, the possibility an intention must be visible or evidenced by external signs. Under the control of anyone, it is not possessed:...." In the end of all, however, the meaning of ’possession’ must depend on the context, end of ll, however, the meaning of ’possession’ must depend on the context, (ibid p. 153) Maybe, in certain situations, possession may cover right to possess. It is thus clear that in Anglo-American jurisprudence also, possession is actual possession and in a limited st of cases, may include constructive constructive possession but when there is a bare right to possess bereft of any dominion or facturm of control, it will be a strange legal travesty to assert that an owner is in possession merely because he has a right to possess when a rival, in the teeth of owner’s opposition, is actually holding dominion and control over the land adversely, openly and continuously." After thus observing this approved the ration extracted above in Surajnath Ahir case as also the ratio in Ram Ran Bijai Singh case." In Labanya Bala Devi (Smt.) vs. State of Bihar, Patna Secretariat, Patna & Anr. [(1994) Supp. 3 SCC 725 at 727] after extracting the definition held thus: "the saving by Section 6(1)(b) is only of the lands actually used for agricultural purposes in a State or a tenure of a lessee or a temporary lessee and directly in his possession and cultivated by himself with his own stock or by his own raiyat rights has been confirmed statutorily subject to the terms contained therein." In Brighu Nath Sahay Singh & Ors. vs, Md. Khalipur Rahmanh Ors. [(1995) 5 SCC 687] another Bench considered the definition of "Khas possession" in Section 2(K) and held as under: "A reading of Section 2(K) read with Section 4 and 6 of the Act clearly envisages that the intermediary must, as on the date of vesting, be in possession of the land used for agricultural purpose or horticulture purpose as a http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 8 of 9 tenure-holder by cultivating such land or carrying on horticulture operations thereon by himself with his own stock or by his own servants or by hired labour by his own servants or by hired labour or with hired stock." Thus, it could be seen that though the definition of "intermediary right" as used in Section 6(1)(a) of the Act, is inclusive of the yearly caltivation and intermediary becomes owner of such land subject to payment of rent determined, the intendment of khas possession is referable to the intermediary wh must be in actual possession, i.e., one foot on the land, and the other on the plough in the filed and hands in the soil; although hired labour is also contemplated. The emphasis is on the point that the possession is actual possession and admits of no dilution except to the extent specified under Section 6, i.e., itself by an inclusive process, permits and the animation of retention of possession always must be manifested. It must also be read with Bihar read with Bihar Tenancy Act wherein "Khas possession" has been dealt with. It is true that the inclusive definition in Section 6(1)(a) would also include yearly lease but it indicates that the possession should always be retained by the intermediary and the tenant must have no security of his tenancy right. But when the tenant remained continuously in possession of the land well over years, right from 1925 as found by the trial Court admittedly, the possession was taken in execution of the decree in 1979 and the necessary animus possidendi was absent. The question that arises is: whether it will be a "khas possession" and the respondent is entitled to declaration that the intermediary remained in possession as khas possession. In view of the law laid down by this Court, as extracted earlier, and the factual position, the conclusion would be that the tenant remained in possession in his own right as a raiyat though he was paying rent to the intermediary prior to the abolition. His possession is only of a raiyat possession. It is the duty of the respondent to establish by unequivocal evidence that the intermediary retained his intermediary right in the land and that proof has not been established by adducing any evidence. It is true that there is a finding y the Subordinate Judge that an enquiry under Rule 7-E(iii) was he held but there is no finding recorded by the Subordinate Judge that enquiry was conducted after issuing notice to the appellant. Under these circumstances, even if any enquiry was conducted unless the appellant is given notice and an opportunity to adduce the evidence to establish his right in the enquiry made, the finding generally does not binds him. Entries in revenue records is the paradise of the patwari and the tiller of the soil is rarely concerned with the same. So long as his possession and enjoyment is not interdicted by due process and course of law, he is not interdicted by due process and course of law, he is least concerned with entries. It is common knowledge in rural India that a raiyat always regards the land he ploughs, as his dominion and generally obeys, with moral fiber the command of the intermediary so long as his possession is not disturbed. Therefore, creation of records is a camouflage to defeat just and legal right of claim and interest of the raiyat, the tiller of the soil on whom the Act confers title to the land he tills. Shri B.B. Singh, in these circumstances, seeks to http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 9 of 9 contend that this question has no been canvassed in the courts below. Since the matter requires examination, it may be remanded to the High Court for consideration. We find that in view of the above findings recorded, the remittance of the matter would render little assistance. Under these circumstance, we are constrained to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the High Court and also of the Subordinate Judge of confirming the decree of the trial Court dismissing the suit. In consequence, the respondent is directed to restitute the possession to the appellant within two months from the date of the receipt of this order. In case, he fails to do so, the appellant is at liberty to have it executed with police assistance and take possession. No costs.