Gujarat HC Continues Status Quo Over 4 Acres Claimed Under Father’s Writing Until Suit Is Decided, Urges Ruling By Jan 31, 2027

The petitioner invoked Article 227 of the Constitution to challenge the order dated 16 March 2024 by which the appellate court set aside the trial court’s order granting status quo in respect of four acres of land

On 6 May 2024, the High Court directed that status quo be maintained over the disputed land pending further hearing

At the final hearing, the petitioner submitted that the status quo order remained in force and that Regular Civil Suit No. 88 of 2022 had reached final arguments; he sought continuation of the order until the suit was decided

The respondents alleged that the petitioner had caused adjournments but did not oppose directions for early adjudication

The petition was brought under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, invoking the High Court’s supervisory jurisdiction

The judgment cites no specific statute beyond Article 227, precedent, or separately articulated legal test.

The Court’s stated approach was to continue the existing status quo protection in light of the suit’s progress to final arguments and to direct the trial court to decide the suit on the evidence and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by prior observations

The Court noted that status quo had been maintained throughout the proceedings and that the suit had reached the stage of final arguments

In those circumstances, it considered continuation of the existing protection appropriate until the suit’s final disposal.

In response to the parties’ submissions about delay, the Court directed both sides to cooperate and required the respondents to conclude their arguments promptly if the petitioner had submitted written arguments

It also directed the trial court to decide the case on the evidence, independently of prior observations, preferably by 31 January 2027

The status quo order made by the High Court on 6 May 2024 was continued until final disposal of Regular Civil Suit No. 88 of 2022 before the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Bhuj

The parties were directed to cooperate in the early disposal of the suit, and the trial court was directed to decide it preferably by 31 January 2027, uninfluenced by prior observations

Rule was made absolute to that extent, with no order as to costs.