Delhi High Court

Sale of indivisible suit property via inter se bidding or public auction where physical partition is unfeasible.

Padam Sagar Baveja vs Neeti Singh & Ors.

Delhi High CourtJUDGMENT: April 16, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The plaintiff filed a suit for partition regarding a 3-BHK freehold flat (No. B-704, Kedar Apartments, Rohini, Delhi) measuring approximately 1053 square feet

Source reference: p.1, para. 1

On December 19, 2025, the Court passed a preliminary decree declaring that the plaintiff and the three defendants each held a 1/4th share in the property

Source reference: p.1-2, para. 2

Mediation between the parties failed

Source reference: p.2, para. 3

The parties conceded that the property is not divisible by metes and bounds and agreed to a sale via inter se bidding, private sale, or public auction

Source reference: p.2, para. 4-5

Although original title deeds were missing and an FIR had been lodged, the property was confirmed as freehold

Source reference: p.2, para. 6

A separate suit for permanent injunction (Suit No. 17 CS DJ 920/2025) was pending in the District Court, where an order dated November 26, 2025, restrained the creation of third-party rights

Source reference: p.2, para. 10-11
02

Issues

1. Whether a final decree for partition should be passed and a Local Commissioner appointed to facilitate the sale of the suit property given its physical indivisibility

Source reference: p.2, para. 7

2. Whether the pending injunction order from the District Court restricts the High Court from directing a sale of the suit property

Source reference: p.3, para. 12
03

Law Applied

The Court applied the principles of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 ("CPC"), specifically Order XXI Rule 66 regarding the conduct of public auctions

Source reference: p.4, para. 14(vii)

It also relied on Chapter XXIV of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018, to govern the procedure for sale

Source reference: p.4, para. 14(vii)

The Court exercised its inherent power to ensure the execution of a partition decree when property cannot be partitioned by metes and bounds, prioritizing inter se bidding and private sale over public auction

Source reference: p.3, para. 14
04

Reasoning

The Court observed that since the property was a 3-BHK flat with four equal shareholders, physical division was impossible

Source reference: p.2, para. 4

Consequently, the Court accepted the joint request of the parties to proceed with a final decree and appointment of a Local Commissioner (LC) for sale

Source reference: p.2, para. 7

To facilitate the sale in the absence of original documents, the Court directed the parties to obtain certified copies of the title deeds

Source reference: p.2, para. 8-9

Regarding the conflicting injunction in the District Court, the High Court clarified that the lower court's order would not impede the sale and directed Defendant No. 1 to withdraw the said suit within two weeks to clear the cloud on the title

Source reference: p.3, para. 12-13

The Court established a structured sale process: first, inter se bidding or private sale among the parties; if unsuccessful within six weeks, a public auction would be initiated

Source reference: p.3, para. 14(iii-v)
05

Holding

The Court passed a final decree declaring the plaintiff and three defendants as owners of 1/4th share each in the suit property

It appointed a Local Commissioner to oversee the sale process, starting with inter se bidding and culminating in a public auction if necessary

Source reference: p.3-4, para. 14(ii-v)

The LC was authorized to obtain a government valuation and conduct the auction per the CPC and Delhi High Court Rules

Source reference: p.4, para. 14(vi-vii)

The Court ordered the registry to prepare the decree sheet and disposed of the suit, listing the matter for compliance on July 21, 2026

Source reference: p.4-5, para. 16-20
Delhi High Court

Original Court PDF

Padam Sagar BavejavsNeeti Singh & Ors.

Delhi High Court · April 16, 2026

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