Holding

The execution court’s finding of fact that the kothas were not part of the decretal land was correct and the High Court exceeded its limited revisional jurisdiction.

Summary

The case concerned a decree for possession of 2 bighas 17 biswas of agricultural land granted in 1953, of which only 10 biswas were actually delivered and the remaining 2 bighas 7 biswas were said to be in symbolic possession. The decree holder later sought delivery of certain "kothas" (structures) marked EFGH on the site plan, which the executing court held were not part of the decretal land. The High Court, on revision, held that the kothas formed part of the decree and set aside the execution court’s order. The Supreme Court examined whether the execution court’s factual finding was correct and whether the High Court had exceeded its limited revisional jurisdiction. It held that the execution court was right to find the kothas were outside the decree, that the High Court interfered improperly with a factual finding, and that no fresh execution petition was maintainable. Consequently, the appeal was allowed and the High Court’s judgment set aside.

Issues considered

Whether the kothas marked EFGH on the site plan formed part of the decretal land for which possession was decreed.
Whether the execution court’s factual finding that the kothas were outside the decree could be disturbed by a revision under the Code of Civil Procedure.
Whether the High Court exceeded its revisional jurisdiction in setting aside the execution court’s order.

Legislation cited

Subjects

execution of decreepossessionkothascivil procedurerevisional jurisdictiondecree holderagricultural landsymbolic possession

Judgment

A KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS.
v. '"'
GURBHAJAN SINGH AND ORS.

FEBRUARY 23, 2007

B [S.B. SINHA AND MARKANDEY KATJU, JJ.)

Execution of decree for possession-Possession of agricultural land
when sought without expressly mentioning existence of some kothas, aft.er
long litigation and by first taking actual possession of small portion (lO
c biswas) and then taking rest of 2 bighas 7 biswas, decree holder could not
belatedly claim that kothas were also included in decree for possession.

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908-ss. / 00, 115-Second appeal-Heid,
lies on question of law-Revisional Jurisdiction is also limited.
D One 'S' filed a suit in respect of 2 bighas 17 biswas. The trial Co111rt
passed decree for recovery of possession in 1953. Tiie actual delivery taken
was of I 0 biswas only and only symbolic possession of 2 bighas 7 biswas was ~

taken as i'. was in possession of Judgment Debtors (JDs). ...
E The decree holder-respondent (DH) fi"d a fresh suit for possession of
2 bighas and 7 biswas which was dismissed as not maintainable by the District
Judge on 16.1.1960 on the ground that an executable decree was passed in
1953 and hence precluded a fresh suit for the possession of properties. The
DH in execution of the decree prayed for delivery of possession on 2S.l.l!l'63
of the said lands. Delivery was &iven pursuant to warrants of possession.
F
In the site plan, 2 portions of lands were delineated shown as ABCD
and EFGH. Tile DH lllld also transferred portions of lands to some vendta.
There were some kothas and then dispute arose whether these were in tthe
portions of DH. Executing Court held that delineation of kothas WH aot: In
EFGH in the plan..The delineation was done in the presence of parties with
G their consent·&lld they cannot question the same now. They fdtd revisiion
against th1is, which was allowed by the High Court
,
In appeal to this Court, ihe appellant contended that DHs never sued for
possession of kothas and never asked the Executia& Court to deliver tbe
120
'
H
KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS. v. GURBHAJAN SINGH 121
possession of said kothas and were not entitled to seek their possession A
;;< belatedly.

Allowing the appeal, the Court

HELD: I.I. The subject matter of the dispute is 'kothas'. JD had all
along taken the stand that the 'kothas' are outside the decretal land. Even if
they had not raised the contention that the decree stood satisfied, it was for B
the Executing Court to arrive at the said decision. Appellants are admittedly
in possession of the 'kothas' in question. In the first execution case, therefore,
the DHs were required to file application not only for actual delivery of
possession of agricultural lands as also non-agricultural lands as directed
in terms of warrant of delivery of possession but also for the said 'kothas'. In
the warrant of delivery of possession issued by the executing court no direction
c
was issued while directing the authorities to render all assistance to the bailiff
of the court, to evict the JDs from the 'kothas'. (Para 16(
(126-G-H; 127-A-B]

1.2. The delivery of possession of the 'kothas' dt:lineated in the plan
D
and marked with the letters 'EFGH' was a contentious issue in the Execution
Second Appeal as also in Civil Revision filed before the High Court. It had
categorically been held that the 'kothas' did not form part of the decree and,
.. thus, the possession thereof cannot be delivered. It has also been found by the
• Subordinate Judge in the suit that as actual delivery of possession having
been effected, the suit was not maintainable. Appreciation of evidence on the E
basis of the materials brought on record by the parties was within the domain
of the Executing Court By reason of the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment)
Act, 1976, an appeal thereagainst does not lie. Revisional jurisdiction of the
High Court, thus, could be exercised only on limited grounds.
(Paras 19 and 20] (127-G-H; 128-A(
F
1.3. The High Court, therefore, was not correct in interfering with the
said findings of fact. It was exercising its revisional jurisdiction. It had not
found that the Executing Court committed any illegality or material
irregularity in passing the order impugned before it. It proceeded on a
presumption that merely symbolic possession had been delivered. (Para 21)
(128-B-C] G

'
,
.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 920 of2007 .

From the final Judgment and Order dated 21.10.2005 cf the High Court
of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in CR. No. 1186/1984.

P.N. Mishra, Balbi Singh Gupta and S.K. Gupta for the Appellants. H
122 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 3 S.C.R.

A Pradeep Gupta, K.K. Mohan, Suresh Bharati, P.N. Puri, Reeta Diwan Puri
~~
and Dhiraj for the Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

S.B. SINHA, J. I. Leave granted.
B
2. Interpretation ofa decree passed as far back on 14.01.1953 falls for
consideration in this appeal which arises out of a judgment and decree dated
21.10.2005 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in Civil Revision
No. 1186 of 1984 whereby and whereunder the order dated 30.01.1984 passed
by the Additional District Judge, Patiala was set aside.
c
3. The subject matter of the suit filed by one Sampuran Singh was m
respect of 2 bighas 17 biswas in Khasra No. 2057 to 2059. A decree for
recovery of possession was passed. The present dispute revolves round the
question as to whether actual possession in execution of the said decree was
granted or not.
D
4. The contention of the decree holders had been that actual delivery
of possession was confined only to 10 biswas only in the execution proceeding
and only symbolic possession of 2 bighas 7 biswas on 5.03.1954 was given,
..
and, thus, the actual possession thereof remained with the judgment debtors .
- appellants. A fresh suit for possession was filed in respect of the said lands
E
which although was dismissed by the learned Trial Judge but a decree for I0
biswas was passed by the learned District Judge on 16.01.1960. It was held
that the subsequent suit was not maintainable stating:

"It would, thus, appear that the plaintiff had not taken possession of
F the land measuring 2 bighas and 7 biswas in accordance with law
under the previous decree and the subsequent suit is, therefore, not
competent in accordance with the observations in Sasi Sakharewar
Ray v. La/it Mohan Maitra, AIR (1925) Privy Council 34 as hc:ld
therein that it was on executable decree and precluded a fresh suit for
the possession of the properties concerned by one of the parties.
G Consequently, the subsequent suit is not competent."

5. The decree holder in execution of the decree dated 14.01.1953 prayed
for delivery of possession of the said lands. The court passed the foliowi:ng
t ;

order on 25.01.1963:

H
KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS. v. GURBHAJAN SINGH [S.B. SINHA, J.] 123

"The warrant of possession has been received back. It has been A
- "' reported that the site plan was not attached with the warrant of
possession but this appears to be incorrect. The D.H. is hereby
directed to file a fresh site plan of the disputed property excluding the
portion of 10 Biswas which may be clearly shown in the site plan that
may be got filed and this 10 Biswas is out of land bearing khasra no.
2059 and the Patwari while giving possession according to the decree B
should ascertain that possession is given to the Decree Holder of the
land etc. excluding the I0 Biswas of land. This I0 Biswas of land has

- been shown in the site plan today filed by the J.D. and has been
marked A, B, C & D. The Patwari should ascertain whether this plot
of land is out of Khasra no. 2059 or not? Warrant of possession be c
issued on payment of process fee etc. Now case to come up on
15.2.63. It should also be mentioned that possessioi1 of portion marked
E, F, G, H be also not given to the D. Holder. Warrant of possession
be given dasti also."

6. In terms of the said order, warrant of possession was issued wherein D
it was directed:

"In respect of possession of land as per site plan attached in the
1
above noted suit by fixing the peshi 6.7.63, you are hereby ordered
' that the possession of the land bearing khasra numbers except mark
A, B, C, D & E, F, G, H be delivered to the decree holder along with E
the standing crops which are duly shown marked as red in colour with
police force and in this respect the report be submitted. For the
sanction of help of the police force, the proceedings have been
started."

7. Delivery of possession pursuant to the said warrant of possession F
was given upon publication of notice by beat of drums on or about 29.06.1963.
~

8. Thereafter, the decree holders - respondents applied for mutation of
their names which was said to have been granted. Entire khasras were recorded
in the names of the decree - holders. Allegedly, the decree holders had also
G
transferred the lands in question to outsiders and the vendees are in possession
of their own purchased lands.
~
-'\
9. The question which arose in the second execution case was as to
whether a portion of the property delineated with the words 'EFGH' in the plan
formed part of the decretal property or not. The matter came up to the High H

..
124 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A Court in Execution Second Appeal No. 718 of 1967. On an application filed
under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, by an order dated 31.07.1967,
Grover, J. while issuing a notice of early date of hearing directed that the "' - .

judgment debtors should not be dispossessed from the portion marked 'EFGH'
in the plan.

B 10. The said Execution Second Appeal was disposed of by Tuli, J. on
13th January, 1971. In the said appeal, correctness of the finding recorded in
paragraph 8 of the order of the appellate court was questioned on the ground
that the decree holder was not entitled to possession of land shown in 'EFGH'
of plan as the 'Kothas' of the judgment debtors were situate therein. In the
c said Appeal, observations of Mahajan, J. iq his order dated 13.10.1965 were
noticed in the following terms:

"In the present execution application, claim is made to soine kothas
on the ground that they are situate in the land in dispute. According
to the judgment - debtor, this claim is made to the kothas which were
D the subject matter of the earlier suit. It cannot be disputed that the
decree-holder is entitled to the possession of 2 bighas 7 biswas under
the decree dated I4th January, I953 and 10 biswas und~r the decree
dated 16th January, 1960. I have already dealt with the total measuring
10 biswas in Execution Second Appeal No. 760 of 1964 today. ...
Possession of this land has been taken by the decree holder. It is not •
E clear whether the possession of land measuring 2 bighas 7 biswas
subject matter of the decree dated the 14th January, 1953 has been
taken possession of or not. If there is any kotha in the total land of
which the decree holder is entitled, namely, 2 bighas 17 biswas, the
decree holder will be entitled to any kothas, outside this land."
F On the basis thereof, it was opined:

k'The learned counsel for the decree-holder respondent states that in
accordance with the observations made by Mahajan J. he will only
obtain the possession of 2 bighas 7 biswas of land under the decree
dated January 14, 1953 and of the kothas, situate on that land. There
G can be no dispute with regard to this position of the learned counsel
but the Executing Court, while giving possession of that land to the
decree holder respondent, will keep out the kothas which were the
t •
subject matter of the suit which was decided in appeal by Shri H.S.
Bhandari, District Judge, by his decree dated January 16, i960. The
H possession of those Kothas will not be delivered to the respondents
KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS. v. GURBHAJAN SINGH [S.B. SINHA, J.] 125

in any case as it has already been held that they are not situate on A
"' the land which forms the subject matter of the suit which had been
decreed in favour of the decree - holder on January 14, 1953 Mahajan
J. also made it clear that the decree holder will not be entitled to any
kothas outside this land. As it has already been determined by a
competent court that the kothas to which the judgment debtors are
laying claim as having been rebuilt are not situated on the land B
measuring 2 bighas 7 biswas which formed the subject matter of the
suit decreed in January 14, 1953, it will not be open to the Executing
-'!
Court to deliver possession of those kothas to the decree - holder
while giving him possession of the land which forms the subject
matter of the suit decreed on January 14, 1953, the execution of which c
is being sought.

The appeal is accordingly accepted in part as observed above.
The parties are left to bear their own costs."

11. However, a second execution case was filed including the 'kothas'
D
which were, as noticed hereinbefore, delineated with in the area marked with
the words 'EFGH' in the plan. An objection to the said execution application
-f was filed by the appellants on 10.06.1971. The Executing Court framed the
., following issues:

"I. \\ibether the decree dt. 14.1.53 and decree dt. 16.1.60 have been E
fully satisfied?

2. \\ibether the objection petition is not maintainable?

3. \\ibether the decree holder is estopped by his act and conduct to
seek possession of the land after 29.6.63?"
F
12. The decree holders moved an application for issuance of warrants
' of possession on 23.06.1971 in the aforesaid execution petition. The Executing
Court opined that the possession of the portion of the decretal property
marked as 'ABCD' had already been given to the decree holders. By an order
dated 30.01.1984, it was held:
G
"12. Now the sole question is as to whether kothas shown at EFGH
·~
are included in the decreed property or not. In that behalf the order
of the Hon'ble High Court Ex. 013 would clearly show that these
kothas are outside the scope of the decree. The concluding words of
His Lordship Mr. Justice Balraj Tuli are that it will not be open to the H
126 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 3 S.C.R.

A executing court to deliver possession of those kothas while giving
him possession of the land which is the subject matter of the :mit
decreed on 14.1.53, the execution of which is being sought. ".'.'he
kothas have been found to be situated at portion marked EFGH. lhis
portion was excluded by the executing court by the warrant of
possession in the presence of both the parties. The line depicted
B EFGH was drawn by the court with the consent of the decree holders
even. That being the case no claim regarding EFGH can be made by
the decree holders now.

13. The learned counsel for decree holders states that his decr·eed
land measuring 2 B 17 biswas has not been made good and some
c portion of land still remains to be delivered to him. That contention
is belied by looking to the Jamabandi of 1981-82 which is to the effect
that 2 B 17 biswas of land in khasra No. 2057 to 2059 is in possession
of. the decree holders. In view of these reasons and consideration, I
would hold that both the decrees have been fully satisfied on 29.6.63
D when the report of delivery of possession has been made to the court.
Therefore, these issues are decided in favour of the objectors."

13. The revision petition filed thereagainst by the decree holders - ~
respondents have been allowed by reason of the impugned judgment.

E 14. Mr. P.N. Mishra, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the
appellants, would submit that in view of the clear finding of fact arrived at
by the executing court, there cannot be any doubt whatsoever that the decree
passed in favour of the decree holders was satisfied and as such the fresh
execution petition was not maintainable.

F 15. Mr. Pradeep Gupta, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
respondents, on the other hand, would contend that the High Court by
reason of the impugned judgment took into consideration the entire aspect
of the matter and having come to the conclusion that the 'kothas' form part
of the dec:retal land, and the actual delivery of possession having not been
G granted in relation thereto, a fresh execution petition was maintainable.
16. It is not in dispute that the subject matter of the dispute is 'kothas'.
Judgment Debtor had all along takt'n the stand that the 'kothas' are outside ·
the decretal land. Even if they had not raised the contention that the decree
stood satisfied, it was for the Executing Court to arrive at the said decision.
H Appellants are admittedly in possession of the 'kothas' in question. In the first
KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS. v. GURBHAJAN SINGH [S.B. SIHHA, J.] 127

,-i
· execution case, therefore, the decree holders were required to file application A
not only for actual delivery of possession of agricultural lands as also non-
agricultural lands as directed in terms of warrant of delivery of possession but
also for the said 'kothas'. The warrant of delivery of possession issued by the
executing court has been noticed by us hereinbefore. No direction therein was
issued while directing the authorities to render all assistance to the bailiff of B
the court to evict the judgment debtors from the 'kothas'. It is expected that
such a direction would be given by the Executing Court while issuing warrant
of delivery of possession.

17. We may also notice the report of Assistant Collector, Pati ala dated
29.06.1963 which reads as under: c
"It is requested that as per order, I reached the spot today, the land
\
as per site plan attached which was found vacant at the spot, that
land after getting it ploughed by the D.H. and the land in which the
crops are standing, by getting its round of the D.H. around four sides
of that land in satisfaction of the D.H. as per order, the possession D
of the D.H. with police force under the supervision of Sh. Surjit Singh
__, ASJ Incharge Division no. 2 Patiala in presence of Halqa Patwari and
the below noted witnesses, was delivered. At the spot only 5 Biswas
of land was found vacant, in the remaining land there are crops of
tomato, chilies, lobia and torian. Regarding the delivery of possession E
its Munadi was made in the adjoining land. The Patwari Halqa was
directed that the report of this proceeding be made in the Roznamcha.
There is a well in this land also on which the machinery for pulling
water (Halt) is also fitted. Accordingly, the report is submitted after
compliance. Dated 29 .6. 1963"
F
18. It was not stated therein that only symbolic possession was delivered.
Decree Holder accepted that delivery of possession had been given.

19. We have noticed hereinbefore that delivery of possession of the
'kothas' delineated in the plan and marked with the letters 'EFGH' was a
contentious issue in the Execution Second Appeal as alsci in Civil Revision G
filed before the High C0urt. It had categorically been held that the 'kothas'
~
did not form part of the decree and, thus, the possession thereof cannot be
delivered. It has also been found by the learned Subordinate Judge in the suit
that as actual delivery of possession having been effected, the suit was not
maintainable.
H
128 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 3 S.C.R.

A 20. Appreciation of evidence on the basis of the materials brought on .,., .
record by the parties was within the domain of the Executing Court. By reason
of the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1976, an appeal thereagainst
does not lie. Revisional jurisdiction of the High Court, thus, could be exercised
only on limited grounds.

B 2 I. The High Court, therefore, in our opinion, was, thus, not correct in
interfering with the said findings of fact. It was exercising its revisional
jurisdiction. It had not found that the Executing Court committed any illegality
or material irregularity in passing the order impugned before it. It proceeded
on a presumption that merely symbolic possession had been delivered. The
C contentions raised in this behalf by the respondents w.::re not borne out of
records.

22. There cannot be any doubt whatsoever that if the 'kothas' fonned
part of the decretal land, the decree holder was entitled to possession thereof
but the question was whether the kothas in question were part of the decretal
D land ornot. The High Court had referred to an order dated 13 .I 0.1965 passed
in civil revision No. 470 of 1964 wherein it was held:

"In the present execution application, claim is made to some kothas
on the ground that they are situated in the land in dispute. According
to the judgment debtor, this claim is made to the kothas which were
E the subject matter of the earlier suit. It cannot be disputed that the
decree holder is entitled to the possession of 2 Bighas 17 Biswa>, 2
Bighas 7 Biswas under the decree dated 14th January, 1953 and. 10
Biswas under the decree dated 16th January, 1960. I have already dealt
with the land measuring 10 Biswas in Execution Second Appeal No.
60 of 1964. Possession of this land has been taken by the decree
F holder. It is not clear whether the possession of land measuring 2
Bighas 7 Biswas subject-matter of the decree dated the 14th January,
1953 has been taken possession of or not. If there is any Kotha in the
total land of which the decree holder is entitled, namely, 2 Bighas 17
Biswas, the decree holder will be entitled to that; but decree holder
G will not be entitled to any Kotha outside this land."

23. The question was not as to whether the principles of res judicata
would be applicable but the question which was required to be posed and
answered was as to whether the kothas marked 'EFGH' fonned part of the
decretal land or not. It, having regard to the orders passed in the earlier
H proceedings, cannot be said that the Executing Court acted illegally or without
KHAZAN SINGH (D) BY LRS. v. GURBHAJAN SINGH [S.B. SINHA, J.) 129

jurisdiction in arriving at the conclusion, it did. A
. ''-' 24. The finding of the Executing Court essentially was a finding of fact.
The High Court has not assigned sufficient or cogent reasons to conclude
that the finding of the executing court in that behalf was factually incorrect.
Revisional jurisdiction as is well-known is very limited. The High Court, in our
opinion, in the facts and circumstances of the case, exceeded its jurisdiction B
in passing the impugned judgment.

25. The High Court referred to an order dated 13.10.1965 but the effect
thereof, as noticed hereinbefore, has not been considered in its true perspective.

26. We may now deal with the application for impleadment as also C
application for substitution filed by the applicant and the appellant respectively.

27. Gurbachan Singh, Respondent No. 4 herein died on 19.11.1999. In
terms of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Amendment to Order 22, Rule
3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the appeal shall not abate. A statement was D
made before the Registrar on behalf of the appellant that the name of
Respondent No. 4 be deleted. An order was passed to that effect on 19.09.2006.
An application for impleadment has been filed by the legal representatives of
Gurbachan Singh, Respondent No. 4. An affidavit has also been filed for
' revocation of the said order dated 19.09.2006. The relationship between the
applicants and the deceased - Respondent No. 4 is seriously denied and E
disputed. The Executing Court had also in its order dated 5.06.2006 concluded:

"The best course to be adopted by the L.Rs of Decree-Holder
Gurbachan Singh, Gurmukh Singh applicant and the JD/ Objector is
to raise the alleged objection by seeking declaration from the court by
filing a separate suit or to obtain the succession certificate." F
28. This Court at this stage does not intend to determine the said
question particularly in view of the statement of the respondents and in
particular for the reason that it is not necessary for the purpose of disposal
of this appeal. These applications for impleadment as also for substitution,
therefore, are rejected. G
29. We, for the reasons stated hereinbefore, are of the opinion that the
impugned judgment cannot be sustained which is set aside accordingly. The
appeal is allowed. No costs.

D.G. Appeal allowed. H