REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL No. 2860 OF 2009
(Arising out of SLP(C) No. 13568 of 2006)
KATLA MUTHYAL NAIDU
...
Appellant(s)
Versus
KOTHAPALLE VENKATAPPA NAIDU AND ORS.
...
Respondent(s)
JUDGMENT
Dr.ARIJIT PASAYAT,J.
Leave granted.
The controversy in the present appeal lies within a narrow compass. The plaintiff filed a second appeal in terms of the Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (in short the 'Code') questioning the reversal of the judgment and decree in O.S. No. 243/1997 passed by a learned Principal Junior Civil Judge, Puttur, by learned Senior Civil Judge, Puttur in AS No. 25/2002. The second appeal was dismissed primarily on the ground that there was no plea of adverse possession anywhere in the plaint. It was noted that on examination of the plaint the only allegation made in the plaint was that the defendants are trying to disposess the plaintiff.
Learned counsel for the appellant brought to our notice that the averments in the plaint at paras 2 and 4 which read as follows:
“2: The plaintiff submits that over since the time of his father for more than 60 years, plaintiff and his family members have been in continuous, peaceful possession and enjoyment of the schedule property exercising absolute rights over the same. The plaintiff has been raising rain-fed crops in the schedule property. The plaintiff thus has perfected his title even by adverse possession also.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
4: The plaintiff further submits that he is a small farmer and as a matter if state policy the government is not collecting any kist for the schedule property. The plaintiff further submits that as stated supra to the knowledge of the defendants, the plaintiff and his family members have been in continuous, open, peaceful and uninterrupted possession and enjoyment of the plaint schedule property.”
A bare reading of the averments shows that the conclusion of the High Court that there are no specific pleas relating to adverse possession are factually incorrect. Therefore, we set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court and remit the matter to it for fresh
consideration in accordance with law.
An application for intervention has been filed by one Chekru Govinddaswamy (I.A No. 3) seeking impleadment on the ground that he has purchased property on 21st March, 2005. Learned counsel for the appellant opposed the petition stating that the applicant cannot be treated to be a pendente lite purchaser and the doctrine of lis pendense would not apply to such a case.
We do not consider it necessary to express any opinion in that regard. If an application is filed before the High Court which has to hear of the second appeal, the application shall be considered it is proper perspective.
The appeal is allowed to the aforesaid extent with no order as to costs.
...................J. (Dr. ARIJIT PASAYAT) ....................J. ((ASOK KUMAR GANGULY)
New Delhi,
April 27, 2009.