Kerala High Court
Travancore Devaswom Board vs Narayana Bhattathiri on 26 March, 2019
Author: Sunil Thomas
Bench: Sunil Thomas
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL THOMAS
TUESDAY ,THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2019 / 5TH CHAITHRA, 1941
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT IN AS 166/2002 of SUB COURT,
MAVELIKKARA DATED 05-03-2015
PETITIONER/PETITIONER:
TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD
NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, REPRESENTED BY
ITS SECRETARY.
BY ADV. SRI.P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:
1 NARAYANA BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-
690508.
2 USHA BHATTATHIRI,
MOODAMPADY ILLOM, PILAPPUZHA MURI, HARIPPAD(PO),
ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690514.
3 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-
690508.
4 LEELA ANTHARJANAM,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-
690508.
5 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-
690508.
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
2
6 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
7 SREEKUMARAN BHATTATHIRI,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
8 RAMADEVI ANTHARJANAM,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
9 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
10 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
11 LEELADEVI ANTHARJANAM,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
12 UMESH V. BHATTATHIRI,
VISHNU BHAVAN, THOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM(PO),
ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN-695605.
13 NANDAKUMAR BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
14 INDIRA DEVI BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
15 MANOJ KUMAR,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
3
16 PURUSHOTHAMAN BHATTATHIRI (DIED),
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
17 REMADEVI ANTHARJANAN,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
18 MEERA.P ANTHARJANAN,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
19 MEENU P.ANTHARJANAN,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
20 MADUSOODANAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
21 USHA ANTHARJANAM,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
22 VINU BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
23 MANU BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKE MOODAMPADY ILLOM, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD(PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
24 PAPPY SREEDEVI ANTHARJANAM,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERIKKAD (PO),
ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
25 JAYANARAYANAN BHATATHIRI (DIED),
USHAS, THEKKE VILA (PO), KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-
691016.
26 REMADEVI ANTHARJANAM,
USHAS, THEKKE VILA (PO), KOLLAM DISTRICT,
PIN-691016.
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
4
27 JAYA DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI,
USHAS, THEKKE VILA (PO), KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-
691016.
28 JAYA PRASANTH BHATTATHIRI,
USHAS, THEKKE VILA (PO), KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-
691016.
29 JAYA PRADEEP BHATTATHIRI,
USHAS, THEKKE VILA (PO), KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-
691016.
30 DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERIKKAD (PO),
MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
31 HARIKUMAR BHATTATHIRI,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERIKKAD (PO),
MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
32 SREE BHUVANESWARI HAINDAVA SAMITHY,
RAMAPURAM SOUTH, KEERIKKAD, REPRESENTED BY THE
PRESIDENT GOVINDAN UNNITHAN BHASKARAN PILLAI,
KUZHIKKAT THEKKETHIL, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD (PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
33 SREE BHUVANESWARI HAINDAVA SAMITHY,
RAMAPURAM NORTH, KEERIKKAD, REPRESENTED BY THE
PRESIDENT GOPALAKRISHNAN, PANACHAMOOTTIL VEEDU,
RAMAPURAM MURI, KEERIKKAD (PO), MAVELIKKARA,
ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
34 SREE BHUVANESWARI HAINDAVA SAMITHY,
RAMAPURAM, SANTHINIKETHAN KARA, REPRESENTED BY
THE PRESIDENT SANKARAN KRISHNANKUTTY,
THAZHASSERIL PUTHEN PURAYIL, RAMAPURAM MURI,
KEERIKKAD (PO), MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26.03.2019,
ALONG WITH OP(C).997/2019, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE
FOLLOWING:
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
5
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL THOMAS
TUESDAY ,THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2019 / 5TH CHAITHRA, 1941
OP(C).No. 997 of 2019
(IN IA.NO.236/2019 IN OS 21/1994 of SUB COURT, MAVELIKKARA)
PETITIONERS/ADDITIONAL DEFENDANTS SOUGHT TO BE IMPLEADED:
1 UPADESHAKA SAMITHI,
MAJOR RAMAPURAM DEVI TEMPLE, RAMAPURAM
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT SAMBHU PRASAD.R.,
S/O.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI, AGED 34, SREESHYLAM,
RAMAPURAM, KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE,
KARTHIKAPPALLY TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,
PIN-690508.
2 UPADESHAKA SAMITHI,
MAJOR RAMAPURAM DEVI TEMPLE, RAMAPURAM
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ANILUMAR,
S/O.SUKUMARAN, AGED 48, KOTTILAPPATTU, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE, KARTHIKAPPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
BY ADV. SRI.K.R.SUNIL
RESPONDENTS/PLAINTIFFS/DEFENDANTS:
1 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI NARAYANAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLOAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE KARTHIKAPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
2 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLOAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE KARTHIKAPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
6
3 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI LEELA ANTHARJANAM,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLOAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE KARTHIKAPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
4 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI VISHNU BHATTATHIRI
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLOAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE KARTHIKAPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
5 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLOAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O., KEERICKAD VILLAGE KARTHIKAPALLY
TALUK, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-690508.
6 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI SREEKUMARAN BHATTATHIRI
VISHNU BHAVAN, KOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM, ATTINGAL,
PIN-695104.
7 SREEKUMARAN BHATTATHIRI REMADEVI ANTHARJANAM,
VISHNU BHAVAN, KOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM, ATTINGAL,
PIN-695104.
8 SREEKUMARAN BHATTATHIRI VISHNU BHATTATHIRI,
VISHNU BHAVAN, KOTTAKKAD, KALLAMBALAM, ATTINGAL,
PIN-695104.
9 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI VISHNU BHATTATHIRI,
MOODAMBADI ILLOM, PILAPPUZHA HARIPAD, PIN-690514.
10 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI LEELA DEVI ANTHARJANAM,
MOODAMBADI ILLOM, PILAPPUZHA HARIPAD, PIN-690514.
11 VISHNU BHATTATHRI LEELA DEVI ANTHARJANAM
MOODAMBADI ILLOM, PILAPPUZHA, HARIPAD, PIN-
690514.
12 VISHNU BHATTATHRIRI NANDAKUMAR BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508.
13 NANDAKUMAR BHATTATHIRI INDRADEVI BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508.
14 NANDAKUMAR BHATTATHRIRI MAOJ KUMAR,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
7
15 VISHNU BHATTATHRI PURUSHOTHAMAN BHATTATHIRI
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
16 PURUSHOTHAMAN BHATTATHIRI REMADEVI
ANTHARAJANAM,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
17 PURUSHOTHAMAN BHATTATHIRI MEERA.P.N
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
18 PURUSHOTHAMAN BHATTATHIRI MENU.P.R,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
19 VISHNU BHATTATIRI MADHUSOODANAN BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
20 MADHUSOODANAN BHATTATHIRI USHA ANTHARAJANAM
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
21 MADHUSOODANAM BHATTATHIRI VINU BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
22 MADHUSOODANAM BHATTATHIRI MANU BHATTATHIRI,
VADAKKEMOODAPADI, ILLAM, RAMAPURAM,
KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-690508
23 PAPPY SREEDEVI ANTHARJANAM,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-
690508.
24 DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI JAYANARAYANAN
BHATTATHIRI,
USHUS, KOLLAM, PIN-601021.
25 RADHADEVI ANTHARAJANAM,
W/O.JAYANARAYANAN BHATTATHIRI, USHUS, KOLLAM,
PIN-601021.
26 JAYA DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI,
USHUS, KOLLAM, PIN-601021.
27 JAYAPRASANTH BHATTATHIRI
USHUS, KOLLAM, PIN-601021.
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
8
28 JAYAPRADEEP BHATTATHIRI,
USHUS, KOLLAM, PIN-601021.
29 DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-
690508.
30 DAMODARAN BHATTATHIRI HARIKUMAR BHATTATHIRI,
KOTTARATHIL MADOM, RAMAPURAM, KEERICKAD.P.O, PIN-
690508.
31 SREEBHUVANESWARI HUBDAVA SAMATHI, RAMAPURAM
SOUTH, REG.NO.65/95
KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, REPRESENTED BY PRESIDENT
GOVINDAN UNNITHAN BHASKARAN PILLAI,
S/O.R.G.UNNITHAN, KOOZHIKATTU THEKKATHIL,
RAMAPURAM MURI, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, PIN-690508.
32 SREEBHUVANESWARI NINDAYA SAMTHI,
RAMAPURAM NORTH REG.NO.65/95, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE,
REPRESENTED BY PRESIDENT MADHAVAN
GOPALAKRISHNAN, PANACHAMOOTTIL HOUSE,
RAMAPURAM, MURI, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, PIN-690508.
33 SREEBHUVANESWARI NINDAYA SAMATHI,
RAMAPURAM, STANATHINAKATHE KARA, REG.NO.65/95,
KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, REPRESENTED BY PRESIDENT
SANKARAN KRISHNANKUTTY, THAZHESSERIL
PUTHENPURAYIL, RAMAPURAM MURI, KEERIKKAD
VILLAGE, PIN-690508.
34 VASUDEVAN BHATTATHIRI NARAYANAN BHATTATHIRI,
MALAYALABRAHMIN, VADAKKEMODAMPADI ILLOM,
RAMAPURAM MURI, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, PIN-690508.
35 VISHNU BHATTATHIRI USHA V. BHATTATHIRI
MALAYALABRAHMIN, VADAKKEMODAMPADI ILLOM,
RAMAPURAM MURI, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, PIN-690508.
36 THE TRAVANCOE DEVASWOM BOARD,
NANDANACODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695011
SRI.P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN,SC
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26.03.2019,
ALONG WITH OP(C).817/2019, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE
FOLLOWING:
OP(C).No. 817 of 2019
9
COMMON JUDGMENT
The Travancore Devaswom Board has preferred O.P.(C)No.817/2019, aggrieved by the refusal of the court below, to grant adjournment of the case to enable the new counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board, to get ready for trial. In fact, the suit was listed for trial to 5.3.2019. Ext.P4 application along with an affidavit was filed by the counsel, seeking adjournment by 45 days, to get ready for evidence. The reason stated was that there was a change of counsel and a new counsel could not get ready for trial. This was dismissed by the court below resulting in O.P.(C)No.817/2019.
2. It seems that in the meanwhile IA.No.437/2018 was filed to get the petitioners therein impleaded as additional defendants. It was dismissed for default. IA.No.236/2019 was filed to restore the application dismissed for default, which was dismissed by the court below by Ext.P1 order. Aggrieved by it, the Updeshaka OP(C).No. 817 of 2019 10 Samithi has approached this court in O.P.(C)No.997/2019. Caveator has taken notice.
3. Heard both the counsel and the caveator.
4. The suit is of the year 1994. The limited prayer sought by the Travancore Devaswom Board was only for a breathing time for getting ready. I cannot find fault with the court below for dismissing the application, since the suit was already listed for trial and was pending for quite a long time. Further, by Ext.P2 order in O.P. (C)No.817/2019, this court had directed the court below to dispose of the suit within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of that judgment. Having considered this, I do not find any illegality in the order of the court below refusing to grant adjournment.
5. Regarding the grievance of the petitioner in O.P. (C)No.997/2019, in the light of the relief that is proposed to be granted in O.P.(C)No.817/2019, I feel that the petitioners in IA.No.437/2018 can be given a reasonable opportunity to consider their impleading petition on OP(C).No. 817 of 2019 11 merits, since they did not get an opportunity to urge their arguments, consequent to the dismissal of their application for default.
6. Having considered these facts, I am inclined to dispose of O.P.(C)No.817/2019 and O.P.(C)No.997/2019, with a direction to the court below, to take up IA.No.437/2018, immediately after the reopening and after hearing both sides to pass appropriate orders on IA.No.437/2018. The court below shall thereafter list the matter for trial and shall dispose of OS.No.21/1994 on the files of the Subordinate Judge, Mavelikara, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.
O.Ps(C) are disposed of as above.
Sd/-
SUNIL THOMAS, JUDGE R.AV //True Copy// PA to Judge OP(C).No. 817 of 2019 12 APPENDIX OF OP(C) 817/2019 PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 5.3.2015 IN A.S.NO.166/2002 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 9.7.2018 IN FAO.NO.99/2016 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 27.11.2018 OF ADV.K.RAVEENDRANATH.
EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT AND PETITION FILED BY ADV.R.RAJAN ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER DATED 25.2.2019.
EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 6.3.2019 IN I.A.NO.213/2019 IN O.S.NO.21/1994 OF THE SUBORDINATE JUDGE, MAVELIKKARA.
RESPONDENT'S/S EXHIBITS NIL OP(C).No. 817 of 2019 13 APPENDIX OF OP(C) 997/2019 PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT P1 THE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE ORDER OF DISMISSAL PASSED BY THE SUBORDINATE JUDGES COURT, MAVELIKKARA IN IA.NO.236/2019 DATED 07/03/2019.
RESPONDENT'S/S EXHIBITS NIL