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Delhi District Court

Braham Prakash Naagar vs Sh. Subhash Chauhan & Anr on 17 January, 2017

            IN THE COURT OF SH. SHAILENDER MALIK:
               ADJ­03(C)TIS  HAZARI COURTS: DELHI 

CS NO. 458/16/2006
In the matter of :­

Braham Prakash Naagar 
S/o Late Sh. Sriram 
R/o 75, Rameshwar Nagar
Model Town­III, Delhi

                                                                                          ...... Plaintiff

                                         VS. 

1      Sh. Subhash Chauhan & Anr.
       R/o 86­B, W(P) DDA Flats
       Pitampura, Delhi

2      Smt. Nirmla 
       W/o Sh. Subhash Chauhan
       R/o 86­B, W(P), DDA Flats
       Pitampura, Delhi                                                                ..... Defendants


Date of filing of the Suit                                              :         15.12.2006 
Date of reserving the Judgment/Order                                    :         04.01.2017
Date of passing the Judgment/Order                                      :         17.01.2017



    SUIT FOR POSSESSION, MENSE PROFIT / DAMAGES


JUDGMENT:

1 This is a suit for possession, mense profit / damages. The plaintiff claims to be the absolute owner of the property bearing CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 1/22       no.86­B, First Floor, Pocket W(P), Pitampura, Delhi (herein after referred   as   "suit   property").   Plaintiff   claims   to   have   purchased the   suit   property   from   one   Shri   Ajit   Kumar   Gupta   against valuable   sale   consideration   on   03.01.2000   vide   registered documents  like   GPA,  agreement   to   sell  and   receipts   etc.     It   is stated   that   the suit  property  originally  allotted  to one  Sh. Om Prakash   by  DDA  in  the  year  1990.  The  aforesaid   allottee  took over the possession of the aforesaid suit property on 11.01.1991 and thereafter the said Sh. Om Prakash sold the property to one Sh.   Surender   Kumar   on   23.08.1993.   The   said   Sh.   Surender Kumar   subsequently   sold   it   to   one   Smt.   Shashi   Chawla   on 24.05.1996.   The   said   Smt.   Shashi   Chawla,   thereafter,   sold   the property to Shri Ajit Kumar Gupta  on 08.11.1999. As such,  Shri Ajit  Kumar   Gupta   became  absolute   owner   of  the   suit   property from whom the plaintiff purchased the same. 

2 It is further mentioned in the plaint that prior to purchase of   the   suit   property   by   the   plaintiff,   the   defendants   were   in unauthorized occupation of the suit property.   Shri Ajit Kumar Gupta   told   the   plaintiff   that   the   property   is   in   unauthorized occupation of the defendants even since the time of its purchase CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 2/22       by  him (Shri Ajit Kumar Gupta)  from Smt.Shashi Chawla. It is stated that the plaintiff was assured by  Shri Ajit Kumar Gupta that  the  defendant   would   be  ready   to  vacate   the  suit   property within   the   period   of   4/5   months   after   finding   another   suitable accommodation. On such assurance, the plaintiff after purchasing the suit property in December 1999, visited the suit property and met   with   defendant   no.1.   The   defendant   no.1   stated   to   have assured the plaintiff that he would vacate the  premises.

3   It is mentioned in the plaint that the plaintiff after taking into   consideration   the   assurance   and   status   of   defendant   no.1 being an Advocate, agreed to purchase the suit property because of the assurance given by the defendant no.1.  Plaintiff, therefore, allowed   the defendants  along  with  their   family   to use  the  suit property   for   some   period   under   his   honest   belief   that   the defendants will shortly vacate the suit property. Defendants no.1 and   2   although   had   no   title   or   right   whatsoever   in   the   suit property. 

4 It is alleged that despite repeated assurances given by the defendant no.1, he failed to vacate the suit property. It is alleged CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 3/22       that   the   defendants   desired   was   to   grab   the   suit   property.   In April 2000 the plaintiff stated to have visited the suit property and   requested   defendant   no.1   to   vacate   the   same,   however,   at that time defendant no.1 again misrepresented the plaintiff and said   that   he   had   not   found   any   suitable   accommodation, therefore, expressed his reluctance in shifting to another locality.

It is alleged that the defendants were occupying the suit property without any right and title. When the defendants failed to vacate the suit property despite repeated requests, the plaintiff stated to have   served   a   legal   notice  dated   19.07.2006   to  defendant   no.1.

However,   despite   receipt   of   the   same,   suit   property   was   not vacated by the defendants.  It is also mentioned in the plaint that the defendants were allowed to occupy the suit property only on humanitarian   grounds   whereas   MCD   also   had   substituted   the name of the plaintiff in its record in respect of the suit property.

Hence, the suit was filed seeking decree of possession of the suit property i.e. property  bearing no.86­B, First Floor, Pocket W(P), Pitampura, Delhi. Plaintiff has further prays for decree for a sum of Rs.2,70,000/­ (Rupees Two Lac Seventy Thousand only) against the   defendants   on   account   of   mesne   profits/damages   and   with interest   @   6%   per   annum.   Plaintiff   further   prayed   future CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 4/22       damages   @   Rs.7,500/­   (Rupees   Seven   Thousand   Five   Hundred only) per month with interest.

5 Originally   the   suit   was   filed   only   against   the   defendant no.1,   who   filed   the   written   statement   taking   objection   therein that the suit is without cause of action, there being no dealing between the parties. Plaintiff has no locus to institute the present suit. It was pleaded that his wife is the owner  and in possession of the suit property in her own independent right acquired on the basis of valid and legal title documents from the original allottee of the property and had paid the entire valuable consideration of the suit property to the original allottee on the basis of agreement signed between them. It is further pleaded that since the original allottee   could   not   make   arrangement   for   payment   of   money   to DDA after allotment of the flat, therefore, wife of defendant no.1 paid all the deposits to DDA. In such circumstance, the original allotment   letter,  possession   letter   and   other   related  documents were delivered to defendant no.1's wife. The case of the plaintiff has been denied. 

6 Taking   into   account   the   specific   plea   taken   by   the CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 5/22       defendant no.1 in his written statement that his wife is the owner of the suit property, therefore, an application under Order 1 Rule 10 CPC was moved on behalf of plaintiff to implead the wife of defendant   no.1   as   defendant   no.2,   the   said   application   was allowed   vide   order   dated   07.09.2007.   Consequently,   wife   of defendant no.1 was impleaded as defendant no.2. 

7 The   defendant   no.2   in   her   written   statement   also   took similar   defence   as   pleaded   by   defendant   no.1   in   his   written statement. The case of the plaintiff was denied. It was specifically denied that the defendants are in unauthorized occupation of the suit property. The defendant no.2 claimed to be the owner of the suit property. 

8 On the basis of pleadings as come on record, the following issues were framed on 15.09.2008:

1. Whether   the   plaintiff   is   entitled   to   a decree of possession as claimed in prayer clause (i) of the plaint? OPP
2. Whether   the   plaintiff   is   entitled   to   a decree   of   Rs.2,70,000/­   being   arrears   of mesne   profits/damages   against   the defendants? OPP CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 6/22      
3. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover interest   @   6%   p.a.   on   the   amount   of Rs.2,70,000/­? OPP
4. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover future   damages   for   the   use   and occupation   of   suit   property   @   Rs.7,500/­ per month against the defendant? OPP
5. Whether the plaintiff has no locus standi to file the present suit? OPD
6. Whether the  defendant   no.2  is  the  owner in   her   independent   right   and   is   in possession of the suit property? OPD
7. Relief. 

9 On   behalf   of   the   plaintiff   five   witnesses   were   examined.

PW­1 is plaintiff, Bhrahm Prakash Nagar. PW­2 is Sh. Jugraj, UDC   from   the   office   of   Sub­Registrar­VI­A,   Pitampura,   Delhi.

PW­3 is Sh. Anil Kumar, LDC from the office of Sub­Registrar, Janak Puri, however, he was not examined completely.  PW­4 is Sh. Rakesh Ranjan, LDC from office of Sub­Registrar, Kashmere Gate and PW­5 is Sh. Om Prakash son of Late Sh. Ram Chander. 

10 On   behalf   of   the   defendant,   defendant   no.   1   Subhash Chander had appeared in the witness box as DW­1 and DW­2 is Dinesh Chander, Assistant in the Office of DDA, Vikash Sadan.

CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 7/22      

11 I   have   heard   Ld.   Counsels   for   the   parties   and   has   gone through   the   record   carefully.   My   issue   wise   findings   are   as follow:­ 12 ISSUE NO. 5 (Whether the plaintiff has no locus standi to file the present suit? )  13 This issue was framed on the objection taken on behalf of the defendant no. 1, to the effect that plaintiff has no locus to institute the present suit. However, considering the facts arising out of the pleadings and the evidence as come on the record, when plaintiff   claims   to   be   the   owner   of   the   suit   property   having purchased   the   same   from   one   Ajit   Kumar   Gupta   without commenting on the sustainability of such claim which of course will be considered after appreciating the evidence on the record, at least it can be stated that plaintiff has locus to institute the suit   for   the   relief,   therefore,   issue   stands   decided   against   the defendant and in favour of the plaintiff. 

14 ISSUE NO. 1

(Whether   the   plaintiff   is   entitled   to   a   decree   of possession as claimed in prayer clause (i) of the plaint?) 15 Onus to prove this issue is on plaintiff as is clear from the above   discussion   of   facts   that   plaintiff   is   claiming   to   be   the absolute owner of the suit property having purchased the same from Sh. Ajit Kumar Gupta, by Sale Documents dt 03.01.2000. Before   we   discuss   the   evidence   as   come   on   the   record,   I   feel appropriate   to   mention   here   that   the   well   established   legal CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 8/22       proposition is for suit for possession where plaintiff claims to be the   owner   and   alleges   the   defendant   to   be   nu­authorized occupant, whereas defendant  sets up a plea of being owner, in such   situation,   issue   of   ownership   assumes   importance.   For seeking a relief of possession ownership may not be necessary to be   proved   in   a   landlord­tenant   relationship,   where   plaintiff   is required   to   establish   either   being   landlord   or   being   lawfully entitled to seek possession.  However, legal requirement becomes different   in   suit   for   possession   where   rival   parties   are   making their respective claims of being owner.   In such situation, it is important   for   plaintiff   to   establish   his   ownership,   at   least   by preponderance of probabilities. Here it is also important to note that   ownership   of   an   immovable   property   or   purchase   of immovable property can be proved only in terms of section 54 of Transfer of Property read with Section 17 of Indian Registration Act, only by registered Sale Deed.  In this regard, one may refer the   judgment   of   Supreme   Court   in  "Suraj   Lamps   and Industries   Pvt.   Ltd.   vs.   State   of   Haryana"   AIR   2009   SC 3077, wherein it was held that sale of immovable property can be effected  only  by   registered  sale  deed   and   documents  like  GPA, SPA,  receipt, agreement  to sell, Will etc. would  not  create any title to an immovable property.   Supreme Court, however, also reiterated that rights created pursuant to section 53 (A) of TP Act or   an   irrevocable   right   of   a   person   holding   power   of   attorney given for consideration coupled with interest as per section 202 of Contract Act would have legal binding.  

16 Thus,   keeping   above   discussed   legal   proposition   in   my CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 9/22       mind, let us now examine the evidence in present suit. PW­1 is plaintiff Braham Naagar who in his affidavit of examination in chief has testified that he is the bona fide and absolute owner of suit property having purchased the same from erstwhile owner Ajit Kumar Gupta by registered document like GPA, Agreement to sell , receipt etc all dt 03.01.2000. Site plan of the suit property is Ex,PW1/1. PW­1 testifies that suit property was allotted to Om Prakash,   allottee   took   over   the   possession   of   property   on 11.01.1991.   The   allotment   letter   in   favour   of   Om   Prakash   is Ex.PW1/2.   Cash   receipts   are   Ex.PW1/3   to   PW1/6.   Letter   dt 01.11.1990, having file no. 36(27)/90 / LIG/ NP are Ex.PW1/7 and PW1/9.   PW­1   says   that   Om   Prakash   sold   the   property   to Surender   Kumar   on   23.09.1993   vide   will   ,   GAP,   SPA,   receipt, affidavit which are Ex.PW1/10 to PW1/15.

17 PW­1 further says that said Surender Kumar then sold the property in question to Shashi Chawla on 24.05.96 by document like   receipt,   GPA,   SPA   and   affidavit   which   are   Ex.PW1/16   to PW1/20 respectively. PW­1 further says that said Shashi Chawla then   sold   the   property   to   Ajit   Kumar   Gupta   against   sale consideration on 08.11.99 vide documents like GPA, Will, Receipt, SPA and agreement to sell  which are Ex.PW1/22 to PW1/26.   

18 PW­1   then   testifies   that   thereafter   he   purchased   the property   from   Ajit   Kumar   Gupta   by   sale   document   like   GPA, Will,   Receipt,   Agreement   to   Sell   all   dt   03.01.2000   which   are Ex.PW1/27 to PW1/30. PW­1 says that prior to purchase of the suit property by him, defendants were already in unauthorized CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 10/22     occupation of it. Ajit Kumar Gupta told him about it and told the plaintiff  that   defendants are in  unauthorized  occupation  of the property since the time when he purchased the same from Smt. Shashi   Chawla.     PW­1   stated   to   have   been   assured   by   AJit Kumar   Gupta   that   defendant   no.   1   is   ready   to   vacate   the premises within 4­5 months. Defendant no. 1 also assured him that   he   would   vacate   the   suit   property   after   getting   suitable accommodation.   PW­1 says that he on considering the fact that defendant   no.   1   is   Advocate   and   has   given   the   assurance; therefore, he purchased the property and allowed the defendant to   occupy   the   property   for   some   period.     PW­1   says   that thereafter, he kept on visiting to defendant; however, defendant did not vacate the property. PW­1 also testified that MCD after verifying the documents, entered the name of him in its record for the   purpose   of   property   tax,   tax   receipts   are   ExPW1/31   & PW1/32. PW­1 therefore, testifies regarding service of legal notice dt 19.07.06 upon defendant no. 1which is Ex.PW1/33 and Postal receipts are Ex.PW1/34 & PW1/35. PW­1 says that defendant no. 2   is   wife   of   defendant   no.   1   and   has   been   in   unauthorized occupation of suit property without any legal basis. PW­1 further says that market rent of suit property is 7500/­. He has relied upon   one   letter   dt   08.12.2006   of   one   property   dealer   which   is Ex.PW1/36. 

19 PW­1   was   duly   cross   examined.   Relevant   portion   of   his cross examination will be discussed later in the judgment. PW­1 is   Sh.   Jugraj,   Clerk   from   office   of   Sub­Registrar,   Pitampura, Delhi,   who   has   testified   regarding   relevant   record   summoned CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 11/22     pertaining to different documents registered like peshi register as well as registered GPA in favour of plaintiff which is Ex.PW2/3. PW­3 is Anil Kumar LDC from Sub­Registrar,   Janak Puri but his   evidence   is   not   completely   recorded,   therefore,   cannot   be taken   into  consideration.   PW­4   is  Rakesh   Ranjan   who   brought the record regarding registered wills dt 23.08.2005 executed by original allottee Sh. Om Prakash in favour of Surender Kumar which is Ex.PW4/1. 

20 PW­5 is original  allottee  of the suit  property  namely Om Prakash.   PW­1   says   that   property   in   question   was   allotted   to him, original receipt dt 21.11.90, 31.10.90  issued by DDA in his favour   and   receipt   dt   22.06.90   are   Ex.PW5/1   and   PW5/2   and PW5/3   respectively.     PW­5   also   proves   the   allotment   letter   dt 01.11.90   as   Ex.PW5/5.   PW­5   says   that   he   sold   the   property   to Surender Kumar vide agreement to sell , GPA, SPA , Receipt all dt 23.08.93 Ex.PW5/6 to PW5/9. PW­5 says that he also executed a   Will   and   affidavit   dt   23.08.93   in   favour   of   Surender   Kumar which is Ex.PW5/10. PW­5 says that possession letter issued by DDA in his favour is ExPW1/12. 

21 Having   considered   such   evidence   led   on   behalf   of   the plaintiff, first and foremost question arises for consideration as to whether the documents as proved in the evidence of PW­1, PW­2, PW4 and PW5, establish any title in favour of plaintiff in respect of property in question. Admittedly, the property in question was allotted to PW­5 Om Prakash s/o late Ram Chander. From the documents   of   allotment   i.e.   receipts   Ex.PW5/1   and   deposit CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 12/22     receipts Ex.PW5/2 and PW5/3 as well as letter of allotment and receipt Ex.PW5/4 & PW5/5, clearly establish that suit property was   allotted   by   DDA   to   Sh.   Om   Prakash   on   hire­purchase agreement basis. It is also clear from document Ex.PW5/4 that different hire installments were mentioned, required to be paid. It was also mentioned in that document that till the payment of those   hire   installments,   the   status   of   allottee   shall   be   that   of 'tenant'. It is also stipulated in that document that in addition to payment of hire installments, allottee was also required to make the payment of ground rent as prescribed in that document itself. It is established proposition of law that once a property allotted on hire­purchase basis, until entire payment of hire installments are not made, ownership of that property does not transfer.   In this case, it is not  clear  whether  entire hire installments  were paid   or   not.     PW­5   as   well   as   PW­1   has   relied   upon   only   two receipts of Rs.22420/­ dt 22.06.1990, and another receipt of Rs. 1500 dt 31.10.1990. Whereas, as per document Ex.PW5/4, six hire installments   were   to   be   paid.   It   is   not   proved   in   the   entire evidence led on behalf of plaintiff that all the hire installments were duly paid. In the absence of such evidence, it is not clear whether allottee Om Prakash s/o late Ram Chander has got any legal right to sell that property to anyone.  

22 Let us now further consider the evidence. As per PW­1 Om Prakash sold the property to Surender Kumar on 23.08.93, vide documents like will, GPA, SPA, receipt affidavit all dt 23.08.1993 which are Ex.PW1/10 to PW1/15.    Similarly, PW­5 Om Prakash has also referred to the same document in his evidence when he CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 13/22     has   testified   that   he   sold   the   property   to   Surender   Kumar, through documents like agreement to sell ExPW5/6, GPA, SPA , receipt and will and affidavit all dt 23.08.93 which are Ex.PW5/6 to   PW5/11.   If   we   go   through   these   documents,   none   of   these documents   are   registered.   These   documents   are   apparently shown to be notarized but even these documents are not lawfully notarized by Notary Public even as none of the documents bear the certificate of Notary Public as is required under section 8 of Notary   Act,   thereby   renders   these   documents   to   be   suspicious (regarding the requirement of Notary Act reference can be given of Judgment in Pratima Chaudhary vs. Kalpana Mukherjee and ors. AIR 2014, SC 1304) . On thing is very much clear from these documents that none of these documents have an affect of transfer of title in the suit property as per law.  These documents cannot be considered to be valid sale documents in the light of ratio laid down by Apex Court in  Suraj Lamp and Ind. Pvt.

Ltd.   case   (SUPRA).  GPA   and   SPA   dt   23.08.93,   are   also   not attorney   for   consideration.   Thus,   these   documents   do   not   have benefit of section 202 of Contract Act.   The agreement to sell is written  on a  stamp  paper   of Rs.2/­  nor  agreement  to  sell refer handing   over   of   possession   in   part   performance.   Thus,   by   any stretch of imagination , such documents do not convey any legal right   or   title   in   the   property   from   allottee   Om   Prakash   to Surender Kumar. 

23 Once the title from Om Prakash to Surender Kumar   not proved to have been lawfully transferred, said Surender Kumar had   no   right   in   law   to   transfer   the   property   to   Smt.   Shashi CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 14/22     Chawla. Therefore, alleged sale documents from Surender Kumar to Shashi Chawla dt 214.06.96 which are Ex.PW1/16 to PW1/20 have   no   legal   import   or   effect.   Once   it   is   established   that Surender Kumar was not lawful owner of the property, he could not have transferred a better title then he himself had.  By virtue of these sale documents dt 24.05.96, which otherwise have similar defects   as   were   in   the   sale   documents   purported   to   have   been executed in favour of Surender Kumar, as even these documents are also neither registered nor properly notarized. Thus, Shashi Chawla also had no right in the property in question.   On same analogy,   it   can   specifically   be   stated   that   once   Shashi   Chawla could not be proved to be a lawful owner, she had no right under the law to execute any sale documents in favour of Ajit Kumar Gupta.     Therefore,  by  sale   documents  dt   08.01.99,   executed  by Smt. Shashi Chawla in favour of Ajit Kumar Gupta, Ex.PW1/22 to PW1/26, no right or title in the property stood transferred to Ajit Kumar Gupta.   Similarly, when Ajit Kumar Gupta had not got any right or title in the property, plaintiff also could not get any   right   or   title   in   the   property   by   virtue   of   sale   documents Ex.PW1/27   to   PW1/30.   No   doubt   ,   in   these   sale   documents   in favour of Shsahi Chawla, Ajit Kumar Gupta, and plaintiff V.P. Naagar, GPA was registered but this fact by itself does not create any right either in the favour of Ajit Kumar Gupta or in favour of plaintiff   because   when   no   right   stood   transferred   from   allottee Om Prakash to Surender Kumar, then by legal consequence there was   no   flow   of   lawful   right   to   succeeding   people   like   Shashi Chawla,   Ajit   Kumar   Gupta   or   plaintiff.   Thus,   from   the   above discussion one thing which can safely be concluded here that the CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 15/22     ownership in favour of plaintiff has not been proved at all.  

24 In this regard, let us now further consider the evidence of PW­1   Braham   Naagar.   Plaintiff   in   his   plaint   as   well   as   in affidavit of evidence has testified that when he was purchasing the property in question from Ajit Kumar Gupta, property was already in unauthorized occupation of defendants. PW­1, in his cross examination has admitted that at the time of execution of the sale documents in his favour, possession of the suit property was not delivered to him.   Whereas, the sale documents in his favour as relied upon by him do not mention that possession of the property was not delivered to him. These documents rather mention   that   possession   has   been   delivered   to   the   plaintiff. Evidently documents of sale of plaintiff are rather contradicting the case of the plaintiff. Here it is also important  to note that plaintiff in his evidence has further stated that defendants were in an authorized occupation of the suit property since the time when it was purchased by Shashi Chawla. But, this fact also does not   find     mentioned   even   in   the   sale   documents   in   favour   of Smt.Shashi   Chawla   clearly   creating   doubt   about   the   plaintiff's case. 

25 Ld.   Counsel   for   the   plaintiff   has   argued   that   even   if plaintiff may not be having a registered sale deed in respect of property in question, but documents of sale as relied upon by the plaintiff   along   with   the   chain   of   documents   of   predecessor   of interest the property at least established that plaintiff has good documentary   evidence   establishing   ownership   /   right   in   the CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 16/22     property.  Counsel for the plaintiff in this regard has relied upon the   judgment   of  Hon'ble   High   Court   of   Delhi   in   Bidhan Chand   Biswas   through   LR's   vs.   Prakash   Chand   Bansal RSA 131/14 decided on 20.06.2014. 

26 Having considered the submissions made by the counsel for the   plaintiff,   it   be   noted   that   plaintiff   is   relying   upon   a   GPA, agreement to sell, etc. as sale documents in support of his claim of being owner. Whereas, such documents cannot be considered to be documents of ownership by any provisions of law.  In Asha M. Jain vs. Canara Bank 94 (2001) DLT 841 earlier High Court of Delhi had held that such documents (GPA, agreement to sell etc.) do create an interest in immovable property. However, Hon'ble Supreme Court in  Suraj Lamp and Industries Pvt. Ltd. vs. State   of   Haryana   AIR   2009   SC   3077  has   held   that   such judgment in  Asha M. Jain (Supra)  was not good law and that such   kind   of   document   i.e.   GPA,   SPA,   Receipt   etc.   would   not create any title to immovable property. 

27 Considering   the   judgment   of   Supreme   Court   in  Suraj Lamp and Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Supra), Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in Ramesh Chand vs. Suresh Chand 188 (2012)  DLT 238 has observed as under:­ ".......unless there is a proper registered sale deed, title of an immovable property does not pass.   The Supreme Court has however, reiterated that rights which   are   created   pursuant   to   Section   53A   of   the Transfer   of   Property   Act,   1882     dealing   with   the CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 17/22     doctrine   of   part   performance   (pare   12),   an irrevocable   right   of   a   person   holding   a   power   of attorney   given   for   consideration   coupled   with interest as per Section 202 of the Contract Act, 1872 (para 13) and devolution of interest pursuant to a Will   (para   14).     Therefore,   no   doubt,   a   person strictly   may   not   have   complete   certain   rights   can exist   in   an   immovable   property   pursuant   to   the provisions of Section  53  A  of Transfer of Property Act, 1882, devolution of interest after the death of the testator in terms of a Will. "

28 Thus,   it   is   clear   from   the   above   discussion   that   for establishing any right or title in an immovable property, the best of the evidence which is required is registered sale deed.  In the absence   of   any   registered   sale   deed,   one   cannot   establish   the ownership   rights   in   an   immovable   property.   Having   so   stated, still by virtue of Section 53 A of Transfer of Property Act, if there is an agreement to sell along with handing over of possession in part performance, this creates some right in favour of proposed buyer.     Similarly,   in   case   of   execution   of   GPA   for   valid consideration, it create an irrevocable interest in the property by virtue of Section 202 of Contract Act.  

29 But, if we examine the present case, these two rights either under Section 53 A of Transfer of Property or under Section 202 of Contract Act have also not been created in respect of property in question, if we go through the documents of sale in favour of the plaintiff, agreement to sell does not mention that possession CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 18/22     has   been   handed   over   in   part   performance   of   the   agreement. GPA/   SPA   is   not   for   valid   sale   consideration   as   none   of   those documents   mention   anything   about   sale   consideration.     Those documents   are   simple   attorneys   without   consideration.   Thus, these documents do not create even any right in the property in question. 

30 So   far   as   judgment   in  Bidhan   Chand   Biswas's   Case (Supra) as relied upon by the counsel for the plaintiff, no doubt, it is mentioned in that in the absence of any registered sale deed, plaintiff though may not be a classical owner of the suit property but by virtue of documents like agreement to sell, attorney etc. he would   still   be   having   better   right/   entitlement   of   possession   of suit   property   then  defendant.  If  we go  through  that   judgment, facts   of   that   case   were   altogether   different   and   therefore,   the observation   given   in   that   case   cannot   be   made   universally applicable   to   the   facts   of   each   case.   In   that   case,   relief   of declaration of being owner was being sought which was declined by   trial   court.   Whereas,   in   a   case   for   possession,   plaintiff   is required to prove his ownership.  Reference in this regard can be given in Judgment of Supreme Court in  "Brahama Nand Prui vs. Nelci Puri" AIR 1965 SC 1506 wherein it was held that in a suit for possession, plaintiff has to succeed or fail on the title that he establishes and if he cannot succeed on the strength of his title his suit must fail notwithstanding that defendant in possession has not title to the property. Therefore, in a suit for possession when   plaintiff   has   failed   to   establish   his   ownership   in   the property, and suit being not landlord­tenant relationship, I find CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 19/22     that plaintiff is not entitled for the relief of possession as prayed for. Issue accordingly, decided against the plaintiff.  

31 ISSUE NO. 6

(Whether   the   defendant   no.2   is   the   owner   in   her   independent   right   and   is   in   possession   of   the   suit   property?) 32 Onus to prove this issue was on defendant as defendant no. 1 has taken a specific plea in the WS that his wife is the owner in possession in the suit property, in her independent right acquired on the basis of legal title documents from the original allottee of the   property.   To   substantiate   this   issue,   defendant   no.   1   has appeared in the witness box. DW1 Subhash Chauhan though has admitted   that   Om   Prakash   s/o   Ram   Chander     is   the   original allottee. However, DW1 says that possession of the said plot was handed   over   to   him   by   possession   letter   dt   11.01.91   which   is already exhibit as Ex.PW5/12. DW­1 further says that as per oral agreement between the allottee Om Prakash and his wife Smt. Nirmala for sale of suit property, possession of the property was delivered by Om Prakash to her on 12.01.91 by a letter of delivery of possession. Since then, defendants with their family members are residing in the suit property without any intervention from anyone.     Said   letter   of   delivery   of   possession   is   Ex.DW1/1. Witness has further testified that he and his wife has paid all the settled amount to Om Prakash except Rs.5000/­. DW1 says since property   in   question   was   allotted   on   hire­purchase   basis, therefore,   as   per   rules   of   DDA,   unless   the   dues   of   DDA   are cleared   by   original   allottees,   title   documents   could   not   be executed   in   favour   of   defendant   no.   2.   therefore,   such   oral CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 20/22     agreement was arrived at.

33 If we examined the evidence of DW­1, it be noted that there cannot be any oral agreement regarding sale of any immovable property. Only the documents relied upon by DW­1 in support of claim   of   ownership   of   defendant   no.   2   is   letter   of   delivery   of possession   Ex.DW1/1.   Such   document   by   any   stretch   of imagination cannot be considered to be a lawful document of title. Thus, from the testimony of DW­1, one can easily conclude that DW1 has failed to establish ownership of his wife in respect of suit property. DW­1 in his cross­examination has also admitted that   original   document   regarding   allotment   of   property   are neither   in   possession   nor   with   his   wife.     Similarly,   possession letter   issued   on   DDA   does   not   indicate   that   possession   was handed over to wife of DW­1. DW­1 has admitted that there is no registered document regarding suit property in favour of his wife. Thus, from the above discussion, it is very much established on the   record   that   DW­1   has   neither   been   able   to   prove   the ownership of his wife (Defendant no.2) nor DW­1 has been able to establish is possession over the suit property. Consequently, issue no. 6 stands decided against the defendant. 

34 ISSUE NO. 2 & 3

(Whether   the   plaintiff   is   entitled   to   a   decree   of Rs.2,70,000/­   being   arrears   of   mesne   profits/damages against   the   defendants?)   &   (Whether   the   plaintiff   is entitled   to   recover   interest   @   6%   p.a.   on   the   amount   of Rs.2,70,000/­?) 35 In view of my findings on Issue No. 1, once it is already held CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 21/22     that plaintiff is not entitled for decree of possession, by necessary consequence, it can be concluded that plaintiff is also not entitled for arrear of mesne profit of Rs.2,70,000/­ as claimed nor plaintiff is entitled for any interest.  Accordingly, issue no. 2 & 3 are also decided against plaintiff. 

36 ISSUE NO. 4

(Whether   the   plaintiff   is   entitled   to   recover   future damages   for   the   use   and   occupation   of   suit   property   @ Rs.7,500/­ per month against the defendant? ) 37 In view of my findings on Issue No. 1, 2, 3, issue no. 4 also stands decided against plaintiff. 

RELIEF In   view   of   my   findings   on   Issue   No.   1   to   4,   suit   of   the plaintiff stands dismissed. However, it is also being made clear that in view of my findings on Issue No. 6 defendant is also failed to   establish   his   ownership   /   possession   in   the   suit   property. Decree sheet of dismissal be prepared. File be consigned to record room after due compliance.  

ANNOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 17.01.2017            (SHAILENDER MALIK)                                   ADJ­03 (CENTRAL)            TIS HAZARI COURTS:

   DELHI CS NO. 458/16/2006                                                                                  Page 22/22