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  • section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure
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  • section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure
Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

The plaintiff, Govindbhai, filed a suit for declaration and injunction on 28-2-1990 concerning Nazul Plot No. 285/1, Sheet No. 81-D, measuring 120 sq. ft., located within the limits of the Municipal Corporation, Amravati. The trial court, after determining that the plaintiff's possession was not that of a trespasser or encroacher, granted a temporary injunction directing the defendants to maintain status quo until the suit's disposal on 1-11-1990.

The defendant No. 2, Gokulchand, appealed against this order before the IInd Additional District Judge, Amravati. The appellate court found that the plaintiff was in unauthorized occupation and therefore a trespasser, and consequently set aside the trial court's status quo order on 14-9-1991. Aggrieved, the plaintiff filed the present revision application under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure challenging the appellate court's order.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether a settled trespasser or unauthorized occupant is entitled to seek a temporary injunction to protect possession until dispossession is effected in accordance with law.
  2. Whether the appellate court was justified in setting aside the trial court's order of status quo on the ground that the plaintiff was a trespasser and thus not entitled to injunction.
  3. Whether directing the parties to maintain status quo precludes the defendant from pursuing lawful remedies for dispossession.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments (Plaintiff Govindbhai)

  • The plaintiff was in settled possession of the disputed land and not merely a trespasser or unauthorized occupant.
  • Even if considered a trespasser, the plaintiff is entitled to seek temporary injunction to protect possession until dispossession is effected lawfully.

Respondent's Arguments (Defendant No. 2, Gokulchand)

  • The defendant contended that the plaintiff was in unauthorized occupation and thus not entitled to injunction.
  • However, the defendant's counsel submitted that there was no intention to forcibly dispossess the plaintiff and that the status quo order did not preclude pursuing lawful remedies for dispossession.
  • The defendant agreed to maintain status quo until appropriate legal orders were obtained from a competent court.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court examined the nature of the plaintiff's possession and held that even if the plaintiff was a trespasser or unauthorized occupant, settled possession entitled him to the protection of a temporary injunction until dispossession was effected in accordance with law. The appellate court erred in denying this right by setting aside the status quo order. The court accepted the submission of the defendant's counsel that maintaining status quo did not preclude the defendant from pursuing lawful remedies for dispossession. Accordingly, the court found the appellate order unjustified and restored the trial court's injunction order, clarifying that the defendant remains free to seek legal recourse for dispossession.

Holding and Implications

The revision application is allowed, the appellate court's order dated 14-9-1991 is set aside, and the trial court's order dated 1-11-1990 granting status quo is restored.

This decision reinstates the principle that even a settled trespasser is entitled to temporary injunction protection of possession until lawful dispossession. The defendant is permitted to pursue legal remedies for dispossession without breaching the status quo directive. No broader precedent was established beyond the direct effect on the parties.

    Govindbhai Ramjibhai Chauhan v. Gokulchand Juthalal Agrawal And Another

    1. The plaintiff Govindbhai has filed the present revision application under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure aggrieved by the order dated 14-9-1991 passed by the IInd Additional District Judge, Amravati, in Misc. Civil Appeal No. 144 of 1990, Gokulchand v. Govindbhai whereby he vacated the temporary injunction order granted by the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Amravati on 1-11-1990 Reg. Civil Suit No. 368 of 1990.

    2. Shorn of unnecessary details, it may be observed that in the suit for declaration and injunction filed by the plaintiff on 28-2-1990 relating to Nazul Plot No. 285/1, Sheet No. 81-D within the limits of Municipal Corporation, Amravati, admeasuring 120 sq. ft. the trial Court after holding that the plaintiff's possession cannot be said to be or deemed to be a possession as trespasser or in the capacity of as an encroacher over the disputed land and also finding prima facie case, irreparable loss and balance of convenience in favour of the plaintiff-applicant, directed the defendants to maintain status quo until disposal of the suit.

    3. Aggrieved by the order of status quo, the defendant No. 2 Gokulchand filed an appeal before the IInd Additional District Judge, Amravati. The said appellate Court after hearing the learned counsel for the parties tentatively found that the plaintiff was in unauthorised occupation of the said land and, therefore, being a trespasser and wrong doer cannot be allowed to continue his wrongful possession and no injunction can be granted in his favour and consequently allowed the appeal filed by the defendant No. 2 and set aside the order of status quo passed by the trial Court on 1-11-1990.

    4. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties.

    5. Having found that the plaintiff was in settled possession of the disputed land, may be a trespasser or as unauthorised occupant, the appellate Court was not justified in holding that the plaintiff was not entitled to seek the temporary injunction being a trespasser or wrong doer. The law is well settled that even a settled trespasser can seek temporary injunction to protect his possession till he is dispossessed in accordance with law. This view is duly supported by various decisions of this Court. Faced with this situation, Mr. Mehadia, learned counsel for the non-applicant No. 1 in his usual frankness submitted that the non-applicant No. 1 (defendant No. 2) never intended to take law unto himself and dispossess the plaintiff forcibly. Mr. Mehadia submits that by status quo the defendant No. 2 could not be precluded to pursue his remedy for dispossession of the plaintiff before the competent forum in accordance with law. The submission of Mr. Mehadia appears to be justified. By directing the parties to maintain status quo, the defendant No. 2 cannot be said to be precluded from prosecuting the remedy available to him for dispossessing the plaintiff in accordance with law in the appropriate competent forum or Court. Mr. Mehadia further submits that till appropriate order or decree is obtained from the competent court of law by the defendant No. 2 he would maintain the status quo. In view of the aforesaid facts, the order passed by the IInd Additional Sessions Judge, Amravati on 14-9-1991 deserves to be quashed and set aside and is consequently set aside. The order passed by the Civil Judge, Senior Division Amravati dated 1-11-1990 granting status quo is restored. However, it is made clear that it would be open to the defendant No. 2 to prosecute appropriate remedy for dispossessing the plaintiff in accordance with law, if so advised, and available, under the law. Order accordingly.

    Order accordingly.
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    Govindbhai Ramjibhai Chauhan v. Gokulchand Juthalal Agrawal And Another
    (Sep 15, 1994)