SATYA PAL ANAND Vs. STATE OF M.P. AND ORS.
Supreme Court of India (Full Bench (FB)- Three Judge)
Appeal (Civil), 6673 of 2014, Judgment Date: Oct 26, 2016
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6673 OF 2014
Satya Pal Anand ……Appellant
Vs.
State of M.P. & Ors. …..Respondents
J U D G M E N T
A.M.KHANWILKAR, J.
This appeal has been placed before a three Judges’ Bench in terms of order
dated August 25, 2015, consequent to the difference of opinion between the
two learned Judges of the Division Bench.
2. Justice Dipak Misra took the view that, in the fact situation of the
present case the Writ Petition filed by the appellant challenging the order
passed by the Sub-Registrar (Registration) and the Inspector General
(Registration) was rightly dismissed by the High Court. However, His
Lordship opined that a question would still arise for consideration,
namely, whether in absence of any specific Rule in the State of Madhya
Pradesh, the general principle laid down in the case of Thota Ganga Laxmi &
Anr. vs. Government of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.[1] would be applicable?
3. Justice V.Gopala Gowda on the other hand allowed the appeal on the
finding that the Sub-Registrar (Registration) had no authority to register
the Extinguishment Deed presented by the respondent-Society dated 9th
August 2001 and his action of registration of that document was void ab
initio. For the same reason, the subsequent deeds in respect of the
property in question registered by the Sub-Registrar dated 21st April, 2004
and 11th July 2006 were also without authority and void ab initio. His
Lordship held that, the High Court should have declared the above position
and set aside registration of the subject documents and also the orders
passed by the Sub-Registrar (Registration) and Inspector General
(Registration). His Lordship allowed the appeal filed by the appellant with
compensation amount to be paid by the respondents quantified at Rs.10 Lakh.
4. Briefly stated, Plot No.7-B at Punjabi Bagh, Raisen Road, Bhopal was
allotted to the appellant’s mother Smt. Veeravali Anand by Punjabi Housing
Cooperative Society Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “Society”), vide a
registered deed dated 22nd March 1962. Smt. Veeravali Anand expired on 12th
June 1988. After her death, the Society through its Office Bearer executed
a Deed of Extinguishment on 9th August 2001, unilaterally, cancelling the
said allotment of plot to Smt. Veeravali Anand because of violation of the
Bye-laws of the Society in not raising any construction on the plot so
allotted within time. On the basis of the said Extinguishment Deed, the
Society executed and got registered a deed dated 21st April, 2004 in favour
of Mrs. Manjit Kaur (Respondent No.5) in respect of the same plot. The
appellant objected to the said transaction. However, a compromise deed was
executed between the Society and Mrs. Manjit Kaur (Respondent No.5) on the
one hand and the appellant on the other hand - whereunder the appellant
received consideration of Rs.6.50 Lakh (Rupees Six Lakh Fifty Thousand) -
Rs.4.50 Lakh (Rupees Four Lakh Fifty Thousand) by a demand draft and Rs.2/-
Lakh by a post-dated cheque). Notwithstanding the compromise deed, the
appellant filed a dispute under Section 64 of the Madhya Pradesh
Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act of
1960”), before the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies bearing Dispute
No. 81 of 2005. The appellant challenged the Society’s action of
unilaterally registering the Extinguishment Deed dated 9th August 2001 and
allotting the subject plot to Mrs Manjit Kaur vide deed dated 21st April,
2004; and prayed for a declaration that he continues to be the owner of the
subject plot allotted by the Society to his mother, having inherited the
same. In the said dispute, the appellant filed interim applications praying
for restraint order and for appointment of a Receiver. It is not necessary
to dilate on those facts to consider the issues on hand. Suffice it to note
that the said dispute is still pending adjudication.
5. During the pendency of the said dispute, the Society permitted
transfer of the subject plot in favour of Mrs. Meenakshi and Mr. S.C.
Sharma (Respondent Nos. 6 & 7) vide registered Deed dated 11th July 2006.
Since the appellant was perseverating the dispute and resorting to multiple
proceedings in relation to the subject plot, the respondents issued a
notice on 12th July 2007 asking the appellant to refund the consideration
amount accepted by him in furtherance of the compromise deed dated 6th July
2004. The appellant did not pay any heed to that demand and instead
continued with the multiple proceedings resorted to by him before the
Authority under the Act of 1960, including criminal proceedings. The
appellant also moved an application before the Sub-Registrar (Registration)
calling upon him to cancel the registration of Extinguishment Deed dated
9th August 2001 and the subsequent two deeds dated 21st April 2004 and 11th
July 2006 respectively. This application was filed on 4th February 2008 by
the appellant. The Sub-Registrar (Registration) by a speaking order
rejected the said application on 28th June 2008 mainly on two counts.
Firstly, a dispute was pending between the parties with regard to the same
subject matter. Secondly, he had no jurisdiction to cancel the registration
of a registered document in question. For, his jurisdiction was limited to
registration of the document when presented by the executant before him for
that purpose. The appellant then approached the Inspector General
(Registration) by way of an application under Section 69 of the
Registration Act, 1908 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act of 1908”). The
Inspector General (Registration) vide order dated 19th September 2008
rejected the said application on the ground that powers conferred on him
were limited to the general superintendence of the Registration Offices and
making Rules.
6. The appellant thereafter approached the High Court of Madhya Pradesh,
Judicature at Jabalpur, by way of Writ Petition No.13505/2008 under Article
226 of the Constitution of India to challenge the order passed by the
Inspector General (Registration) dated 15th September 2008 as also the
order passed by the Sub-Registrar (Registration) dated 28th June 2008. The
appellant further prayed for a declaration that the Extinguishment Deed
dated 9th August 2001 as well as the subsequent two deeds dated 21st April,
2004 and 11th July 2006 are void ab initio with a further direction to the
Inspector General (Registration) and the Sub-Registrar (Registration) to
record the cancellation of those documents. This Writ Petition was
dismissed by the Division Bench of the High Court primarily on the ground
that the appellant had already resorted to a remedy (a dispute) before the
appropriate Forum under the Act of 1960, which was pending; and the
declaration, as sought, can be considered in those proceedings after
recording of the evidence and production of other material to be relied on
by the parties therein. Accordingly, the High Court held that since an
alternative remedy before a competent Forum was available and was pending
between the parties, it was not feasible to invoke the writ jurisdiction
under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Indeed, the High Court
adverted to the reported cases relied on by the parties to buttress their
stand. The High Court took note of the decision of the Full Bench of the
Andhra Pradesh High Court in the case of Yanala Malleshwari vs. Ananthula
Sayamma[2] and the decision of Madras High Court in E.R.Kalaivan vs.
Inspector General of Registration, Chennai & Anr.[3] The High Court held
that the arguments of the appellant deserve to be negatived in light of the
majority view of the Full Bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court and that the
dictum in the case before the Madras High Court was distinguishable. The
High Court also referred to the decision of the Karnataka High Court in
M.Ramakrishna Reddy vs. Sub-Registrar, Bangalore[4]. In para 15 and 16, the
High Court observed thus:
“15. In view of aforesaid discussion we are of the view that after
registration of the extinguished deed or other documents by the Sub-
Registrar, if any application is moved by any of the affected party of such
document stating that the same was not registered by practicing the fraud
with his right then Sub-Registrar in the lack of any specific provision in
this regard could neither entertain nor adjudicate such application under
the provisions of Section 17, 18 or 69 or some other provisions of the Act.
Section 69 of the Act only confers the superintending power of registration
offices and to make rules to the Inspector General respondent No.2. It does
not give any rights to cancel the earlier registered documents or modifying
any entries in the index or in other record at the instance of any of
party. So, Section 17(1)(b) read with 69 of the Act is also not helping to
the petitioner in this writ petition. Consequently, it is held that Sub-
Registrar as well as Inspector General have not committed any fault in
dismissing the application of the petitioner with direction to approach the
competent forum for adjudication of his dispute.
16. Apart the above the alleged dispute and allegations of the alleged
fraud could not be adjudicated by this Court under the writ jurisdiction.
The same could be adjudicated by the Civil Court under the common law after
recording the evidence of the parties and on appreciation of the same in a
duly constituted suit.”
The High Court then adverted to the decision in the case of Government of
U.P. vs. Raja Mohammad Amir Ahmad Khan[5]. It held that since the
Registering Officer registered the document presented to him for
registration, his function is exhausted. He would then become functus
officio and no power to impound the document under Section 33 of the Act.
This decision of the High Court is the subject matter of challenge in the
present appeal.
7. When this appeal came up for hearing before the Division Bench of the
two learned Judges, as aforesaid, His Lordship Justice Dipak Misra found
that the High Court did not commit any error in dismissing the Writ
Petition filed by the appellant. His Lordship, however, adverted to all the
relevant provisions of the Act of 1908 and also analysed the decision of
the Full Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Malleshwari’s case
(supra) and also of the Madras High Court in Kalaivan (supra) and of the
Karnataka High Court in M.R.Reddy (supra). Finally, His Lordship considered
the decision of this Court in Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) and noted two
aspects. That, in that case, the Court had opined that a unilateral
cancellation deed cannot be registered with reference to Rule 2(k)(i) of
the Rules framed by the State of Andhra Pradesh under Section 69 of the Act
of 1908. His Lordship was of the view that the dictum of the Court in Thota
Ganga Laxmi (supra) must be considered in the context of a specific Rule
framed by the State of Andhra Pradesh, which had come into force after the
pronouncement by the Full Bench in the case of Malleshwari (supra). His
Lordship then observed that the principle stated in the case of Thota Ganga
Laxmi (supra) cannot be made applicable to the case on hand in absence of a
specific Rule in that regard in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Further, on a
careful reading of the provisions of the Act of 1908, there is no
prohibition to register a document of cancellation of a deed of
extinguishment; and that the procedure under Section 35 of that Act cannot
be construed to confer a quasi judicial power on the Registering Authority.
His Lordship also referred to the decision of the Madras High Court in Park
View Enterprises vs. State of Tamil Nadu[6] wherein it has been observed
that the function of the Sub-Registrar for the purposes of registration is
purely administrative and not quasi-judicial. He cannot decide whether a
document which is executed by a person has had title as is recited in the
given instrument. His Lordship found it difficult to agree with the general
principle stated in the case of Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) that the
Registering Authority cannot register a unilateral deed of cancellation or
extinguishment, in absence of any specific Rule in that behalf. Therefore,
His Lordship opined that the general observation in that case required
reconsideration by a larger Bench. Having said this, His Lordship also
noted that the validity of the action taken by the Society in execution of
the extinguishment deed dated 9th August 2001, cancelling the deed in
favour of the appellant’s mother dated 22nd March 1962 was the subject
matter of a dispute filed by the appellant wherein all relevant issues
could be answered appropriately. For, that Authority is competent to
consider the validity of action of the Society to unilaterally cancel the
allotment of the plot made in favour of the appellant’s mother. His
Lordship also adverted to the other proceedings between the parties
including the order passed by this Court in SLP (Civil) No. 13255/2012
dated July 12, 2013, taking note of the Inspection Reports submitted by the
Sub-Registrar dated 13th March 2007 mentioning that two duplex were
constructed and two more were near completion standing on the subject plot
on the date of inspection. His Lordship also adverted to the factum of
compromise deed entered by the appellant with the respondents and having
received consideration in that behalf from the subsequent purchaser and yet
the appellant was pursuing remedy before the Sub-Registrar for cancellation
of the Extinguishment Deed.
8. His Lordship Justice V.Gopala Gowda, however, formulated a question
in para 12 of the judgment as to whether the appellant was entitled to seek
relief of cancellation of the registered documents dated 9th August 2001,
21st April 2004 and 11th July 2006, registered in respect of the immovable
property in question. His Lordship, inter-alia, following the exposition in
Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) found that the Registrar could not have permitted
registration of Extinguishment Deed dated 9th August 2001, unilaterally
cancelling the allotment of the subject plot made to the appellant’s
mother. His Lordship held that the Extinguishment Deed was a nullity, in
law. His Lordship then considered the dictum in Kalaivan’s case of the
Madras High Court and opined that it aptly applied to the facts of the
present case and held that as the Extinguishment Deed was unilaterally
registered it ought to be rescinded. His Lordship proceeded to examine the
issue in the light of Section 62 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. It
provides that if the parties to a contract agree to substitute a new
contract for it, or to rescind or alter, the original contract need not be
performed. Thus, for any novation, rescission and alteration of the
contract, it can be made only bilaterally and with amicable consent of both
the parties. His Lordship then adverted to the scope of Clause 43(1) of the
Bye-laws of the Society as amended in the year 1991 and opined that the
said Clause can have no retrospective effect for cancellation of the
allotment of the plot in the name of appellant’s mother vide Extinguishment
Deed dated 9th August 2001. The latter is only a subterfuge. Reference is
then made to Section 31 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 to hold that
unilateral cancellation of the deed would be in violation of the said
provision read with Article 59 of the Limitation Act, 1963, which requires
cancellation of any instrument within 3 years. In the present case, the
deed in favour of the appellant’s mother was executed on 22nd March 1962
and registered on 30th March 1962 concerning the subject plot; and for
which reason extinguishment of the said deed after lapse of 39 years was
impermissible in law. On this finding, it has been held that the Sub-
Registrar had no authority under the Act of 1908 nor by virtue of Section
31 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 read with Article 59 of the Limitation
Act, 1963 to unilaterally cancel the said deed; and consequently,
registration of the Extinguishment Deed by the Sub-Registrar amounts to
playing fraud on the power vested in the Authority under law. Exercise of
power of registering a document by the Sub-Registrar, in the present case,
was ultra vires the relevant provisions and the Constitution of India.
Reference is then made to the decision of the Constitution Bench of this
Court in Pratap Singh vs. State of Punjab[7] to hold that the respondent-
Society had no authority to re-allot the subject plot to respondent No.5 by
cancelling the registered deed which has become absolute and been acted
upon by the parties. As a consequence of this conclusion, His Lordship held
that the deed executed in favour of respondent No.5 or for that matter
respondent Nos.6 and 7 was also void ab initio; and also because respondent
No.5 could not be allotted the subject plot as her husband was already
allotted another plot by the same Society. His Lordship then went on to
observe that the appellant has got a valid Constitutional right over the
said plot of land as guaranteed under Article 300A of the Constitution of
India and could not be deprived of that property without authority of law.
His Lordship was of the view that merely because the Extinguishment Deed
could be challenged by approaching the Civil Court cannot denude the
appellant of the relief, as sought in the Writ Petition, qua the
Extinguishment Deed dated 9th August 2001 which was void ab initio; and for
the same reason order could be passed against respondent No.5 to 7 - as the
deeds in their favour rested on the Extinguishment Deed. For that, His
Lordship adverted to the dictum in the case of Arunachalam vs.
P.S.R.Sadhanantham & Anr.[8] and Ganga Kumar Shrivastav vs. State of
Bihar[9]. Further, having noticed that the septuagenarian appellant had
been litigating for last 14 years because of the untenable action of the
Society and also of the Sub-Registrar, affecting his valuable
Constitutional right under Article 300A of the Constitution of India, His
Lordship was of the opinion that the relief claimed by him in the Writ
Petition deserved to be granted. As regards the observation made by this
Court dismissing the Special Leave Petition No.13255/2012 vide order dated
17th July 2013, His Lordship held that the same will be of no avail much
less to denude the appellant of the reliefs due to him. His Lordship then
held that the compromise executed by the appellant on 6th July 2004 also
cannot denude the appellant of the relief - because it is an admitted
position that the respondent No.5 through Advocate had sent a legal notice
dated 12th July 2007 to rescind the said agreement and called upon the
appellant to refund the amount of Rs.6.50 Lakh received by him with
interest. His Lordship also adverted to the decisions of this Court in CAG
vs. K.S.Jagannathan[10]; Andi Mukta Sadguru Shree Muktajee Vandas Swami
Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav Smarak Trust vs. V.R. Rudani[11] and Hari Vishnu
Kamath vs. Ahmad Ishaque[12] to hold that the High Court failed to exercise
its discretionary power which has resulted in grave miscarriage of justice
and entailing in denial of the valuable right guaranteed under Article 300A
of the Constitution of India to the appellant. Accordingly, His Lordship
held that the impugned judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court as
well as the impugned instruments i.e. Extinguishment Deed dated 9th August
2001 and the subsequent deeds dated 21st April, 2004 and 11th July 2006
respectively, are quashed and set aside. Further direction is given to
respondent Nos. 6 and 7 to vacate the subject property and hand over
possession thereof to the appellant forthwith. His Lordship was of the view
that the appellant was entitled to further relief of compensation amount of
Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs) to be paid to the appellant for his
suffering and the injustice caused to him by the respondents for the last
14 years.
9. The appellant appeared in person. He adopted the view taken by His
Lordship Justice V. Gopala Gowda as his argument. He placed reliance on the
decisions noted hereinabove and adverted to in the two separate judgments
given by Their Lordships. In substance, his argument was that the
respondent-Society could not have unilaterally executed the Extinguishment
Deed dated 9th August 2001 in relation to the subject plot. That action of
the respondent-Society was in violation of the governing laws and void ab
initio. Further, the Sub-Registrar had no authority to register such a
document and in any case unilaterally. Hence, the act of registration of
Extinguishment Deed was also void ab initio. As a consequence, the Society
had no authority, in law, to execute the subsequent deed in favour of
respondent No.5 or to put her in possession of the subject plot and the
respondent No.5 in turn could not have executed the deed in favour of
respondent Nos. 6 and 7. In other words, the deeds executed between the
respondent No. 4 - Society and respondent No. 5 and also respondent Nos. 6
and 7 were void ab initio. That declaration must follow and the High Court
was duty bound to allow the Writ Petition filed by him, as the action of
the respondent No.4-Society was replete with fraud on the Statute and also
on the Constitutional right guaranteed to the appellant. In all fairness
to the appellant, it must be mentioned that he has additionally relied on
Suo Motu Proceedings against R.Karuppan, Advocate[13], R.S.Maddanappa (D)
by LRs. vs. Chandramma & Anr.[14] , Rattan Chand Hira Chand vs. Askar Nawaj
Jung (D) by Lrs. & Ors.[15], Central Inland Water Transport Corporation
Ltd. & Anr. vs. Brojo Nath Ganguly & Anr.[16], Indian Council for Enviro-
Legal Action vs. Union of India & Ors.[17], Trishala Jain & Anr. vs. State
of Uttaranchal & Anr.[18], Hamza Haji vs. State of Kerala & Anr.[19] and
S.P.Chengalvaraya Naidu (D) By LRs. vs. Jagannath (D) by Lrs. & Ors.[20],
during the arguments. Besides the oral arguments, the appellant has filed
written submissions on 11th July 2016 and additional written submissions on
12th August 2016 which make reference to several reported cases. The
decisions referred to in the written submissions are essentially
multiplying the cases on the contention already answered in favour of the
appellant by His Lordship Justice V.Gopala Gowda.
10. The respondents, on the other hand, contend that the Writ Petition
has been justly rejected by the High Court on the ground that the appellant
was pursuing remedy for the same reliefs in substantive proceedings by way
of a dispute filed under Section 64 of the Act of 1960 before the competent
Forum. Besides the said proceedings, it was open to the appellant to take
recourse to other appropriate remedy before the Civil Court, to the extent
necessary. The High Court in exercise of powers under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India not only exercises an equitable jurisdiction but also
an extraordinary jurisdiction. The High Court in any case is not expected
to enter upon the plea of declaring agreements and documents executed
between private parties as illegal or for that matter void ab initio, which
remedy is available before the cooperative Forum or the Civil Court. It was
contended that if this contention is accepted, it may not be necessary to
answer the other issue noted in the judgment of Justice Dipak Misra as the
same can be considered in an appropriate proceedings, if and when the
occasion arises. Alternatively, it was contended that the dictum of this
Court in Thota Ganga Laxmi’s case (supra) must be understood as applicable
to the express procedure prescribed for registration of an Extinguishment
Deed or cancellation deed in the State of Andhra Pradesh in terms of
statutory Rules. Inasmuch as, in absence of any express provision about the
procedure for registration of such document, that requirement cannot be
considered as mandatory. For, it is not possible to hold that no
Extinguishment or cancellation deed can ever be executed by the party to
the earlier concluded contract, considering the express provision in that
behalf in Section 17(1)(b) of the Act of 1908 read with other enabling
provisions in the same Act or other substantive law. According to the
respondents, the questions posed in the judgment of Justice V. Gopala Gowda
would be relevant and can be conveniently answered in the substantive
proceedings already resorted to by the appellant, by way of a dispute under
Section 64 of the Act of 1960. The answer to the said questions may require
adjudication of disputed facts and also application of settled legal
position. It is not a pure question of law. Being disputed question of
facts, the High Court was right in refusing to interfere and exercise its
writ jurisdiction.
11. The counsel for the State in particular submitted that the legal
position is well-settled. That, the Sub-Registrar is not expected to
decide the title or rights of the parties to the agreement nor is expected
to examine the document to ascertain whether the same is legal and
permissible in law or undertake an analytical analysis thereof. If the
document registered by the Sub-Registrar is illegal or there is any
irregularity, that must be challenged by invoking an appropriate
proceedings before a Court of competent jurisdiction. If any cause of
action accrues to a member of the Society, in relation to the business of
the Society, can be pursued before the cooperative Forum. The appellant has
already invoked such remedy.
12. The respondent Nos. 6 and 7 additionally submit that they are
purchasers of the subject plot for consideration. They have acted to their
detriment in good faith by going ahead with the construction on the plot
with the permission of the Society and after obtaining approvals from the
Municipal Authorities. They have spent their fortune in doing so. Besides
supporting the stand taken by the other respondents, they submit that in
the fact situation of the present case no relief in equity is warranted in
favour of the appellant. Thus, the Writ Petition filed by the appellant has
been justly dismissed with liberty to pursue appropriate remedy.
13. Having considered the rival submissions, including keeping in mind
the view taken by the two learned Judges of this Court on the matters in
issue, in our opinion, the questions to be answered by us in the fact
situation of the present case, can be formulated as under:
“(a) Whether in the fact situation of the present case, the High Court was
justified in dismissing the Writ Petition?
(b) Whether the High Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction under Article
226 of the Constitution of India is duty bound to declare the registered
Deeds (between the private parties) as void ab initio and to cancel the
same, especially when the aggrieved party (appellant) has already resorted
to an alternative efficacious remedy under Section 64 of the Act of 1960
before the competent Forum whilst questioning the action of the Society in
cancelling the allotment of the subject plot in favour of the original
allottee and unilateral execution of an Extinguishment Deed for that
purpose?
(c) Even if the High Court is endowed with a wide power including to
examine the validity of the registered Extinguishment Deed and the
subsequent registered deeds, should it foreclose the issues which involve
disputed questions of fact and germane for adjudication by the competent
Forum under the Act of 1960?
(d) Whether the Sub-Registrar (Registration) has authority to cancel the
registration of any document including an Extinguishment Deed after it is
registered? Similarly, whether the Inspector General (Registration) can
cancel the registration of Extinguishment Deed in exercise of powers under
Section 69 of the Act of 1908?
(e) Whether the Sub-Registrar (Registration) had no authority to register
the Extinguishment Deed dated 9th August 2001, unilaterally presented by
the Respondent Society for registration?
(f) Whether the dictum in the case of Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) is with
reference to the express statutory Rule framed by the State of Andhra
Pradesh or is a general proposition of law applicable even to the State of
Madhya Pradesh, in absence of an express provision in that regard?”
Regarding Issue Nos. (a) to (c):
14. The answer to the first three questions will have to be given in the
backdrop of the factual matrix of the present case. Indisputably, the
appellant entered into a compromise deed and accepted the consideration
amount of Rs.6.50 Lakh. Despite that, he chose to file a dispute under
Section 64 of the Act of 1960 before the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative
Societies challenging the action of the Society in unilaterally executing
and causing registration of the subject Extinguishment Deed dated 9th
August 2001 and also the allotment of the subject plot to third party.
Pending that dispute, he filed an application before the Sub-Registrar
(Registration) for the same relief of cancellation of registration of the
Extinguishment Deed and the subsequent deeds in favour of third parties. In
addition, the appellant resorted to criminal complaint with reference to
the same Extinguishment Deed and the subsequent deeds in favour of third
parties. In this backdrop, the High Court declined to entertain the Writ
Petition filed by the appellant, which was essentially to challenge the
same Extinguishment Deed and subsequent deeds. It is a well established
position that the remedy of Writ under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India is extra-ordinary and discretionary. In exercise of writ
jurisdiction, the High Court cannot be oblivious to the conduct of the
party invoking that remedy. The fact that the party may have several
remedies for the same cause of action, he must elect his remedy and
cannot be permitted to indulge in multiplicity of actions. The exercise
of discretion to issue a writ is a matter of granting equitable relief. It
is a remedy in equity. In the present case, the High Court declined to
interfere at the instance of the appellant having noticed the above
clinching facts. No fault can be found with the approach of the High Court
in refusing to exercise its writ jurisdiction because of the conduct of the
appellant in pursuing multiple proceedings for the same relief and also
because the appellant had an alternative and efficacious statutory remedy
to which he has already resorted to. This view of the High Court has found
favour with Justice Dipak Misra. We respectfully agree with that view.
15. The other view of Justice V. Gopala Gowda, however, is that it was
the duty of the High Court to answer the matters in issue because of the
unilateral registration of the Extinguishment Deed by the Society without
authority and a nullity. Ordinarily, if the party had not resorted to any
other remedy provided by law and had straightway approached the High Court
to question the action of the statutory Authority of registering a document
improperly and in particular in disregard of the prescribed procedure, that
would stand on a different footing. In the present case, however, the
appellant not only entered into a compromise deed with the Society and the
subsequent purchaser but also resorted to statutory remedy. Having entered
into a compromise deed, it is doubtful whether the appellant can be heard
to complain about the irregularity in the registration of the
Extinguishment Deed, if any. It is noticed that the appellant has not
disputed the execution of the compromise deed, nor has he paid any heed to
the notice given by the other party to refund the amount accepted by him in
furtherance of the compromise deed. No Court can be party to a speculative
litigation much less the High Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction.
Having said this it must necessarily follow that the Writ Petition filed by
the appellant deserved to be dismissed, as was rightly dismissed by the
High Court.
16. As the Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed with liberty to the
appellant to pursue other statutory remedy already invoked by him,
examining any other contention at his instance would be awarding premium to
a litigant who does not deserve such indulgence. The fact whether the
compromise deed entered into by the appellant was voluntary and at his own
volition or under duress, is essentially a question of fact. That cannot be
adjudicated in writ jurisdiction. Depending on the answer thereto, the
other issues may become relevant and would arise for consideration. The
only relief that can be granted and which has already been clarified by the
High Court in the impugned judgment, is to keep all questions open to
enable the appellant to pursue the statutory remedy already invoked by him.
It is open to the appellant to contend in those proceedings that the
Extinguishment Deed could not have been unilaterally executed by the
Society. That plea can be examined by the statutory Forum provided for that
purpose. The decision of the Society to cancel the allotment of a plot to
its member or to rescind his membership and to allot the plot to another
member, is undoubtedly the business of the Society. Any cause of action in
that behalf, indeed, can be pursued before the Competent Forum by the
aggrieved member or his legal representative. That will require examination
of the governing cooperative laws and the Bye-laws of the Society - to
ascertain whether it is open to the Society to cancel the allotment of a
plot to its members including to cancel the membership of such person. If
that action of the Society is held to be just and permissible in law, the
appellant may not be entitled to any other relief much less the declaration
as sought. Further, remedy of writ cannot be used for declaration of
private rights of the parties or enforcement of their contractual rights
and obligations. In our considered opinion, it would be unnecessary if not
inappropriate to examine any other contention at the instance of this
appellant as we agree with the view taken by the High Court in summarily
dismissing the Writ Petition with liberty to the appellant to pursue
statutory remedy. At best, further observation or clarification would
suffice to the effect that the competent Forum before whom the dispute has
been filed by the appellant shall consider all contentions available to the
parties, uninfluenced by the factum of registered Extinguishment Deed. In
that, if the competent Forum was to hold that it was open to the Society to
cancel the allotment and membership of the concerned member and thereafter
to allot the same plot to another person enrolled as a member of the
society, no other issue would arise for consideration. On the other hand,
if the competent Forum was to answer the relevant fact in favour of the
appellant, only then the argument of the effect of unilateral registration
of the Extinguishment Deed followed by compromise deed voluntarily executed
by the appellant may become available to the Society and to the subsequent
purchasers/allottees of the subject plot. At their instance, those issues
can be examined on the basis of settled legal position. Neither the
observation or the opinion recorded by one of the dissenting Judge of this
Court need any further dissection nor would it be appropriate to enlarge
the scope of the proceedings before this Court on those aspects. This would
subserve the twin requirements. Firstly, to avoid an exposition on matters
and questions which do not arise for our consideration in the fact
situation of the present case at this stage; and secondly, also provide an
opportunity to the parties to pursue all contentions and other remedies as
may be permissible in law.
17. The exposition of the Constitution Bench of this Court in Pratap
Singh (supra) adverted to in the dissenting opinion would be attracted in
cases where the State Authority acts in bad faith or corrupt motives.
Merely because some irregularity has been committed in registration of
Extinguishment Deed unilaterally presented by the Society for registration
or in respect of the subsequent deeds registered at the instance of third
party without notice to the appellant, that, by itself, will not result in
registration of those documents due to corrupt motives of the State
Authority. Moreso, in the present case, the appellant having entered into a
compromise deed with the Society and third party (subsequent allottees) in
respect of the subject plot, it is doubtful whether it is open to the
appellant to question the act of unilateral execution and registration of
the stated Extinguishment Deed being irregular much less void and nullity.
Indisputably, the respondents-Society is a Cooperative Housing Society
Limited and is governed by its Bye-Laws. According to the counsel for the
Society, the member is obliged to erect a house on the plot allotted to him
within specified time, failing which must suffer the consequence including
of cancellation of allotment of plot and removal of his membership. At the
time of allotment, the member executes an agreement whereunder he/she
undertakes to abide by the conditions specified for erecting a house on the
plot allotted to him/her in the manner prescribed therein. Whether the
Society is justified in proceeding against the defaulting member by
cancelling the allotment of plot as well as membership, is an issue falling
within the purview of the business of the Society. The member is bound by
the stipulation contained in the agreement executed by him/her and in
particular the Bye-laws of the Society. Any action by the Society for
breach thereof is just or otherwise can be questioned before the statutory
Forum under the Act of 1960. Those are matters which can and must be
answered in the proceedings resorted to by the appellant before the
statutory Forum.
18. The aforementioned reported decision has noted the subtle distinction
between ultra vires act of the Statutory Authority and a case of a simple
infraction of the procedural Rule. The question, whether the Society was
competent to unilaterally cancel the allotment of a plot given to its
member and to cancel the membership of such member due to default committed
by the member, is within the purview of the business of the Society. Any
cause of action in that regard must be adjudicated by the procedure
prescribed in that behalf. It is not open to presume that the Society had
no authority in law to take a decision in that behalf. The right of the
appellant qua the plot of land would obviously be subject to the final
outcome of such action. The appellant being the legal representative of the
original allottee, cannot claim any right higher than that of his
predecessor qua the Housing Society, which is the final authority to decide
on the issue of continuation of membership of its member. The right of the
member to remain in occupation of the plot allotted by the Society would be
entirely dependent on that decision.
19. Reference made to the other decisions of this Court with regard to
the scope of Article 136 of the Constitution of India in the case of
Arunachalam vs. P.S.R. Sadhanantham and Anr. and Ganga K. Shrivastav vs.
State of Bihar (supra) will be of no avail in the fact situation of the
present case. Similarly, The other decisions adverted to in the dissenting
opinion under consideration in the case of CAG vs. K.S. Jagannathan and
Andi Mukta Sadguru Shree Muktajee Vandas Swami Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav
Smarak Trust vs. V.R. Rudani (supra), Hari Vishnu Mamath (supra) will be of
no avail in the fact situation of the present case. Suffice it to observe
that the High Court had, in our opinion, justly, summarily dismissed the
writ petition with liberty to the appellant to pursue statutory remedy
under the provisions of the Act of 1960 or by way of a civil suit. Thus
understood, it may not be necessary or appropriate to dwelve upon the other
issues regarding the merits of the controversy which may have to be
adjudicated by the competent Forum.
Regarding issue Nos. (d) to (f)
20. It is common ground that the deed regarding allotment of plot to a
member of the Society required registration. The allotment of the subject
plot in favour of the appellant’s mother was accordingly, registered in the
office of the Sub-Registrar (Registration). The subject plot was allotted
to the appellant’s mother consequent to her admission as a member of the
Society. As the allotment of the plot by the Society creates and transfers
rights in an immovable property, the deed of allotment was required to be
registered. But if the member failed to comply with the stipulation of
allotment, it would be open to the Society to cancel such allotment and
including the membership of that member. In that event, it may become
necessary for the Society to execute an Extinguishment Deed qua such
allotment deed operating in favour of the concerned member. For, mere
cancellation of membership may not be enough. The Society could extinguish
the right, title or interest in the immoveable property belonging to the
Housing Society, by executing an Extinguishment Deed for that purpose.
21. The role of the Sub-Registrar (Registration) stands discharged, once
the document is registered (see Raja Mohammad Amir Ahmad Khan (supra).
Section 17 of the Act of 1908 deals with documents which require compulsory
registration. Extinguishment Deed is one such document referred to in
Section 17(1)(b). Section 18 of the same Act deals with documents,
registration whereof is optional. Section 20 of the Act deals with
documents containing interlineations, blanks, erasures or alterations.
Section 21 provides for description of property and maps or plans and
Section 22 deals with the description of houses and land by reference to
Government maps and surveys. There is no express provision in the Act of
1908 which empowers the Registrar to recall such registration. The fact
whether the document was properly presented for registration cannot be
reopened by the Registrar after its registration. The power to cancel the
registration is a substantive matter. In absence of any express provision
in that behalf, it is not open to assume that the Sub-Registrar
(Registration) would be competent to cancel the registration of the
documents in question. Similarly, the power of the Inspector General is
limited to do superintendence of registration offices and make rules in
that behalf. Even the Inspector General has no power to cancel the
registration of any document which has already been registered.
22. The procedure for registration of documents is spelt out, inter alia,
in part VI of the Act of 1908. Section 32 of the said Act reads thus:
PART VI
OF PRESENTING DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
“32. Persons to present documents for registration.-
Except in the cases mentioned in 24[sections 31, 88 and 89], every document
to be registered under this Act, whether such registration be compulsory or
optional, shall be presented at the proper registration office-
by some person executing or claiming under the same, or, in the case of a
copy of a decree or order, claiming under the decree or order, or
by the representative or assignee of such a person, or
(c) by the agent of such a person, representative or assign, duly
authorised by power-of-attorney executed and authenticated in manner
hereinafter mentioned.”
23. If the document is required to be compulsorily registered, but while
doing so some irregularity creeps in, that, by itself, cannot result in a
fraudulent action of the State Authority. Non-presence of the other party
to the Extinguishment Deed presented by the Society before the Registering
Officer by no standard can be said to be a fraudulent action per se. The
fact whether that was done deceitly to cause loss and harm to the other
party to the Deed, is a question of fact which must be pleaded and proved
by the party making such allegation. That fact cannot be presumed. Suffice
it to observe that since the provisions in the Act of 1908 enables the
Registering Officer to register the documents presented for registration by
one party and execution thereof to be admitted or denied by the other party
thereafter, it is unfathomable as to how the registration of the document
by following procedure specified in the Act of 1908 can be said to be
fraudulent. As aforementioned, some irregularity in the procedure committed
during the registration process would not lead to a fraudulent execution
and registration of the document, but a case of mere irregularity. In
either case, the party aggrieved by such registration of document is free
to challenge its validity before the Civil Court.
24. Admittedly, the documents in question do not fall within Sections 31,
88 and 89. Further, Section 32 does not require presence of both parties to
the document when it is presented for registration. In that sense,
presentation of Extinguishment Deed by the authorized person of the Society
for registration cannot be faulted with reference to Section 34 of the Act
of 1908. That provision stipulates the enquiry to be done by the
Registering Officer before registration of the document. The same reads
thus:
“34. Enquiry before registration by registering officer.-
(1) Subject to the provisions contained in this Part and in sections 41,
43, 45, 69, 75, 77, 88 and 89, no document shall be registered under this
Act, unless the person executing such document, or their representatives,
assigns or agents authorised as aforesaid, appear before the registering
officer within the time allowed for presentation under sections 23, 24, 25
and 26:
PROVIDED that, if owing to urgent necessity or unavoidable accident all
such persons do not so appear, the Registrar, in cases where the delay in
appearing does not exceed four months, may direct that on payment of a fine
not exceeding ten times the amount of the proper registration fee, in
addition to the fine, if any, payable under section 25, the document may be
registered.
(2) Appearances under sub-section (l) may be simultaneous or at different
times.
(3) The registering officer shall thereupon-
(a) enquire whether or not such document was executed by the person by whom
it purports to have been executed;
(b) satisfy himself as to the identity of the persons appearing before him
and alleging that they have executed the document; and
(c) in the case of any person appearing as a representative, assignee or
agent, satisfy himself of the right of such person so to appear.
(4) Any application for a direction under the proviso to sub-section (1)
may be lodged with a Sub-Registrar, who shall forthwith forward it to the
Registrar to whom he is subordinate.
(5) Nothing in this section applies to copies of decrees or orders.”
Even this provision does not require presence of both parties to the
document when presented for registration before the Registering Officer.
Section 35 of the Act of 1908 provides for procedure of admission or denial
of execution respectively. The same reads thus:
“35. Procedure on admission and denial of execution respectively
(1) (a) If all the persons executing the document appear personally
before the registering officer and are personally known to him, or if he be
otherwise satisfied that they are the persons they represent themselves to
be, and if they all admit the execution of the document, or
(b) If in the case of any person appearing by a representative, assignee or
agent, such representative, assignee or agent admits the execution, or
(c) If the person executing the document is dead, and his representative or
assignee appears before the registering officer and admits the execution,
the registering officer shall register the document as directed in sections
58 to 61, inclusive.
(2) The registering officer may, in order to satisfy himself that the
persons appearing before him are the persons they represent themselves to
be, or for any other purpose contemplated by this Act, examine any one
present in his office.
(3)(a) If any person by whom the document purports to be executed denies
its execution, or
(b) if any such person appears to the registering officer to be a minor, an
idiot or a lunatic, or
(c) if any person by whom the document purports to be executed is dead, and
his representative or assignee denies its execution,
the registering officer shall refuse to register the document as to the
person so denying, appearing or dead:
PROVIDED that, where such officer is a Registrar, he shall follow the
procedure prescribed in Part XII:
28[PROVIDED FURTHER that the State Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, declare that any Sub-Registrar named in the notification
shall, in respect of documents the execution of which is denied, be deemed
to be a Registrar for the purposes of this sub-section and of Part XII. ]”
Section 36 of the Act of 1908 provides for procedure when appearance of the
executant or witness is insisted upon. The same reads thus:
PART VII
OF ENFORCING THE APPEARANCE OF EXECUTANTS AND WITNESSES
“36. Procedure where appearance of executant or witness is desired.-If any
person presenting any document for registration or claiming under any
document, which is capable of being so presented, desires the appearance of
any person whose presence or testimony is necessary for the registration of
such document, the registering officer may, in his discretion, call upon
such officer or court as the State Government directs in this behalf to
issue a summons requiring him to appear at the registration-office, either
in person or by duly authorised agent, as in the summons may be mentioned,
and at a time named therein.”
25. The Andhra Pradesh High Court, in the case of Yanala Malleshwari
(supra) was called upon to consider whether a person can nullify the sale
by executing and registering a cancellation deed and whether the
Registering Officer like District Registrar and/or Sub-Registrar appointed
by the State Government is bound to refuse registration when a cancellation
deed is presented. The fact remains that if the stipulation contained in
Sections 17 and 18 of the Act of 1908 are fulfilled, the Registering
Officer is bound to register the document. The Registering Officer can
refuse to register a document only in situations mentioned in Sections such
as 19 to 22, 32 and 35. At the same time, once the document is registered,
it is not open to the Registering Officer to cancel that registration even
if his attention is invited to some irregularity committed during the
registration of the document. The aggrieved party can challenge the
registration and validity of the document before the Civil Court. The
majority view of the Full Bench was that if a person is aggrieved by the
Extinguishment Deed or its registration, his remedy is to seek appropriate
relief in the Civil Court and a Writ Petition is not the proper remedy.
26. Section 35 of the Act does not confer a quasi-judicial power on the
Registering Authority. The Registering Officer is expected to reassure that
the document to be registered is accompanied by supporting documents. He is
not expected to evaluate the title or irregularity in the document as such.
The examination to be done by him is incidental, to ascertain that there is
no violation of provisions of the Act of 1908. In the case of Park View
Enterprises (supra) it has been observed that the function of the
Registering Officer is purely administrative and not quasi-judicial. He
cannot decide as to whether a document presented for registration is
executed by person having title, as mentioned in the instrument. We agree
with that exposition.
27. In absence of any express provision in the Act of 1908 mandating the
presence of the other party to the Extinguishment Deed at the time of
presentation for registration, by no stretch of imagination, such a
requirement can be considered as mandatory. The decision in the case of
Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) is with reference to an express provision
contained in the Andhra Pradesh Rules in that behalf. That Rule was framed
by the State of Andhra Pradesh after the decision of Full Bench of the High
Court. Therefore, the dictum in this decision cannot have universal
application to all the States (other than State of Andhra Pradesh). It is
apposite to reproduce paragraphs 4 and 5 of the said judgment which read
thus:
“4. In our opinion, there was no need for the Appellants to approach the
civil Court as the said cancellation deed dated 4.8.2005 as well as
registration of the same was wholly void and non est and can be ignored
altogether. For illustration, if 'A' transfers a piece of land to 'B' by a
registered sale deed, then, if it is not disputed that 'A' had -the title
to the land, that title passes to 'B' on the registration of the sale deed
(retrospectively from the date of the execution of the same) and 'B' then
becomes the owner of the land. If 'A' wants to subsequently get the sale
deed cancelled, he has to file a civil suit for cancellation or else he can
request 'B' to sell the land back to 'A' but by no stretch of imagination,
can a cancellation deed be executed or registered. This is unheard of in
law.
5. In this connection, we may also refer to Rule 26(i)(k) relating to
Andhra Pradesh under Section 69 of the Registration Act, which states:
“(i) The registering officer shall ensure at the time of preparation for
registration of cancellation deeds of previously registered deed of
conveyances on sale before him that such cancellation deeds are executed by
all the executant and claimant parties to the previously registered
conveyance on sale and that such cancellation deed is accompanied by a
declaration showing natural consent or orders of a competent civil or High
Court or State or Central Government annulling the transaction contained in
the previously registered deed of conveyance on sale:
Provided that the registering officer shall dispense with the execution of
cancellation deeds by executant and claimant parties to the previously
registered deeds of conveyances on sale before him if the cancellation deed
is executed by a Civil Judge or a Government Officer competent to execute
Government orders declaring the properties contained in the previously
registered conveyance on sale to be Government or Assigned or Endowment
lands or properties not register able by any provision of law.
A reading of the above rule also supports the observations we have made
above. It is only when a sale deed is cancelled by a competent Court that
the cancellation deed can be registered and that too after notice to the
concerned parties. In this case, neither is there any declaration by a
competent Court nor was there any notice to the parties. Hence, this rule
also makes it clear that both the cancellation deed as well as registration
thereof were wholly void and non est and meaningless transactions.”
28. No provision in the State of Madhya Pradesh enactment or the Rules
framed under Section 69 of the Act of 1908 has been brought to our notice
which is similar to the provision in Rule 26(k)(i) of the Andhra Pradesh
Registration Rules framed in exercise of power under Section 69 of the Act
of 1908. That being a procedural matter must be expressly provided in the
Act or the Rules applicable to the concerned State. In absence of such an
express provision, the registration of Extinguishment Deed in question
cannot be labelled as fraudulent or nullity in law. As aforesaid, there is
nothing in Section 34 of the Act of 1908 which obligates appearance of the
other party at the time of presentation of Extinguishment Deed for
registration, so as to declare that such registration of document to be
null and void. The error of the Registering Officer, if any, must be
regarded as error of procedure. Section 87 of the Act of 1908 postulates
that nothing done in good faith by the Registering Officer pursuant to the
Act, shall be deemed invalid merely by reason of any defect in the
procedure. In the present case, the subject Extinguishment Deed was
presented by the person duly authorized by the Society and was registered
by the Registering Officer. Once the document is registered, it is not
open to any Authority, under the Act of 1908 to cancel the registration.
The remedy of appeal provided under the Act of 1908, in Part XII, in
particular Section 72, is limited to the inaction or refusal by the
Registering Officer to register a document. The power conferred on the
Registrar by virtue of Section 68 cannot be invoked to cancel the
registration of documents already registered.
29. In the dissenting opinion, reference has been made to the decision of
the Division Bench of the Madras High Court in the case of E.R. Kalaivan
(supra). It was a case where the Registering Officer refused to register
the deed of cancellation presented before him on the ground that the
cancellation deed was sought to be registered without there being a consent
from the purchaser. The aggrieved person approached the Inspector General
of Registration who in turn issued a circular dated 5.10.2007 addressed to
all the Registering Officers in the State, that the deed of cancellation
should bear the signatures of both the vendor and the purchaser. The
validity of this circular was challenged by way of Writ Petition before the
High Court. In the present case, our attention has neither been invited to
any express provision in the Act of 1908, Rules framed by the State of
Madhya Pradesh nor any circular issued by the Competent Authority of the
State of Madhya Pradesh to the effect that the Extinguishment Deed should
bear the signatures of both the vendor and the purchaser and both must be
present before the Registering Officer when the document is presented for
registration. Absent such an express provision, insistence of presence of
both parties to the documents by the Registering Officer, may be a matter
of prudence. It cannot undermine the procedure prescribed for registration
postulated in the Act of 1908.
30. The moot question in this case is : whether the action of the Society
to cancel the allotment of the plot followed by execution of an
Extinguishment Deed was a just action? That will have to be considered
keeping in mind the provisions of the Act of 1960 and the Bye-laws of the
Society which are binding on the members of the Society. The interplay of
the provisions of the Contract Act and the Specific Relief Act and of the
Co-operative Laws and the Bye Laws of the Society permitting cancellation
of allotment of plot or the membership of the concerned member will have to
be considered in appropriate proceedings. Whether the decision of the
Society to cancel the allotment of plot made in favour of its member is
barred by the law of Limitation Act, is again a matter to be tested in the
proceedings before the Cooperative Forum where a dispute has been filed by
the appellant, if the appellant pursues that contention.
31. In our considered view, the decision in the case of Thota Ganga Laxmi
(supra) was dealing with an express provision, as applicable to the State
of Andhra Pradesh and in particular with regard to the registration of an
Extinguishment Deed. In absence of such an express provision, in other
State legislations, the Registering Officer would be governed by the
provisions in the Act of 1908. Going by the said provisions, there is
nothing to indicate that the Registering Officer is required to undertake a
quasi judicial enquiry regarding the veracity of the factual position
stated in the document presented for registration or its legality, if the
tenor of the document suggests that it requires to be registered. The
validity of such registered document can, indeed, be put in issue before a
Court of competent jurisdiction.
32. In the present case, the document in question no doubt is termed as
an Extinguishment Deed. However, in effect, it is manifestation of the
decision of the Society to cancel the allotment of the subject plot given
to its member due to non fulfillment of the obligation by the member
concerned. The subject document is linked to the decision of the Society to
cancel the membership of the allottee of the plot given to him/her by the
Housing Society. In other words, it is the decision of the Society, which
the Society is entitled to exercise within the frame work of the governing
cooperative laws and the Bye-laws which are binding on the members of the
Society. The case of Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra), besides the fact that it
was dealing with an express provision contained in the Statutory Rule,
namely Rule 26 (k)(i) of the Andhra Pradesh Registration Rules 1960, was
also not a case of a deed for cancellation of allotment of plot by the
Housing Society. But, of a cancellation of the registered sale deed
executed between private parties, which was sought to be cancelled
unilaterally. Even for the latter reason the exposition in the case of
Thota Ganga Laxmi (supra) will have no application to the fact situation of
the present case.
33. Taking any view of the matter, therefore, we are of the considered
opinion that, the High Court has justly dismissed the writ petition filed
by the appellant with liberty to the appellant to pursue statutory remedy
resorted to by him under the Act of 1960 or by resorting to any other
remedy as may be advised and permissible in law. All questions to be
considered in those proceedings will have to be decided on its own merits.
34. Accordingly, we dismiss this appeal in the above terms with no order
as to costs.
………………………..J.
(Ranjan Gogoi)
…………………………J.
(Prafulla C. Pant)
…………………………J.
(A.M.Khanwilkar)
New Delhi,
Dated: 26th October, 2016
-----------------------
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[2] (2010)15 SCC 207
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[4] AIR 2007 Andhra Pradesh 57 [FB]
[5]
[6] AIR 2010 Madras 18
[7]
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[9]
[10] AIR 1961 SC 787
[11]
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[14] AIR 1964 SC 72
[15]
[16] (1979) 2 SCC 297
[17]
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[19]
[20] (1986) 2 SCC 679
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[22] (1989) 2 SCC 691
[23]
[24] AIR 1955 SC 233
[25]
[26] (2001) 5 SCC 289
[27]
[28] AIR 1965 SC 1812
[29]
[30] (1991) 3 SCC 67
[31]
[32] AIR 1986 SC 1571
[33]
[34] (2011) 8 SCC 161
[35]
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[37]
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[39]
[40] AIR 1994 SC 853