UDAI RAJ SINGH Vs. HARI RAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two appeals, one against the judgment of the Allahabad High Court in the main Writ Petition (Civil Misc.Writ Petition No.4413/78) and the other against the order in the Review Petition (Civil Misc.Review Petition No.6816 of 1998) filed by the appellants arise from the proceedings under the U.P.Consolidation of Holdings Act. The subject-matter of the dispute are three plots bearing Nos.641, 642 and 803 situate at village Barhat, Pargana Shakiabad, District Ghazipur. The contest over the disputed land had begun between Kedar and Badri sons of Sarju Ram and Ghurahu respectively on the one side and Baij Nath son of Daroga Singh and others on the other. In course of the proceedings the original contestants died and the litigation was carried on by their respective heirs and legal representatives. The appellants before this Court are the sons of Daroga Singh and Baij Nath and the respondents are the sons of Kedar, Badri and Rupu.

(2.) In the basic year the disputed land was undeniably recorded in the names of Sarju and Ghurahu i.e. predecessors-in-interest of the respondents. The village where the land is situated was brought under consolidation operations by notification, dated October 2, 1956. In the consolidation proceedings the Assistant Consolidation Officer by his order dated June 7, 1959, found Baij Nath and others in possession of the disputed land. He held them as Sirdars and directed for entering their names in respect of the disputed plots. No appeal was filed against the order passed by the Assistant Consolidation Officer and the matter was allowed to rest at that stage. Later on, Kedar and Badri filed an objection under Section 12 of the Act claiming that they were the bhumidars, in possession of the disputed plots and the names of Daroga Singh and others were wrongly recorded in respect of those plots in the revenue records. The Consolidation Officer found that the dispute involved the question of title and by his order, dated October 3, 1961 referred the matter to the Civil Judge. The Civil Judge by his order, dated October 5, 1962 referred the matter for arbitration. The Arbitrator by his Award, dated August 12, 1964 held that Badri Ghurahu and others were the bhumidars of the disputed land and further found that Baij Nath and others were not the Sirdars of the plots in dispute. The Civil Judge confirmed the Award by order, dated January 8, 1965. Against the order of the Civil Judge, Baij Nath and others filed a revision before the High Court and the High Court remanded the matter to the Consolidation Officer for deciding the question of Sirdari rights claimed by them.

(3.) The Consolidation Officer framed issues in light of the remand order and on a consideration of the materials produced by the two sides passed the order, dated April 13, 1973 holding that Baij Nath was Sirdar of the plots in dispute and the entry of his name should be maintained. He gave directions accordingly. Against the order passed by the Consolidation Officer the side of Kedar and Badri took the matter in appeal before the Settlement Officer, Consolidation, Ghazipur. The Settlement Officer by order, dated December 1, 1973 allowed the appeal and reversed the finding of the Consolidation Officer. The order of the Settlement Officer was based mainly on the revenue records. Against the Appellate order the side of Baij Nath filed a revision before the Deputy Consolidation Officer, Ghazipur. In the revision one of the grounds raised by them was that earlier the other side had filed Suit No.658 of 1955 seeking a decree of permanent injunction against the defendants (the side of Baij Nath) in regard to the disputed plots. The suit was dismissed by the Civil Court and hence, it was no longer open to the other side to question or challenge their possession of the disputed land.