RAHIMATULLA RAHIMAN SARGURU Vs. BAPU HARI MANE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Bapu Hari Mane, the respondent herein, was a tenant of the land in Survey No. 1436 of the extent of 3 acres 31 gunthas. On 15th April, 1958, he purported to execute a deed of surrender in favour of the landlord, the appellant herein. On 16th April, 1958, the landlord applied to the Mamlatdar and on 15th Oct., 1958, the Manlatdar sanctioned the surrender. By an order dated 1st June, 1959, the Mamlatdar directed delivery of possession of the land to the landlord. Possession of the land was accordingly purported to be delivered to the landlord on 1st September, 1959. On 10th May, 1965, the landlord sold the land to a third party. On 21st May, 1965, the tenant filed an application under Section 70 (b) of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, for a declaration that he was the tenant of the appellant of the land in question. He alleged that the landlord took from him in writing a Rajinama, assuring him that his possession of the land would not be disturbed. He never gave up possession of the suit land and continued to be a tenant of the land. This application was opposed by the landlord. it was alleged on behalf of the landlord that the tenant had given the Rajinama out of his own free-will and that possession was also delivered on 10th May, 1965, from which date he was continuously in possession. The Aval Karkun by an order dated 25th August, 1965, allowed the application and declared that the respondent was a tenant of the suit land. He accepted the case of the tenant that notwithstanding the purported surrender possession of the land continued with him all through. He also accepted the evidence relating to the payment of rent by the tenant. The landlord preferred an appeal to the Special Deputy Collector who by his order dated 22nd Jan., 1966, set aside the order of the Aval Karkun and declared that the respondent was not the tenant of the land. The Special Deputy Collector, was of the view that the possession of the respondent was not as a tenant but as a purchaser. He relied upon the evidence relating to the existence of an agreement between the parties for sale of the property and the payment of earnest money. The tenant preferred a revision to the Maharashtra Revenue Tribunal under S. 76 of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948. The Tribunal set aside the order of the Special Deputy Collector and restored that of the Aval Karkun. The Tribunal held that after the surrender there was a fresh tenancy and that Bapu Mane continued in possession throughout. The Tribunal held that the Special Deputy Collector committed an error of law in holding that the possession of Bapu Mane was as a purchaser and not as a tenant when that was not the case of the landlord either in the written statement or in the evidence. The landlord, thereupon filed a Writ Petition in the High Court. It was dismissed in limine. The present appeal has been filed by the landlord after obtaining special leave under Article 136 of the Constitution.

(2.) Shri Lalit, learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the Maharashtra Revenue Tribunal acted entirely without jurisdiction in setting aside the order of the Special Deputy Collector on a reappraisal of the evidence. He submitted that the Revenue Tribunal was bound by the finding of fact arrived at by the Special Deputy Collector.

(3.) Section 76 of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, provides for a revision to the Maharashtra Revenue Tribunal against an order of the Collector on the following grounds;