PADMANABHAN KOCHU KURUMPA Vs. SANKARA PILLAI NARAYANAN PILLAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this second appeal, plaintiffs 1 to 7 challenge the correctness of the direction in the judgment of the Subordinate Judge on appeal, that they could retain possession of the suit property only on redeeming the respondent - 1st defendant. The plaintiffs have come into possession of the property, in pursuance of the sale in execution of the decree in O. S. 396 of 1099, obtained on the strength of two hypothecation bonds, Ext. B of the year 1090 and Ext. C of the year 1094. There was an intermediate bond, Ext. M of the year 1093, the hypothecates under which was not impleaded. Ext. M also was put in suit in O. S. 1244 of 1106, without impleading the plaintiffs predecessor in interest, who at the time represented the equity of redemption pursuant to the court sale in O. S. 396 of 1099 and to subsequent assignments. Defendants 1 to 8 claim under the execution sale in O. S. 1244 of 1106. When they attempted to take delivery of possession, plaintiffs 1 and 2 and others put up obstructions which were disallowed. This led to the institution of the suit which has given rise to this second appeal. After disposing of other contentions between the parties, the Subordinate Judge has held that while the defendants have a right to redeem the plaintiffs as claiming under Ext. B, the prior hypothecation, the latter, by virtue of the purchase of the equity of redemption in O. S. 396 of 1099 have the option to redeem the former and retain possession, and has accordingly given the direction now impugned. I am satisfied that the direction is in accordance with law and cannot be disturbed.

(2.) It is well settled, that in suits by two mortgagees in each of which the other mortgagee is not impleaded, the earlier purchaser has the right to be in possession. The sale in execution of the decree in O. S. 396 of 1099 being earlier, the plaintiffs as owners of the equity of redemption are entitled to be in possession. But viewing that decree as one based on Ext. B, the prior hypothecation, the rights of the defendants as subsequent hypothecatees, notwithstanding the court sales in these decrees, are not affected; these rights are to redeem the plaintiffs. This they can do, notwithstanding that the plaintiffs have come by the equity of redemption. Once the defendants exercise their right of redemption, the sale and execution proceedings in O. S. 396 of 1099 would fall through and the right of the original hypothecator would stand revived. Giriyamman Narasimhan Empran v. Ramachandran Venkitarayan Empran, 1954 KLT 131 .

(3.) The rights inter se of rival purchasers in sales in execution of decrees on mortgages, have been the subject of consideration in several decided cases. The result of these has been summarised as follows in AIR commentaries on Civil Procedure Code, Volume 3, 1957 edition, pages 3791 and 3792: