GANGDHAR RAO KHER Vs. GANESH PRASAD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgment disposes of Second Appeal Nos. 679 of 1964, 680 of 1964, 681 of 1964, 682 of 1964, 683 of 1964, 684 of 1964, 456 of 1965 and 38 of 1966, which have been heard together

(2.) THESE eight appeals arise in the following circumstances. Eight different tenements were let out jointly by two brothers, Gangadhar Rao and Narayan Rao, to 8 different tenan's. The tenants have all admittedly made full payment of rents due for the period in question to Gangadhar and, now, his brother Narayan Rao has brought these eight separate suits for recovery of his share of rent, impleading the tenants and Gangadhar Rao as defendants. The attitude of the tenants was that by payment to Gangadhar Rao, they stand discharged of their liability. Gangadhar Rao, the defendant No. 2 in all the suits, pleaded that the suits as framed were not maintainable, and further that unless there was a partikion, the rents could not be apportioned between the two brothers. On these fakrs, the Courts below have both decreed the suit against the defendant No. 2, Gangadhar Rao and he now appeals. The suits were, however, dismissed against the tenants by the 6rst Court and that part of the decree has now become final.

(3.) IN Raja Promoda Nalh Roy v. Baja Rammi Kanta Roy, (1907) L R 35 I A 73. their Lordships of the Privy Council held that share-holders in a zamiadari may sue individually for the whole rent by making his co-sharers defendants ; but. one co-sharer cannot sue separately for his share of the rent, unless there is an agreement that the lessee shall pay each his share separately. This dictum was reiterated by their Lordships in Roy Jotindra JVath v. Prasanna Kumar? by stating that under the general law, one joint-landlord may berg a suit for arrears of rent, making the other joint landlords defendants. Their Lordships indicated the reason underlying, namely, rent in arrear is a debt.