RATANLAL Vs. GRAM PANCHAYAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS revision application has been filed against the order passed by the learned Additional Civil Judge. Jodhpur, holding that the civil court has jurisdiction to try the suit filed before him. The argument of the learned Counsel is that suit is exclusively triable by a revenue court and the civil court has no jurisdiction to entertain or decide the same.

(2.) I have read the plaint with great care and attention. The case of the plaintiff in a nut shell is that the land in dispute was left as 'Agor land' for the benefit of the general public and it was a common land of village people and as such, no khatedari rights could have accrued or could have been granted in the and in dispute. According to the plaintiff the land has been used since times immemorial as 'Agor land', that is, land necessary for the flow of water thereon into a reservoir or tank, used for drinking water for the village. The petitioner has sought a declaration to the effect that the land in dispute is un cultivable 'Agor land' and no tenancy rights could be created therein, in favour of the defendants and that such land vests in the plaintiff namely, the Gram Panchayat, Agolai.

(3.) LEARNED Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the suit was triable by a revenue court and was covered by the provisions of Section 91 of the Act, which is a residuary provision relating to suits for declaration which should be filed in revenue courts Section 91 of the Act. provides that any person may sue for declaration of 'all or any of his rights conferred by this Act' and not otherwise provided for.' Now, the important question is as to whether the declaration that has been sought in the present suit is in respect of any right conferred by the Act? The right of natural flow of water to a reservoir or tank, which water may be used for the purpose of drinking by the residents of the village is not a right created by any of the provisions of the Act. Such land is neither used for agricultural purpose nor it is used for any purpose related thereto and it could not be considered as falling within the meaning of 'land as defined in Section 5 of the Act. For the purposes of bringing a suit within the four corners of Section 91 of the Act. there must be some right, which has been conferred by the provisions of the Act. in respect of which a declaration is sought in the suit In the absence of any such right being created by the Act. a declaration in respect thereof cannot be granted by a revenue court.