RAM LAL SUKUL Vs. BHELA GAZI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IT has been firstly argued that the Court of appeal should have held that the tenancy was an occupancy raiyati holding, and that the tenancy having been in existence and purchased by the Dichits prior to the passing of the Bengal Tenancy Act in 1885, Section 22, Clause (2) of that Act did not apply, with the result that there was no merger of the occupancy right. This question, though raised by the grounds of appeal before us, was not raised in the lower Court and cannot be now gone into. There is nothing in the paper book on this point which is sought to be established by reference to a passage in the evidence. But, then, it is said that assuming Section 22 does not apply, and that under Section 22, Clause (2), the occupancy right then existing was extinguished by the transfer of the right of Golak Singh to the Dichits, the lower Appellate Court should have held that by reason of Dichits subsequently continuously holding the land as raiyats for a period of twelve years and more from the date of their purchase they acquired a now occupancy right. IT is contended that the occupancy right, which is extinguished by the section, is only the right which existed at the date of the transfer, and that there is nothing to prevent the acquisition of a new occupancy right. To hold this would, I think, defeat the policy of the section. And, further, the owner of the holding could not acquire a right adversely to himself in his other character as co-proprietor. The lower Appellate Court, therefore, correctly held that the properties purchased by the plaintiffs in execution of the decree for arrears of rent are a raiyati holding without occupancy right. The question then arises whether the plaintiffs under Section 159 have power to annul under-tenancies as incumbrances. IT has been contended that they cannot, that the provisions of Chapter XIV do not apply to purchasers of non-occupancy holdings, and that the only remedy open to a purchaser of such a holding is under Section 49 by ejectment. I think, however, this is not so. A non-occupancy raiyat is a raiyat, and the land held by him is a holding. Chapter XIV is general in its terms and refers to "sale for arrears under decree." Section 159 speaks of a holding, and where the Act intends to refer to occupancy holdings, it so qualifies the terms. The latter section provides that a sale of a holding for arrears will pass the holding subject to protected interests and with power to annul incumbrances. Then, is that which it is sought to annul an incumbrance? I think that (on the case made by the defendants here) it is. IT may be observed that a non-occupancy raiyat is not prohibited from sub-letting and may have an under-raiyat under him and may create a protected interest under Section 160, Clause (g), if his landlord allows him so to do. An incumbrance may be created by a non-occupancy raiyat on his holding in limitation of his own interest, however limited, by way of sub-lease. I am of opinion, therefore, that there was an incumbrance which plaintiffs had power to annul, and the appeal must therefore be allowed with costs and the decree of the first Court restored. Richardson, J.

(2.) I agree.