SIDDAPPA MAHALINGAPPA Vs. PANDURANG VASUDEO CHATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The only question in this appeal is whether this case is exactly similar to the case of Vrijbhukandas V/s. Dayaram (1907) I.L.R. 32 Bom. 32 : 9 Bom. L.R. 1181 so that the plaintiff reversions could be held entitled to recover the property in the condition in which it was when the widow died. The trial Court directed that the plaintiff should recover possession of the land, on which the shop in suit stood, with liberty to defendants forthwith to commence to remove their building, the removal to be completed within one year from the date of the order.

(2.) This decision was reversed by the appellate Judge who directed the plaintiff to recover possession of the shop as it stood. The widow, when she mortgaged the property without necessity, agreed that the mortgagee should practically rebuild the shop, which, at the time of the mortgage, was in a ruinous condition. It seems to us difficult to see how under the principles of Hindu law or any principles of equity, the reversioner can seek to get possession of the property, with the shop standing on it, without making any compensation to the person who built the shop or to his successor. It seems to us that the facts in Vrijbhukandas V/s. Dayaram are entirely different, and that the question which we have to decide here is whether under general principles the mortgagee should loose the benefits of the money he spent on the building with the consent of the widow, or whether the reversioners are entitled to the whole of the benefit. Clearly if there had been a sale by the widow, which would be voidable against the reversioner, the reversioner would be bound to pay the purchaser the amount by which the value of the property had been enhanced by improvements effected by him. That was decided in Kidar Nath V/s. Mathu Mal. (1913) I.L.R. 40 Cal. 555. The respondent, on the death of a Hindu widow, brought a suit as the next heir of her husband to set aside an alienation, made by the widow in favour of the appellant. The Chief Court allowed the alienee Rs. 1,400 which represented half the expenditure by him on the property. The appellant contended that he was entitled to what he had spent. The Privy Council decided that that was not the right principle on which to assess the amount payable to the alienees as compensation, as in such cases it should always be borne in mind that the amount of the expenditure made had occasionally very little to do with the real issue, which was, to what extent had enhancement of the subject matter been produced.

(3.) That is the issue and we cannot agree with the contention of Mr. Thakor that the judgment of the Privy Council does not uphold the principle that compensation to an alienee from a Hindu widow may be awarded in certain circumstances.