Full Order Text
Interim Order 1 · 12 Jan 2024 · CNR MHCC010008842020
Order Details: Notice of Motion Pdf Text: IN THE BOMBAY CITY CIVIL COURT AT GREATER BOMBAY NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 532 OF 2020 CNR NO. MHCC01-001378-2020 IN L.C.SUIT NO. 284 OF 2020 Nitin Machhindranath Acharya …. Plaintiff V/s. Municipal Corporation of Gr.Mumbai. ...Defendants CORAM: HIS HONOUR JUDGE SHRI. R. B. PARVEKAR CITY CIVIL COURT GR. MUMBAI DATE : January 12th, 2024 Adv. Mr. D. A. Thorat for the plaintiff. Adv. Ms.Meena Dhuri for the defendants/BMC. ORAL ORDER This notice of motion is taken out by the plaintiff under order XXXIX Rule 1, 2 r/w section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure for temporarily restraining defendants/BMC [a] from dispossessing the plaintiff or his tenant [b] from demolishing or pulling down or removing the suit premises or any portion thereof i.e. plot of land Adm. 650 sq.yards bearing plot No. 239 and a plot of land admeasuring about 575 sq.yards bearing Plot No. 240 corresponding to Cadestral Survey No. ..2/- -- 1 of 20 -- .. 2 .. 811, 980 and 981 of Dadar Naigaon Division in F/South Municipal Ward together with the ownership of structures standing thereon known as “Telwala Chawl” situated at G.D. Ambekar Marg, Mumbai-400 014; in pursuance of Notice bearing No. MDD/9812 dated 29 t h September, 2018 issued by Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Improvements and Order bearing MDD/ 5890 dated 9 t h September, 2019 passed by Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Improvements of the defendants. 2. For the sake of convenience, I would like to reproduce description of the suit premises as follows:- Plot of land adm. 650 sq.yard bearing plot No. 239 and a plot of land adm.about 575 sq.yard bearing Plot No. 240 corresponding to Cadestral survey No. 811, 980 and 981 of Dadar Niagaon Division in F/South Municipal Ward together with the ownership of the structure standing thereon known as Telwala Chawal, situated at G..D.Ambekar Marg, Mumbai -4000 14. [ hereinafter called as suit premises/ suit property] Case of Plaintiff 3. It is the case of the plaintiff that he is a lessee. He is in exclusive use, occupation and possession of suit premises. Defendant is owner of the suit plot bearing No. 239 and 240 prior to 1948, the said plot of land was owned by ..3/- -- 2 of 20 -- .. 3 .. Gulam Sabruddin Ali. On account of his leaving India and settling in Pakistan, his property acquired by defendant/BMC. Before shifting to Pakistan Mr. Gulam Ali had constructed structure on the said lease hold plot of land. 4. The suit plot where put to auction by the defendant/BMC in the year 1948. The said auction was knocked down by Shri. Savalaram Rawji Acharya. The said Salvalaram Acharya was declared as highest bidder of the suit plot. After complying conditions, by order of improvement committee of defendant, an agreement of lease bearing No. ICR/ 372 dated 03.03.1948 was executed by defendant through MC in favour of Savlaram Acharya for a period of 999 years. On the date of holding auction, the structure on the suit plot of land, were occupied by 52 tenants. As per lease agreement dated 03.03.1948 Savalaram Acharaya paid lease rent to the defendant. Defendant issued receipt to that effect. 5. During the lifetime Savalaram Acharya was not collecting rent from 52 tenants. The rent was recovered from the said 52 tenants by defendant/BMC and same was paid to the lessee to Savlaram Acharya by defendant. Plaintiff Savlaram Acharya expired on 19.01.1954 leaving unmarried daughter Ms. Sumitra Savlaram Acharya as his wife pre- deceased him on 06.06.1940. 6. Mr. Sumitra Salaram Acharya being unmarried ..4/- -- 3 of 20 -- .. 4 .. daughter was only legal heir of Savlaram Acharya. Ms. Sumitra Acharya expired as spinster on 07.04.1956. Machindranath Raoji Acharya and Balram Raoji Acharya have made representation jointly for transferring said lease in respect of suit land. Defendant executed Registered Deed of Lease dated 09.09.1960 jointly in favour of Machindranath and Balram. Machhindranath Acharya is a father of plaintiff. Balaram Raoji Acharya expired on 05.11.1964 being unmarried. In the aforesaid circumstances only father of plaintiff by name Machhindra Raoji Acharya was only alive heir and representative of lesses of Savlaram Raoji Acharya. Defendant called upon Machhindranath to obtain administration bond in relation to the Estate if any left behind by Balram Raoji Acharya. Machhindranath (Father of plaintiff) filed Testamentary Petition No. 737/1968 before Hon'ble High Court of Judicature Bombay. As per order dated 12.11.1971 Letter of Administration of Estate of Balaram Acharya is issued in Testamentary Petition no. 737/1968 by Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Machhindranath Acharya expired on 23.03.1978. Smt. Menaka Machhindra Acharya and plaintiff alongwith Shri. Deepak being son are only legal heirs and representatives. Till the death of Machhindranath Acharya, defendants were recovered rents from the tenants and paid collected rent to the father of plaintiff till 1978. Menaka Machhindranath Acharya made representation to the Estate Department to the defendant for the transfer of lease. Menaka Machhindranath Acharya expired on 13 t h January, 1994. Deepak Machhindranath Acharya expired on 07 t h ..5/- -- 4 of 20 -- .. 5 .. August, 2000. Plaintiff is sole surviver of legal heirs and representative. He has right, title and interest in the suit land as a lessee. In Testamentary Petition No. 85/2020 for grant of letter of Administration of Estate is pending before Hon'ble High Court of Judicature of Bombay. Impugned notice dated 29.09.2018 issued in the name of Menaka Machhindra Acharya. In the said notice Menaka Machhindra Acharya was accepted as lessee. Defendants are contemplating to withdraw the said lease deed and communication in the name of Smt. Menaka Machhindranath Acharya. Deputy Municipal Commissioner passed order dated 09 September, 2019 and held that none of the heirs of deceased Shri. Machhindra Raoji Acharya had or have any right , title and interest in the suit plot and that lease in that respect of suit plot is terminated. Notice dated 29 September 2018 and order dated 09 September 2019 is null, void and bad-in-law. Hence, this notice of motion. Case of defendant/BMC 7. Suit is bad for requirement of notice u/s. 527 of the MMC Act. Suit premises were agreed to be leased out to one Savlaram Raoji Acharya for the term of 999 years vide Improvement committee resolution No. 372 dated 03.03.1948. Thereafter, plots were transferred in the name of Balaram Raoji Acharya and Machhindranath Raoji Acharya only for the purpose of giving refund of security deposit and ..6/- -- 5 of 20 -- .. 6 .. legal charges of Rs.4400/- + Rs.300 for plot No. 239 and security deposit and legal charges of Rs.3,800/- + Rs.300 for plot No.240, which was paid by Savlram Raoji Acharya. Balaram Raoji Acharya and Machhindra Raoji Acharya were never the lessee of plot Nos. 239 and 240. The transfer effect was given only for the limited purpose of giving refund of security deposit and legal charges in respect of the plot Nos. 239 and 240. After the death of Balaram Raoji Acharya, the plot vested in the name of Machhindra Raoji Acharya. After the death of Machhindra Acharya, Menaka Acharya, legal heirs of Machhindra made application dated 14.01.1984 for payment of interest on securities for the period between 17.09.1977 to 16.09.1983. They also applied for transfer of plot in her name vide application dated 01.03.1988. Office of the defendant informed Menaka Acharya to submit documents and to comply relevant document to bring her name of office record of this defendant as lessee. Application of Menaka Acharya was not process further for non compliance on her part to submit relevant documents to prove heir ship. 8. As per condition Nos.16 agreement to lease of plot Nos. 239 and 240 dated 16.09.1948 vacant possession of the plot will be given to the tenant after structure is removed and possession of tenancy is obtained from the Vacant Land Act. As per agreement to lease, lessee required to keep open land unbuilt. But, the same land is seen encroached as of date. Lessee fails to observed condition of covenant. ..7/- -- 6 of 20 -- .. 7 .. Possession of plot Nos. 239 and 240 was neither handed over nor taken over by the lessee till date. The said two plots absolutely vested to the corporation. There is no lease created in favour of lessee. Legal heirs of Savlarama Raoji Acharya and Menaka Acharya and present plaintiff were not act as lessee of Corporation. Municipal tenant and vacant land tenancy holders on the said plot in the Chawl known as Telwala Chawl. There are 26 residential tenements, 18 commercial tenants, 4 vacant land tenancy and 5 residential cum commercial tenant. Out of 53 tenants 52 tenants have already been brought on the Estate record of these defendants and attornment process of remaining tenant is in progress. 9. Public notice dated 04.04.2018 and show cause notice 29.09.2018 was issued in the name of Menaka Acharya as to why MCGM should not withdraw/ cancel ICR No. 372 dated 03.03.1948 and agreement to lease of said plot No. 239 and 240 bearing CS No. 811 and 890. 10. In pursuance to show cause notice hearing was fixed on 14.11.2018 at 11.30 a.m. But Nitin Machhindra Acharya alleged legal heirs of Menaka Acharya was not present. On 05.01.2019 at about 03.00 p.m another hearing was held. But, Nitin Acharya (plaintiff) failed to submit document in support of his claim. Upon request, plaintiff permitted to file written submissions on 14.01.2019. Accordingly, plaintiff filed written submission on 14.01.2019. ..8/- -- 7 of 20 -- .. 8 .. Plaintiff fails to show sufficient cause in respect of notice dated 29.09.2018. Rest of the averments in plaint are denied by the defendant/BMC in toto. 11. From the rival pleadings following points arise for my determination to which I have recorded my findings for the reasons stated here in below:- Sr. No. Points Findings 1 Whether the plaintiff has prima- facie case? Negative. 2 Whether balance of convenience lies in favour of plaintiff.? Negative 3 Whether plaintiff will suffer irreparable loss if injunction is not granted? Negative 4 What order ? As per final order REASON'S 12. Read Notice of motion, reply filed by the defendants/BMC. Heard both the sides. As to Point Nos.1 to 3 13. Point nos. 1 to 3 are interlinked with each other hence, grouped together for discussions. First and foremost ..9/- -- 8 of 20 -- .. 9 .. requirement for grant of temporary injunction is that the party seeking such relief must establish prima-facie case in his favour. To make out prima-facie case a party is not required to establish his title. It is enough if he can show that he has fair question to raise as to the existence of alleged rights and the property in the meantime should be preserved. 14. It is the contention of the plaintiff that he is a lessee. He is in exclusive use, occupation and possession of the suit premises. On the other hand, it is the contention of defendant that only suit premises were agreed to be lease out to Shri. Savlaram Raoji Acharya for a term of 99 years vide improvement committee resolution No. 372 dated 03.03.1948. 15. In order to support the contention in respect of occupation, possession of suit premises, plaintiff placed photocopy of receipts. On perusal of receipts, it appears that amount of Rs.300/-, Rs.300/-, Rs.4400 [ dated 20.04.1961] and Rs.3800/-[dated 10.12.1947] were paid. Photocopy of receipt does not bears the seal and signature of BMC authority. On perusal of photocopy of receipt dated 10.07.1947, it appears that Savlaram Acharya deposited said amount with BMC. In support of contention, relating to status as a lessee and Lease Agreement dated 03 r d March, 1948, not a single document is placed on record by the plaintiff. On perusal of reply dated 14.01.2019 filed by ..10/- -- 9 of 20 -- .. 10 .. plaintiff relating to show cause notice dated 29.09.2018, it appears that plaintiff himself admits in para No.4 that vacant possession of said plot of land was not given to the predecessor. It is not disputed that suit premises is owned by defendant/BMC. In absence of registered Lease Deed status of plaintiff cannot be termed or treated as lessee. 16. On minute perusal of the photocopy of resolution No. 372 dated 13t h March, 1948, it appears that Bombay Municipality, Deputy Municipal Commissioner passed resolution and thereby accepted, acceptance of the offers and grant of lease in perpetuity sanction as recommended in favour of Savlaram Raoji Acharya. Hence, it is clear that resolution is passed and sanction is given to execute lease deed in favour of Savlaram Raoji Acharya. This document implies and speaks that suit premises agreed to be lease out to Salvaram Raoji Acharya. But, lease agreement is not executed. On perusal of photocopy of form of lease referred to in the agreement form,[Documents filed by defendant], it appears that a draft copy of lease agreement was prepared on 30.12.1947 by Municipal Corporation of City of Bombay for proposed execution of lease deed. In absence of lease agreement and admission in reply dated 14.01.2019, “vacant possession of the suit premises in favour of predecessor in title has not been done till date.” Plaintiff has not placed any document to prima-facie establish that vacant possession of the suit premises was handed over by defendant/BMC either in favour of Savlaram Raoji Acharya or his successor. ..11/- -- 10 of 20 -- .. 11 .. 17. It is the contention of the plaintiff that defendant admits status of plaintiff as a lessee and thereby executed Deed of Lease dated 09 September 1960. On the other hand, it is the contention of defendant that the said Indenture Deed dated 09.09.1960 is executed only for the purpose of refund of amount deposited by Savlaram Raoji Acharya. 18. Considering the rival contention and on perusal of Indenture Deed dated 09.09.1960, it appears that the said Indenture Deed is executed between Balram Raoji Acharya and Machhindranath Raoji Acharya [Real brother of Savlaram Raoji Acharya] on one part and Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay on second part. It also appears that one Laxmikant Ramrao Acharya stood as a surety for the said Indenture dated 09.09.1960. The said Indenture Deed is executed towards security and indemnify towards suit premises. In Indenture dated 09.09.1960 it is specifically mentioned that two agreements of lease both dated 16.03.1948 in respected of suit plot agreed to demise unto one Salvaram Raoji Acharya for the period of 99 years at annual ground rent. It is further mentioned in the Indenture dated 09.09.1960 that Salvranam Raoji Acharya paid Rs.440+Rs.3800 by way of security deposit and two sums of Rs.300/- in Government Security as deposit for legal cost to the Corporation. The Indenture dated 09.09.1960 clear the fact that name of Balram and Machhindranath will be recorded without requiring to obtain any representation to ..12/- -- 11 of 20 -- .. 12 .. the Estate. Indenture Deed is a registered document. It is not a lease deed in respect of suit premises. Therefore, contention of the plaintiff is not supported by the document placed on record. 19. It is the contention of plaintiff that in show cause notice defendant/BMC admits that plaintiff is a lessee. Suit plots were transferred in the name of Balram and Machhindranath and thereafter in the name of Menka Machhindranath Acharya. Therefore, plaintiff are having right, interest in the suit premises. On the other hand, it is the contention of defendant/BMC that representation of Menka Acharya could not proceed further due to non compliance of documents on her part. She is not a lessee. 20. Before considering these rival submissions, it is necessary to mention here that Section 105 of Chapter V of Transfer of Property Act described lease as a transfer of right to enjoy an immovable property for certain time or in perpetuity against consideration of price paid or promised to the transferor by the transferee, who accept the transfer on such terms. As discussed above, that proposed agreement to lease is not executed in favour of Savlaram Raoji Acharya by the defendant /BMC. Apart from this, it is not disputed that vacant possession of the suit premises is yet to be given by defendant/BMC to the plaintiff. Indenture Deed dated 09.09.1960 was executed to the extent to indemnify the amount and to take name of Balram and Machhindranath on ..13/- -- 12 of 20 -- .. 13 .. record at the place of Savlaram Raoji Acharya. Except recitals relating to non process of representation of Menka Acharya, nothing is brought on record by the parties. Relevant extract relating to mentioning of name of plaintiff or his predecessor are also not placed on record by the plaintiff. In absence of lease agreement, status of deceased Menka Acharya cannot be come under the purview of lessee. On perusal of photocopy of letter dated 01.03.1988 [filed by defendant] it appears that Menaka Acharya filed application dated 01.03.1988 with defendant BMC mentioning therein to bring her name on record and arrange to pay the interest accrued due from 1975. She also requested defendant BMC to provide draft Indemnity Bond. This letter is a silent about her alleged structure as lessee. It also does not whisper that Menaka Acharya was receiving rent of suit premises from defendant BMC. On the contrary she requested defendant BMC to pay the interest. This fact is not disclosed by the plaintiff in averments of plaint. On perusal of letter dated 02.08.1988 it appears that defendant BMC informed and requested Menaka Acharya to pay Rs.300/- towards charges of Indemnity Bond in relation to letter dated 01.03.1988. By letter dated 18.08.1988 defendant BMC informed Menaka Acharya that Indemnity Bond is prepared and approved by Corporation and requested to got it registered. All theses documents prima facie clarify the fact that for the purpose of payment of interest registered Indemnity Bond agreed to be executed between Menaka Acharya and BMC. As mentioned above that in absence of Lease Deed prima facie plaintiff fails to ..14/- -- 13 of 20 -- .. 14 .. establish his rights in the suit premises. 21. It is the contention of plaintiff that during the life time Savlaram Raoji Acharya was not collecting rent from the 52 tenants. Rent was recovered from tenants by defendant/BMC and same was paid to said lessee i.e. Savlaram Raoji Acharya. On the other hand, defendnat/BMC objected the said contention. 22. In support of contention relating to payment of rent by defendant/BMC to Savlaram Raoji Acharya, not a single document is placed on record by the plaintiff. On the other hand, photocopy of receipt placed on record, prima- facie shows the amount deposited by Savlaram Acharya with the defendant/BMC are in respect of compliance of Resolution No. 332. 23. Further it is the contention of plaintiff that show cause notice dated 29.09.2018 is illegal. Procedure required under section 105 to 111 of Transfer of Property Act, are not complied by the defendant. Hearing given by defendant/BMC cannot be called as hearing contemplated under section 105- B of the MMC Act. Plaintiff is placed his reliance in the case of Balwant Chatrabhuj Thakkar vs. Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of greater Mumbai and Ors [2017 (1) ALL MR 189] and Mahadeo vs. Municipal Corporation [ The Bombay Law Reporter [ vol.LXXII 780] ..15/- -- 14 of 20 -- .. 15 .. 24. On the other hand, it is the contention of the defendant that after giving opportunity of being heard, due process of law is followed by the defendant/BMC. 25. On minute perusal of show cause notice dated 29.09.2018 issued by defendant/BMC, it appears that in para No.2 of the notice, it is specifically mentioned by deputy Commissioner Improvement that plots were transferred in the name of Balaram Raoji Acharya and Machhindranath Raoji Acharya. Shri. Balaram Raoji Acharya was died and the plots vests in the name of Machhindranath Raoji. The averments made in the recitals of show cause notice dated 29.09.2018 are not supporting to the case of plaintiff for want of existence of Lease agreement. Apart from this, as discussed above that Indenture Deed dated 09.09.1960 was executed only to indemnify the amount and not for execution of lease. As discussed above, that proposed lease agreement was not executed in favour of plaintiff or in favour of his predecessor. Plaintiff himself admits in reply dated 14.01.12019 to the show cause notice dated 29.09.2018 that possession of the plot of land has not been done till today. It is settled law that entries in Revenue Record are used for fiscal purpose. The said entries does not create any right, title and interest in the property. Therefore, mere recitals in the show cause notice dated 29.09.2018 prima-facie does not create any right in favour of plaintiff. The facts and circumstances of the present case are different from the facts and circumstances mentioned in the case laws relied by the plaintiff. Hence, ..16/- -- 15 of 20 -- .. 16 .. case laws are not helpful to the case of plaintiff. Accordingly, contention of plaintiff is not supporting to his case. 26. It is further case of plaintiff that notice is issued in the name of Menka Machhindranath Acharya, who is dead person. Therefore, notice issued in the name of dead person is illegal and bad-in-law. 27. Considering the contention of plaintiff and on perusal of photocopy of death certificate, it appears that Menka Machhindranath Acharya reported to be died on 01.01.1994 and impugned notice is issued on 29.09.2018. Admittedly, notice is issued in the name of Menka Machhindranath Acharya, who was not alive at the time of issuance of show cause notice dated 29.09.2018. But, plaintiff participate in the proceeding and filed reply dated 14.01.2019 and 18.02.2019. Thereafter opportunity of being heard is given to the plaintiff. After considering the reply, defendant/BMC passed order dated 09.09.2019. From these facts it is gather that opportunity of being heard is given to the plaintiff and accordingly, due process of law is followed by the defendant/BMC. In absence of Lease Agreement, merely on the technical ground of issuance of notice in the name of dead person, does not create any right in favour of plaintiff. 28. Further it is the contention of the plaintiff that officers of defendant/BMC came on the site of suit plots and ..17/- -- 16 of 20 -- .. 17 .. gave threats. M/s. Royal Developer intends to redevelop the suit plots, therefore, at the instance of developer impugned notice is issued. 29. On other hand, it is the contention of defendant that tenants were already resided in the structure standing on the suit plots. Tenants formed the society and made proposal for redevelopment of the structure. Plaintiff has no right in the suit premises. 30. Considering the contention, it appears that plaintiff filed reply to the show cause notice dated 29.09.2018. In reply dated 14.01.2019, plaintiff specifically averred that he is having first priority to develop suit property. As per averments in the plaint, it is not disputed that at the time of auction in the year 1948, the structure was standing in the suit premises. In para no.3 of the plaint plaintiff specifically averred that the number of tenants are 52. Hence, from this record and averments it is primafacie clear that structure was standing in the suit premises in the year 1948 and 52 tenants are residing therein. Apart from this there is no document on record to show that plaintiff is collecting rent from the tenants. As discussed above, that lease agreement is not executed in favour of plaintiff, therefore, prima-facie plaintiff fails to establish his right, interest in the suit premises. As per order dated 09.09.2019 redevelopment proposal is under process. Plaintiff has not placed premium/ rent receipt deposited by Savalram Raoji ..18/- -- 17 of 20 -- .. 18 .. Acharya or his successor with the defendant/BMC. There is no document on record to show that defendant/BMC were reverting rent amount to Savalram Raoji Acharya which is collected from the respective 52 tenants from the structures standing in the suit premises. Plaintiff has not placed certified copy of Judgment passed in Suit No. 2451/1952 passed by the Hon'ble City Civil Court, Bombay relating to eviction of occupant of the said Telwala Chawl. Plaintiff has not placed any document to show his possession in the suit premises. As discussed above, in absence of lease deed, rent receipt, plaintiff fails to show that he has fair question to raise as to the existence of his alleged right in the suit premises. Accordingly, plaintiff fails to made out primafacie case in his favour. 31. Plaintiff sought temporary injunction from dispossessing him or his tenants and or from demolishing or puling down suit premises. Admittedly, the said tenants are not party to the suit though plaintiff sought relief in favour of tenants, which is not permissible in the eye of law. Relief of injunction is an equitable discretionary relief. So far relative in convenience is concerned, plaintiff will not suffer relative inconvenience by refusal of prohibitory relief. If discretionary relief of temporary injunction is refused, plaintiff will not suffer irreparable loss. Accordingly, I answer all point in the negative and proceed to pass following order. ..19/- -- 18 of 20 -- .. 19 .. ORDER 1. Notice of motion No.532/2020 is rejected. 2. Protection granted vide order dated 06.02.2020 stands vacated. 3. Notice of motion No.532/2020 is disposed off accordingly. Date-12/01/2024 (R. B. Parvekar) Ad-hoc Judge, City Civil Court Gr. Mumbai Dictated on:12/01/2024 Typed on : 12/01/2024 signed on : ..20/- -- 19 of 20 -- .. 20 .. CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER.” 16/01/2024 11.30 a.m. ( Mayuresh P. Tathe) UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER Name of the Judge (With Court room No.) HHJ Shri. R. B. Parvekar (C.R.No.06) Date of Pronouncement of JUDGMENT/ORDER 12/01/2024 JUDGMENT/ORDER signed by P.O.on 15/01/2024 JUDGMENT/ORDER uploaded on 16/01/2024 ../- -- 20 of 20 --
