Full Order Text
Final Order 1 · 15 Feb 2020 · CNR MHCC010095252019
Order Details: Notice of Motion Pdf Text: NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 1 Date :15.02.2020 IN THE BOMBAY CITY CIVIL COURT FOR GREATER MUMBAI NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 3486 OF 2019 IN S.C. SUIT (STAMP NO.) 9827 OF 2019 (CNR MHCC01-009525-2019) Naresh Talavlikar .. Plaintiff Versus The Mumbai Police Gymkhana Trust & Anr. .. Defendants Appearances :- Adv. Arun Nile I/b Adv. G. K. Tripathi for the plaintiff. Adv. Priyanka Daga I/b Adv. Jayakar Partners for Defendant. Coram : His Honour Judge Shri. A.H.Laddhad Judge CR No. : 07 Date : 15.02.2020 ORDER 1. The plaintiff has filed instant Notice of Motion seeking following reliefs : (a) This Hon’ble Court be pleased to pass a permanent order and injunction restraining the defendant including its Managing Committee, their servants and agents or persons acting through or under them, to act upon or take action in any manner, on the basis of the Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. J hereto. (b) Pending th hearing and final disposal of the present suit, this Hon’ble ourt be pleased to pass a temporary order and injunction restraining the defendants including its Managing Committee, their servants and agents and prsons acting through or unde them, to act upon or take -- 1 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 2 Date :15.02.2020 action in any manner, on the Letter of Ex[ulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. J hereto or in the alternative the operation, effect and implementation of Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. K hereto be stayed. (c) Ad-interim and interim reliefs in terms of prayer clauses (a) and (b) above, be granted. (d) Costs of the Notice of Motion be provided for. (e) That such other and further relief be granted, as the nature an circumstances of the case may require. 2. It is contended by the plaintiff that he had successful career in Police force and have been enjoying the membership of defendants without any iota of complaint and the illegal issuance of letter of Expulsion of dated 23.08.2019 of his membership has caused grave and server injury to his mind and wrongful loss to his corporeal property apart from casing harm to his reputation and further continuation of letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 is further causing continuous tarnishing of the plaintiff’s reputation and prestige amongst the members of the defendant Gymkhana, and is further causing continuous great harm, loss and prejudice to the plaintiff which can not be compensated in terms of money. Therefore, he is seeking temporary order of injunction restraining the defendant, their servants, agents and persons acting through or under them, to act upon or take action in any manner of the said letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019. Therefore, plaintiff filed instant Notice of Motion. -- 2 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 3 Date :15.02.2020 3. The Notice of Motion is opposed by the defendants by filing reply. It is the contention of the defendant that the plaintiff failed to make out any case for grant of interim relief as the suit is barred by law. It is submitted that the defendant no. 1 is a Trust, registered under provision of Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 with Charity Commissioner and also registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860. Admittedly, the plaintiff who was member of defendant no. 1 has now been expelled from the Mumbai police Gymkhana on account of gross misconduct. Thus, being a past member of the Gymkhana, the plaintiff has an interest in the affairs of the Gymkhana as a member. This beneficial interest has now been terminated. Hence, no interim relief an be granted in favour of plaintiff. 4. It is further submitted that present suit is not maintainable, as the plaintiff failed to take prior consent of Charity Commissioner as contemplated under the provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950. Without such consent, the suit of the present nature i.e. seeking a declaration that the plaintiff’s expulsion is purportedly null and void and a further prayer for permanent injunction against defendant no. 1 Trust, is untenable in law. As the present suit is legally barred, then there is no question of any relief, much less any ad-interim relief being granted to the plaintiff. -- 3 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 4 Date :15.02.2020 5. It is further submitted that the defendant no. 1 is the Trust and the plaintiff failed to add Trustees of the Trust and hence, the suit is bad for non-joider of necessary parties. 6. It is further submitted on merit that the plaintiff is expelled from Gymkhana as his conduct of sending defamatory emails about the Chairman regarding the use of the lounge and same were circulated. Therefore, show cause notice issued to plaintiff as to why he should not be expelled from his membership. The plaintiff gave no plausible explanation. Therefore, after due process, Managing Committee, unanimously opined the case of gross misconduct and accordingly the plaintiff is expelled as per Constitution, vide Expulsion Letter dated 23.08.2019. Therefore, there no substance in the present Notice of Motion and defendant prayed for dismissal of the same. 7. The defendant by filing rejoinder contended that the defendant no. 2 chosen not to offer any reply which goes to prove that the defendant no. 2 has nothing to say in the matter. 8. It is submitted that admittedly there is no complaint either in oral or in writing against the plaintiff , for issuance of such show cause notice. The reasons offered for issuance of letter of expulsion is contrary to Rule No. 13.7 of the Constitution and Rule 9 of the Annexure – B of Memorandum of Association. Admittedly, the defendants have failed to produce proof with regard to Secretary having power to issue show cause notice. The defendants failed to offer any reply with regard to the Gymkhana -- 4 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 5 Date :15.02.2020 was being provided to Force-1 by having approval of Managing Committee or AGM or Notice of information being circulated to the member of the Card holder. Admittedly, there is no follow up of principles of natural justice a there is no hearing provided to the plaintiff before issuance of letter of expulsion. 9. The plaintiff specifically contended that he is not a member of defendant no. 1 Trust. The membership was offered to th plaintiff for the Gymkhana not by the defendant no. 1 i.e. Trust but by the Gymkhana i.e. defendant no. 2. The plaintiff is obliged to abide and follow the Rules and Regulations of Mubai Police Gymkhana i.e. defendant no.2, which are more particularly construed in Annexure B of Memorandum of Association and constitution and Rules of defendant no. 2. 10. It is further specifically contended that functionaries and management of both the defendant no. 1 and defendant no. 2 are separate, independent and distinct. The plaintiff specifically denied of having any interet in the affairs of the Gymkhana as a member sans the benefits affiliated with the membership of defendant no. 2 Gymkhana. 11. It is submitted by the plaintiff that he is neither interested in the affairs of the defendant no. 1 Trust, nor a beneficial member of the defendant no. 1 Trust. Hence, there is no question of seeking consent as contemplated under the provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950. -- 5 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 6 Date :15.02.2020 12. It is submitted by the plaintiff that suit filed by him in no manner seeks to alter and interferes with the working and managing the affairs of the defendant no. 1 Trust. For the working of defendant no. 1 Trust, the Trustees hold their own meeting whereas for the affairs regarding the working of Gymkhana, Managing Committee i.e. the defendant no. 2 hold its own meetings. 13. It is submitted that the affairs in respect of any membership of Gymkhana, the defendant no. 2 is falling under working of the defendant no. 2 Gymkhana. The impugned Order of expulsion dated 23.08.2019 is passed for alleged misconduct by the Managing Committee of defendant no. 2 and plaintiff claimed interim and final relief only against defendant no. 2. 14. It is further contended by the plaintiff that he was not against placing staff of Force-1at the Gymkhana in emergency. He was only concerned with non following of proper procedure of getting approaval of Managing Committee as required as per the Clause (viii) of Memorandum of Association and the Clause 7 of Rule A-2.4 which was not followed. The plaintiff submitted that the emails isued by him to the Chairman of defendant no. 2 Gymkhana and forwarding of copies to some of the members of the Managing Committee of defendant no. 2 Gymkhana does not fit at all in any provision of “Obligations and Punitiv Actions” defined under Rule 13 of the constitution and Annexure B of the Memorandum of Association. -- 6 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 7 Date :15.02.2020 15. It is submitted by the plaintiff that there is no complaint of any member of defendant no. 2 Gymkhana, which is mandatory as per Rule 13.9 of the Constitution and Rule 9 of the Annexure B of Memorandum of Association, which is mandatory for issuance of show cause notice. The Show Cause Notice was issued without mandatory approval of the Managing Committee of defendant mo. 2 which is require as per Rule 13.11 (c) and (d) of the Constitution and Rule 11(c) and (d) of Annexure B of Memorandum of Association. Hence, the plaintiff submitted that his suit is not barred by any law and his expulsion is issued without following principles of natural justice. Hence, he prayed for granting present Notice of Motion. 16. Heard both the sides. Perused Chamber Summons, reply, rejoinder as well as pleadings in the plaint. The plaintiff filed instant suit praying for following reliefs : a. This Hon’ble Court be pleased to declare that the Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exhibit J herto is arbitrary, unlawful, malafided, contrary to the Rules an therefore, is illegal, null and voide, bad in law, and is liable to be quashed and set aside. b. This Hon’ble Court be pleased to pass a permanent order and injunction restraining the defendants including its Managing Committee, their servants and agent or persons acting through or under them, to act upon or take action in any manner, on the basis of the Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. J. -- 7 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 8 Date :15.02.2020 hereto. c. Pending the hearing and final disposal of the present suit, this Hon’ble Court be pleased to pass a temporary order and injunction retraining the defendants including its Managing Commitee, their servants and agents and persons acting through or under them, to act upon or take action in any manner, on the Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. J. hereto or in the alternative of Letter of Expulsion dated 23.08.2019 being Exh. J hereto be stayed. d. Ad-interim and interim reliefs in terms of prayer clauses (b) and (c) above, be granted. e. Costs of the suit be provided for. f. That such other and further relief be granted, as the nature and circumstances of the case my require. 17. As per the pleadings of the plaintiff in the plaint, it is the case of plaintiff that he is member of defendant no. 1 Mumbai Police Gymkhana Trust since several years and has been granted membership under Clause of Police Membership. The defendant no. 2 is the Committee formed for the management and running of the activity of the defendant no. 1. It is the case of the plaintiff that on or around June 2019 he learned unauthorized and structural changes carried out in the building of Police Gymkhana without approval of defendant’s Committee and without permission of M.C.G.M. Later on it was learnt that Chairman of defendant no. 2, who has also Trustee of defendant no. 2 being -- 8 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 9 Date :15.02.2020 actively involved. Therefore, on 21.06.2019 he has sent mail to the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Shri. Sanjay Barve who is also Ex-officio Chairman of defendant no. 2 and Trustee of Defendant no. 1. Upon receipt of the aforesaid emails defendant demolished the unauthorised and illegal structure. Due to aforesaid conduct of the plaintiff, the venue for holding of meeting of the Managing Committee was fixed up at the office of Commissioner of Mumbai, Crawford Market rather than specious premises of defendant no. 1 which is required to be used for the Annual General Meetings as per the provisions in the Memorandum of Association which was objected by the plaintiff in his mail dated 21.06.2019. Inspite of receipt of the aforesaid emails, the defendants were reluctant in proceeding ahead with the organisation of the meeting of management Committee. Therefore, the plaintiff on 11.08.2019 issued another email by which he has pointed out shortcomings of the Commissioner of Police which is nothing but an willful contravention to the provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950. The shortcomings which has been pointed out by the plaintiff are as under : i. Non fulfillment of objectives Nos. iv. and v of Memorandum of Association in last 15 years. ii. Non-intimation of changes in the management, maintenance and other issues of the Gymkhana to the office of Charity Commissioner. iii. Failure to file annual balance sheet / audit report with the office of Charity Commissioner. -- 9 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 10 Date :15.02.2020 iv. Failure to hold meeting of Managing Committee every quarter. v. No AGM being held since 2016. vi. Mandatory period prescribed of 14 days not being followed for and towards meeting of Managing Committee. vii. Improper use of Trust property. 18. It is further specific case of the plaintiff that office bearers of the defendant without adhering to the clause of Memorandum of Association and without any AGM or Managing Committee meeting and / or prior intimation to the member, the card holders, unilaterally reserves the halls at first and second floor of the Gymkhana, for Force-1 without charging of any rent thereby causing loss to the defendant no. 1. 19. It is further learnt to the plaintiff that from other co- members of the defendants that they were restrained from accessing the area of lounge and restaurant by the team of Force-1 on 12.08.2019 which was under oral instructions of Shri. Sanjay Barve, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. It is submitted by the plaintiff that he is not against placing staff of Force-1 in Gymkhana in emergency but the plaintiff was only concerned that proper procedure of getting approval of Managing Committee is required as per Clause (viii) of the Memorandum of Association and Clause 7 of Rule A-2.4 was not followed. -- 10 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 11 Date :15.02.2020 20. It is further case of plaintiff that Show Cause Notice dated 16.08.2012 which was issued by the Hon’ble Secretary of the defendants under instructions of Shri. Barve, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and not under powers vested under the Managing Committee of defendant no. 1. It is the case of plaintiff that under the provisions Memorandum of Association and Constitution and the Rules of defendant no. 1, the powers / authority vested under Manging Committee for and towards issuance of Show Cause Notice cannot be delegated. Hence, the Show Cause Notice issued by Hon’ble Secretary is Ipso Facto illegal and bad in law and as such is nothing but an arbitrary abuse of powers entailing the plaintiff to approach this Hon’ble Court. 21. It is further contended by the plaintiff that Show Cause Notice does not meet definition and criteria of “mis-conduct” either in clause 13.7 of Constitution of Gymkhana or Clause 7 of the Annexure B of th Memorandum of Association. Defendant in utter disregard to principles of natural justice, fair play and without considering the deeming clauses of Memorandum of Association and Constitution and Rules of Mumbai Police Gymkhana vide, their letter dated 23.08.2019 expelled the membership of plaintiff. It is contended by the plaintiff that as per Memorandum of Association, and constitution and Rules of Gymkhana, Managing Committee cannot delegate the powers much less to the Hon’ble Secretary for issuance of Show Cause Notice and Expulsion Letter. Therefore, same is issued in complete disregard to the provision of Memorandum of Association and -- 11 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 12 Date :15.02.2020 Constitution and Rules of Gymkhana. 22. Thus, on perusal of the pleadings and prayers of the plaint, it appears that the plaintiff is challenging the Expulsion letter on the ground of non compliance of various clauses of Memorandum of Association of defendant no. 1 and rules framed by defendant no. 2 and seeking declaration against both the defendants. The first legal objection raised by the defendants that the plaintiff being member of defendant no. 1 is “Person having interest” as defined under section 2(10)(d) of Maharashtra Public Trust Act “(hereinafter shall be referred to as MPT Act). 23 . The plaintiff seeking declaration and injunction against the defendant. Therefor, the reliefs prayed for by the plaintiff are clearly covered under provision of Section 50 of the MPT Act and in the absence of prior consent from the Charity Commissioner before the suit, the suit was clearly not maintainable. In support of their contentions, defendants relied on following judgment : a) Rajesh Chunilal Meghani V/s. Andheri Recreation Club & Ors. reported in 2017 SCC Online Bom 2442. b) Social And Cultural Association & Ors. V/s. State of Maharashtra & Ors. reported in 2014 (4) Mh.L.J. 174. c) Dr. Vishwanath Dadarao Karad & Ors. V/s. Avinash Bhaskar Avhad & Ors. reported in 2019 SCC Online Bom 1219. d) Church of North India V/s. Lavajibhai Ratanjibhai & Ors. reported in (2005) 10 Supreme Court Cases 760. -- 12 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 13 Date :15.02.2020 24. Per contra learned advocate for the Plaintiff argued that he is not member of respondent no.1 trust. He has obtained membership of the defendant no.2. The function and management of both the defendants are different, distinct and separate. The Plaintiff is not interested in the affairs of the trust nor he is the beneficial member of the trust. Hence, there is no question of his seeking permission of the Charity Commissioner before filling of the suit. In support of his arguments he has relied on the following judgments:- a. Jagdish Chander Sachdeva vs Royal Bombay Yacht Club, 2005(1) Mh. L. J. 987, b. Sahebgouda (dead) by Lrs and others vs Ogeppa and others, AIR 2003 SC 2743, c. Namgonda Jingonda Patil vs Appasaheb Bapurao Walwekar & others, 2000 vol. 102(2) Bom. L. R. 142, d. Kedar Shivkumar Kale vs Digamber Shridhar Mhapsekar and others, 2007(4) Mh. L. J. 77 25. I have gone through the judgments cited by both the parties. The defendants relied on the judgment of Hon'ble Bombay High Court in case of Rajesh Chunilal Meghnan (Supra) , in the above judgment the Hon'ble High Court held that the suit regarding suspension of membership of appellant from respondent- club, a registered public trust, the suit filed for declaration of suspension order as null, void and illegal and also seeking injunction restraining trustees to act upon resolution of his suspension, the -- 13 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 14 Date :15.02.2020 suit stands covered under section 50 of Maharashtra Public Trust Act and hence prior permission of Charity Commissioner is necessary. 26. In case of Social and Cultural Association (Supra), the Plaintiffs claims that to keep him out of power, their membership is cancelled and that membership cancelled is beyond Scheme of Trust. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court held that declaration relating to "any right " in favour of or against trustees or beneficiaries thereof is covered under the provisions of Section 50 of MPT Act. The right to claim membership cannot be said to be divorced from being member of the Trust. The right emanates basically from being member of the Trust. Merely calling the right civil right will not help. It cannot be said that it is any independent right not connected with the affairs of the Trust or Management of the Trust. 27. In case of Church of North India(Supra), the Hon'ble Apex Court held that a pleas as to bar of Jurisdiction of a Civil Court must be considered having regard to the scheme of the Act as also the object purport it seeks to achieve. Such plea must be considered having regard to the averments in the plaint. The averments disclosing the cause of action and the reliefs sought for therein must be considered in their entirety. -- 14 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 15 Date :15.02.2020 28. Thus, in order to decide first objection of the defendants in respect of jurisdiction of this court, in view of the judgment of Church of North India (Supra), the averments of the plaint is necessary to looked into. The Plaintiff although, in rejoinder denied that he is not member of defendant no.1, but his pleadings in the plaint clearly shows that he has averted that he is the member of defendant no.1, Trust. The Show cause notice and expulsion order issued by the Secretary is in contravention of clauses of Memorandum of Association and rules framed thereunder. Therefore, he sought declaration that the letter of expulsion is illegal, null and void. He further prayed for injunction not only against the defendant no.2 but also against the defendant no.1, the Trust, not to act upon such expulsion order. 29. Thus, upon perusal of the averments in the plaint and also the reliefs claimed therein, it is clear that the Plaintiff admits that he is the member of Trust and also sought relief against the Trust. Section 2 (10) of MPT Act defines the expression "person having interest" includes, inter alia, in case of a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, any member of such Society and in case of any other public trust any trustee or beneficiary. Thus, in view of the averment made in the plaint, in my view, the plaintiff fall under the definition of "person having interest". 30. In case of Jagdish Chander Sachdeva (supra), relied by the Plaintiff, Appellant challenge the order refusing to grant injunction. In the aforesaid case the Plaintiff was the permanent -- 15 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 16 Date :15.02.2020 member of club and his membership entitled him allotment of room for long term stay in the club premises room no.49/50. However, the Plaintiff did not shift to his room from room no. 33 & 34, which were temporarily allotted to him as room no.49/50 was under renovation. Therefore, club terminated his membership under rules of the club. In the above case, the challenge was not on the maintainability of the suit. Hence, with due respect, in my view, the above case is not applicable in the present case. 31. In case of Sahebgouda (supra), the appellant challenge and sought declaration that they are Wahiwat pujaris and have pujariki rights of performing puja and also sought consequential decree for injunction restraining respondents. The Hon'ble Apex Court held that the jurisdiction of civil court does not oust the suit, as no declaration regarding existence or otherwise of trust/trust property claimed. Thus, the challenge was in respect of enforcement of civil right of the plaintiff, which is not the case in hand. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in case of Social and Cultural Association case (supra) has held that cancellation of membership is not an individual rights. Hence, in my view, the above judgment is not helpful to the case of Plaintiff. 32. In case of Namgonda Jingonda Patil (supra), the Hon'ble Single Judge of Bombay High Court held that that suit by members against other members for declaration and injunction, in which no relief sought against the Trust, no notice to or permission of the Charity Commissioner is necessary. -- 16 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 17 Date :15.02.2020 33. In case of Kedar Kale's case (supra), the Hon'ble Bombay High Court confirmed the order of trial court which held that the reliefs claimed in the suit and in the Motion by the Plaintiff was not directed against the Trust as such, but to give effect to his civil rights of the plaintiff which were affected on account of illegal resolution purportedly passed by the Council, so as to remove him from the post of Chairman. 34. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in case of Rajesh Chunnilal Meghnani (Supra) in its para 27 reiterated the contents of para 25 of Judgment of case of Dr. Rangnath P. Joshi (Supra), with respect to observations made in case of Namgonda Patil and Kedar Shivkumar Kale (Supra), the para no. 27 are reproduce as under:- Para No. 27: The decision in Dr. Rangnath P. Joshi (supra), is relevant because it distinguishes most of the decisions relied upon by Mr. Shah, learned counsel for the appellant. In this regard, the observations in paragraph 25 are necessary, which read thus: “ 25. The second ground urged by Mr. Pitre is as regards the removal of plaintiff No. 2 from the post of Treasurer. Heavy reliance is placed by Mr. Pitre on the decision in the case of Namgonda Patil and in the case of Kedar Kale. As far as the decision in the case of Namgonda Patil is concerned, learned Single Judge had no occasion to consider the decision of the Apex Court in the case Church of Northern India (Supra) as the decision in the case of Namgonda Patil was delivered on 7 March 2000 and the decision in the case of Church of Northern -- 17 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 18 Date :15.02.2020 India was delivered by the Apex Court on 3 May, 2005. In the case of Church of Northern India, the Apex Court dealt with the bar of jurisdiction of a Civil Court under section 80 of the Act, in extensio. The position of law therefore, will have to be analysed in light of the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Church of Northern India. Furthermore, in the case of Namgonda Patil, learned Single Judge, relied on the decision in the case of Dinanath Ingole, however in the case of Dinanath Ingole, it was categorically held that the suit for declaration that the plaintiffs therein are continued to be office bearers, which was for the Charity Commissioner to decide, could not be decided in a Civil Court. Therefore, the decision in the case of Namgonda Patil is without noticing the ratio in the case of Dinanath Ingole as well as prior to the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Church of Northern India. Similar is the position in respect of the case of Kedar Kale. In the case of Kedar Kale learned Single Judge simplicitor referred to the decision of Namgonda Patil and held that since similar issue was considered in the said decision and negatived, the contention raised had to be negatived. Therefore, the decisions in Namgonda Patil and Kedar Kale, though based on decision of Dinanath Ingole was not in tune with the ratio of the Dinanath Ingole. Furthermore the law will have to be considered in light of the Apex Court decision in Church of Northern India. Therefore the decisions relied upon by Mr. Pitre are distinguishable. On the other hand, in the case of Gaud Saraswat, it was categorically held that removal of a person as -- 18 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 19 Date :15.02.2020 a trustee, who holds a post defined under the Act, will not mean that a civil right is affected. Identical view is taken in Social and Cultural Association wherein also issue arose regarding removal of some persons from a trust.” 35. Thus, in view of the above observation made in Rajesh Chunilal Meghani, in my view, the judgments of Kedar Kale and Namgonda Patil, will not be helpful to the Plaintiff. 36. Section 50 of the MPT Act provides for institution of suits, by or against or relating to public trust or others. It provides that in any case, where the direction of the Court is deemed necessary for the administration of any public trust, or for any declaration or injunction in favour of or against a public trust or trustee or trustees or beneficiary thereof, the Charity Commissioner, after making such enquiry as he thinks necessary may himself institute a suit to obtain any of the reliefs prescribed u/s 50 of MPT Act. In the alternative, two or more persons having an interest, in case the suit is under sub-clause (i) to (iii), or one or more such persons in case the suit is under sub-clause (iv), having obtained the consent in writing of the Charity Commissioner, as provided u/s 51 of MPT Act, may institute a suit in the Court within a local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or part of the subject matter of the trust is situated, again, to obtain a decree for any of the reliefs specified in section 50 of MPT Act. 37. Section 51 of the MPT Act provides that if the person having an interest in any public trust intend to file a suit of the nature -- 19 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 20 Date :15.02.2020 specified in section 50, they shall apply to the Charity Commissioner in writing for his consent. If the Charity Commissioner after hearing the parties and making such enquiries, if any, thinks fit that there is prima facie case, he may within a period of six months from the date on which application is made, grant or refuse his consent to the institution of such suit. 38. Admittedly in the present case no such permission has been obtained by the Plaintiff. Therefore, after considering the above judgments, I am of the view, that the suit of the plaintiff is hit by the provision of MPT Act and prima-facie this court has no jurisdiction to try and entertain the present suit. Therefore, without adverting on the other aspect of the matter, in my view, the Plaintiff is not entitled for any relief much less interim relief. Hence, I proceed to pass the following order:- ORDER 1. Notice of Motion No. 3486 of 2019 is hereby dismissed with cost. 2. Notice of Motion No. 3486 of 2019 is disposed off accordingly. (A.H.Laddhad) Judge, City Civil and Sessions Court, Dated : 15.02.2020 Greater Bombay. Dictated on : 15.02.2020 Typed on : 15.02.2020 Draft Submitted on : 15.02.2020 Checked on : 02.03.2020 Signed on : 02.03.2020 -- 20 of 21 -- NM 3486-19 in S.C.Suit (Stamp no.) 9827/19 21 Date :15.02.2020 “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER.” 02/03/2020 at 3.45 p.m. (Ms. V.V.Sawant) UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER Name of the Judge (With Court room no.) Shri A.H.LADDHAD (C.R. No.7) Date of Pronouncement of JUDGMENT/ ORDER 15/02/2020 JUDGMENT/ORDER signed by P.O. on 02/03/2020 JUDGMENT/ORDER uploaded on 02/03/2020 -- 21 of 21 --
