Pakistan Case Lawโ† Search
1996 MLD 1406

GUL NAWAZ vs GUL BAZAR and anothers

Citation1996 MLD 1406
CourtPeshawar High Court
Case No.Civil Revision No,218 of 1994
Date1996-01-15
Judge(s)Zeenat Khan
ResultCase remanded

' This revision is directed against the judgment and decree of District Judge, Lakki dated 6-11-1994 vide which the appeal was accepted and the suit of respondent No,1 was partially decreed.

2. The facts giving rise to this revision are that Gul Nawaz petitioner purchased the suit property, fully described in the heading of the plaint, through Mutations Nos.3029 and 3730 attested on 25-11- 1986. This sale was pre-empted by Gul Bazar and Shor Gul, respondents Nos.1 and 2 herein, through Suits Nos.401/1 and 505/1 respectively. Both the suits were consolidated by the trial Court vide Order No,7 dated 17-2-1988 and the proceedings were carried out in Case File No,403/1. Out of pleadings of the parties, the following consolidated issues were framed:--

(1) Whether the plaintiff has got a cause of action?

(2) Whether the suits are incompetent in their present form?

(3) Whether both the suits are within time?

(4) Whether the plaintiff and the rival pre-emptor are estopped to sue?

(5) Whether the plaintiff and the rival pre-emptor have waived their right of pre-emption?

(6) Which of the rival pre-emptors has got a superior right against the vendee-defendant and against their selves inter se and to what extent?

(7) Whether the sale consideration recorded in the impugned mutations have fixed in good faith and actually paid?

(8) Market value?

(9) Which of the rival pre-emptors is entitled to the decree as prayed for and to what extent?

(10) Relief.

3. After recording evidence of the parties, both the suits were dismissed by the Court of 1st instance on 9-12-1989.

4. Being dissatisfied with the judgment and decrees, both the respondents/rival-pre-emptors preferred Appeals Nos.6/13 and 8/13 in the Court of District Judge, Lakki. The learned Appellate Court disposed of both the appeals through a single judgment and as a result thereof the suit of respondent No,1 was partially decreed, whereas the findings of the lower Court in respect of the suit of respondent No,2 were maintained.

5. Gul Nawaz, defendant-vendee, has impugned the judgment and decree of the Appellate Court through the instant revision on variety of grounds.

6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record with their valuable assistance.

7. Both the suits were instituted under the provisions of N.-W.F.P. Preemption Act, 1987 (Act X of 1987, hereinafter to be referred as the Act). Under the said Act, the right of pre-emption comes into existence only if the provisions contained in section 13 are complied with, meaning thereby that the Talbs are condition precedents in order to give birth to a right of pre-emption. The learned trial Court while framing the consolidate issues had overlooked the averments contained in the pleadings of the parties pertaining to Talbs and, therefore, did not cast any issue on this count.

8. Issues are framed under Order 14 of Civil Procedure Code. It provides that "issue arises when a material proposition of law or fact is affirmed by one party and denied by other. Material propositions are those propositions of law or fact which a plaintiff must allege in order to show a right to sue or a defendant must allege in order to constitute his defence. Each material proposition affirmed by one party and denied by the other shall form the subject of a distinct issue. In the instant case, both the rival pre-emptors averred in their respective plaints that they have made the Talbs at the relevant times and this factum was specifically denied by the vendee-defendant in his written statement. Despite of it, the material issue of Talbs was not framed. It has prejudiced the case of both the rival pre-emptors. In absence of the distinct issue, the parties did not shoulder the responsibilities of the proof or rebuttal of the Talbs. Time and again it has been observed by the Superior Courts for the guidance of the subordinate Courts that ample care should be taken when the case is fixed for settlement of the issues. It is also the duty of the respective counsel to assist the Court at this juncture, so that proper issues are framed according to the pleadings of the parties. Guidance can be derived from the judgment reflected in 1992 MLD (Peshawar) 1439. This important aspect of the case also escaped sight of the Appellate Court.

9. In the circumstances of the case, the findings of the two Courts below deserve interference as they have failed to exercise their jurisdiction properly which has resulted into miscarriage of justice.

10. Though the rival pre-emptor, Shor Gul, has not preferred any revision against the judgment and decree of the lower Appellate Court, but he had been arrayed as respondent No,2 in the instant revision petition. The attested copied of his cases are appended with civil revision and his original record has bee n requisitioned. Since both the suits were consolidated and were disposed of by a single judgment and the same recourse was adhered to by the lower Appellate Court, therefore, the rival pre-emptor/respondent No,2 Shor Gul, is also held entitled to reap the fruit of this judgment. It has been laid down in numerous precedents that no person should suffer by the act or omission of the Court. Framing of the issues is then in that eventuality its acts of omission will not deprive a person of his legal rights. The proceedings of the lower Court dated 20-3-1988 vide which such an important issue was left to be framed has prejudiced the cause of the rival pre-emptors.

11. Resultantly, I am constrained to accept this revision petition. The judgment and decree of both the Courts below are set aside and the case is remanded to the trial Court with the directions that the provisions of Order 14, C.P.C. Be taken into consideration in the light of the cited judgment MLD 1992 (Peshawar) 1439 and proper issues be framed from the pleadings of the parties. A distinct issue on the question of Talbs should also be settled.

12. After giving notice to both the rival pre-emptors and the vendee-defendant, the trial Court will start the proceedings afresh from the stage of settlement of issues and, thereafter, the case shall be disposed of in accordance with law. In peculiar circumstances of the case in hand, the parties are left to bear their own costs.

For educational and research use only โ€” not legal advice. Verify against the official report before relying on it. See our Disclaimer.
DisclaimerยทPrivacyยทTermsยทSearch