whether any relief can be granted to
the appellant in this appeal. - provided temporary accomadation over the disputed property till she established her title over it and subject to the result of the suit in the family court or suitable forum as the respondent No.8 her husband accepted for accomdation of her.
The Bombay High Court has in substance non-suited her on the ground that the Writ Court was not the appropriate forum for granting her relief.
We do not per se find any error in such approach.
But, in course of this appeal, the husband (respondent no. 8) has filed an affidavit stating that he has set apart the Flat No. 101 in which the appellant could be accommodated.
The appellant on the other hand has asserted that the allocation of the same flat was earmarked for one Mr. Nayak Satam, a tenant, as per the plan
Considering the fact that the dispute is pending for a very long time, we shall be giving certain directions in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India which we hope will conclude the dispute. We shall do so having regard to the fact that the builder and the husband of the appellant have uniformly stated that Flat No. 101 in Om Apartment is available to accommodate the appellant. For this reason, in our opinion, the appellant should be given the choice 19 of occupying that flat as her residence.
For this purpose, however, certain cautionary measures are also necessary to ensure that the said flat is not otherwise parted with or encumbered in any form:-
(a) The Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall disclose to the appellant in writing as to whether the Flat no. 101 of “Om Apartment” standing on Plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar having 379 sq.ft. carpet area is free for allocation to the respondent no. 8 or not. This disclosure shall be made to the appellant within a period of two months from the date of communication of this order to the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2.
(b) Within one month from the date such disclosure is communicated to the appellant in writing, the appellant shall take a decision as to whether she will accept the offer to be accommodated in said flat no. 101. The appellant shall inform the respondent no. 1, 2, 7 and 8 her decision in writing within the aforesaid timeframe of one month.
(c) The husband, that is the respondent no. 8, shall also give an undertaking in the form of 20 an affidavit affirmed before a Judicial Magistrate of First Class stating therein in clear terms the nature of right he exercises over that flat along with copies of documents to establish such right. That affidavit shall also contain an unequivocal undertaking that he would not in any way disturb possession of the appellant in the said flat. The affidavit shall also disclose that the respondent no. 8 has not created any form of encumbrance over the said flat. Such affidavit shall be given within a period of one month from the date the appellant communicates in writing her willingness to be accommodated in flat no. 101.
(d) If there is no bar in allocating the said flat to the appellant on the basis of re-development plan or any other instrument supplemental or ancillary thereto, and the appellant accepts the offer of being accommodated in the said flat bearing no.101, then the appellant shall vacate her present accommodation and settle in that flat bearing no.101 in Om Apartment within a further period of four months. This would be subject to the respondent no.8 21 giving undertaking in the form of affidavit as directed in the preceding sub-paragraph.
14. In the event, however, the appellant wants to establish her right to reside in her matrimonial home with her husband, she shall be at liberty to approach the Family Court or any other forum of competent jurisdiction, as she may be advised. But in such a situation, she would not be entitled to claim any right specifically in respect of Flat No.101 at Om Apartment on the basis of directions issued by us in the preceding paragraph including the four sub-paragraphs thereof.
15. The appellant shall vacate her existing accommodation for which expenses appears to have been and continues to be incurred by the Respondent No. 8. The fact of incurring such expense has been pleaded in the additional affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent No. 8, verified on 29th August 2019. We give appellant eight months’ time to vacate her present residence at A/20, Bal Govinddas Society, Manorama Nagarkar Marg, Mahim Mumbai. In the event she chooses to opt for Flat No. 101 in “Om Apartment” as her residence, and the other conditions specified in paragraph 13 and its various sub- 22 paragraphs are satisfied, then she shall vacate her present premises from the date she takes possession of the flat at “Om Apartment”. Respondent No.8 shall give her possession of the said premises on a date mutually convenient to the appellant and the Respondent No.8 within the aforesaid period of eight months.
16. Otherwise, the course to be taken by her shall be guided by the direction that may be given by a Court of competent jurisdiction, which the appellant may approach. Till the time the appellant retains possession of the present residential accommodation, which period shall not exceed eight months, the respondent no.8 shall continue to pay rent thereof and her possession thereof shall not be disturbed. The obligation of the respondent no.8 to pay rent and ensure peaceful possession of the present residential unit of the appellant shall not exceed the eight months period, as stipulated by us. Unless of course, a Court of competent jurisdiction issues any other direction at the instance of the appellant
.1
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7231 OF 2012
AISHWARYA ATUL PUSALKAR ...APPELLANT
VERSUS
MAHARASHTRA HOUSING & AREA
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY & ORS. ...RESPONDENTS
J U D G M E N T
ANIRUDDHA BOSE, J.
The original writ petitioner, who is the appellant in this
proceeding seeks to enforce her right to reside in her matrimonial home.
The location of the house where she wants to establish her right to
reside is comprised in two flats (nos.601 and 602) in a building situated
on plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar, in the
metropolis of Mumbai. The family of her husband (respondent no. 8)
were originally the owners of the said plot, on which stood a residential
building known as “Usha”. We find from an additional affidavit filed
2
in this proceeding affirmed on 29th August 2019 by the respondent no.
8 that the said building was originally owned by three branches of the
“Pusalkar” family in equal proportion. The branch of the respondent
no. 8 stemmed from Shivram Dattatryea Pusalkar, carpet area of 1100
sq.ft. comprised of their share. On death of said Shivram Dattatreya
Pusalkar, his share devolved in equal proportion to his widow
Shobhana Shivram Pusalkar (since deceased), their daughter Gayatri
Pratap Puranik and the respondent no. 8. That building upon demolition
was redeveloped by a firm of builders, BUILDARCH. Such
redevelopment was done after obtaining a no objection certificate from
the Mumbai Building Reforms and Reconstruction Board (Board) in
terms of the provisions of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development
Act, 1976 (1976 Act). Under a scheme approved under the provisions
of the said Act, during the period of redevelopment, the occupants were
required to shift to transit or temporary accommodations. The
appellant’s contention is that such exercise of redevelopment had been
undertaken in pursuance of a statutory scheme framed under Section
79 of the 1976 Act which has provisions for rehabilitation of dishoused
occupiers. The members of the family of the appellant after her
3
marriage, comprising of her husband and mother-in-law appear to have
had shifted to the transit accommodation in the year 2000. The
appellant-writ petitioner remained in the original building with her two
minor sons. Respondent No. 8, Atul Shivram Pusalkar, however, has
claimed that both their sons are major by age now and are working with
him in his business. Respondent No. 8 has also stated that one of his
two sons is residing with him.
2. As the appellant had continued to reside in the old building, the
MHADA authorities issued a notice upon her under Section 95-A of
the 1976 Act. The said provision stipulates:-
“95-A. (1) Where the owner of a building or
the members of the proposed co-operative
housing society of the occupiers of the said
building, submits a proposal to the Board for
reconstruction of the building, after
obtaining the written consent of not less than
70 per cent of the total occupiers of the
building and a No Objection Certificate for
such reconstruction of the building is issued
by the Board to the owner or to the proposed
co-operative housing society of the
occupiers, as the case may be, then it shall be
binding on all the occupiers to vacate the
premises:
Provided that, it shall be incumbent upon the
holder of such No Objection Certificate to
make available to all the occupants of such
4
building alternate temporary
accommodation.
(2) On refusal by any of the occupant to
vacate the premises as provided in subsection (1), on being approached by the
holder of such No Objection Certificate for
eviction of such occupiers, it would be
competent for the Board, notwithstanding
anything contained in Chapters VI and VII
of this Act, be liable for summary eviction.
(3) Any person occupying any premises,
land, building or structure of the Board
unauthorisely or without specific written
permission of the Board in this behalf shall,
notwithstanding anything contained in
Chapter VI and VII of this Act, be liable for
summary eviction.
(4) Any person who refuses to vacate such
premises or obstructs such eviction shall, on
conviction, be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend
to one year or with fine which may extend to
five thousand rupees, or with both.”
3. The appellant thereafter had shifted to a temporary
accommodation as directed by an order of a Single Judge of the
Bombay High Court in Civil Application No. 2967 of 2000. This
application was taken out in connection with an appeal arising out of a
matrimonial proceeding pending between the appellant and respondent
5
no. 8 at that point of time. We shall refer to that proceeding later in this
judgment. On her vacating the premises, redevelopment work stood
completed and the new building constructed on the said land was given
its identity as “Om Apartment”.
4. The mother of the respondent no. 8 passed away before institution
of the present appeal. Her interest in this proceeding is being
represented by the respondent no. 8 himself and his sister, Gayatri
Pratap Puranik (respondent no.9 in this appeal). From the counteraffidavit of the MHADA Authorities, we find that certain arrangement
was entered into between the builder and the family of the appellant’s
husband. Relevant particulars of such arrangement would appear from
paragraphs 8 (a) to (e) of the said affidavit of MHADA and the
authorities constituted under the 1976 Act (respondent nos. 1 to 4) in
this appeal. These paragraphs read:-
“8. (a) The Petitioner’s husband (i.e the
Respondent No.8 herein), her mother in law
and her sister in law (the Respondent No.9
herein) were co-owners of collective 1/3rd
undivided share, right, title and interest in
the property bearing Plot No. 118, Dr. M.B.
Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar Mumbai
400028 and in the old building standing
thereon. As such, the petitioner along with
6
her two sons and the said co-owners was in
common occupation of a residential
premises admeasuring around 1100 sq. ft
(carpet) in the old building standing on the
said property.
The Petitioner has referred to the said old
residential tenement as her matrimonial
home.
(b) It is learnt that vide an agreement dated
1.07.1999 executed between the said coowners and the Respondent No. 7, the coowners had agreed to sell, convey and
transfer their collective 1/3rd
undivided
share, right, title and interest in the said
property for the consideration and on terms
and conditions recorded therein. Under the
terms of the said agreement, the Respondent
No.7 had agreed to provide to the co-owners
as and by way of permanent alternative
accommodations, three premises,
collectively admeasuring 1100 sq.ft. (carpet)
in lieu of area occupied by them in the old
building standing on the said property.
Being the legally wedded wife of the
Respondent No.8, the Petitioner had a right
to reside along with her husband in the
temporary alternate accommodation and
permanent alternate accommodation allotted
to him either along with the remaining coowners or independently.
(c) As the matrimonial dispute between the
Petitioner and Respondent No.8 was going
on when the aforesaid agreement was
executed, the Respondent No. 7 at the
7
insistence of the Petitioner and the
Respondent No.8, provided her an
independent temporary alternate
accommodation at Room No.20, 1
st floor,
Balgovinddas Society, Manorama Nagarkar
Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400016.
(d) The answering respondent has learnt that
in pursuance to an Agreement for
Assignment dated 16.6.2004 executed
between two amongst the said co-owners
viz. Smt. Shobhana Shivram Pusalkar
(Petitioner’s mother-in-law) and Mrs.
Gayatri Pratap Puranik (the Respondent
No.9 herein) being the Assignors and the
Respondent No.7 being the Assignee, the
said Assignors have forever and absolutely
assigned and transferred in favour of the
Respondent No.7, their respective share i.e.
733 sq.ft.(carpet) area out of 1100 sq.ft.
(carpet) area agreed to be allotted to them
under the said agreement for consideration
and on the terms and conditions recorded
therein. The aforesaid facts have also been
deposed by the Respondent No.7 in an
affidavit dated 20th October, 2004 filed in
Civil Application No.183 of 2004 in Family
Court Appeal No.72 of 1997 and Family
Court Appeal No.87 of 1997 (Aishwarya
Atul Pusalkar Vs. Atul Shivram Pusalkar &
Anr.).
(e) In view of assignment of area by two coowners, the Respondent No.7 had to provide
one flat admeasuring 379 sq. ft. (carpet) to
the Petitioner’s husband i.e. the Respondent
8
No.8 herein. The Respondent No. 7 has
accordingly allotted to the Respondent No. 8
a flat bearing No. 101 admeasuring 379 sq.
ft. (carpet) on the 1st floor of the said
building “Om Apartment”, constructed as
per the plans lastly approved by the
M.C.G.M.(hereinafter referred to as “the
said new flat”).
5. There is dispute as regards actual area of allocation to the
respondent no. 8 and his family by the respondent no. 7 in the new
building. The appellant contends such area to be 1816.61 sq. ft., out of
which her husband’s share would have been 605.53 sq. ft. in “Om
Apartment” during the period his mother was alive. The appellant,
appearing in-person, has also submitted that such area was comprised
in two flats in the sixth floor of the said building, being flat nos. 601
and 602. Her assertion as regards the area of the two flats is based on
an approved plan bearing no. EEBP/8145/GN/A of 15th October 2004.
An architect’s certificate to that effect forms part of Affidavit-inRejoinder of the appellant filed in the writ petition before the Bombay
High Court, from which this appeal originates. That petition was
registered as writ petition No.1398 of 2008. The stand of the respondent
no. 7, the builder, however is that the plan dated 15th October 2004 was
9
subsequently amended on 17th February 2006 and 22nd November 2006
and “Om Apartment” had not been constructed in accordance with the
plan of 15th October 2004. Both the respondent nos. 7 and 8 have
argued that in the new building also, carpet area allocation was 1100
sq. ft. to the branch of the family of respondent no. 8. Out of that area,
the deceased mother and sister of the respondent no. 8 had assigned to
the respondent no. 7 for valuable consideration their respective shares
coming to 733 sq.ft. According to the builder and the respondent no.
8, the latter has been allotted a flat bearing no. 101 having 379 sq.ft.
carpet area in the same building. The respondent no. 8 wants the
appellant to shift to that flat and in this regard he has affirmed an
affidavit on 29th August, 2019 forming part of records of this
proceeding. In the verification portion of this affidavit, the residential
address of the respondent no. 8 is shown to be “Matushree Pearl,
Sitaram Keer Road, Mahim, Mumbai.” The appellant at present appears
to be residing at 20, Balgovindas Society, Manorama Nagarkar Marg,
Mumbai 400016. The Respondent no. 8 has pleaded that this residence
was initially provided by the builder as transit accommodation to her
but at present he is paying rent for the same. In the writ petition, out
10
of which this appeal arises, she had asked for direction upon MHADA
authorities to rehouse her in the said two flats. The other prayers in the
writ petition included a mandatory direction for compliance with the
plan of 15th October 2004.
6. There have been certain parallel developments pertaining to the
appellant’s matrimonial dispute with her husband. In the Family Court,
the husband- respondent no. 8 had been granted a decree of judicial
separation in the year 1997. His plea for divorce was not accepted by
the Family Court. The decree of judicial separation was passed on 30th
July, 1997. Both the appellant and the respondent no.8 appealed
against the said judgment and decree before the Bombay High Court.
The High Court in a common judgment delivered on 2nd July, 2001 had
allowed the appellant’s appeal, registered as FCA No. 72 of 1997 and
set aside the decree of judicial separation. The appeal of her husband
(registered as FCA No. 87 of 1997) against the Family Court’s
judgment refusing to grant divorce was dismissed. This decision was
delivered by the Bombay High Court after she had shifted to her
temporary accommodation. The complaint of the appellant is that after
the decree of judicial separation was invalidated, her husband and his
11
family have not allowed her to reside in the flats allocated to them in
the redeveloped building. She claims in substance that such refusal is
in breach of her right to reside in her matrimonial home. It is also her
case that as she had vacated the original residential unit on the basis of
a statutory notice, she has her right to be rehoused in those flats as part
of statutory rehabilitation measure. The appellant thereafter filed the
writ petition in the Bombay High Court. The present appeal has been
resisted by the MHADA Authorities, the builder (respondent no. 7), her
husband (respondent no.8) and the appellant’s sister-in-law, respondent
no. 9. She was impleaded in this appeal after the demise of original
appellant’s mother-in-law. These respondents had taken the same stand
before the Bombay High Court.
7. The Bombay High Court in the judgment under appeal sustained
the plea of the respondents that the right which the writ petitioner
(appellant before us) was seeking to establish could not be enforced
invoking jurisdiction of the Court under Article 226 of the Constitution
12
of India. It was, inter-alia, observed and held by the Bombay High
Court :-
“6. In our view, the claim of the petitioner is
based on her contention that she being
legally wedded wife of the 8th respondent
and the daughter-in-law of the 9th
respondent, the petitioner is entitled to
occupy flat Nos. 601 & 602 in the newly
constructed building. She is claiming such a
right on the basis that Flat No. 601 & 602
constitute her matrimonial home. In our
opinion, the present Writ Petition is not an
appropriate remedy for the petitioner for
ventilating her such a grievance and that she
can agitate such a claim and make such
grievances, by adopting appropriate course
of action in the Family Court and/or civil
Court for the enforcement of her right that
she is claiming herein. In view of the nature
of controversy involved between the parties,
we hold that it is not possible for us to try,
entertain and decide the same in exercise of
our writ jurisdiction.
7. In view of the aforesaid discussion and the
conclusions drawn by us, the present writ
petition is dismissed. However, we make it
clear that dismissal of this petition will not
be a hurdle for the petitioner to seek
appropriate relief to which she may be
entitled in law, before appropriate form, in a
properly constituted proceeding. In case if
the petitioner is advised to adopt any such
remedy, the observations herein will not be
13
considered one way or the other, while
determining the entitlement of the
petitioner.”
8. Smt. Pusalkar has argued before us in-person that she was
removed from her matrimonial home through the statutory mechanism
contained in Section 95A of the 1976 Act, which bore the threats of
penal measure and summary eviction process. But this was during the
time the decree of judicial separation remained operative. She traces the
root of her ‘dishousing’ to a notice dated 10th July 2000 (bearing no.
MBR & RB/FN/GN/2136 of 2000) issued by the Board under the 1976
Act. Her case is that it is composite statutory obligation of MHADA,
the builder and her husband to rehouse her in her matrimonial home. It
is a fact that the said respondents functioned under a statutory scheme
while redeveloping the property, commencing from approval of the
development scheme, vacating the old building and re-entry into the
allocated portion of the redeveloped premises by her husband’s family.
The appellant was also dishoused from the said building under that
scheme. But in our opinion, when a builder has discharged his
obligation by accommodating the original owners in the redeveloped
14
portion as per such a scheme, a lady married into that family would not
be entitled to invoke the writ jurisdiction of the High Court to enforce
her right to matrimonial home citing the provisions of the said statute,
if her husband does not permit her to reside in the allocated portion. She
does not have any independent claim on title or interest to that property
having its genesis in that statute. Her claim of right to reside in her
matrimonial home is sought to be projected by her as collateral to the
statutory right of her husband to be rehoused or rehabilitated in the new
building. But her right to reside in her matrimonial home stands
detached from and is independent of the statutory scheme under the said
Act. Neither MHADA, nor the builder can have any further legal
obligation to rehouse her. She is staking her claim as a constructive
beneficiary of the redevelopment scheme. But our opinion is that the
right she is seeking to enforce, though flows from a set of events on the
basis of which her husband can claim rehabilitation, is actually
anchored to an independent legal principle under the Family Law. We
accept that she was an occupier under Section 2 (25) of the 1976 Act,
but such occupier status was dependent upon her husband’s
independent right as part owner of the property. Her right flowing from
15
her matrimonial status cannot get diffused with her right of rehousing
or rehabilitation under the statutory scheme. Her right to reside in her
matrimonial home does not flow from the 1976 Act.
9. We recognise the appellant’s right to reside in her matrimonial
home. Such right has a legitimate basis. Though in our view the
enforcement mechanism adopted by her to enforce her right is not
legally acceptable, a brief discussion on the right she is seeking to
enforce is necessary to understand the scope of her claim. A married
woman is entitled to live, subsequent to her marriage, with rest of her
family members on the husband’s side, in case it is a joint-property. If
she resides in an accommodation as an independent family unit with her
husband and children, the matrimonial home would be that residential
unit. This right is embedded in her right as a wife. It is implicit under
the provisions of Section 18 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance
Act, 1956 in situations that statute is applicable. The Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 has recognised the concept
of “shared household” in terms of Section 2(s) of this statute.
Alienating an immovable asset to defeat the right of a victim lady under
the said Act can constitute domestic violence, coming, inter-alia, within
16
the ambit of the expression “economic abuse” under Section 3(iv) of
2005 Act. A Magistrate having jurisdiction under Section 19 of the
said Act is empowered to pass a residence order to protect a victim of
domestic violence from being removed from her shared household. But
for a husband to compel his wife to live in a separate household, which
is not her matrimonial home, an order from appropriate legal forum
would be necessary. There cannot be forcible dishousing of a wife from
her matrimonial home.
10. The respondent no. 8 claims that the appellant could be
accommodated in Flat no. 101 of the same building. But the appellant’s
stand is that the said flat stands allocated to another tenant and she is
being offered that flat with malafide intention. She has staked her claim
on her right to residence in the matrimonial home, which according to
her is comprised in the said two flats bearing nos. 601 and 602. From
the materials available, it appears that interest in those flats have been
surrendered by the paternal family members of the respondent no.8.
11. There appears to be some matters pending in different fora in
relation to the matrimonial dispute between the appellant and the
respondent no.8. But we have not been apprised of particulars of such
17
matters. The position as it stands now is that the decree of judicial
separation stands invalidated and as of now, the appellant is the legally
wedded wife of the respondent no.8. She has been out of her
matrimonial home since the year 2000. But such right cannot be
enforced invoking the writ jurisdiction. Moreover, the original building
that constituted her matrimonial home has been demolished. Large
portions of the redeveloped building on the same plot has been parted
with. Now going by its traditional meaning, her matrimonial home at
present would be the premises in which her husband is residing. In this
complex perspective, a judicial forum having fact-finding jurisdiction
would be the proper forum for adjudicating her claim of this nature. The
appellant drew our attention to Section 177 of the 1976 Act to contend
that disputes arising out of the said Act cannot be adjudicated upon by
a Civil Court. But as we have already observed, the dispute raised by
her does not arise out of any of the provisions of the 1976 Act. Though
she was dishoused as an occupier applying the provisions of the 1976
Act, claim of her rehousing is based on her status as wife of the
respondent no. 8. In our opinion, such claim has to be adjudicated upon
by the Civil Court or the Family Court or any other forum the law may
18
prescribe. Such right of the appellant cannot be diffused with the right
of her husband under the 1976 Act, whose family property, part of
which he is the owner, has been reconstructed.
12. Now the question arises as to whether any relief can be granted to
the appellant in this appeal. The Bombay High Court has in substance
non-suited her on the ground that the Writ Court was not the appropriate
forum for granting her relief. We do not per se find any error in such
approach. But, in course of this appeal, the husband (respondent no. 8)
has filed an affidavit stating that he has set apart the Flat No. 101 in
which the appellant could be accommodated. The appellant on the other
hand has asserted that the allocation of the same flat was earmarked for
one Mr. Nayak Satam, a tenant, as per the plan.
13. Considering the fact that the dispute is pending for a very long
time, we shall be giving certain directions in exercise of our jurisdiction
under Article 142 of the Constitution of India which we hope will
conclude the dispute. We shall do so having regard to the fact that the
builder and the husband of the appellant have uniformly stated that Flat
No. 101 in Om Apartment is available to accommodate the appellant.
For this reason, in our opinion, the appellant should be given the choice
19
of occupying that flat as her residence. For this purpose, however,
certain cautionary measures are also necessary to ensure that the said
flat is not otherwise parted with or encumbered in any form:-
(a) The Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall disclose
to the appellant in writing as to whether the
Flat no. 101 of “Om Apartment” standing on
Plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji
Park, Dadar having 379 sq.ft. carpet area is
free for allocation to the respondent no. 8 or
not. This disclosure shall be made to the
appellant within a period of two months
from the date of communication of this order
to the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2.
(b) Within one month from the date such
disclosure is communicated to the appellant
in writing, the appellant shall take a decision
as to whether she will accept the offer to be
accommodated in said flat no. 101. The
appellant shall inform the respondent no. 1,
2, 7 and 8 her decision in writing within the
aforesaid timeframe of one month.
(c) The husband, that is the respondent no. 8,
shall also give an undertaking in the form of
20
an affidavit affirmed before a Judicial
Magistrate of First Class stating therein in
clear terms the nature of right he exercises
over that flat along with copies of documents
to establish such right. That affidavit shall
also contain an unequivocal undertaking that
he would not in any way disturb possession
of the appellant in the said flat. The affidavit
shall also disclose that the respondent no. 8
has not created any form of encumbrance
over the said flat. Such affidavit shall be
given within a period of one month from the
date the appellant communicates in writing
her willingness to be accommodated in flat
no. 101.
(d) If there is no bar in allocating the said flat to
the appellant on the basis of re-development
plan or any other instrument supplemental or
ancillary thereto, and the appellant accepts
the offer of being accommodated in the said
flat bearing no.101, then the appellant shall
vacate her present accommodation and settle
in that flat bearing no.101 in Om Apartment
within a further period of four months. This
would be subject to the respondent no.8
21
giving undertaking in the form of affidavit as
directed in the preceding sub-paragraph.
14. In the event, however, the appellant wants to establish her right
to reside in her matrimonial home with her husband, she shall be at
liberty to approach the Family Court or any other forum of competent
jurisdiction, as she may be advised. But in such a situation, she would
not be entitled to claim any right specifically in respect of Flat No.101
at Om Apartment on the basis of directions issued by us in the
preceding paragraph including the four sub-paragraphs thereof.
15. The appellant shall vacate her existing accommodation for which
expenses appears to have been and continues to be incurred by the
Respondent No. 8. The fact of incurring such expense has been
pleaded in the additional affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent
No. 8, verified on 29th August 2019. We give appellant eight months’
time to vacate her present residence at A/20, Bal Govinddas Society,
Manorama Nagarkar Marg, Mahim Mumbai. In the event she chooses
to opt for Flat No. 101 in “Om Apartment” as her residence, and the
other conditions specified in paragraph 13 and its various sub-
22
paragraphs are satisfied, then she shall vacate her present premises
from the date she takes possession of the flat at “Om Apartment”.
Respondent No.8 shall give her possession of the said premises on a
date mutually convenient to the appellant and the Respondent No.8
within the aforesaid period of eight months.
16. Otherwise, the course to be taken by her shall be guided by the
direction that may be given by a Court of competent jurisdiction,
which the appellant may approach. Till the time the appellant retains
possession of the present residential accommodation, which period
shall not exceed eight months, the respondent no.8 shall continue to
pay rent thereof and her possession thereof shall not be disturbed. The
obligation of the respondent no.8 to pay rent and ensure peaceful
possession of the present residential unit of the appellant shall not
exceed the eight months period, as stipulated by us. Unless of course,
a Court of competent jurisdiction issues any other direction at the
instance of the appellant.
23
17. With these directions, the appeal shall stand disposed of. All
connected applications are disposed of. Interim orders, if any, shall
stand dissolved. There shall be no order as to costs.
…..………………………….J.
(Deepak Gupta)
……………..……………….J.
(Aniruddha Bose)
New Delhi,
Dated: 27 April, 2020.
The Bombay High Court has in substance non-suited her on the ground that the Writ Court was not the appropriate forum for granting her relief.
We do not per se find any error in such approach.
But, in course of this appeal, the husband (respondent no. 8) has filed an affidavit stating that he has set apart the Flat No. 101 in which the appellant could be accommodated.
The appellant on the other hand has asserted that the allocation of the same flat was earmarked for one Mr. Nayak Satam, a tenant, as per the plan
Considering the fact that the dispute is pending for a very long time, we shall be giving certain directions in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India which we hope will conclude the dispute. We shall do so having regard to the fact that the builder and the husband of the appellant have uniformly stated that Flat No. 101 in Om Apartment is available to accommodate the appellant. For this reason, in our opinion, the appellant should be given the choice 19 of occupying that flat as her residence.
For this purpose, however, certain cautionary measures are also necessary to ensure that the said flat is not otherwise parted with or encumbered in any form:-
(a) The Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall disclose to the appellant in writing as to whether the Flat no. 101 of “Om Apartment” standing on Plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar having 379 sq.ft. carpet area is free for allocation to the respondent no. 8 or not. This disclosure shall be made to the appellant within a period of two months from the date of communication of this order to the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2.
(b) Within one month from the date such disclosure is communicated to the appellant in writing, the appellant shall take a decision as to whether she will accept the offer to be accommodated in said flat no. 101. The appellant shall inform the respondent no. 1, 2, 7 and 8 her decision in writing within the aforesaid timeframe of one month.
(c) The husband, that is the respondent no. 8, shall also give an undertaking in the form of 20 an affidavit affirmed before a Judicial Magistrate of First Class stating therein in clear terms the nature of right he exercises over that flat along with copies of documents to establish such right. That affidavit shall also contain an unequivocal undertaking that he would not in any way disturb possession of the appellant in the said flat. The affidavit shall also disclose that the respondent no. 8 has not created any form of encumbrance over the said flat. Such affidavit shall be given within a period of one month from the date the appellant communicates in writing her willingness to be accommodated in flat no. 101.
(d) If there is no bar in allocating the said flat to the appellant on the basis of re-development plan or any other instrument supplemental or ancillary thereto, and the appellant accepts the offer of being accommodated in the said flat bearing no.101, then the appellant shall vacate her present accommodation and settle in that flat bearing no.101 in Om Apartment within a further period of four months. This would be subject to the respondent no.8 21 giving undertaking in the form of affidavit as directed in the preceding sub-paragraph.
14. In the event, however, the appellant wants to establish her right to reside in her matrimonial home with her husband, she shall be at liberty to approach the Family Court or any other forum of competent jurisdiction, as she may be advised. But in such a situation, she would not be entitled to claim any right specifically in respect of Flat No.101 at Om Apartment on the basis of directions issued by us in the preceding paragraph including the four sub-paragraphs thereof.
15. The appellant shall vacate her existing accommodation for which expenses appears to have been and continues to be incurred by the Respondent No. 8. The fact of incurring such expense has been pleaded in the additional affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent No. 8, verified on 29th August 2019. We give appellant eight months’ time to vacate her present residence at A/20, Bal Govinddas Society, Manorama Nagarkar Marg, Mahim Mumbai. In the event she chooses to opt for Flat No. 101 in “Om Apartment” as her residence, and the other conditions specified in paragraph 13 and its various sub- 22 paragraphs are satisfied, then she shall vacate her present premises from the date she takes possession of the flat at “Om Apartment”. Respondent No.8 shall give her possession of the said premises on a date mutually convenient to the appellant and the Respondent No.8 within the aforesaid period of eight months.
16. Otherwise, the course to be taken by her shall be guided by the direction that may be given by a Court of competent jurisdiction, which the appellant may approach. Till the time the appellant retains possession of the present residential accommodation, which period shall not exceed eight months, the respondent no.8 shall continue to pay rent thereof and her possession thereof shall not be disturbed. The obligation of the respondent no.8 to pay rent and ensure peaceful possession of the present residential unit of the appellant shall not exceed the eight months period, as stipulated by us. Unless of course, a Court of competent jurisdiction issues any other direction at the instance of the appellant
.1
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7231 OF 2012
AISHWARYA ATUL PUSALKAR ...APPELLANT
VERSUS
MAHARASHTRA HOUSING & AREA
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY & ORS. ...RESPONDENTS
J U D G M E N T
ANIRUDDHA BOSE, J.
The original writ petitioner, who is the appellant in this
proceeding seeks to enforce her right to reside in her matrimonial home.
The location of the house where she wants to establish her right to
reside is comprised in two flats (nos.601 and 602) in a building situated
on plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar, in the
metropolis of Mumbai. The family of her husband (respondent no. 8)
were originally the owners of the said plot, on which stood a residential
building known as “Usha”. We find from an additional affidavit filed
2
in this proceeding affirmed on 29th August 2019 by the respondent no.
8 that the said building was originally owned by three branches of the
“Pusalkar” family in equal proportion. The branch of the respondent
no. 8 stemmed from Shivram Dattatryea Pusalkar, carpet area of 1100
sq.ft. comprised of their share. On death of said Shivram Dattatreya
Pusalkar, his share devolved in equal proportion to his widow
Shobhana Shivram Pusalkar (since deceased), their daughter Gayatri
Pratap Puranik and the respondent no. 8. That building upon demolition
was redeveloped by a firm of builders, BUILDARCH. Such
redevelopment was done after obtaining a no objection certificate from
the Mumbai Building Reforms and Reconstruction Board (Board) in
terms of the provisions of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development
Act, 1976 (1976 Act). Under a scheme approved under the provisions
of the said Act, during the period of redevelopment, the occupants were
required to shift to transit or temporary accommodations. The
appellant’s contention is that such exercise of redevelopment had been
undertaken in pursuance of a statutory scheme framed under Section
79 of the 1976 Act which has provisions for rehabilitation of dishoused
occupiers. The members of the family of the appellant after her
3
marriage, comprising of her husband and mother-in-law appear to have
had shifted to the transit accommodation in the year 2000. The
appellant-writ petitioner remained in the original building with her two
minor sons. Respondent No. 8, Atul Shivram Pusalkar, however, has
claimed that both their sons are major by age now and are working with
him in his business. Respondent No. 8 has also stated that one of his
two sons is residing with him.
2. As the appellant had continued to reside in the old building, the
MHADA authorities issued a notice upon her under Section 95-A of
the 1976 Act. The said provision stipulates:-
“95-A. (1) Where the owner of a building or
the members of the proposed co-operative
housing society of the occupiers of the said
building, submits a proposal to the Board for
reconstruction of the building, after
obtaining the written consent of not less than
70 per cent of the total occupiers of the
building and a No Objection Certificate for
such reconstruction of the building is issued
by the Board to the owner or to the proposed
co-operative housing society of the
occupiers, as the case may be, then it shall be
binding on all the occupiers to vacate the
premises:
Provided that, it shall be incumbent upon the
holder of such No Objection Certificate to
make available to all the occupants of such
4
building alternate temporary
accommodation.
(2) On refusal by any of the occupant to
vacate the premises as provided in subsection (1), on being approached by the
holder of such No Objection Certificate for
eviction of such occupiers, it would be
competent for the Board, notwithstanding
anything contained in Chapters VI and VII
of this Act, be liable for summary eviction.
(3) Any person occupying any premises,
land, building or structure of the Board
unauthorisely or without specific written
permission of the Board in this behalf shall,
notwithstanding anything contained in
Chapter VI and VII of this Act, be liable for
summary eviction.
(4) Any person who refuses to vacate such
premises or obstructs such eviction shall, on
conviction, be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend
to one year or with fine which may extend to
five thousand rupees, or with both.”
3. The appellant thereafter had shifted to a temporary
accommodation as directed by an order of a Single Judge of the
Bombay High Court in Civil Application No. 2967 of 2000. This
application was taken out in connection with an appeal arising out of a
matrimonial proceeding pending between the appellant and respondent
5
no. 8 at that point of time. We shall refer to that proceeding later in this
judgment. On her vacating the premises, redevelopment work stood
completed and the new building constructed on the said land was given
its identity as “Om Apartment”.
4. The mother of the respondent no. 8 passed away before institution
of the present appeal. Her interest in this proceeding is being
represented by the respondent no. 8 himself and his sister, Gayatri
Pratap Puranik (respondent no.9 in this appeal). From the counteraffidavit of the MHADA Authorities, we find that certain arrangement
was entered into between the builder and the family of the appellant’s
husband. Relevant particulars of such arrangement would appear from
paragraphs 8 (a) to (e) of the said affidavit of MHADA and the
authorities constituted under the 1976 Act (respondent nos. 1 to 4) in
this appeal. These paragraphs read:-
“8. (a) The Petitioner’s husband (i.e the
Respondent No.8 herein), her mother in law
and her sister in law (the Respondent No.9
herein) were co-owners of collective 1/3rd
undivided share, right, title and interest in
the property bearing Plot No. 118, Dr. M.B.
Raut Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar Mumbai
400028 and in the old building standing
thereon. As such, the petitioner along with
6
her two sons and the said co-owners was in
common occupation of a residential
premises admeasuring around 1100 sq. ft
(carpet) in the old building standing on the
said property.
The Petitioner has referred to the said old
residential tenement as her matrimonial
home.
(b) It is learnt that vide an agreement dated
1.07.1999 executed between the said coowners and the Respondent No. 7, the coowners had agreed to sell, convey and
transfer their collective 1/3rd
undivided
share, right, title and interest in the said
property for the consideration and on terms
and conditions recorded therein. Under the
terms of the said agreement, the Respondent
No.7 had agreed to provide to the co-owners
as and by way of permanent alternative
accommodations, three premises,
collectively admeasuring 1100 sq.ft. (carpet)
in lieu of area occupied by them in the old
building standing on the said property.
Being the legally wedded wife of the
Respondent No.8, the Petitioner had a right
to reside along with her husband in the
temporary alternate accommodation and
permanent alternate accommodation allotted
to him either along with the remaining coowners or independently.
(c) As the matrimonial dispute between the
Petitioner and Respondent No.8 was going
on when the aforesaid agreement was
executed, the Respondent No. 7 at the
7
insistence of the Petitioner and the
Respondent No.8, provided her an
independent temporary alternate
accommodation at Room No.20, 1
st floor,
Balgovinddas Society, Manorama Nagarkar
Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400016.
(d) The answering respondent has learnt that
in pursuance to an Agreement for
Assignment dated 16.6.2004 executed
between two amongst the said co-owners
viz. Smt. Shobhana Shivram Pusalkar
(Petitioner’s mother-in-law) and Mrs.
Gayatri Pratap Puranik (the Respondent
No.9 herein) being the Assignors and the
Respondent No.7 being the Assignee, the
said Assignors have forever and absolutely
assigned and transferred in favour of the
Respondent No.7, their respective share i.e.
733 sq.ft.(carpet) area out of 1100 sq.ft.
(carpet) area agreed to be allotted to them
under the said agreement for consideration
and on the terms and conditions recorded
therein. The aforesaid facts have also been
deposed by the Respondent No.7 in an
affidavit dated 20th October, 2004 filed in
Civil Application No.183 of 2004 in Family
Court Appeal No.72 of 1997 and Family
Court Appeal No.87 of 1997 (Aishwarya
Atul Pusalkar Vs. Atul Shivram Pusalkar &
Anr.).
(e) In view of assignment of area by two coowners, the Respondent No.7 had to provide
one flat admeasuring 379 sq. ft. (carpet) to
the Petitioner’s husband i.e. the Respondent
8
No.8 herein. The Respondent No. 7 has
accordingly allotted to the Respondent No. 8
a flat bearing No. 101 admeasuring 379 sq.
ft. (carpet) on the 1st floor of the said
building “Om Apartment”, constructed as
per the plans lastly approved by the
M.C.G.M.(hereinafter referred to as “the
said new flat”).
5. There is dispute as regards actual area of allocation to the
respondent no. 8 and his family by the respondent no. 7 in the new
building. The appellant contends such area to be 1816.61 sq. ft., out of
which her husband’s share would have been 605.53 sq. ft. in “Om
Apartment” during the period his mother was alive. The appellant,
appearing in-person, has also submitted that such area was comprised
in two flats in the sixth floor of the said building, being flat nos. 601
and 602. Her assertion as regards the area of the two flats is based on
an approved plan bearing no. EEBP/8145/GN/A of 15th October 2004.
An architect’s certificate to that effect forms part of Affidavit-inRejoinder of the appellant filed in the writ petition before the Bombay
High Court, from which this appeal originates. That petition was
registered as writ petition No.1398 of 2008. The stand of the respondent
no. 7, the builder, however is that the plan dated 15th October 2004 was
9
subsequently amended on 17th February 2006 and 22nd November 2006
and “Om Apartment” had not been constructed in accordance with the
plan of 15th October 2004. Both the respondent nos. 7 and 8 have
argued that in the new building also, carpet area allocation was 1100
sq. ft. to the branch of the family of respondent no. 8. Out of that area,
the deceased mother and sister of the respondent no. 8 had assigned to
the respondent no. 7 for valuable consideration their respective shares
coming to 733 sq.ft. According to the builder and the respondent no.
8, the latter has been allotted a flat bearing no. 101 having 379 sq.ft.
carpet area in the same building. The respondent no. 8 wants the
appellant to shift to that flat and in this regard he has affirmed an
affidavit on 29th August, 2019 forming part of records of this
proceeding. In the verification portion of this affidavit, the residential
address of the respondent no. 8 is shown to be “Matushree Pearl,
Sitaram Keer Road, Mahim, Mumbai.” The appellant at present appears
to be residing at 20, Balgovindas Society, Manorama Nagarkar Marg,
Mumbai 400016. The Respondent no. 8 has pleaded that this residence
was initially provided by the builder as transit accommodation to her
but at present he is paying rent for the same. In the writ petition, out
10
of which this appeal arises, she had asked for direction upon MHADA
authorities to rehouse her in the said two flats. The other prayers in the
writ petition included a mandatory direction for compliance with the
plan of 15th October 2004.
6. There have been certain parallel developments pertaining to the
appellant’s matrimonial dispute with her husband. In the Family Court,
the husband- respondent no. 8 had been granted a decree of judicial
separation in the year 1997. His plea for divorce was not accepted by
the Family Court. The decree of judicial separation was passed on 30th
July, 1997. Both the appellant and the respondent no.8 appealed
against the said judgment and decree before the Bombay High Court.
The High Court in a common judgment delivered on 2nd July, 2001 had
allowed the appellant’s appeal, registered as FCA No. 72 of 1997 and
set aside the decree of judicial separation. The appeal of her husband
(registered as FCA No. 87 of 1997) against the Family Court’s
judgment refusing to grant divorce was dismissed. This decision was
delivered by the Bombay High Court after she had shifted to her
temporary accommodation. The complaint of the appellant is that after
the decree of judicial separation was invalidated, her husband and his
11
family have not allowed her to reside in the flats allocated to them in
the redeveloped building. She claims in substance that such refusal is
in breach of her right to reside in her matrimonial home. It is also her
case that as she had vacated the original residential unit on the basis of
a statutory notice, she has her right to be rehoused in those flats as part
of statutory rehabilitation measure. The appellant thereafter filed the
writ petition in the Bombay High Court. The present appeal has been
resisted by the MHADA Authorities, the builder (respondent no. 7), her
husband (respondent no.8) and the appellant’s sister-in-law, respondent
no. 9. She was impleaded in this appeal after the demise of original
appellant’s mother-in-law. These respondents had taken the same stand
before the Bombay High Court.
7. The Bombay High Court in the judgment under appeal sustained
the plea of the respondents that the right which the writ petitioner
(appellant before us) was seeking to establish could not be enforced
invoking jurisdiction of the Court under Article 226 of the Constitution
12
of India. It was, inter-alia, observed and held by the Bombay High
Court :-
“6. In our view, the claim of the petitioner is
based on her contention that she being
legally wedded wife of the 8th respondent
and the daughter-in-law of the 9th
respondent, the petitioner is entitled to
occupy flat Nos. 601 & 602 in the newly
constructed building. She is claiming such a
right on the basis that Flat No. 601 & 602
constitute her matrimonial home. In our
opinion, the present Writ Petition is not an
appropriate remedy for the petitioner for
ventilating her such a grievance and that she
can agitate such a claim and make such
grievances, by adopting appropriate course
of action in the Family Court and/or civil
Court for the enforcement of her right that
she is claiming herein. In view of the nature
of controversy involved between the parties,
we hold that it is not possible for us to try,
entertain and decide the same in exercise of
our writ jurisdiction.
7. In view of the aforesaid discussion and the
conclusions drawn by us, the present writ
petition is dismissed. However, we make it
clear that dismissal of this petition will not
be a hurdle for the petitioner to seek
appropriate relief to which she may be
entitled in law, before appropriate form, in a
properly constituted proceeding. In case if
the petitioner is advised to adopt any such
remedy, the observations herein will not be
13
considered one way or the other, while
determining the entitlement of the
petitioner.”
8. Smt. Pusalkar has argued before us in-person that she was
removed from her matrimonial home through the statutory mechanism
contained in Section 95A of the 1976 Act, which bore the threats of
penal measure and summary eviction process. But this was during the
time the decree of judicial separation remained operative. She traces the
root of her ‘dishousing’ to a notice dated 10th July 2000 (bearing no.
MBR & RB/FN/GN/2136 of 2000) issued by the Board under the 1976
Act. Her case is that it is composite statutory obligation of MHADA,
the builder and her husband to rehouse her in her matrimonial home. It
is a fact that the said respondents functioned under a statutory scheme
while redeveloping the property, commencing from approval of the
development scheme, vacating the old building and re-entry into the
allocated portion of the redeveloped premises by her husband’s family.
The appellant was also dishoused from the said building under that
scheme. But in our opinion, when a builder has discharged his
obligation by accommodating the original owners in the redeveloped
14
portion as per such a scheme, a lady married into that family would not
be entitled to invoke the writ jurisdiction of the High Court to enforce
her right to matrimonial home citing the provisions of the said statute,
if her husband does not permit her to reside in the allocated portion. She
does not have any independent claim on title or interest to that property
having its genesis in that statute. Her claim of right to reside in her
matrimonial home is sought to be projected by her as collateral to the
statutory right of her husband to be rehoused or rehabilitated in the new
building. But her right to reside in her matrimonial home stands
detached from and is independent of the statutory scheme under the said
Act. Neither MHADA, nor the builder can have any further legal
obligation to rehouse her. She is staking her claim as a constructive
beneficiary of the redevelopment scheme. But our opinion is that the
right she is seeking to enforce, though flows from a set of events on the
basis of which her husband can claim rehabilitation, is actually
anchored to an independent legal principle under the Family Law. We
accept that she was an occupier under Section 2 (25) of the 1976 Act,
but such occupier status was dependent upon her husband’s
independent right as part owner of the property. Her right flowing from
15
her matrimonial status cannot get diffused with her right of rehousing
or rehabilitation under the statutory scheme. Her right to reside in her
matrimonial home does not flow from the 1976 Act.
9. We recognise the appellant’s right to reside in her matrimonial
home. Such right has a legitimate basis. Though in our view the
enforcement mechanism adopted by her to enforce her right is not
legally acceptable, a brief discussion on the right she is seeking to
enforce is necessary to understand the scope of her claim. A married
woman is entitled to live, subsequent to her marriage, with rest of her
family members on the husband’s side, in case it is a joint-property. If
she resides in an accommodation as an independent family unit with her
husband and children, the matrimonial home would be that residential
unit. This right is embedded in her right as a wife. It is implicit under
the provisions of Section 18 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance
Act, 1956 in situations that statute is applicable. The Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 has recognised the concept
of “shared household” in terms of Section 2(s) of this statute.
Alienating an immovable asset to defeat the right of a victim lady under
the said Act can constitute domestic violence, coming, inter-alia, within
16
the ambit of the expression “economic abuse” under Section 3(iv) of
2005 Act. A Magistrate having jurisdiction under Section 19 of the
said Act is empowered to pass a residence order to protect a victim of
domestic violence from being removed from her shared household. But
for a husband to compel his wife to live in a separate household, which
is not her matrimonial home, an order from appropriate legal forum
would be necessary. There cannot be forcible dishousing of a wife from
her matrimonial home.
10. The respondent no. 8 claims that the appellant could be
accommodated in Flat no. 101 of the same building. But the appellant’s
stand is that the said flat stands allocated to another tenant and she is
being offered that flat with malafide intention. She has staked her claim
on her right to residence in the matrimonial home, which according to
her is comprised in the said two flats bearing nos. 601 and 602. From
the materials available, it appears that interest in those flats have been
surrendered by the paternal family members of the respondent no.8.
11. There appears to be some matters pending in different fora in
relation to the matrimonial dispute between the appellant and the
respondent no.8. But we have not been apprised of particulars of such
17
matters. The position as it stands now is that the decree of judicial
separation stands invalidated and as of now, the appellant is the legally
wedded wife of the respondent no.8. She has been out of her
matrimonial home since the year 2000. But such right cannot be
enforced invoking the writ jurisdiction. Moreover, the original building
that constituted her matrimonial home has been demolished. Large
portions of the redeveloped building on the same plot has been parted
with. Now going by its traditional meaning, her matrimonial home at
present would be the premises in which her husband is residing. In this
complex perspective, a judicial forum having fact-finding jurisdiction
would be the proper forum for adjudicating her claim of this nature. The
appellant drew our attention to Section 177 of the 1976 Act to contend
that disputes arising out of the said Act cannot be adjudicated upon by
a Civil Court. But as we have already observed, the dispute raised by
her does not arise out of any of the provisions of the 1976 Act. Though
she was dishoused as an occupier applying the provisions of the 1976
Act, claim of her rehousing is based on her status as wife of the
respondent no. 8. In our opinion, such claim has to be adjudicated upon
by the Civil Court or the Family Court or any other forum the law may
18
prescribe. Such right of the appellant cannot be diffused with the right
of her husband under the 1976 Act, whose family property, part of
which he is the owner, has been reconstructed.
12. Now the question arises as to whether any relief can be granted to
the appellant in this appeal. The Bombay High Court has in substance
non-suited her on the ground that the Writ Court was not the appropriate
forum for granting her relief. We do not per se find any error in such
approach. But, in course of this appeal, the husband (respondent no. 8)
has filed an affidavit stating that he has set apart the Flat No. 101 in
which the appellant could be accommodated. The appellant on the other
hand has asserted that the allocation of the same flat was earmarked for
one Mr. Nayak Satam, a tenant, as per the plan.
13. Considering the fact that the dispute is pending for a very long
time, we shall be giving certain directions in exercise of our jurisdiction
under Article 142 of the Constitution of India which we hope will
conclude the dispute. We shall do so having regard to the fact that the
builder and the husband of the appellant have uniformly stated that Flat
No. 101 in Om Apartment is available to accommodate the appellant.
For this reason, in our opinion, the appellant should be given the choice
19
of occupying that flat as her residence. For this purpose, however,
certain cautionary measures are also necessary to ensure that the said
flat is not otherwise parted with or encumbered in any form:-
(a) The Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall disclose
to the appellant in writing as to whether the
Flat no. 101 of “Om Apartment” standing on
Plot No.118, Dr. M.B. Raut Road, Shivaji
Park, Dadar having 379 sq.ft. carpet area is
free for allocation to the respondent no. 8 or
not. This disclosure shall be made to the
appellant within a period of two months
from the date of communication of this order
to the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2.
(b) Within one month from the date such
disclosure is communicated to the appellant
in writing, the appellant shall take a decision
as to whether she will accept the offer to be
accommodated in said flat no. 101. The
appellant shall inform the respondent no. 1,
2, 7 and 8 her decision in writing within the
aforesaid timeframe of one month.
(c) The husband, that is the respondent no. 8,
shall also give an undertaking in the form of
20
an affidavit affirmed before a Judicial
Magistrate of First Class stating therein in
clear terms the nature of right he exercises
over that flat along with copies of documents
to establish such right. That affidavit shall
also contain an unequivocal undertaking that
he would not in any way disturb possession
of the appellant in the said flat. The affidavit
shall also disclose that the respondent no. 8
has not created any form of encumbrance
over the said flat. Such affidavit shall be
given within a period of one month from the
date the appellant communicates in writing
her willingness to be accommodated in flat
no. 101.
(d) If there is no bar in allocating the said flat to
the appellant on the basis of re-development
plan or any other instrument supplemental or
ancillary thereto, and the appellant accepts
the offer of being accommodated in the said
flat bearing no.101, then the appellant shall
vacate her present accommodation and settle
in that flat bearing no.101 in Om Apartment
within a further period of four months. This
would be subject to the respondent no.8
21
giving undertaking in the form of affidavit as
directed in the preceding sub-paragraph.
14. In the event, however, the appellant wants to establish her right
to reside in her matrimonial home with her husband, she shall be at
liberty to approach the Family Court or any other forum of competent
jurisdiction, as she may be advised. But in such a situation, she would
not be entitled to claim any right specifically in respect of Flat No.101
at Om Apartment on the basis of directions issued by us in the
preceding paragraph including the four sub-paragraphs thereof.
15. The appellant shall vacate her existing accommodation for which
expenses appears to have been and continues to be incurred by the
Respondent No. 8. The fact of incurring such expense has been
pleaded in the additional affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent
No. 8, verified on 29th August 2019. We give appellant eight months’
time to vacate her present residence at A/20, Bal Govinddas Society,
Manorama Nagarkar Marg, Mahim Mumbai. In the event she chooses
to opt for Flat No. 101 in “Om Apartment” as her residence, and the
other conditions specified in paragraph 13 and its various sub-
22
paragraphs are satisfied, then she shall vacate her present premises
from the date she takes possession of the flat at “Om Apartment”.
Respondent No.8 shall give her possession of the said premises on a
date mutually convenient to the appellant and the Respondent No.8
within the aforesaid period of eight months.
16. Otherwise, the course to be taken by her shall be guided by the
direction that may be given by a Court of competent jurisdiction,
which the appellant may approach. Till the time the appellant retains
possession of the present residential accommodation, which period
shall not exceed eight months, the respondent no.8 shall continue to
pay rent thereof and her possession thereof shall not be disturbed. The
obligation of the respondent no.8 to pay rent and ensure peaceful
possession of the present residential unit of the appellant shall not
exceed the eight months period, as stipulated by us. Unless of course,
a Court of competent jurisdiction issues any other direction at the
instance of the appellant.
23
17. With these directions, the appeal shall stand disposed of. All
connected applications are disposed of. Interim orders, if any, shall
stand dissolved. There shall be no order as to costs.
…..………………………….J.
(Deepak Gupta)
……………..……………….J.
(Aniruddha Bose)
New Delhi,
Dated: 27 April, 2020.
