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REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1722 OF 2020
(ARISING OUT OF SLP (C) No. 18008 OF 2019)
AGRA DIOCESAN TRUST ASSOCIATION ...APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
ANIL DAVID AND ORS. ...RESPONDENT(S)
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1723 OF 2020
(ARISING OUT OF SLP (C) No. 18007 OF 2019)
J U D G M E N T
S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.
1. Leave granted. With consent of counsel for the parties, the appeals were
heard finally.
2. The appellant, (hereafter “the plaintiff”) had filed a suit (O.S. 24/ 2013) in
the court of the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Dehradun for cancellation of a sale
deed dated 08.03.2013, executed by the defendant-respondent no.1. The third
respondent, (hereafter called the “purchaser”) had acquired the property from the
defendant-respondent no.1. Another suit (O.S. No. 25/ 2013, also titled as Agra
Diocesan Trust Association v. Anil David and Others), was filed by the plaintiff for
cancellation of the sale deed dated 08.03.2013 executed by the first two respondents
in favour of the purchaser. A further relief sought was for permanent injunction
against the respondents/ defendants restraining them from interfering in the
plaintiff’s peaceful possession of the property in dispute. The defendants filed their
written statements, contending inter alia that although the relief of cancellation of
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the sale deed in question has been sought, the plaintiff had improperly valued the
suit and the court fee paid was insufficient.
3. The trial court on the pleadings of the parties, framed the issues; the
relevant issues, Nos. 8 and 10 in both suits were (a) whether the suit filed by the
plaintiff was undervalued and (b) whether the court fee paid by the plaintiff was
insufficient.
4. The trial court by its order dated 23.04.2016, recorded the findings against
the plaintiff / petitioner and held that the suits filed were under-valued and the court
fee paid by the plaintiff was insufficient. Aggrieved by the same, the plaintiff filed
the writ petition before the High Court, contending that the land in dispute was
agricultural land. Further, it was stated that the appellant-plaintiff was not party to
the sale deed, and therefore, the learned trial court has committed an illegality in
deciding the issues against the plaintiff and in directing the plaintiff to pay ad
valorem court fee on the market value of the land. It was also submitted that as the
land in dispute was agricultural land, the petitioner was obliged to pay the court fee
on the revenue payable as fixed by the state government in view of Section 7(iv-A)
of the Court Fees Act, 1870.
5. The High Court, by the impugned judgment, after hearing counsel for the
parties, accepted the respondent/defendants’ contentions that the circle rate fixed by
the collector to charge stamp duty took into account the actual market value of the
property situated in the area. It was held that fixation of circle rate by the collector
is the proper mode for fixation or determination of the market value (for purposes
of payment of court fees), unless an aggrieved person challenges that the circle rate
fixed by the Collector is not the correct market value of the property.
6. Mr. P.N. Mishra, learned senior counsel, argued that the land in dispute is
revenue payable land. Accordingly, the suits were correctly valued at 30 times of
the revenue fixed by the state. It was urged that being a stranger to the sale deed in
question, the plaintiff had to pay 1/5th on the market value as assessed, i.e. on 30
times the revenue. It was urged that the market value in the sale deed was
mentioned at ₹11,79,09,000/- and ₹ 7,20,36,000/- respectively as the market value
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assessed in view of the circle rate fixed by the collector, which was not the correct
market value. Counsel relied on a textual interpretation of Section 7(iv-A) of the
Court Fees Act. Reliance was placed on Shailendra Bhardwaj v. Chandra Pal &
Anr., (2013) 1 SCC 579 to say that the circle rate fixed by the collector for charging
stamp duty is not the correct market value of the property for the purpose of court
fees. Therefore, the market value mentioned in the sale deed in order to pay the
stamp duty, i.e. ₹ 11,79,09,000/- and ₹ 7,20,36,000/- respectively, is not the correct
market value of the property in dispute. Mr. Mishra also argued that the suits were
properly valued and the proper court fee was paid. The courts below, according to
him, erred in holding that the suits were under-valued by the plaintiff and that the
court fee paid was insufficient.
7. Mr. Rakesh Dwivedi, learned counsel appearing for the respondent
defendants, resisted the present proceedings. He urged that this court should desist
from interfering with the concurrent findings of the courts below, under Article 226
of the Constitution of India. It was also submitted by him that the circle rate fixed
by the collector for charging stamp duty was so fixed in terms of the actual market
value of the property situated in the area. It is argued that the fixation of circle rate
by the collector is the correct mode for fixation of market value, unless an
aggrieved person challenges that the circle rate fixed by the collector is incorrect. It
is submitted that the appellants, in an arbitrary manner, valued the market value of
the suit property for payment of court fee and jurisdiction of the court.
8. In the impugned judgment, the High Court reasoned as follows:
“19. The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners
that to ascertain the market value and for the purpose of
payment of court fee and jurisdiction of the court, should be
considered from plaint averments alone and what has been
stated in the written statement is not relevant is acceptable to
the extent that what has been contended in the written
statement is not relevant, but the court has to consider while
determining the market value for the purpose of court fee and
jurisdiction of the court, the court has to consider the
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averments of plaint, whether the suit has been valued for the
purpose of court fee and jurisdiction as per the relief claimed
and in accordance with the provisions contained in the Court
fee and Suit Valuation Act. The court is not supposed to accept
the plain averment in regard to the payment of court fee and
jurisdiction as contended by the plaintiff. On a perusal of the
plaint averments and the provisions contained in Section 7(ivA), this Court is of the view that at one place the plaintiff has
valued the suit for cancellation of sale deed and for the purpose
of payment of court fee and jurisdiction Rs. 2,00,00,000/- and
immediately thereafter at thirty times of the revenue payable
i.e. Rs. 3,000/- and paid the court fee on 1/5 of the valuation of
Rs. 3,000/-.
20. It is nowhere stated in the plaint that how the plaintiff has
valued the market value of the property in question at Rs.
2,00,00,000/- whereof as per the circle rate fixed by the
Collector, the market value of the property in dispute is Rs.
11,00,00,000/-. The stamp duty has been paid on an amount of
Rs. 2,00,00,000/- sale consideration but in view of the
provisions contained in Section 7(iv-A) of the Act the sale
consideration is not the relevant factor for the purpose of
payment of court fee and jurisdiction of the court. It is only the
market value of the suit property the court fee is to be paid and
jurisdiction of the court be fixed. The plaintiff cannot take two
contradictory market value in his plaint, as in one place he has
fixed the market value of Rs. 2,00,00,000/- and the jurisdiction
of hearing the suit for valuation of Rs. 1,00,000/- vests in Civil
Judge (Sr. Div.), whereof a suit valued for an amount of Rs.
3,000/- for the purpose of payment of court fee and jurisdiction,
the jurisdiction to try the suit of the valuation of Rs. 3,000/-
vests in the court of Civil Judge (Jr. Div.).
21. Section 15 the Code of Civil Procedure provides that every
suit shall be instituted in the court of the lowest grade
competent to try it. Section 15 of CPC is quoted hereunder:
"15. Court in which suits to be instituted.- Every suit shall be
instituted in the Court of the lowest grade competent to try it."
22. Assuming that the market value of the suit property is Rs.
3,000/-, as per the averment of the plaint, then the suits could
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not have been filed in the Court of Civil Judge (Sr. Div.). If it is
a valuation of Rs. 2,00,00,000/- as per the plaint averment for
the purpose of payment of court fee and jurisdiction and the
suits have been instituted in the competent court of jurisdiction,
then there is no basis of it that the market value of the suit is
Rs. 2,00,00,000/-. The submission of learned counsel for the
petitioners that circle rate is not the correct mode to ascertain
the market value has some force, but it is not the absolute
proposition. In some cases, the market value may be higher or
lower then the circle rate but to ascertain the market value, the
party assailing the market value as fixed in the circle rate has
to prove that the circle rate has not been fixed on the real
market value. Unless otherwise market value is proved on
higher or lower side, the market value assessed on the basis of
circle rate cannot be said improper/incorrect market value.
23. A perusal of the impugned order would show that the trial
court having considered the market value as mentioned in the
sale deed has found the correct market value of the suit
property and held that the suits have not been valued properly.
Thus, I am of the considered view that since no other market
value has been proved by the petitioners/plaintiff that the
settled revenue of the land is Rs. 3,000/- and in absence of any
evidence in this regard, the trial court has rightly considered
the market value of the property in dispute in accordance with
the market value fixed by the Collector in order to charge the
stamp duty, which is the correct market value.
24. So far the findings recorded by the trial court that the
petitioners/plaintiff is required to pay the ad valoram court fee
on the market value is incorrect in view of the provisions
contained in Sub Section (2) of Section 7(iv-A) of the Court Fee
Act. Since the petitioners/plaintiff or its predecessor-in-interest
is not the party to the instrument, therefore, the
petitioners/plaintiff is obliged to pay 1/5 of the value of the
subject matter as mentioned in the instrument involved in the
suit.
25. In view of the findings recorded above, I am of the
considered view that the trial court has rightly held that O.S.
no. 24 of 2013 and O.S. 25 of 2015 have been undervalued and
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court fee paid is insufficient and in fixation of market value as
mentioned in the sale deed Rs. 11,79,09,000/- (in O.S. no. 24 of
2013) and Rs. 7,20,36,000/- (in O.S. no. 25 of 2013) is correct,
whereof the finding in regard to the payment of ad valorem
court free are illegal and is liable to set aside. Thus, the
judgment and order passed by the trial court on issue nos. 8
and 9 are modified to the extent that the plaintiff shall value the
suit no. 24 of 2013 at the rate of Rs. 11,79,09,000-and O.S. no.
25 of 2013 at the rate of Rs. 7,20,36,000/- respectively, and
shall pay the court fee on 1/5 of the aforesaid value thereon. So
far Relief 'B' and 'C' are concerned, the petitioners have paid
the fixed court fee. The petitioners shall pay the remaining
court fee within two months from today, on payment of
remaining court fee the trial court shall proceed to decide both
the suits in accordance with law.”
9. For a proper appreciation of the issue, it would be essential to extract the
relevant provisions of law. Section 7(iv-A) of the U.P. Court Fees Act, 1870 reads
as follows:
“7. Computation of fees payable in certain suits- The amount
of fee payable under this Act in the suits next hereinafter
mentioned shall be computed as follows: -
XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX
For cancellation or adjudging void instruments and decrees.
(iv-A) In suit for or involving cancellation of or adjudging void
or voidable decree for money or other property having a
market value, or an instrument securing money or other
property having such value:
(1) where the plaintiff or his predecessor-in-title was a party to
the decree or the instrument, according to the value of the
subject-matter, and
(2) where he or his predecessor-in-title was not a party to the
decree or instrument, according to one-fifth of the value of the
subject matter, and such value shall be deemed to beif the whole decree or instrument is involved in the suit, the
amount for which or value of the property in respect of which
the decree is passed or the instrument executed, and if only a
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part of the decree or instrument is involved in the suit, the
amount or value of the property to which such part relates.
Explanation - ‘The value of the property’ for the purposes of
this sub-section, shall be the market-value, which in the case of
immovable property shall be deemed to be the value as
computed in accordance with the sub-section (v), (v-A) or (v-B)
as the case may be.
For easement.- (iv-B) In suits – (a) for a right to some benefit
(not herein otherwise provided for) to arise out of land;
For an injunction – (b) to obtain an injunction:
To establish an adoption – (c) to establish an adoption or to
obtain a declaration that an alleged adoption is valid;
To set aside an adoption- (d) to set aside an adoption or to
obtain a declaration that an alleged adoption is invalid or
never, in fact, took place;
To set aside an award other than awards mentioned in Section
8. - (e) to set aside an award not being an award mentioned in
Section 8;
according to the amount at which the relief sought is valued in
the plaint:
[Provided that such amount shall not be less than one fifth of
the market value of the property involved in or effected by the
relief sought or Rs.200 whichever is greater:
Provided further that in the case of suits falling under clauses
(a) and (b), the amount of court fee leviable shall in no case
exceed Rs.500].
Explanation 1.- When the relief sought is with reference to any
immovable property the market value of such property shall be
deemed to be the value computed in accordance with subsection (v), (v-A) or (v-B) of this section, as the case may be.
Explanation 2 – In the case of suits-
(i) falling under clauses (a) and (b), the property which is
affected by the relief sought, and where properties of both the
plaintiff and defendant are affected, the property of the plaintiff
so affected;
(ii) falling under clauses (c) and (d), the property to which title
by succession or otherwise may be diverted or affected by the
alleged adoption; and
(iii) falling under clause (e), the property which forms the
subject-matter of the award;
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shall be deemed to be the property involved in or affected by
the relief sought within the meaning of the proviso to this subsection.
For restitution of conjugal rights – (iv-C) in suits – (a) for the
restitution of conjugal rights;
For marital rights – (b) for establishing or annulling or
dissolving a marriage;
For guardianship – (c) for establishing a right to the custody or
guardianship of any person such as a minor, including
guardianship for the purpose of marriage.
according to the amount at which the relief sought is valued in
the plaint, but in no case shall such amount be less than
Rs.200.
For possession of lands, buildings or gardens – (v) in suits for
the possession of land, buildings or gardensaccording to the value of the subject matter; and such value
shall be deemed to be-
(I) where the subject-matter is land, and
(a) where the land forms an entire estate, or a definite
share of an estate, paying annual revenue to
Government, or forms part of such an estate and is
recorded in the Collector's register as separately
assessed with such revenue; and such revenue is
permanently settled—ten times the revenue so
payable;
(b) where the land forms an entire estate, or a definite
share of an estate, paying annual revenue to
Government, or forms part of such estate and is
recorded as aforesaid and such revenue is settled, but
not permanently—
ten times the revenue so payable;
(c) where the land pays no such revenue, or has been
partially exempted from such payment, or is charged
with any fixed payment in lieu of such revenue, and
net profits have arisen from the land during the year
next before the date of presenting the plaint—
twenty times the annual average of such net profits;
but when no such net profits have arisen therefrom
the market value which shall be determined by
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multiplying by twenty the annual average net profits
of similar land for the three years immediately
preceding the date of presenting the plaint;
(d) where the land forms part of an estate paying
revenue to Government, but is not a definite share of
such estate and does not come under clause (a), (b)
or (c) abovethe market value of the land which shall be
determined by multiplying by fifteen the rental value
of the land, including assumed rent on proprietary
cultivation, if any;
(II) where the subject matter is a building or gardenExplanation.—The word “estate”, as used in this
sub-section, means any land subject to the payment
of revenue, for which the proprietor or a farmer or
raiyat shall have executed a separate engagement to
Government, or which, in the absence of such
engagement, shall have been separately assessed
with revenue;
For possession of superior proprietary and under-proprietary
land – (v-A) In suits for possession -
(1) of superior proprietary rights where under-proprietary or
sub-proprietary rights exist in the landaccording to the market value of the subject matter, and such
value shall be determined by multiplying by fifteen the annual
net profits of the superior proprietor;
(2) of under proprietary or sub-proprietary land as such -
according to the value of the subject matter, and such value
shall be determined by multiplying by ten the annual underproprietary or sub-proprietary rent, as the case may be,
recorded in the Collector’s register as payable for the land for
the year next before the presentation of the plaint.
If no such rent is recorded in the collector’s register the value
shall be determined in the manner laid down in clause (c) of
sub-section (v) of this section save that the multiple will be ten.
Explanation – Land held by any permanent lessees shall be
treated for the purposes of this sub-section, as underproprietary or sub-proprietary land.
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Possessory suit between tenants – (v-B) In suits for possession
of land between rival tenants and by tenants against trespasser
according to the value of the subject-matter and such value shall
be determined if such land is the land of-
(a) a permanent tenure-older or a fixed rate tenant – by
multiplying by twenty the annual rent recorded in the Collector’s
register as payable for the land for the year next before the
presentation of the plaint;
(b) an ex-proprietary or occupancy tenant – by multiplying by
two such rent in case of suits for possession of land between
rival tenants, and by annual rent in suits by tenants against
trespassers;
(c) any other tenant – by annual rent.
If no such rent is recorded in the Collector’s register, the value
shall be determined in the manner laid down in clause (c) of
sub-section (v) of this section save that the multiple shall be that
entered in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this sub-section according
as the class of tenancy affected is governed by clauses (a), (b) or
(c) of this sub-section.”
10. In OS No. 24/2013, the averment with respect to suit valuation and court fee
was as follows:
"15. That the valuation of the suit for the purpose of court fee
and jurisdiction is as under: -
(a) Relief "A" is for cancellation of sale deed.
The relief "A" is valued for the purpose of court fee and
jurisdiction at Rs.2,00,00,000/- Hence, relief "A" is valued for
the purpose of court fee and jurisdiction at 30 times of the land
revenue, i.e., Rs.3,000/-. The plaintiff was not a party to the
sale deed, hence the court fee of 1/5 of Rs.3,000/- is being paid.
(b) For Relief "B" - Rs.5,00,000/-, on which the prescribed
court fee has been paid.
(c) For Relief "C" -Rs.5,00,000/-, on which the prescribed
court fee has been paid."
In O.S. No. 25 of 2013, the averment with respect to valuation for purposes
of court fees, is as below:
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"15. That the valuation of the suit for the purpose of court fee
and jurisdiction is as under: -
(a) Relief "A" is for cancellation of sale deed.
The relief "A" is valued for the purpose of court fee and
jurisdiction at Rs.1,00,00,000/- Hence, relief "A" is valued for
the purpose of court fee and jurisdiction at 30 times of the
land revenue, i.e., Rs.3,000/-. The plaintiff was not a party to
the sale deed, hence the court fee of 1/5 of Rs.3,000/- is being
paid.
(b) For Relief "B" - Rs.5,00,000/-, on which the prescribed
court fee has been paid.
(c) For Relief "C" -Rs.5,00,000/-, on which the prescribed
court fee has been paid."
11. The reliefs sought in each case were:
(i) for a decree for declaration that the sale deed dated 08.03.2013
executed by defendant no. 1 in favour of defendant no. 3 (suit no. 24 of
2013) is void and not binding on the plaintiff and a decree of
cancellation thereof;
(ii) for a decree for declaration that the sale deed dated 08.03.2013
executed by defendant nos. 1 and 2 in favour of defendant no. 3 (suit
no. 25 of 2013), is void and not binding on the plaintiff and a decree of
cancellation thereof;
(iii) a decree for permanent injunction restraining defendant nos. 1 to
3, their agents, employees, representatives etc. from interfering in any
way with the property more fully described in the schedule of the
plaint, till the disposal of the suit (in both suits); and
(iv) a decree of permanent injunction restraining defendant no. 3, his
agents, employees, representatives etc. from in any way transferring,
alienating or creating third party interest in the property more fully
described in the schedule of the plaint till the disposal of the suit (in
both suits).
12. In Suhrid Singh alias Sardool Singh v. Randhir Singh & Ors. (2010) 12 SCC
112, this court noted that the trial court ruled that the claims relating to the sale
deeds amounted to seeking cancellation of the sale deeds and therefore, ad valorem
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court fee was payable on the sale consideration in respect of the sale deeds. The
said view was affirmed in the revision. The court addressed the issue of court fee
payable in regard to the claim for a declaration that the sale deeds were void and not
"binding on the coparcenary", and for the consequential relief of joint possession
and injunction. After referring to the provisions of the Court Fees Act, 1870 as
amended in Punjab (as the controversy arose from the High Court of Punjab and
Haryana), the Court held:
“Where the executant of a deed wants it to be annulled, he has
to seek cancellation of the deed. But if a non-executant seeks
annulment of a deed, he has to seek a declaration that the deed
is invalid, or non est, or illegal or that it is not binding on him.
The difference between a prayer for cancellation and
declaration in regard to a deed of transfer/conveyance, can be
brought out by the following illustration relating to A and B,
two brothers. A executes a sale deed in favour of C.
Subsequently A wants to avoid the sale. A has to sue for
cancellation of the deed. On the other hand, if B, who is not the
executant of the deed, wants to avoid it, he has to sue for a
declaration that the deed executed by A is invalid/void and non
est/illegal and he is not bound by it. In essence both may be
suing to have the deed set aside or declared as non-binding.
But the form is different and court fee is also different. If A, the
executant of the deed, seeks cancellation of the deed, he has to
pay ad valorem court fee on the consideration stated in the sale
deed. If B, who is a non-executant, is in possession and sues for
a declaration that the deed is null or void and does not bind
him or his share, he has to merely pay a fixed court fee of Rs.
19.50 Under Article 17(iii) of the Second Schedule of the Act.
But if B, a non-executant, is not in possession, and he seeks not
only a declaration that the sale deed is invalid, but also the
consequential relief of possession, he has to pay an ad valorem
court fee as provided under Section 7(iv)(c) of the Act.
Section 7(iv)(c) provides that in suits for a declaratory decree
with consequential relief, the court fee shall be computed
according to the amount at which the relief sought is valued in
the plaint. The proviso thereto makes it clear that where the
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suit for declaratory decree with consequential relief is with
reference to any property, such valuation shall not be less than
the value of the property calculated in the manner provided for
by Clause (v) of Section 7.”
13. In Shailendra Bhardwaj & Ors. v. Chandra Pal & Anr. (supra), this court had
to consider whether a suit for declaration that a will and a sale deed are void
resulting in their cancellation, fell under Section 7(iv-A) of the Court Fees Act,
1870 as amended by the U.P. Amendment Act (Act 19 of 1938) or Article 17(iii) of
Schedule II of the Court Fees Act, 1870 for the purpose of valuation. The trial court
had held that the court fee had to be paid under Section 7(iv-A) and the High Court
affirmed that view. This court noted the provisions of the Court Fees Act, 1870 as
amended by the U.P. Amendment Act (Act 19 of 1938) and held as follows:
“On comparing the above mentioned provisions, it is clear that
Article 17(iii) of Schedule II of the Court Fees Act is applicable
in cases where the Plaintiff seeks to obtain a declaratory decree
without any consequential relief and there is no other provision
under the Act for payment of fee relating to relief claimed.
Article 17(iii) of Schedule II of the Court Fees Act makes it
clear that this Article is applicable in cases where the Plaintiff
seeks to obtain a declaratory decree without consequential
reliefs and there is no other provision under the Act for payment
of fee relating to relief claimed. If there is no other provision
under the Court Fees Act in case of a suit involving cancellation
or adjudging/declaring void or voidable a will or sale deed on
the question of payment of court fees, then Article 17(iii) of
Schedule II shall be applicable. But if such relief is covered by
any other provisions of the Court Fees Act, then Article 17(iii)
of Schedule II will not be applicable. On a comparison between
the Court Fees Act and the U.P. Amendment Act, it is clear that
Section 7(iv-A) of the U.P. Amendment Act covers suits for or
involving cancellation or adjudging/declaring null and void
decree for money or an instrument securing money or other
property having such value.”
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14. The Court observed that the suit was filed after the death of the testator, and
that the suit property covered by the will had to be valued. The court felt that since
Section 7(iv-A) of the U.P. Amendment Act specifically provided that payment of
court fees in cases where the suit is for, or involving cancellation or
adjudging/declaring null and void a decree for money or an instrument, Article
17(iii) of Schedule II of the Court Fees Act was inapplicable. The U.P. Amendment
Act, therefore, was applicable despite the fact that no consequential relief had been
claimed. Consequently, in terms of Section 7(iv-A) of the U.P. Amendment Act,
court fees were to be computed according to the value of the subject-matter. The
trial court and the High Court correctly held it to be so. The court distinguished
Suhrid Singh's case (supra) stating that:
“10. We are of the view that the decision of this Court in Suhrid
Singh (supra) is not applicable to the facts of the present case.
First of all, this Court had no occasion to examine the scope of
the U.P. Amendment Act. That was a case in which this Court
was dealing with Sections 7(iv)(c), (v) and Schedule II Article
17(iii), as amended in the State of Punjab. The position that we
get in the State of Punjab is entirely different from the State of
U.P. and the effect of the U.P. Amendment Act was not an issue
which arose for consideration in that case. Consequently, in our
view, the said judgment would not apply to the present case.
11. The Plaintiff, in the instant case, valued the suit at Rs. 30
lakhs for the purpose of pecuniary jurisdiction. However, for the
purpose of court fee, the Plaintiff paid a fixed court fee of Rs.
200 Under Article 17(iii) of Schedule II of the Court Fees Act.
The Plaintiff had not noticed the fact that the above mentioned
Article stood amended by the State, by adding the words "not
otherwise provided for by this Act". Since Section 7(iv-A) of the
U.P. Amended Act specifically provides for payment of court fee
in case where the suit is for or involving cancellation or
adjudging/declaring void or voidable an instrument securing
property having money value, Article 17(iii) of Schedule II of the
Court Fees Act shall not be applicable.”
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15. It is evident from the above discussion that it is undisputed that the point in
issue was with respect to valuation for purposes of court fee; equally, it is not in
issue that since the plaintiff (i.e. petitioner herein) sought, in addition to a
declaration, in both the suits, decrees of cancellation, the crucial point was what the
correct value for purposes of court fee was. Now, market value has been
specifically defined, in the context of a litigation like the present one. According to
Section 7 (iv-A), in case the plaintiff (or his predecessor-in-title) was not a party to
the decree or instrument, the value was to be according to one-fifth of the value of
the subject matter, “and such value shall be deemed to be” under Section 7 (iv-A),
“if the whole decree or instrument is involved in the suit, the amount for which or
value of the property in respect of which the decree is passed or the instrument
executed”. Importantly, the explanation to Section 7 (iv-A) created a deeming
fiction as to what constitutes the “value of the property” by saying that “in the case
of immovable property shall be deemed to be the value as computed in accordance
with the sub-section (v), (v-A) or (v-B) as the case may be.”
16. The plaintiff/petitioners’ contention was and continues to be that the value
determinable is in terms of clause (v) of Section 7, by reason of Section 7 (iv-A).
Section 7 (v) (i) contains two clauses- (a) and (b): both are in respect of revenue
paying lands. The petitioner valued its suits on the basis of revenue which
according to it, was payable. While so stating, the value (for purposes of court fee)
was determined to be ₹ 3000/- in each of the suits.
17. A plain reading of the impugned judgment reveals that what weighed heavily
with the High Court was the fact that the plaintiff valued the suits differently for the
purposes of court fees and jurisdiction, and secondly that:
“no other market value has been proved by the
petitioners/plaintiff that the settled revenue of the land is Rs.
3,000/- and in the absence of any evidence in this regard, the
trial court has rightly considered the market value of the
property in dispute in accordance with the market value fixed by
the Collector in order to charge the stamp duty, which is the
correct market value.”
16
In the opinion of this court, there was no compulsion for the plaintiff to, at
the stage of filing the suit, prove or establish the claim that the suit lands were
revenue paying and the details of such revenue paid. Once it is conceded that the
value of the land [per explanation to Section 7 (iv-A)] is to be determined according
to either sub clauses (v), (va) or (vb) of the Act, this meant that the concept of
“market value” – a wider concept in other contexts, was deemed to be referrable to
one or other modes of determining the value under sub clauses (v), (va) or (vb) of
Section 7 (iv-A). This aspect was lost sight of by the High Court, in the facts of this
case. The reasoning and conclusions of the High Court, are therefore, not
sustainable.
18. In view of the above discussion, the impugned judgment and order, and that
of the trial court, cannot stand. Consequently, the question of what is the market
value, based on the revenue payable, would be an issue to be tried in the suit.
Resultantly, the appeals succeed and are allowed without any order on costs.
.…....................…….....................J.
[ARUN MISHRA]
.…....................…….....................J.
[M. R. SHAH]
..……….......................................J.
[S. RAVINDRA BHAT]
New Delhi,
February 19, 2020.
