Kozhikot Pudiya Kovilagath … vs Chundayil Modathil Ananta Patter … on 28 April, 1910

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Madras High Court
Kozhikot Pudiya Kovilagath … vs Chundayil Modathil Ananta Patter … on 28 April, 1910
Equivalent citations: (1911) ILR 34 Mad 61
Bench: Benson, K Ayyar


JUDGMENT

1. This second appeal relates to improvements. The kanom sought to be redeemed is dated the 3rd of November 1872. It provides that the tenant shall accept the value of improvements according to local custom. The Subordinate Judge has held that the provision amounts to a special contract which is unaffected by the Malabar Tenants Improvements Act. He directed an enquiry into the customary rates and has awarded to the defendants a lesser sum for improvements than the Munsif fixed in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Now, Section 5 of Madras Act I of l900 declares every tenant entitled to compensation for improvements on ejectment. Section 6 provides that the amount of compensation when claimed under Section 5 shall be computed according to Sections 9 to 18. It is open to every tenant to claim compensation under Section 5 and, if he does so, the rules for ascertaining the compensation are laid down in Sections 9 to 18. But he may instead claim compensation according to the provision contained in any contracts between the parties. In that case Section 6 has no application nor have Sections 9 to 18. In this case; the tenant claims compensation under Section 5. It would prima facie seem therefore that the rate of compensation is to be determined in accordance with Sections 9 to 18. But it is argued that Section 19 of the Act validates all contracts prior to the 1st day of January 1886 by implication and that such contracts should be given effect to in their integrity. Assuming this to be so, is there any contract in this case prescribing particular rates of compensation? The authority of the Full Bench in Kerala Varmah Valia Rajah v. Ramunni (1893) 3 M.L.J. 51, is against such a contention It is there pointed out that a mere provision for the customary compensation is not a special contract such as is contemplated in Section 7 of Madras Act I of 1887 which corresponds to Section 19 of the Act of 1900. There is no contract in this case for particular rates to be enforced. It merely states in express terms what would otherwise be imported into the contract, that the parties shall conform to the usage of the country. There being no special contract, the tenant is entitled to compensation according to the Act. This is enough to dispose of this case. But as we have listened to an able argument from Mr. Sundara Ayyar on the section of the Act which relates to the effect of contracts before the 1st of January 1886, we think it desirable to indicate our opinion on the points dealt with.

2. The question is whether the tenant is entitled to claim com-pensation under the Act where there is a contract before the Act prescribing lesser rates? It seems to us he is not precluded from doing so. Section 19 deals with contracts limiting the rights to make improvements and to claim compensation. Contracts before the 1st day of January 1886 cutting down the right to make improvements are left untouched and may be deemed to be valid if by the law in force at that time they would be treated as valid. There is nothing in Section 19 which deals with a mere contract regulating the rates of compensation whether before or after the 1st day of January 1886. And if such a contract is favourable to the tenant, he could always insist on it despite the provision in Section 6. If a contract as to the rate of compensation is unfavourable to the tenant even though it has been entered into before 1886, he is entitled to claim compensation under Section 5 and the rates prescribed in Sections 9 to 18, must then prevail. We do not think that the recent Full Bench decision in Randu Purayil Kunhisore v. Neroth Kunhi Kannan (1909) I.L.R. 32 Mad. 1, is against our view. The question there was, as would appear from the referring order, whether the making of the improvements after 1886 disentitled the tenant to the rates fixed by the contract before that date? and the Full Bench held that a contract made prior to the 1st of January 1886 was unaffected whether the improvements were made before or after. This is no authority for the position that mere rates of compensation fixed by contract before the Act are decisive as between the parties, and preclude the tenant from claiming the rates under the Act if he elects to proceed under Section 5 If, on the other hand, a contract before 1886 restrained the tenant from making improvements and claiming compensation therefor, such a contract would prima facie be valid apart from any question of the customary law rendering the restraint invalid.

3. We reverse the judgment of the Subordinate Judge and restore the Munsif’s decree with the modification that defendants Nos. 1 to 3 will have their costs throughout. The memorandum of objections is dismissed with costs.

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