Dinkar Maruti Jadhav v. Nivrutii Gangaram Pawar (dead)
F ...
DR. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J. 1. A two judge Bench doubted
the correctness of some of the observations made in Moreshwar
Balkrishna Pandare & Ors. v. Vithal Vyanku Chavan and Ors.
[2001 (5) sec 551] and therefore referred the matter to a larger
Bench and that is how the matter was posted before us. The G
... 1
essence of the judgment in Moreshwar's case (supra) was that
once an action in Section 33-B is taken, Section 88C of the
Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948 (in short the
'Act') has no relevance.
2. In the instant case, the original owner had expired. H
A Undoubtedly, the certificate had been issued to him under +"'-Section 88-C with reference to the qualification possessed by
the landlord as on 151 April, 1957. The question which fell for
consideration before the High Court was the effect of the death
of the original landlord who had either applied for issuance of
B certificate under Section 88-C, which is pending, or was the
certificate already granted in his favour. In Paragraph 27 of
Moreshwar's case (supra) it is held that once certificate under
Section 88-C is issued and the landlord has issued notice in
exercise of the rights under Section 33-B of the Act and proceeds
c to file an application for possession under Section 33-B read
with Section 29 of the Act, the relief under Section 88-C gets
exhausted. Moreshwar's case (supra) related to rights under
Section 880 of the Act. The question which may arise is that
when death has taken place whether the income or the extent of
land of the legal heirs have to be reckoned.
3. Sections 33-B and 88-C operate in different fields. Bona
fide requirement and personal cultivation concepts are
applicable only under Section 88-C because it refers to Section
33-B. Section 33-B refers to bona fide requirement and personal
E cultivation. Section 88D(iv) comes into operation when the
annual income exceeds the limit fixed and/or economic holdings
exceeded. There are two separate stages. The tenant can, in a
given case, oppose the application in terms of Section 33-B on
the ground that there is no bona fide requirement and/or
personal cultivation. It deals with enforcement of the certificate.
F With the death of the original landlord, the question of economic ...
holding and the income also becomes relevant. In Section 33- ,,.
B income and/or economic holding concept is not there.
4. The decision in Moreshwar's case (supra) is accordingly
clarified. We remit the matter to the High Court to hear the writ
petitions afresh in the light of the position of law delineated
above. r ....
5. The appeal is allowed to the aforesaid extent without
any order as to costs.
H K.K.T. Appeal partly allowed.