Equivalent Citation: AIR2006SC2234, 2006(4)ALD28(SC), 2006(4)AWC3299(SC), (SCSuppl)2006(3)CHN165, 102(2006)CLT393(SC), 2006(4)CTC79, JT2006(5)SC436, (2006)3MLJ121(SC), 2007MPLJ17(SC), 2006(5)SCAL 477, (2006)5SCC545

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Civil Appeal No. 4715 of 2000 Decided On: 08.05.2006 Appellants: Hero Vinoth (minor) Vs. Respondent: Seshammal Hon !le "#$%es& Ari it !asa"at and R.#. Raveendran$ %%. Co#nsels& &or Appellant'!etitioner'!laintiff: (.(. )ani$ (.*. +andeep$ )a",r R. +-a- and R.(. !ande"$ Advs &or Respondents'Defendant: #. !ra.-a/ar$ As-o/ (. +ad-, (-an$ Ra0 ee !rasad and Revat-" Ra1-van$ Advs. A'ts(R#les(Or$ers& Civil !roced,re Code 2C!C3$ 1408 5 +ections 100 and 1046 Civil !roced,re Code 2C!C3 2A0end0ent3 Act$ 1477 5 +ection 1006 8ndian 9ase0ent Act$ 1882 5 +ections 17 and 416 Constit,tion of 8ndia 5 Article 177213 Cases Re)erre$& C-andra *-an v. !a00a *ai and Anr. )AN:'+C'2484'20006 +a/-a-ari !ar;atrao (ara-ale and Anr. v. *-i0as-an/ar !ar;atrao (ara-ale )AN:'+C'2448'20006 <adarao Da i.a +-ra;ane 2dead3 ." =rs. v. Nanilal >ara/c-and +-a- 2dead3 and Ors. )AN:'+C'0674'20026 Neela/antan and Ors. v. )alli/a *e1,0 )AN:'+C'0062'20026 (ris-na )o-an (,l alias Nani C-aran (,l and Anr. v. !rati0a )ait" and Ors. )AN:'+C'0640'20076 +ir C-,nilal #. )e-ta and +ons =td. v. Cent,r" +p1. ? )f1. Co. =td. )AN:'+C'0056'1462 Reserve *an/ of 8ndia v. Ra0/ris-na @ovind )ore" )AN:'+C'0448'14766 (ondi.a Do1ad, (ada0 v. +avitri.ai +opan @, ar and Ors. )AN:'+C'0278'14446 @,ran Ditta v. A. Ra0 Ditta )AN:'!R'0005'14746 Ri00alap,di +,..a Rao v. Noon" #eera , )AN:'AN'0718'14516 D". Co00nr. >ardoi v. Ra0a (ris-na Narain )AN:'+C'0112'14576 +antos- >aBari v. !,r,s-otta0 Ai;ari 2deceased3 ." =rs. )AN:'+C'0041'2001 Prior Histor*& &ro0 t-e %,d10ent'Order dated 70.11.1444 of t-e >i1- Co,rt of %,dicat,re at )adras in +econd Appeal No. 75 of 1448
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Dis+osition& Appeal dis0issed Citin% Re)eren'e&

C-andra *-an v. !a00a *ai and Anr. )AN:'+C'2484'2000 D". Co00nr. >ardoi v. Ra0a (ris-na Narain )AN:'+C'0112'1457 @,ran Ditta v. A. Ra0 Ditta )AN:')>'0174'1428 (ondi.a Do1ad, (ada0 v. +avitri.ai +opan @, ar and Ors. )AN:'+C'0278'1444 (ris-na )o-an (,l alias Nani C-aran (,l and Anr. v. !rati0a )ait" and Ors. Neela/antan and Ors. v. )alli/a *e1,0 )AN:'+C'0062'2002 Reserve *an/ of 8ndia v. Ra0/ris-na @ovind )ore" )AN:'+C'0448'1476 Ri00alap,di +,..a Rao v. Noon" #eera , )AN:'AN'0718'1451 +a/-a-ari !ar;atrao (ara-ale and Anr. v. *-i0as-an/ar !ar;atrao (ara-ale +antos- >aBari v. !,r,s-otta0 Ai;ari 2deceased3 ." =rs. )AN:'+C'0041'2001 +ir C-,nilal #. )e-ta and +ons =td. v. Cent,r" +p1. ? )f1. Co. =td. <adarao Da i.a +-ra;ane 2dead3 ." =rs. v. Nanilal >ara/c-and +-a- 2dead3 and Ors. )entioned Disc,ssed )entioned )entioned )entioned Disc,ssed Disc,ssed )entioned )entioned Disc,ssed Disc,ssed )entioned

Case Note& Ci,il - "#ris$i'tion - Hi%h Co#rt - Se'tion .// o) the Co$e o) Ci,il Pro'e$#re0 .1/2 - Con'#rrent )in$in%s - S'o+e o) inter)eren'e - Hel$0 3hen there is a mis'onstr#'tion o) a $o'#ment or 3ron% a++li'ation o) a +rin'i+le o) la3 3hile inter+retin% a $o'#ment0 it is o+en to inter)eren'e #n$er Se'tion .//0 CPC Ci,il - S#!stantial 4#estion o) la3 - Determination - Hel$& (i) 4#estion o) la3 ha,in% a material !earin% on the $e'ision o) the 'ase0 i) it is not 'o,ere$ !* an* s+e'i)i' +ro,isions o) la3 or settle$ le%al +rin'i+le emer%in% )rom !in$in% +re'e$ents0 an$0 in,ol,es a $e!ata!le le%al iss#e5 (ii) 3here the le%al +osition is 'lear0 either on a''o#nt o) e6+ress +ro,isions o) la3 or !in$in% +re'e$ents0 !#t the 'o#rt !elo3 has $e'i$e$ the matter0 either i%norin% or a'tin% 'ontrar* to s#'h le%al +rin'i+le 7an$ an$ Pro+ert* - Easementar* ri%ht - E6tin%#ishment - Se'tion 8. o) the In$ian Easement A't0 .229 - No 'han%e in +h*si'al )eat#res o) the +ro+ert* Ri%ht o) 3a* %rante$ #n$er +artition $ee$ - Trial 'o#rt hel$ that the ri%ht o) 3a* +ro,i$e$ #n$er the +artition $ee$ 3as an easement o) ne'essit* an$ 3hen a++ellant %ot other a''ess on the other si$e0 the ne'essit* has 'ease$ to e6ist A++ellant 'onten$e$ that as there 3as no s+e'i)i' +lea$in% re%ar$in% the easement !* %rant in the 3ritten statement0 the Hi%h Co#rt 'o#l$ not ha,e $e'i$e$ the matter on that !asis - Res+on$ent 'onten$e$ that the rea$in% o) the rele,ant 'la#se le)t no $o#!t that the ri%ht )lo3in% )rom the rele,ant +ortion o) the +artition $ee$ 3as one o) %rant an$ not o) easement o) ne'essit* - Hel$0 Hi%h Co#rt 'annot !e )a#lte$ )or ha,in% %one into the 4#estion as to 3hat 3as the +ro,e$ intention o) the +art* as '#lle$ o#t )rom the +artition $ee$ 3hen the a++roa'h o) the trial 'o#rt an$ the )irst a++ellate 'o#rt 3as )#n$amentall* 3ron% - F#rther hel$0 an easement 3o#l$ last onl* as lon% as the a!sol#te ne'essit* e6iste$ an$ s#'h a le%al e6tin'tion 'o#l$ not a++l* to an a'4#isition !* %rant - I) a ri%ht o) 3a* 3as +ro,i$e$ to a +arti'#lar sharer0 it 'o#l$ not !e e6tin%#ishe$
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merel* !e'a#se s#'h sharer ha$ other alternati,e 3a* - Or$er o) Hi%h Co#rt $i$ not 3arrant inter)eren'e - A++eal $ismisse$ "UD:MENT Ari;it Pasa*at0 ". 1. Appellant calls in C,estion le1alit" of t-e ,d10ent rendered ." a learned +in1le %,d1e of t-e )adras >i1- Co,rt allo;in1 t-e +econd Appeal filed ." t-e defendant i.e. respondent -erein ,nder +ection 100 of t-e Code of Civil !roced,re$ 1408 2in s-ort DC!CD3. 2. )aterial facts in a n,ts-ell are as follo;s: A s,it ;as filed ." t-e appellant as plaintiff for per0anent pro-i.itor" in ,nction to restrain t-e defendant fro0 ca,sin1 o.str,ction in plaintiff p,ttin1 ,p co0po,nd ;all in -is portion of propert" .earin1 R.+. No. 418'5$ +o,t- !adari +treet$ +eer/aBi Ao;n alon1 t-e D@>D line in t-e ro,1- plan attac-ed to t-e plaint. 7. A !artition deed dated 27.11.1450 ;as eEec,ted a0on1 five .rot-ers6 Nara"anas;a0i$ !aran1,sa C-ettiar$ !,r,s-ot-a0an C-ettiar$ Rad-a/ris-nan C-ettiar and Arava0,t-a C-ettiar. :nder t-e said partition$ DCD +c-ed,le ite0s ;ere allotted to !,r,s-ot-a0an C-ettiar and D9D sc-ed,le ite0s ;ere allotted to Arava0,t-a C-ettiar. :nder t-e said partition$ a portion of propert" No. 418'5$ +o,t- !adari +treet$ +eer/aBi 0eas,rin1 14D6F G 22D6F E 160D'2 ;as allotted to !,r,s-ot-a0an C-ettiar and anot-er portion to t-e east t-ereof 0eas,rin1 22D6F E 160D ;as allotted to t-e s-are Arava0,t-a C-ettiar. On t-e deat- of Arava0,t-a C-ettiar$ -is portion of R.+. No. 418'5 ;as p,rc-ased ." plaintiff fro0 -is le1al -eir. Defendant is t-e ;ido; of !,r,s-ot-a0an C-ettiar and -er propert" is sit,ated on t-e ;estern side of plaintiffDs propert"$ ;-ic;as ori1inall" allotted to Arava0,t-a C-ettiar. 4. Accordin1 to plaintiff$ -e is entitled to enclose entire propert" and defendant -as no ri1-t of access to t-e .ac/"ard of -er pre0ises$ t-ro,1- t-e passa1e 2lane3 sit,ated in t-e eastern eEtre0it" of plaintiffDs propert" and t-e .ac/"ard of plaintiffDs propert". Defendant ;as ca,sin1 o.str,ction in t-e constr,ction of co0po,nd ;all ." -i0 on t-e D@>D line and t-e sa0e ;as to .e prevented ." a decree of per0anent pro-i.itor" in ,nction. Accordin1 to plaintiff$ t-e defendant ;o,ld reac- -er .ac/"ard t-ro,1- -er 0ain -o,se sit,ated in t-e front side of t-e propert" and$ t-erefore$ s-e ;as not entitled to clai0 an" ri1-t of ;a" t-ro,1- -is propert". 5. Defendant did not disp,te t-e o;ners-ip of plaintiff over t-e propert" ;-ic- ;as ori1inall" allotted to Arava0,t-a C-ettiar and s,.seC,entl" p,rc-ased ." plaintiff. >er stand ;as t-at s-e -as a ri1-t of ;a" in ter0s of t-e partition deed and if constr,ction is p,t on t-e entire D@>D line$ -er ri1-t of ;a" ;ill .e o.str,cted. +-e contended t-at plaintiff if at all entitled to constr,ct an" co0po,nd ;all$ s-o,ld not ca,se an" o.str,ction to -er ri1-t to ;a" 1ranted ,nder t-e !artition deed.

6. Arial Co,rt too/ oral and doc,0entar" evidence and ca0e to t-e concl,sion t-at plaintiff is entitled to s,cceed. Arial co,rt ;as of t-e vie; t-at t-e ri1-t of ;a" provided to !,r,s-ot-a0an C-ettiar 2defendantDs -,s.and3 ,nder t-e partition deed ;as an ease0ent of necessit" and ;-en appellant -as 1ot ot-er access sit,ated on t-e nort-ern side t-e necessit" -as ceased to eEist ,nder +ection 41 of t-e 8ndian 9ase0ent Act$ 1882 2in s-ort t-e DActD3 and conseC,entl"$ plaintiff is entitled to p,t ,p constr,ction as pra"ed for. 7. A1ainst t-e said decision of trial co,rt$ defendant5 respondent preferred appeal as A.+. 48 of 1446 on t-e file of Additional +,. %,d1e$ )a"ilad,t-,rai$ .,t ;it-o,t s,ccess. 8. 8n t-e second appeal filed ." t-e defendant5respondent$ t-e follo;in1 C,estions ;ere for0,lated as s,.stantial C,estions of la; arisin1 for consideration: 2a3 H-et-er t-e co,rts .elo; are ri1-t in 1ivin1 a findin1 re1ardin1 eEtin1,is-0ent of ease0entar" ri1-t ;it-o,t an" pleadin1 or evidence re1ardin1 t-e sa0eI H-et-er t-e co,rts .elo; are ,stified in pres,0in1 eEtin1,is-0ent ;-en t-ere is no pleadin1 or evidence to ;-at effectI 2.3 H-et-er t-e co,rts .elo; are ri1-t in statin1 t-at to prove ease0ent ." prescription$ it is necessar" to s-o; t-e eEistence of ease0ent ." necessit" is a condition precedent to plead and prove ease0ent ." prescriptionI 2c3 H-et-er t-e co,rts .elo; are erred in statin1 t-at t-e do0inant tene0ent o;nerDs ri1-t over servient tene0ent ;ill 1et eEtin1,is-ed ;-en t-e servient tene0entDs o;ners-ip transferred to anot-er person ." ;a" of sale ." servient o;nerI 2d3 H-et-er t-e co,rts .elo; are correct in statin1 t-at t-e ease0ent created 1ot eEtin1,is-ed ;-en t-ere is no c-an1e in p-"sical feat,res of t-e propert" covered render t-at ease0ent ri1-t as ,seless or ,nnecessar"I 4. A-e >i1- Co,rt noted t-at t-e C,estions ;-ic- need consideration ;ere t-e C,estions a ? d. A-e >i1- Co,rt fo,nd t-at t-e approac- of t-e Arial co,rt and t-e first appellate co,rt ;ere clearl" erroneo,s as t-e" failed to distin1,is- .et;een t-e ease0ent of necessit" and an ease0ent acC,ired ." 1rant. Considerin1 t-e relevant cla,se in t-e !artition deed it ;as -eld t-at t-e ri1-t of ;a" 1iven ;as one of 1rant and not an ease0ent of necessit". Accordin1l" t-e +econd Appeal ;as allo;ed and t-e plaintiffDs s,it ;as dis0issed. 10. 8n s,pport of t-e appeal learned Co,nsel for t-e appellant s,.0itted t-at t-e para0eters of +ection 100$ C!C ;ere not /ept in vie; ." t-e >i1- Co,rt. 8t ;as also contended t-at as t-ere ;as no specific pleadin1 re1ardin1 t-e ease0ent ." 1rant in t-e ;ritten state0ent$ t-e >i1- Co,rt co,ld not -ave decided t-e 0atter on t-at .asis. 11. =earned co,nsel for t-e respondent on t-e ot-er -and s,.0itted t-at t-e readin1 of t-e relevant cla,se leaves no 0anner of do,.t t-at t-e ri1-t flo;in1 fro0 t-e relevant portion of t-e partition deed ;as one of 1rant and not an ease0ent of necessit".
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12. He s-all first deal ;it- t-e C,estion relatin1 to ,risdiction of t-e >i1- Co,rt to interfere ;it- t-e conc,rrent findin1s of fact. Reference ;as 0ade ." learned Co,nsel for t-e appellant to C-andra *-an v. !a00a *ai and Anr. )AN:'+C'2484'2000 : 2200234+CC565 +a/-a-ari !ar;atrao (ara-ale and Anr. v. *-i0a s-an/ar !ar;atrao (ara-ale )AN:'+C'2448'2000 : 2200234+CC608 . +o far as t-e first decision is concerned$ in vie; of t-e fact,al findin1s recorded ." t-e lo;er Co,rt and t-e first Appellate Co,rt it ;as -eld t-at interference ;it- t-e conc,rrent findin1s of fact are not ,stified. A-e C,estion related to possession and t;o Co,rts pri0aril" considerin1 fact,al position -ad decided t-e C,estion of possession. 8n t-at .ac/1ro,nd$ t-is Co,rt o.served t-at ,risdiction ,nder +ection 100 C!C s-o,ld not -ave .een eEercised. +o far as t-e second decision is concerned$ t-e position ;as al0ost si0ilar and it ;as -eld t-at findin1s contrar" to conc,rrent findin1s of lo;er Co,rts and -avin1 no .asis eit-er in pleadin1s$ iss,es fra0ed or in C,estions act,all" ad ,dicated ,pon ." an" of t-e lo;er Co,rts cannot .e s,stained. A-at decision also does not -elp t-e appellant in an" 0anner as t-e fact,al scenario is totall" different in t-e present case. 17. A-o,1- as ri1-tl" contended ." learned Co,nsel for t-e appellant t-e scope for interference ;it- conc,rrent findin1s of fact ;-ile eEercisin1 ,risdiction ,nder +ection 100 C!C is ver" li0ited$ and re5appreciation of evidence is not per0issi.le ;-ere t-e trial Co,rt and'or t-e first Appellate Co,rt 0isdirected t-e0selves in appreciatin1 t-e C,estion of la; or placed t-e on,s on t-e ;ron1 part" certainl" t-ere is a scope for interference ,nder +ection 100 C!C after for0,latin1 a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. 14. As ;as noted in <adarao Da i.a +-ra;ane 2dead3 ." =rs. v. Nanilal >ara/c-and +-a- 2dead3 and Ors. )AN:'+C'0674'2002 : A8R2002+C2844 if t-e ,d10ents of t-e trial Co,rt and t-e first Appellate Co,rt are .ased on 0iss interpretation of t-e doc,0entar" evidence or consideration of inad0issi.le evidence or i1norin1 0aterial evidence or on a findin1 of fact -as i1nored ad0issions or concession 0ade ." ;itnesses or parties$ t-e >i1- Co,rt can interfere in appeal. 15. 8n Neela/antan and Ors. v. )ali/a *e1,0 )AN:'+C'0062'2002 : A8R2002+C827 it ;as -eld t-at findin1s of fact recorded 0,st .e set aside ;-ere t-e findin1 -as no .asis in an" le1al evidence on record or is .ased on a 0isreadin1 of evidence or s,ffers fro0 an" le1al infir0it" ;-ic- 0ateriall" pre ,dices t-e case of one of t-e parties. 2+ee: (ris-na )o-an (,l alias Nani C-aran (,l and Anr. v. !rati0a )ait" and Ors. )AN:'+C'0640'2007 : A8R2007+C4751 3. 16. 8t is no; ;ell settled t-at an inference of fact fro0 a doc,0ent is a C,estion of fact. *,t t-e le1al effect of t-e ter0s or a ter0 of a doc,0ent is a C,estion of la;. Constr,ction of a doc,0ent involvin1 t-e application of a principle of la;$ is a C,estion of la;. A-erefore$ ;-en t-ere is a 0isconstr,ction of a doc,0ent or ;ron1 application of a principle of la; ;-ile interpretin1 a doc,0ent$ it is open to interference ,nder +ection 100 C!C. 8f a doc,0ent creatin1 an ease0ent ." 1rant is constr,ed as an Dease0ent of necessit"D t-ere." 0ateriall" affectin1 t-e decision in t-e case$ certainl" it 1ives rise to a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. 17. After t-e a0end0ent a second appeal can .e filed onl" if a s,.stantial C,estion of la; is involved in t-e case. A-e 0e0orand,0 of appeal 0,st precisel" state t-e
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s,.stantial C,estion of la; involved and t-e >i1- Co,rt is o.li1ed to satisf" itself re1ardin1 t-e eEistence of s,c- a C,estion. 8f satisfied$ t-e >i1- Co,rt -as to for0,late t-e s,.stantial C,estion of la; involved in t-e case. A-e appeal is reC,ired to .e -eard on t-e C,estion so for0,lated. >o;ever$ t-e respondent at t-e ti0e of -earin1 of t-e appeal -as a ri1-t to ar1,e t-at t-e case in t-e co,rt did not involve an" s,.stantial C,estion of la;. A-e proviso to t-e section ac/no;led1es t-e po;ers of t-e >i1- Co,rt to -ear t-e appeal on a s,.stantial point of la;$ t-o,1- not for0,lated ." it ;it- t-e o. ect of ens,rin1 t-at no in ,stice is done to t-e liti1ant ;-ere s,c- a C,estion ;as not for0,lated at t-e ti0e of ad0ission eit-er ." 0ista/e or ." inadvertence. 18. 8t -as .een noted ti0e and a1ain t-at ;it-o,t insistin1 for t-e state0ent of s,c- a s,.stantial C,estion of la; in t-e 0e0orand,0 of appeal and for0,latin1 t-e sa0e at t-e ti0e of ad0ission$ t-e >i1- Co,rts -ave .een iss,in1 notices and 1enerall" decidin1 t-e second appeals ;it-o,t ad-erin1 to t-e proced,re prescri.ed ,nder +ection 100 of t-e C!C. 8t -as f,rt-er .een fo,nd in a n,0.er of cases t-at no efforts are 0ade to distin1,is- .et;een a C,estion of la; and a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. 8n eEercise of t-e po;ers ,nder t-is section in several cases$ t-e findin1s of fact of t-e first appellate co,rt are fo,nd to -ave .een dist,r.ed. 8t -as to .e /ept in 0ind t-at t-e ri1-t of appeal is neit-er a nat,ral nor an in-erent ri1-t attac-ed to t-e liti1ation. *ein1 a s,.stantive stat,tor" ri1-t$ it -as to .e re1,lated in accordance ;it- la; in force at t-e relevant ti0e. A-e conditions 0entioned in t-e section 0,st .e strictl" f,lfilled .efore a second appeal can .e 0aintained and no co,rt -as t-e po;er to add or to enlar1e t-ose 1ro,nds. A-e second appeal cannot .e decided on 0erel" eC,ita.le 1ro,nds. A-e conc,rrent findin1s of facts ;ill not .e dist,r.ed ." t-e >i1- Co,rt in eEercise of t-e po;ers ,nder t-is section. &,rt-er$ a s,.stantial C,estion of la; -as to .e distin1,is-ed fro0 a s,.stantial C,estion of fact. A-is Co,rt in +ir C-,nilal #. )e-ta and +ons =td. v. Cent,r" +p1. ? )f1. Co. =td. )AN:'+C'0056'1462 : A8R1462+C1714 -eld t-at: A-e proper test for deter0inin1 ;-et-er a C,estion of la; raised in t-e case is s,.stantial ;o,ld$ in o,r opinion$ .e ;-et-er it is of 1eneral p,.lic i0portance or ;-et-er it directl" and s,.stantiall" affects t-e ri1-ts of t-e parties and if so ;-et-er it is eit-er an open C,estion in t-e sense t-at it is not finall" settled ." t-is Co,rt or ." t-e !riv" Co,ncil or ." t-e &ederal Co,rt or is not free fro0 diffic,lt" or calls for disc,ssion of alternative vie;s. 8f t-e C,estion is settled ." t-e -i1-est co,rt or t-e 1eneral principles to .e applied in deter0inin1 t-e C,estion are ;ell settled and t-ere is a 0ere C,estion of appl"in1 t-ose principles or t-at t-e plea raised is palpa.l" a.s,rd t-e C,estion ;o,ld not .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. 14. 8t is not ;it-in t-e do0ain of t-e >i1- Co,rt to investi1ate t-e 1ro,nds on ;-ic- t-e findin1s ;ere arrived at$ ." t-e last co,rt of fact$ .ein1 t-e first appellate co,rt. 8t is tr,e t-at t-e lo;er appellate co,rt s-o,ld not ordinaril" re ect ;itnesses accepted ." t-e trial co,rt in respect of credi.ilit" .,t even ;-ere it -as re ected t-e ;itnesses accepted ." t-e trial co,rt$ t-e sa0e is no 1ro,nd for interference in second appeal ;-en it is fo,nd t-at t-e appellate co,rt -as 1iven satisfactor" reasons for doin1 so. 8n a case ;-ere fro0 a 1iven set of circ,0stances t;o inferences of fact are possi.le$ one dra;n ." t-e lo;er appellate co,rt ;ill not .e interfered ." t-e >i1- Co,rt in second appeal. Adoptin1 an" ot-er approac- is not per0issi.le. A-e >i1- Co,rt ;ill$ -o;ever$ interfere ;-ere it is fo,nd t-at t-e concl,sions dra;n ." t-e lo;er appellate co,rt ;ere erroneo,s .ein1
6

contrar" to t-e 0andator" provisions of la; applica.le or its settled position on t-e .asis of prono,nce0ents 0ade ." t-e ApeE Co,rt$ or ;as .ased ,pon inad0issi.le evidence or arrived at ." i1norin1 0aterial evidence. 20. A-e C,estion of la; raised ;ill not .e considered as a s,.stantial C,estion of la;$ if it stands alread" decided ." a lar1er *enc- of t-e >i1- Co,rt concerned or ." t-e !riv" Co,ncil or ." t-e &ederal Co,rt or ." t-e +,pre0e Co,rt. H-ere t-e facts reC,ired for a point of la; -ave not .een pleaded$ a liti1ant s-o,ld not .e allo;ed to raise t-at C,estion as a s,.stantial C,estion of la; in second appeal. A-ere 0ere appreciation of facts$ t-e doc,0entar" evidence or t-e 0eanin1 of entries and t-e contents of t-e doc,0ents cannot .e -eld to .e raisin1 a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. *,t ;-ere it is fo,nd t-at t-e first appellate co,rt -as ass,0ed ,risdiction ;-ic- did not vest in it$ t-e sa0e can .e ad ,dicated in t-e second appeal$ treatin1 it as a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. H-ere t-e fact appellate co,rt is s-o;n to -ave eEercised its discretion in a ,dicial 0anner$ it cannot .e ter0ed to .e an error eit-er of la; or of proced,re reC,irin1 interference in second appeal. A-is Co,rt in Reserve *an/ of 8ndia v. Ra0/ris-na @ovind )ore" )AN:'+C'0448'1476 : A8R1476+C870 -eld t-at ;-et-er t-e trial co,rt s-o,ld not -ave eEercised its ,risdiction differentl" is not a C,estion of la; ,stif"in1 interference.2+ee: (ondi.a Do1ad, (ada0 v. +avitri.ai +opan @, ar and Ors. )AN:'+C'0278'1444 : J1444K2+CR728 3. 21. A-e p-rase Fs,.stantial C,estion of la;F$ as occ,rrin1 in t-e a0ended +ection 100 of t-e C!C is not defined in t-e Code. A-e ;ord s,.stantial$ as C,alif"in1 FC,estion of la;F$ 0eans 5 of -avin1 s,.stance$ essential$ real$ of so,nd ;ort-$ i0portant or considera.le. 8t is to .e ,nderstood as so0et-in1 in contradistinction ;it- 5 tec-nical$ of no s,.stance or conseC,ence$ or acade0ic 0erel". >o;ever$ it is clear t-at t-e le1islat,re -as c-osen not to C,alif" t-e scope of Fs,.stantial C,estion of la;F ." s,ffiEin1 t-e ;ords Fof 1eneral i0portanceF as -as .een done in 0an" ot-er provisions s,c- as +ection 104 of t-e Code or Article 1772132a3 of t-e Constit,tion. A-e s,.stantial C,estion of la; on ;-ic- a second appeal s-all .e -eard need not necessaril" .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la; of 1eneral i0portance. 8n @,ran Ditta v. A. Ra0 Ditta )AN:'!R'0005'1474$ t-e p-rase Ds,.stantial C,estion of la;D as it ;as e0plo"ed in t-e last cla,se of t-e t-en eEistin1 +ection 100 C!C 2since o0itted ." t-e A0end0ent Act$ 14773 ca0e ,p for consideration and t-eir =ords-ips -eld t-at it did not 0ean a s,.stantial C,estion of 1eneral i0portance .,t a s,.stantial C,estion of la; ;-ic- ;as involved in t-e case. 8n +ri C-,nilalDs case 2s,pra3$ t-e Constit,tion *enc- eEpressed a1ree0ent ;it- t-e follo;in1 vie; ta/en ." a f,ll *enc- of t-e )adras >i1- Co,rt in Ri00alap,di +,..a Rao v. Noon" #eera , )AN:'AN'0718'1451 : A8R1451)ad464 : H-en a C,estion of la; is fairl" ar1,a.le$ ;-ere t-ere is roo0 for difference of opinion on it or ;-ere t-e Co,rt t-o,1-t it necessar" to deal ;it- t-at C,estion at so0e len1tand disc,ss alternative vie;s$ t-en t-e C,estion ;o,ld .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. On t-e ot-er -and if t-e C,estion ;as practicall" covered ." t-e decision of t-e -i1-est co,rt or if t-e 1eneral principles to .e applied in deter0inin1 t-e C,estion are ;ell settled and t-e onl" C,estion ;as of appl"in1 t-ose principles to .e partic,lar facts of t-e case it ;o,ld not .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la;.

22. A-is Co,rt laid do;n t-e follo;in1 test as proper test$ for deter0inin1 ;-et-er a C,estion of la; raised in t-e case is s,.stantial A-e proper test for deter0inin1 ;-et-er a C,estion of la; raised in t-e case is s,.stantial ;o,ld$ in o,r opinion$ .e ;-et-er it is of 1eneral p,.lic i0portance or ;-et-er it directl" and s,.stantiall" affects t-e ri1-ts of t-e parties and if so ;-et-er it is eit-er an open C,estion in t-e sense t-at it is not finall" settled ." t-is Co,rt or ." t-e !riv" Co,ncil or ." t-e &ederal Co,rt or is not free fro0 diffic,lt" or calls for disc,ssion of alternative vie;s. 8f t-e C,estion is settled ." t-e -i1-est co,rt or t-e 1eneral principles to .e applied in deter0inin1 t-e C,estion are ;ell settled and t-ere is a 0ere C,estion of appl"in1 t-ose principles or t-at t-e plea raised is palpa.l" a.s,rd t-e C,estion ;o,ld not .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la;. 27. 8n D". Co00nr. >ardoi v. Ra0a (ris-na Narain )AN:'+C'0112'1457 : A8R1457+C521 also it ;as -eld t-at a C,estion of la; of i0portance to t-e parties ;as a s,.stantial C,estion of la; entitlin1 t-e appellant to a certificate ,nder 2t-e t-en3 +ection 100 of t-e C!C. 24. Ao .e Fs,.stantialF a C,estion of la; 0,st .e de.ata.le$ not previo,sl" settled ." la; of t-e land or a .indin1 precedent$ and 0,st -ave a 0aterial .earin1 on t-e decision of t-e case$ if ans;ered eit-er ;a"$ insofar as t-e ri1-ts of t-e parties .efore it are concerned. Ao .e a C,estion of la; Finvolvin1 in t-e caseF t-ere 0,st .e first a fo,ndation for it laid in t-e pleadin1s and t-e C,estion s-o,ld e0er1e fro0 t-e s,staina.le findin1s of fact arrived at ." co,rt of facts and it 0,st .e necessar" to decide t-at C,estion of la; for a ,st and proper decision of t-e case. An entirel" ne; point raised for t-e first ti0e .efore t-e >i1- Co,rt is not a C,estion involved in t-e case ,nless it 1oes to t-e root of t-e 0atter. 8t ;ill$ t-erefore$ depend on t-e facts and circ,0stance of eac- case ;-et-er a C,estion of la; is a s,.stantial one and involved in t-e case$ or not6 t-e para0o,nt overall consideration .ein1 t-e need for stri/in1 a ,dicio,s .alance .et;een t-e indispensa.le o.li1ation to do ,stice at all sta1es and i0pellin1 necessit" of avoidin1 prolon1ation in t-e life of an" lis. 2+ee: +antos- >aBari v. !,r,s-otta0 Ai;ari 2deceased3 ." =rs. )AN:'+C'0041'2001 : J2001K2518AR842+C3 . 25. A-e principles relatin1 to +ection 100 C!C$ relevant for t-is case$ 0a" .e s,00eriBed t-,s:5 2i3 An inference of fact fro0 t-e recitals or contents of a doc,0ent is a C,estion of fact. *,t t-e le1al effect of t-e ter0s of a doc,0ent is a C,estion of la;. Constr,ction of a doc,0ent involvin1 t-e application of an" principle of la;$ is also a C,estion of la;. A-erefore$ ;-en t-ere is 0isconstr,ction of a doc,0ent or ;ron1 application of a principle of la; in constr,in1 a doc,0ent$ it 1ives rise to a C,estion of la;. 2ii3 A-e >i1- Co,rt s-o,ld .e satisfied t-at t-e case involves a s,.stantial C,estion of la;$ and not a 0ere C,estion of la;. A C,estion of la; -avin1 a 0aterial .earin1 on t-e decision of t-e case 2t-at is$ a C,estion$ ans;er to ;-ic- affects t-e ri1-ts of parties to t-e s,it3 ;ill .e a s,.stantial C,estion of la;$ if it is not covered ." an" specific provisions of la; or settled le1al principle e0er1in1 fro0 .indin1 precedents$ and$ involves a de.ata.le le1al iss,e. A s,.stantial C,estion of la; ;ill also arise in a
8

contrar" sit,ation$ ;-ere t-e le1al position is clear$ eit-er on acco,nt of eEpress provisions of la; or .indin1 precedents$ .,t t-e co,rt .elo; -as decided t-e 0atter$ eit-er i1norin1 or actin1 contrar" to s,c- le1al principle. 8n t-e second t"pe of cases$ t-e s,.stantial C,estion of la; arises not .eca,se t-e la; is still de.ata.le$ .,t .eca,se t-e decision rendered on a 0aterial C,estion$ violates t-e settled position of la;. 2iii3 A-e 1eneral r,le is t-at >i1- Co,rt ;ill not interfere ;it- conc,rrent findin1s of t-e Co,rts .elo;. *,t it is not an a.sol,te r,le. +o0e of t-e ;ell reco1niBed eEceptions are ;-ere 2i3 t-e co,rts .elo; -ave i1nored 0aterial evidence or acted on no evidence6 2ii3 t-e co,rts -ave dra;n ;ron1 inferences fro0 proved facts ." appl"in1 t-e la; erroneo,sl"6 or 2iii3 t-e co,rts -ave ;ron1l" cast t-e .,rden of proof. H-en ;e refer to Ddecision .ased on no evidenceD$ it not onl" refers to cases ;-ere t-ere is a total deartof evidence$ .,t also refers to an" case$ ;-ere t-e evidence$ ta/en as a ;-ole$ is not reasona.l" capa.le of s,pportin1 t-e findin1. 26. 8n t-e case at -and t-e >i1- Co,rt fo,nd t-at t-e approac- of t-e trial co,rt and t-e first appellate co,rt ;as erroneo,s inas0,c- as t-e" proceeded on t-e .asis as if it is a case of ease0ent of necessit". >ad t-e trial co,rt and t-e first appellate co,rt considered t-e evidence in t-e li1-t of t-e respective stands of t-e parties and t-en concl,ded one ;a" or t-e ot-er$ t-e position ;o,ld -ave .een different. H-en t-e approac- ;as f,nda0entall" ;ron1 t-e >i1- Co,rt cannot .e fa,lted for -avin1 1one into t-e C,estion as to ;-at ;as t-e proved intention of t-e part" as c,lled o,t fro0 t-e !artition deed. A-e relevant 2translation3 portion reads as follo;s: Arav,0,da C-ettiar co00onl" en o" t-e ;ell sit,ate on t-e portion allotted to !,r,s-otta0a C-ettiar$ li/e;ise !,r,s-ot-a0a C-ettiar co00onl" en o" t-e lane sit,ate on t-e portion allotted to Arav,0,da C-ettiar. Hell is t-e eEcl,sive propert" of !,r,s-ot-a0a C-ettiar and =ane is t-e eEcl,sive propert" of Arav,0,da C-ettiar. 27. A-o,1- an atte0pt ;as 0ade ." learned Co,nsel for t-e appellant to contend t-at t-e C,oted portion ;as onl" t-e prea0.le and not t-e intention of t-e parties$ t-e sa0e is clearl" ,ntena.le. 9arlier to t-e C,oted portion it -as .een noted as follo;s: As per t-e a.ove arran1e0ent ;e decided to enter into t-e !artition deed and -ence ;e are ;ritin1 t-is !artition deed. He s-o,ld ta/e possession of o,r respective s-ares and en o" t-e sa0e ,ninterr,ptedl" for ever. A-erefore$ t-ere is no 0anner of do,.t t-at t-e intention ;as clear t-at it ;as a 1rant and not an ease0ent of necessit" ;-ic- co,ld .e eEtin1,is-ed. 28. A-e C,estion ;-et-er an ease0ent is one acC,ired ." 1rant 2as contrasted fro0 an ease0ent of necessit"3 does not depend ,pon a.sol,te necessit" of it. 8t is t-e nat,re of t-e acC,isition t-at is relevant. )an" ease0ents acC,ired ." 1rant 0a" .e a.sol,tel" necessar" for t-e en o"0ent of t-e do0inant tene0ent in t-e sense t-at it cannot .e en o"ed at all ;it-o,t it. A-at 0a" .e t-e reason for t-e 1rant also. *,t ease0ent of 1rant is a 0atter of contract .et;een t-e parties. 8n t-e 0atter of 1rant t-e parties are 1overned ." t-e ter0s of t-e 1rant and not an"t-in1 else. 9ase0ent of necessit" and C,asi ease0ent are dealt ;it- in +ection 17 of t-e Act. A-e 1rant 0a" .e eEpress or
4

even ." necessar" i0plication. 8n eit-er case it ;ill not a0o,nt to an ease0ent of necessit" ,nder +ection 17 of t-e Act even t-o,1- it 0a" also .e an a.sol,te necessit" for t-e person in ;-ose favo,r t-e 1rant is 0ade. =i0it of t-e ease0ent acC,ired ." 1rant is controlled onl" ." t-e ter0s of t-e contract. 8f t-e ter0s of t-e 1rant restrict its ,ser s,. ect to an" condition t-e parties ;ill .e 1overned ." t-ose conditions. An" -o; t-e scope of t-e 1rant co,ld .e deter0ined ." t-e ter0s of t-e 1rant .et;een t-e parties alone. H-en t-ere is not-in1 in t-e ter0 of t-e 1rant in t-is case t-at it ;as to contin,e onl" ,ntil s,c- ti0e as t-e necessit" ;as a.sol,te. 8n fact even at t-e ti0e it ;as 1ranted$ it ;as not one of necessit". 8f it is a per0anent arran1e0ent ,ncontrolled ." an" condition$ t-at per0anenc" in ,ser 0,st .e reco1niBed and t-e servient tene0ent ;ill .e reco1niBed and t-e servient tene0ent ;ill .e per0anentl" .,rdened ;it- t-at disa.ilit". +,c- a ri1-t does not arise ,nder t-e le1al i0plication of +ection 17 nor is it eEtin1,is-ed ." t-e stat,tor" provision ,nder +ection 41 of t-e Act ;-ic- is applica.le onl" to ease0ent of necessit" arisin1 ,nder +ection 17. 24. An ease0ent ." 1rant does not 1et eEtin1,is-ed ,nder +ection 41 of t-e Act ;-icrelates to an ease0ent of necessit". An ease0ent of necessit" is one ;-ic- is not 0erel" necessar" for t-e reasona.le en o"0ent of t-e do0inant tene0ent$ .,t one ;-ere do0inant tene0ent cannot .e ,sed at all ;it-o,t t-e ease0ent. A-e .,rden of t-e servient o;ner in s,c- a case is not on t-e .asis of an" concession or 1rant 0ade ." -i0 for consideration or ot-er;ise$ .,t it is ." ;a" of a le1al o.li1ation ena.lin1 t-e do0inant o;ner to ,se -is land. 8t is li0ited to t-e .arest necessit" -o;ever inconvenient it is irrespective of t-e C,estion ;-et-er a .etter access co,ld .e 1iven ." t-e servient o;ner or not. H-en an alternate access .eco0es availa.le$ t-e le1al necessit" of .,rdenin1 t-e servient o;ner ceases and t-e ease0ent of necessit" ." i0plication of la; is le1all" ;it-dra;n or eEtin1,is-ed as stat,toril" reco1niBed in +ection 41. +,c- an ease0ent ;ill last onl" as lon1 as t-e a.sol,te necessit" eEists. +,c- a le1al eEtinction cannot appl" to an acC,isition ." 1rant and +ection 41 is not applica.le in s,c- case. 70. A.ove .ein1 t-e position$ t-e >i1- Co,rt ;as ri1-t in -oldin1 t-at t-e parties clearl" provided for a ri1-t of access to t-e .ac/"ard of t-e defendantDs -o,se ;-en t-e !artition deed ;as eEec,ted and s-ares ;ere allotted to vario,s s-arers ta/in1 into acco,nt vario,s factors and it is a 0atter of contract,al arran1e0ent .et;een t-e0. 8n s,c- a contract if a ri1-t of ;a" is provided to a partic,lar s-arer$ it cannot .e eEtin1,is-ed 0erel" .eca,se s,c- s-arer -as ot-er alternative ;a". A-e >i1- Co,rtDs reasonin1 and concl,sions do not s,ffer fro0 an" infir0it" to ;arrant interference. A-e appeal is accordin1l" dis0issed. No costs.

10