Narasimha Naidu vs Ramasami and Others

We think it must be taken to be found that the property originally belonged to the plaintiffs'' family and that it remained in their possession till 1884. It is true that there is no explicit finding on this latter point by the lower Appellate Court, but this objection is not taken in the memorandum of appeal to this Court, and even in the lower Appellate Court the contention raised in the fourth ground of appeal is consistent with the facts above stated. In 1881, in execution of a decree against some members of the plaintiffs'' family, the property was sold and purchased by the defendant who now appeals, and it is contended that the suit falls under the 12th[1] Article of the Limitation Act, and is therefore barred by limitation. We are referred to Suryanna v. Durgi ILR 7. Mad. 258 in which it seems to have been held that a stranger to the decree whose property is sold in execution of it must bring his suit within the year. If it were necessary to decide the question, we should refer it to a Full Bench, for the decision seems to us doubtful and we are inclined to think that the reasoning in Parekh Ranchor v. Bai Vakhat ILR 11 Bom. 119 is more correct. A stranger whose property is sold behind his back without any authority does not need to have the sale set aside.

There is, however, nothing to show that the sale was ever confirmed and therefore the point does not arise.

The appeal is dismissed with costs.

[1] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article 12: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Period of Time from which period begins Description of suit. limitation. to run ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To set aside any of the following One year.... When the sale is confirmed, or would sales: otherwise have become final and con- (a) sale in execution of a decree clusive had no such suit been brought.] of a Civil Court; (b) sale in pursuance of a decree or order, of a Collector or other officer of revenue; (c) sale for arrears of Government revenue, or for any demand recoverable as such arrears; (d) sale of a patni taluq sold for current arrears of rent. Explanation.--In this clause ''patni'' includes any intermediate tenure saleable for current arrears of rent.