LATE MAJOR ZARIF HUSSAIN vs GOVERNMENT OF WEST PAKISTAN AND OTHERS
This matter concerns a petition for leave to appeal against a judgment of the Lahore High Court, which had overturned a single judge's decision regarding the non-renewal of a horse-breeding land lease. The petitioner, representing the legal heirs of the late Major Zarif Hussain, initially challenged the termination of the lease based on clause (14) of the lease agreement, arguing that the lessee was entitled to a hearing regarding renewal. However, as the original lessee had passed away, the Court determined that the argument regarding clause (14) had become academic. The petitioners further attempted to raise a new claim under clause (16) of the lease agreement, asserting entitlement to the tenancy as legal heirs. The Supreme Court held that it could not grant leave to examine a totally new claim that was not raised before the High Court. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petition, observing that the petitioners were free to approach the respondents for relief under the relevant clause if so advised. The judgment reaffirms the principle that the Supreme Court will not grant leave to examine academic questions or new claims not previously agitated.
- Does the Supreme Court grant leave to appeal to examine questions that have become academic due to the death of the original party?
- Can a petitioner raise a new claim in the Supreme Court that was not pleaded or argued before the High Court?
ORDER
1. ' DORAB PATEL, J.-The late Major Zarif Hussain (now represented by his legal heirs) was granted four squares of land in 1958 in Lyalipur District for horse breeding. But, according to learned counsel, the lease was executed over 10 years later and expired in Kharif 1968. Therefore, the late Major Zarif Hussain had applied in 1967 under paragraph 14 of the terms of the lease for its renewal. But, as it was extended only up to 31-10-1969, he had asked for a further renewal because it was usual to grant extensions for at least three years. His claim was however rejected on the ground that his record of horse breeding was unsatisfactory, therefore, he filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court in which he challenged on various grounds the termination of his lease. Although the writ petition was contested by the respondents, it was allowed by a learned Single Judge of the High Court, therefore, the respondents filed an appeal which was allowed by a Division Bench of the Lahore High Court on 9-7-1977. Hence this petition for leave.
2. ' Learned counsel submitted that on a proper construction of clause (14) of the lease, the lessee was entitled to be heard if the lease in his favour was not resumed and in support of this submission, he stated that leave had been granted to examine this very question in other petitions, No doubt leave has been granted in some similar cases, but learned counsel admitted that Major Zarif Hussain had died, therefore, the petitioners can no longer rely on clause (14) and his Court does not grant leave to examine academic questions.
3. ' Learned counsel then stated that the petitioners as the legal heirs of the late Major Zarif Hussain were entitled to the grant of tenancy under clause (16) of the terms of the lease. Learned counsel conceded that this point was not raised in the High Court and he explained that this was because it could not be raised during the lifetime of Major Zarif Hussain. Learned counsel's explanation is correct, but as the writ petition was pressed on the basis of clause (14) of the lease, we B cannot possibly grant leave in order to examine a totally new claim. However, if the petitioners are so advised they may approach the respondents for relief under this clause. With this observation, the petition is dismissed.