Mst. IFFAT BEGUM AND Others vs MRS. A. MAJID AND Other
This matter concerns a dispute over property rights and easements between the occupants of two adjacent evacuee houses, 'Parkash Villa' and 'Kalash Villa', both formerly part of the 'Springfield Estate' in Murree. The respondent (plaintiff) filed a civil suit seeking a declaration and injunction against the petitioners (defendants), alleging unauthorized construction of doors and windows by the petitioners and interference with the respondent's compound and easement rights. The trial court decreed the suit in favor of the respondent, a decision partially upheld by the District Judge and subsequently affirmed by the Lahore High Court in second appeal. The petitioners sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that because the common passage and surrounding open land are jointly owned by the parties, the respondent could not establish a claim of easement in the absence of a formal demarcation of the joint property. The Supreme Court granted leave to appeal, holding that the legal contentions raised regarding the nature of easement rights over joint property require further judicial consideration.
- Can a claim of easement be maintained over property that is jointly owned by the parties?
- Does the absence of formal demarcation of joint property preclude a party from asserting easement rights against a co-owner?
ORDER
ABDUL KADIR SHAH, J.-Petitioners are the occupants of an evacuee house known as 'Parkash Villa' at Murree transferred to them, whereas Mrs. A. Majid, the first respondent, is the occupant of the adjacent house known as 'Kalash Villa' transferred to her. These two houses with another portion transferred to Mst. Fazal Noor and the vacant land attached were originally known as "Springfield Estate" Murree. Mrs. A. Majid filed civil suit against the petitioners for declaration and injunction to the effect that the petitioners have unauthorisedly constructed doors and windows in 'Parkash Villa' opening towards their house, and they be restrained permanently not to interfere in the compound of 'Kalash Villa' and also not to use the passage and infringe rights of easement. The plaintiff also prayed for grant of mandatory injunc--petition to the effect that the defendants be ordered to demolish the illegal construc--petition, that is, doors, windows, etc.
2. The trial Judge decreed the suit as prayed by .The plaintiff and peti--tioners' appeal lo the District Judge succeeded only in part, and finally, their second appeal in Lahore High Court was dismissed.
3.It is in these circumstances that petitioners now seek leave to appeal.
4.After hearing the learned counsel for the parties in the light of the record before us it seems to be the admitted position that whereas two house 'Parkash Villa' and 'Kalash Villa' have been separately transferred to the parties, the common passage between the two houses alongwith open land surrounding them is jointly owned by them. On these facts learned counsel for the petitioners submits that in the absence of demarcation of the joint pro--perty, the plaintiff could not base a right of easement.
5. This and the other submissions made in support of the petition deserve consideration. We, therefore, grant leave to appeal and allow the petition. Security Rs. 2,500.