Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN MONDAY, THE 21ST DAY OF MARCH 2022 / 30TH PHALGUNA, 1943 PETITIONERS: 1 JAYANTH P.N. AGED 64 YEARS S/O. P.NARAYANAN, 34/2423, VIGNESH, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL ROAD, EDAPPALLY, KOCHI-682024. 2 HEMANTH P.N., AGED 58 YEARS S/O. P.NARAYANAN, 34/2423, VIGNESH, GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL ROAD, EDAPPALLY, KOCHI-682024. BY ADVS. GEORGE VARGHESE(PERUMPALLIKUTTIYIL) A.R.DILEEP P.J.JOE PAUL MANU SRINATH RAJAN G. GEORGE RESPONDENTS: 1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001. 2 DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECTORATE, ERNAKULAM-682030. 3 TAHSILDAR, TALUK OFFICE, KANAYANNOOR, ERNAKULAM-682312. 4 VILLAGE OFFICER, EDAPPALLY NORTH VILLAGE, ERNAKULAM-682014. OTHER PRESENT: SMT.K.AMMINIKUTTY SR.G.P. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 21.03.2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
JUDGMENT
The petitioners say that they have obtained the
properties involved in this case through Ext.P3 Will executed by late Poothatt Narayanan, bequeathing them in their favour. They submit that even though Exts.P4 and P5 establish that the said two items of properties are lying within the jurisdictional limits of the 4 th respondent - Village Officer and though it is not suffering from any encumbrance or charge, their application for transfer of its Registry in their favour has been refused, but without assigning any cogent reason. They say that this is egregiously improper because they are the only legal heirs of deceased Poothatt Narayanan and since they have published Exts.P6 and P7 notices, which has not evoked any objections, thus making it perspicuous that there is no legal impediment in their request being acceded to.
2. Sri.George Varghese, Perumpallikuttiyil - learned counsel for the petitioners, further explained that, as can be
seen from Ext.P6, both the properties involved in this case are included therein, but that 4th respondent is insisting on his clients obtaining a statement from a living witness to prove Ext.P3 Will. He argued that this condition is unheard of, since Ext.P3 Will is not under challenge nor is his clients' request been objected to by anyone. He, therefore, reiteratingly prayed that the 4th respondent - Village Officer be directed to effect transfer of Registry of the properties covered by Ext.P3 Will in favour of his clients, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.
3. Interestingly, the learned Senior Government
Pleader - Smt.K.Amminikutty didnot contest any of the afore arguments of Sri.George Varghese Perumpallikuttiyil, but only submitted that, as regards the second item of property, the petitioners have not made a formal application for its transfer of Registry. She added that if they do so, then necessary action with respect to both properties can be taken forward and completed as per law.
4. Taking note of the afore submissions and since,
prima facie, the petitioners have initiated action with respect to both the items, as is evident from Ext.P6, I deem it appropriate to accede to the reliefs sought for by them in this writ petition. Resultantly, I order this writ petition, granting liberty to
the petitioner to make an appropriate application before the 4th respondent for transfer of Registry of the second item of property involved in Ext.P3 within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment; in which event, said Authority will consider requisite action with respect to both items of properties covered by the said Will, without insisting on obtaining the statement from a living witness, however, after complying with every other statutory requirement; thus culminating in an appropriate order and necessary action as expeditiously as is possible, but not later
than two weeks from the date on which the afore said application is received by him. In order to obviate any apprehension on the part of the
Village Officer that he may be held accountable in future, I make it clear that the transfer of Registry of the propeties will be at the sole risk and responsibility of the petitioners and that said Authority will remain indemnified from all action, if it is to be impelled in future by any other person with respect to the same.
Sd/- DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN JUDGE ANB APPENDIX OF WP(C) 1527/2022 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF DEATH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE KOCHI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION. Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF LEGAL HEIRSHIP CERTIFICATE NO.A5-13407/2018 K.DIS DATED 5.12.2018. Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF WILL DATED 6.2.2010 EXECUTED BY SRI.POOTHATT NARAYANAN. Exhibit P4 A TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF
ENCUMBRANCE ON THE PROPERTY ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SUB REGISTRAR IN RESPECT OF PROPERTY COMPRISED IN RE.SY.NO.241/7 OF EDAPPALLY NORTH VILLAGE. Exhibit P5 A TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF ENCUMBRANCE ON THE PROPERTY ISSUED BY THE OF THE SUB REGISTRAR IN RESPECT OF PROPERTY COMPRISED IN RE.SY.NO.253/5 OF EDAPPALLY NORTH VILLAGE. Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF PUBLIC NOTICE DATED 18.11.2020 ISSUED IN THE OFFICE OF 4TH RESPONDENT. Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF LETTER ISSUED BY THE SUB REGISTRAR, EDAPPALLY ACKNOWLEDGING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE NO.1109/20 DATED 18.11.2020 IN THE OFFICE OF SUB REGISTRAR.