Decree for possession and mesne profits
Full Text
(1) Where a suit is for the recovery of possession of immovable property and for rent or mesne profits, the Court may pass a decree—
(a) for the possession of the property;
(b) for the rents which have accrued on the property during the period prior to the institution of the suit or directing an inquiry as to such rent;
(ba) for the mesne profits or directing an inquiry as to such mesne profits;
(c) directing an inquiry as to rent or mesne profits from the institution of the suit until—
(i) the delivery of possession to the decree-holder,
(ii) the relinquishment of possession by the judgment-debtor with notice to the decree-holder through the Court, or
(iii) the expiration of three years from the date of the decree,
whichever event first occurs.
(2) Where an inquiry is directed under clause (b) or clause (c), a final decree in respect of the rent or mesne profits shall be passed in accordance with the result of such inquiry.
Plain English Summary
Governs preliminary and final decrees in suits for immovable property possession and mesne profits, establishing a statutory three-year ceiling on future mesne profits from decree date.
Key Legal Elements
- Two-Tier Adjudication: Preliminary decree declaring right to possession and ordering inquiry -> Final decree assessing quantum.
- Past vs. Future Mesne Profits: Clauses (b)/(ba) govern pre-suit profits; Clause (c) governs pendente lite and future profits.
- Three-Year Statutory Cut-off (Clause c(iii)): Liability for future mesne profits extinguishes upon expiry of 3 years from decree date if possession not delivered earlier.
- Inquiry Process (Sub-rule 2): Usually assigned to a Local Commissioner to ascertain market rental yield.
Practical Note
Mastering Mesne Profits under Order XX Rule 12: 1. Landmark Ruling - Chittoori Subbanna v. Kudappa Subbanna (AIR 1965 SC 1325): The Supreme Court settled that the direction for inquiry under Clause (c) is a preliminary decree. The 3-year limit under Clause (c)(iii) runs strictly from the date of the decree. 2. Final Decree Application: Once possession is recovered in execution, immediately file an 'Application under Order XX Rule 12(2) CPC for appointment of a Local Commissioner to hold an inquiry into mesne profits and draw up the Final Decree'.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां वाद स्थावर संपत्ति के कब्जे की पुनःप्राप्ति और किराए या अंतःकालीन लाभों (Mesne Profits) के लिए है, वहां न्यायालय—
(क) संपत्ति के कब्जे के लिए;
(ख) वाद संस्थित करने से पूर्व की अवधि के दौरान प्रोद्भूत किराए के लिए अथवा ऐसे किराए के बारे में जांच का निदेश देने के लिए;
(खक) अंतःकालीन लाभों के लिए अथवा ऐसे अंतःकालीन लाभों के बारे में जांच का निदेश देने के लिए;
(ग) वाद संस्थित करने से लेकर—
(i) डिक्रीदार को कब्जा परिदत्त किए जाने,
(ii) न्यायालय के माध्यम से डिक्रीदार को सूचना देकर निर्णय-ऋणी द्वारा कब्जा छोड़ दिए जाने, अथवा
(iii) डिक्री की तारीख से तीन वर्ष समाप्त होने तक,
इनमें से जो भी घटना पहले घटे, किराए या अंतःकालीन लाभों के बारे में जांच का निदेश देने वाली डिक्री पारित कर सकेगा।
(2) जहां खंड (ख) या खंड (ग) के अधीन जांच का निदेश दिया जाता है, वहां ऐसी जांच के परिणाम के अनुसार किराए या अंतःकालीन लाभों के संबंध में अंतिम डिक्री (Final Decree) पारित की जाएगी।