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Equivalent Citation: AIR1933All634, (1933) 2 AWR 764, (1933)ILR 55All743

Appellants: Mt. Anis Begam and Ors.
Vs.
Respondent: Malik Muhammad Istafa Wali Khan
!"#ME$%
&ulaiman' C..
1. This is a deendants! appeal a"isin# o$t o a s$it o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts. The plainti alle#ed
that the pa"ties 'e"e (a""ied in 19)3 and deendant 1 'as sent to the plainti!s ho$se in *%to+e" 1926,
and +e#an to li,e 'ith hi( as his 'ie and #a,e +i"th to a da$#hte"- +$t that a+o$t t'o .ea"s a#o the othe"
deendants too/ he" a'a. "o( the plainti!s ho$se to thei" o'n ho$se o" a 'ee/ $nde" the p"ete0t o
attendin# a %e"e(on.- that, 'hen ate" the e0pi". o the 'ee/, the plainti, 'ent to +"in# his 'ie, the
deendants (ade e0%$ses and $lti(atel. "e$sed to send he", altho$#h the. sent the plainti!s da$#hte" to
the plainti!s ho$se. 1e a%%o"din#l. p"a.ed that the deendant sho$ld +e o"de"ed to %o(e to the plainti!s
ho$se and that a pe"pet$al in&$n%tion sho$ld +e #"anted a#ainst the othe" deendants "o( inte"e"in# 'ith
deendant is "et$"nin# to the plainti!s ho$se.
2. 2eendant 1 in he" '"itten state(ent asse"ted that the plainti +e%a(e i((o"al and %ont"a%ted illi%it
%onne%tion 'ith one 3t. 1i+ia 'ho 'as /ept in the sa(e ho$se and at he" insti#ation the plainti +e#an
to ill t"eat the deendant and $lti(atel. t$"ned he" o$t o his ho$se. 4he did not ad(it the pa"a#"aph
%ontainin# the alle#ation that the da$#hte" 'as sent to the plainti!s ho$se ate"'a"ds. 4he pleaded that
'hen the plainti ne#le%ted he" and did not pa. he" do'e" de+t, she 'as o+li#ed to ile. a s$it to "e%o,e"
Rs. 15,))) as he" p"o(pt do'e" and that the plainti!s s$it 'as iled +. 'a. o "epl. to he" s$it. 4he
pleaded that so lon# as the plainti does not pa. the p"o(pt do'e" d$e to the deendant, he is not
%o(petent to (aintain the s$it, and she also $"#ed that the s$it sho$ld +e dis(issed on the #"o$nd o the
plainti!s %"$el a%ts in ill5t"eatin# he" and in %ont"a%tin# illi%it %onne%tion 'ith 3t. 1i+ia, and that the
deendant!s "e$sal to #o to his ho$se is th"o$#h ea" o lie and hono$". 4he ad(itted that she 'as sta.in#
a'a. "o( the plainti!s ho$se at he" o'n instan%e and no othe" deendant is e0e"%isin# an. inl$en%e
o,e" he". The othe" deendants denied that the. 'e"e in an. 'a. p"e,entin# the deendant "o( #oin# to
the plainti!s ho$se. The lea"ned 4$+o"dinate 6$d#e "a(ed o$" iss$es: (1) As to 'hethe" the plainti had
+een #$ilt. o %"$elt. to'a"ds the deendant7 (2) Whethe" an. p"o(pt do'e" 'as d$e to the deendant,
and i so, %an the plainti #et a de%"ee 'itho$t pa.in# it7 (3) Whethe" the plainti has an. %a$se o a%tion
a#ainst the othe" deendants7 and (4) As to 'hat "elie 'as the plainti entitled and a#ainst 'ho(7 1e
de%ided all the iss$es in a,o$" o the plainti and a#ainst the deendants and de%"eed the %lai(.
3. All the deendants ha,e a%%o"din#l. appealed. It (a. +e he"e stated that the s$it o" do'e" +"o$#ht +.
the deendant a#ainst the plainti s$%%eeded in the 8o$"t +elo' and the plainti, in spite o the %ontest,
o+tained a de%"ee o" Rs. 15,))) 'hi%h de%"ee has +e%o(e inal. Th$s neithe" the a(o$nt o the do'e"
de+t d$e to the deendant no" the a%t that it has not +een paid is no' in 9$estion.
4. The lea"ned. 4$+o"dinate 6$d#e, "el.in# ,e". p"ope"l. on %e"tain "epo"ted "$lin#s o this 8o$"t, has
held that ate" the %ons$((ation o he" (a""ia#e, the deendant!s "i#ht to "esist the %lai( o" "estit$tion o
%on&$#al "i#hts 'as dest"o.ed. :indin# that le#al %"$elt. 'as not esta+lished, he has de%"eed the s$it. 1e
does not appea" to ha,e %onside"ed 'hethe" apa"t "o( le#al %"$elt. the"e a"e an. %i"%$(stan%es
&$sti.in# the passin# o a de%"ee %onditional on the pa.(ent o the do'e" de+t. I p"opose to %onside" i"st
o all the 9$estion 'hethe" $nde" the 3aho(edan la' the "i#ht o a 'ie to insist on the pa.(ent o the
p"o(pt po"tion o he" do'e" s$+sists e,en ate" %ons$((ation o (a""ia#e. The leadin# %ase o this 8o$"t
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is $ndo$+tedl. that o A+d$l ;adi" ,. 4ali(a (1<<6) < All 149. The &$d#(ent o 3ah(ood, 6., 'as
adopted +. the :$ll =en%h. It has sin%e +een "e#a"ded as a detailed s$",e. o the 3aho(edan la' 'ith:
pa"ti%$la" "ee"en%e to the points noted on p.154, ,i>:
(1) the e0a%t nat$"e and ee%t o (a""ia#e $pon the %ont"a%tin# pa"ties - (2) the e0a%t nat$"e o the
lia+ilit. o the h$s+and to pa. the do'e" - (3) the (at"i(onial "i#hts o the pa"ties as to %on&$#al
%oha+itation - and (4) the "$les o #ene"al la' as to the de%"ee o 8o$"t in s$%h %ases,
5. =$t the onl. point that had +een "ee""ed to the :$ll =en%h o" an ans'e" 'as ?'hethe" $nde" the
%i"%$(stan%es o the %ase the plainti had the "i#ht to (aintain the s$it.? In that %ase the do'e" de+t had
not +een paid +eo"e the s$it o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts tho$#h the (a""ia#e had +een
%ons$((ated, +$t the a(o$nt 'as tende"ed in the t"ial 8o$"t. That 8o$"t held that the plainti 'as
entitled to s$%%eed in his %lai( o" +"in#in# his 'ie to his ho$se. *n appeal, the 2ist"i%t 6$d#e a%%epted
the deendant!s %ontention that the pa.(ent into 8o$"t ate" the instit$tion o the s$it 'as ins$i%ient
+e%a$se the h$s+and had no %a$se o a%tion, 'hen he +"o$#ht the s$it, and it 'as on this #"o$nd that he
dis(issed the s$it in toto. The (ain point 'hi%h 'as o" %onside"ation +eo"e the :$ll =en%h 'as
the"eo"e 'hethe" the non5pa.(ent o the do'e" +eo"e the instit$tion o the s$it 'as atal to the s$it
+e%a$se 'itho$t s$%h pa.(ent the"e 'as no %a$se o a%tion o" s$in# o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts.
The opinion o the 8o$"t 'as that it is not %o""e%t to sa. that the"e 'as no %a$se o a%tion and that non5
pa.(ent o the do'e" +eo"e the s$it 'as not a atal dee%t. That opinion is +indin# $pon $s. I a( not
a'a"e that this ,ie' has e,e" +een 9$estioned in an. othe" 8o$"t. =$t altho$#h 'e a"e +o$nd to "espe%t
the e0p"ession o opinion on the othe" points (entioned in the &$d#(ent o that lea"ned 6$d#e, so(e o
the o+se",ations (ade +. hi( a"e o+,io$sl. in the nat$"e o o+ite" di%ta 'hi%h he had to (a/e 'hen
s$",e.in# the 'hole la'. It is the"eo"e not possi+le o" one to hold onesel +o$nd +. all the o+se",ations
that ha,e +een (ade o" all the opinions e0p"essed in %onne%tion 'ith all the o$" ields o in9$i".
en$(e"ated +. the lea"ned 6$d#e at the o$tset. @o" 'o$ld it +e %on,enient to "ee" to a :$ll =en%h o i,e
o" (o"e 6$d#es 'hene,e" an. o+se",ation (ade the"ein is %alled into 9$estion. 3$%h less 'o$ld s$%h a
%o$"se +e ne%essa". i the o+se",ation o the lea"ned 6$d#e is ollo'ed, tho$#h the "easonin# on 'hi%h it
is +ased is not a%%epted. @o' at p. 166, it 'as o+se",ed:
I ta/e it as a #ene"al "$le o inte"p"etin# that la', that 'hene,e" the"o is a die"en%e o opinion, the
opinion o the t'o (o$t o the th"ee 3aste"s, na(el., I(a( A+$ 1ania and his t'o dis%iples) 'ill p"e,ail
a#ainst the opinion o the thi"d.
6. A si(ila" o+se",ation 'as (ade +. the sa(e lea"ned 6$d#e in A#ha Ali ;han ,. Altai 1asan ;han
(1<92) 14 All 429 (at p.44<), I do not thin/ that the lea"ned 6$d#e (eant to la. do'n an. inle0i+le "$le
'hi%h 'o$ld ha,e $ni,e"sal appli%ation. A"es$(a+l., 'hat he (eant 'as that o"dina"il. the opinion o the
(a&o"it. has +een a%%epted. =$t it 'o$ld +e eas. to %ite instan%es in 'hi%h the opinion o I(a( A+$
1ania alone has p"e,ailed, pa"ti%$la"l. in (atte"s o p"a.e" and "it$al, o" o I(a"n B$is$ in (atte"s o
'o"ldl. aai"s, o" o I(a( 3$ha((ad in (atte"s o inhe"itan%e. The"e appea"s to +e no s$%h in,a"ia+le
"$le 'hi%h 'o$ld (a/e the de%ision depend on the (a&o"it. o ,otes onl.. 3". A(ee" Ali, in his
3aho(edan La', Col.2, 8h.12,4.3,p. 46), has pointed o$t that the"e is no s$%h i0ed "$le as o,e" and
o,e" a#ain the opinion o onl. one has +een adopted o" at'as and de%"ees. In Col.1 at pp. 16 and 17, he
has 9$oted 1i(idia, 6a(aa$l :$salain and ;a>i ;han o" the p"oposition that the &oint opinion o the t'o
dis%iples %an +e p"ee""ed to that o I(a( A+$ 1ania i the die"en%e is d$e to a %han#e o
%i"%$(stan%es and alte"ation in the %onditions o (an/ind.
7. The lea"ned ad,o%ate o" the appellants has adopted as pa"t o his a"#$(ent a 'ell5/no'n &$d#(ent o
1<91 deli,e"ed +. 3o$l,i 4a(i Dllah, 2ist"i%t 6$d#e o Rai =a"eill., in 'hi%h o"i#inal a$tho"ities 'e"e
9$oted to %hallen#e the opinion o 3ah($d, 6., +oth as "e#a"ds this "$le o p"ee"en%e and also the
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distin%tion o the "i#ht o the 'ie 'hose p"o(pt do'e" "e(ains $npaid to "esist "estit$tion o %on&$#al,
"i#hts e,en ate" %ons$((ation. This &$d#(ent has +een "ee""ed to +. 3". A(ee" Ali as 'ell as 4i"
Roland Wilson in thei" lea"ned t"eatises. These a$tho"ities 'e"e s$+se9$entl. in%o"po"ated in the
&$d#(ent o an *$dh =en%h in Wa&id Ali ;han ,. 4a/ha'at Ali ;han (1912) 15 I8 127. *n pp. 14457 o
the *$dh 8ases so(e o the te0ts ha,e +een "ep"od$%ed to sho' that e,en in the %ase o a die"en%e, the
opinion o I(a( A+$ 1ania is to +e p"ee""ed. * %o$"se, the"e is no s$%h #ene"al "$le eithe". As a (atte"
o a%t, the"e does not appea" to +e an. i0ed "$le: see I"an Ali ,. =ha#'ant ;isho"e
3A@DEDAE)272E192< : AIR1929All1<) . 2ie"ent do%to"s ha,e ollo'ed die"ent "$les o
p"ee"en%e. Those, 'ho 'e"e (o"e o"thodo0, and #ene"all. spea/in#, (o"e an%ient, in (an. %ases
p"ee""ed the solita". opinion o A+$ 1ania to e,en the &oint opinion o his dis%iples. The"e a"e late" te0t5
+oo/ '"ite"s 'ho ha,e p"ee""ed the opinion o t'o as a#ainst that o one. =$t s$%h "$les a"e help$l onl.
'hen the"e is no %lea" %onsens$s.
<. In the ea"l. da.s 'hen ne' points a"ose and the de%ision had to depend on an ine"en%e d"a'n "o(
othe" at5'as o" "o( analo#., it 'as open to the lea"ned do%to"s to p"ee" one opinion o,e" the othe"
'hi%h the. %onside"ed (o"e %o""e%t and %onsonant 'ith the othe" p"in%iples, inas($%h as the th"ee I(a(s
'e"e not la'5#i,e"s +$t (e"el. inte"p"ete"s o the la'. =$t i one inds a 9$estion 'ell th"eshed o$t and in
late" %ent$"ies a pa"ti%$la" inte"p"etation adopted +. the leadin# do%to"s and te0t5+oo/ '"ite"s, it 'o$ld
not +e p"ope" o" $s in the 2)th %ent$". to #o +ehind s$%h a %onsens$s o opinion and de%ide a point
%ont"a". to s$%h opinion on the #"o$nd that the (a&o"it. o the th"ee I(a(s a,o$"ed that ,ie' in the
ea"lie" %ent$"ies. 4$%h a %o$"se o a%tion 'o$ld +e $nsettle the 3aho(edan La'. R$les o p"ee"en%e
'e"e o" the #$idan%e o an%ient &$"ists, and the. a"e o no help 'hen the"e is a %lea" p"eponde"an%e o
a$tho"it. in s$ppo"t o one ,ie'. It 'o$ld +e too late no' to "eso"t to s$%h "$les in s$ppo"t o a ne'
%on%eption as to ho' a point o$#ht to ha,e +een de%ided tho$#h %ont"a". to a%%epted opinion. 3o$l,i
A+d$l 1ai o L$%/no', the (ost "eno'ned and lea"ned 1anai &$"ist o his ti(e, has in his int"od$%tion
o 4ha"ah Wi9a.ah dealt 'ith this (atte" at %onside"a+le len#th.
9. A #ood deal o that (atte" is to +e o$nd in Radd$l 3$tato" s$((a"ised in 4i" A+d$" Rahi(!s
3aho(edan 6$"isp"$dan%e at p.1<75<, 'hi%h %an +e %on,enientl. "ee""ed to. 1e has "i#htl. pointed o$t
that the"e is no a%%epted "$le that 'hen the"e is a die"en%e o opinion a(on#st the o$nde"s and s%hools
and thei" dis%iples, opinion o" "$lin# o a la'.e" o$#ht to +e #i,en a%%o"din# to the opinion o A+$
1ania, e,en i all his dis%iples die" "o( hi(- and in the a+sen%e o an. di%t$( o his in a%%o"dan%e
'ith the opinion o A+$ B$s$, then 3$ha((ad, then Faa" and then 1asan I+n Fiad. I the a$tho"ities
'e"e e0a(ined it 'ill #ene"all. +e o$nd that in so(e (atte"s the solita". ,ie' o A+$ 1ania has +een
p"ee""ed 'he"eas in othe" (atte"s the ,ie' o A+$ B$s$, 3$ha((ad o" Faa" has +een ollo'ed.
A%%o"din# to Alha'i the %o""e%t "$le 'as that in %ases o die"en%e o opinion "e#a"d sho$ld +e had to the
a$tho"it. and "easons in s$ppo"t o ea%h ,ie' and the one 'hi%h has the st"on#est s$ppo"t sho$ld +e
ollo'ed:
=$t a%%o"din# to the (ode"n inte"p"etation o Ta9lid as a+o,e stated a la'.e" o the p"esent da. sho$ld, in
s$%h %ases, a%%ept the ,ie' 'hi%h a%%o"din# to the &$"ists o the o$"th, ith and si0th de#"ees is %o""e%t
and has +een a%ted $pon. =$t i in an. %ase the latte" do%to"s ha,e not adopted in %lea" lan#$a#o an. one
o the %onli%tin# opinions, the la' is to +e as%e"tained +. p"o%eedin# on the ,ie' 'hi%h is (ost in a%%o"d
'ith the ha+its and aai"s o (en : (p. 1<<).
1). (Ate" "ee""in# to the R$dd$l53$/ta", Col.1, p.73, the &$d#(ent p"o%eeded). It 'o$ld ollo' that i
&$"ists o the i"st "an/ ha,e die"ed a(on# the(sel,es +$t the &$"ists o the se%ond, thi"d and o$"th
"an/s ha,e ollo'ed the opinion o one o the(, it 'o$ld not +e p"ope" in late" ti(es to #o +ehind the
opinion o these &$"ists and p"ee" the opinion o the (a&o"it. o the &$"ists o the i"st "an/ 'hi%h has
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+een dis%a"ded +. those o s$+se9$ent pe"iods. The p"ope" %o$"se $ndo$+tedl. is to a+ide +. the opinions
'hi%h ha,e +een adhe"ed to in the %o((enta"ies 'hi%h a"e o "e%o#nised a$tho"it. in India and not to
de%ide the point on an. #ene"al "$le o inte"p"etation +ased on the (a&o"it. o ,otes o the an%ient &$"ists.
Thei" Lo"dships o the A"i,. 8o$n%il in the %ase o A#ha 3oha((ad 6aa" =indani( ,. ;oolso( =ee5
+ee (1<9<) 25 8al 9 "e(a"/ed:
It 'o$ld +e '"on# o" the 8o$"ts on a point o this nat$"e (the "i#ht o the 'ido' to inhe"it) to atte(pt to
p$t thei" o'n %onst"$%tion on the G$"an in opposition to the e0p"ess "$lin# o %o((entato"s o s$%h #"eat
anti9$it. and a$tho"it. as the 1eda.a and the at'ai Ala(#i"i.
11. It is the p"a%ti%e o the #"eat %o((entato"s to state the die"en%e o opinion 'hi%h at one ti(e
p"e,ailed on a pa"ti%$la" point and then to add on 'hi%h ,ie' is the at'a o" 'hi%h is the (o"e %o""e%t
and st"on#e" ,ie', o" to $se othe" e0p"essions o li/e i(po"t. =$t 'he"e the lea"ned %o((entato"s %ontent
the(sel,es 'ith a (e"e state(ent o the %onli%t o opinion 'itho$t e0p"essin# an. deinite opinion o
thei" o'n in a,o$" o one o" the othe" ,ie' and 'itho$t sa.in# an.thin# a+o$t the %onsens$s o opinion
o" the at'a +ein# in a%%o"dan%e 'ith a pa"ti%$la" ,ie', the. i(pl. that the %onli%t o opinion 'as still
%ontin$in# and that no $nani(it. o" #ene"al %on%$""en%e had still then +een o+tained. This 'o$ld ha,e
the ee%t o lea,in# the 9$estion open. The 9a>i 'o$ld then +e "ee to %hoose 'hi%he,e" o the t'o
opinions appea"s to hi( to +e the so$nde" and +ette" adapted to the %onditions and needs o the ti(es.
(Ate" "ee""in# to the o"i#inal a$tho"ities, ,i>., the an%ient te0ts, %o((enta"ies and +oo/s 'hi%h p"ee"
the opinion o the dis%iples, the &$d#(ent p"o%eeded). This +ein# the state o the a$tho"ities the 9$estion
is 'hethe" the o+ite" di%t$( o 3ah(ood, 6., 'hi%h has +een a%%epted +. so (an. othe" 1i#h 8o$"ts is to
+e ollo'ed.
12. 1ad I +een sittin# as a 6$d#e in the ti(es o the Hast India 8o(pan., I (i#ht then possi+l. ha,e +een
in%lined to p"ee" the opinion o I(a( A+$ 1ania, +e%a$se, altho$#h a %onli%t ens$ed ate"'a"ds no
e(inent %o((entato" e0p"essl. dissented "o( that ,ie'. =$t i anothe" 6$d#e had +een p"epa"ed to ta/e
the %ont"a". ,ie', I 'o$ld not ha,e +een in a position to sa. that he 'as ne%essa"il. '"on#. The t'o
%onside"ations 'hi%h (i#ht 'ell &$sti. the a%%eptan%e o the ,ie' o the dis%iples in India, a"e: :i"st, that
o'in# to the p"e,alent p"a%ti%e, the a(o$nts o do'e" i0ed in this %o$nt". a"e oten $nd$l. hi#h and
+e.ond the (eans o the h$s+and. To allo' to the 'ie the "i#ht o "e$sin# to li,e 'ith, he" h$s+and,
e,en ate" %ons$((ation, so lon# as an. pa"t o the p"o(pt do'e" "e(ains $npaid 'o$ld, in (an. %ases,
'he"e the h$s+and and 'ie 9$a""el, a(o$nt to an a+sol$te option o the 'ie to "e$se to li,e 'ith, he"
h$s+and and .et de(and a (aintenan%e allo'an%e. This 'o$ld dislo%ate do(esti% lie. 4e%ondl., as 'ill
+e sho'n he"einate", $nde" the An#lo53aho(edan La' as ad(iniste"ed in this %o$nt". a s$it o"
"estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts, tho$#h +"o$#ht o" the eno"%e(ent o a "i#ht $nde" the 3aho(edan La', is
in the nat$"e o a s$it o" spe%ii% pe"o"(an%e, and the"e is a%%o"din#l. a %e"tain a(o$nt o dis%"etion in
the 8o$"ts o &$sti%e 'hi%h %an i(pose a %ondition o p"e,io$s pa.(ent o the do'e" de+t, o", at an. "ate,
a po"tion o it, in the de%"ee. And no' the position is still st"on#e". :o" nea"l. 4) .ea"s the o+se",ation o
3ah(ood, 6., e,en tho$#h an o+ite" di%t$(, has +een a%%epted in this 8o$"t, and indeed, it has +een
ollo'ed +. all the othe" 1i#h 8o$"ts e0%eptin# *$dli. ;$nhi ,. 3oidin (1<<<) 11 3ad 327 1a(id$nnisa
=i+i ,. Fohi"$ddin 4hei/h (1<9)) 17 8al 67) =ai 1ansa ,. A+d$lla 3$staa (19)6) 3) =o( 122 Ashi
;hatoo( ,. A+d$l 1a/i( 3aist". A.I.R. 1929 Ran# 1<9 and 3t. 4aleh =i+i ,. Rai$ddin (1<<9) 164 AR
1<<9. In the %ase o A+d$l ;a"i( ;han ,. 3t. 8hhoti (19)6) 3 AL6 432 a lea"ned 6$d#e o this 8o$"t
ollo'ed an ea"lie" de%ision in the %ase o Wila.at 1$sain ,. Allah Ra/hi (1<7<) 2 All <31 'hi%h had +een
o,e""$led +. the :$ll =en%h. =$t appa"entl. the attention o the lea"ned 6$d#e 'as not d"a'n to the
o+se",ation in the :$ll =en%h %ase as the"e is no "ee"en%e to it in his &$d#(ent. *n the othe" hand, a
2i,ision =en%h o this 8o$"t in the %ase o 1i&a+an ,. 4he" ;han 3A@DEDAE)2<7E1921 adhe"ed to
the ,ie' e0p"essed in A+d$l ;adi"!s %ase (1<<6) < All 149. @$(e"o$s %ases ($st ha,e +een de%ided,
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tho$#h not "epo"ted, on the ass$(ption that the ,ie' o the dis%iples is to +e p"ee""ed. When the la' has
+een inte"p"eted in a pa"ti%$la" 'a., it (a. 'ell +e that in so(e %ases the la' #o,e"nin# the "i#hts o the
pa"ties to a (a""ia#e 'as i(plied as a pa"t o the te"(s o the %ont"a%t o (a""ia#e.
13. @o do$+t, in *$dh, a =en%h o that 8o$"t has ta/en a %ont"a". ,ie', +$t the *$dh 8o$"t 'as not
+o$nd to ollo' the opinion e0p"essed +. the :$ll =en%h o this 8o$"t- and $"the", in *$dh., the
dii%$lt. o a 'ie insistin# on the p"e,io$s pa.(ent o an $n"easona+l. hi#h do'e", 'hi%h is +e.ond the
(eans o he" h$s+and, does not at all a"ise, o" $nde" 4e%tion 5, *$dh La's A%t, the 8o$"ts o *$dh ha,e
po'e" to "ed$%e the a(o$nt o the do'e" de+t i it is ?e0%essi,e 'ith "ee"en%e to the (eans o he"
h$s+and,? tho$#h in a%t a#"eed $pon. It also appea"s that the a$tho"ities pla%ed +eo"e the *$dh. 8o$"t
'e"e those 9$oted in the &$d#(ent o 3a$l,i 4a(i Dllah and 'e"e all one 'a.. The a$tho"ities in s$ppo"t
o the %ont"a". ,ie' 'e"e appa"entl. not %ited +eo"e the(. @o" is it %lea" that the ee%t o the point
ha,in# +een let open in the late" %o((enta"ies 'as p$t p"o(inentl. +eo"e the lea"ned 6$d#es. It is t"$e
that in the othe" 1i#h 8o$"ts the 9$estion has not +een "e5e0a(ined in the li#ht o the o"i#inal a$tho"ities,
+$t the o+se",ation o 3ah(ood, 6., has +een si(pl. ollo'ed. It is also t"$e that a =en%h o the 8al%$tta
1i#h 8o$"t in 1a(id$nnissa =i+i!s %ase (1<9)) 17 8al. 67) one (e(+e" o 'hi%h, Aethe"a(, 8.6., had
+een a pa"t. to the :$ll =en%h o Allaha+ad in A+d$l Gadi"!s %ase (1<<6) < All 149 tho$#ht that a%%o"din#
to the :ata'ai Ala(#i"i the p"a%ti%e o the late" &$"ists 'as to ollo' the t'o dis%iples - 'he"eas in point
o a%t, the :ata'al Ala(#i"i also in one sense lea,es the (atte" open. =$t the a%t "e(ains that
th"o$#ho$t India, e0%l$din# *$dh, the sa(e ,ie' has p"e,ailed o" se,e"al de%ades. I the"eo"e %on5side"
that it 'o$ld no' +e dan#e"o$s to #o +a%/ $pon this %o$"se o de%isions and not to adhe"e to the 'ell
"e%o#nised p"in%iple o sta"e de%isis, pa"ti%$la"l. 'hen at the ti(e 'hen 3ah(ood, 6., (ade his
o+se",ation it 'as to so(e e0tent open to hi( to p"ee" the ,ie' o the dis%iples. In this ,ie' o the
(atte", I hold that the "$le laid do'n in A+d$l Gadi"!s %ase (1<<6) < All 149 tho$#h an o+ite" di%t$(,
($st +e ollo'ed e,en tho$#h the analo#. o sale (a. not +e a%%epted. It (a. +e "estated as ollo's:
14. The a+sol$te "i#ht o a 'ie to insist on the pa.(ent o the 'hole o the p"o(pt po"tion o he" do'e"
+eo"e "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts (e0%ept 'hen the h$s+and 'ants to ta/e he" o$t on a &o$"ne. to
anothe" to'n) is lost ate" the %ons$((ation o the (a""ia#e, $nless the %ons$((ation too/ pla%e 'hen
she 'as a (ino" o" o insane (ind so as to +e in %a+le o #i,in# %onsent.
15. 6$st as 'e "espe%t the o+se",ation (ade as "e#a"ds the loss o the "i#ht o the 'ie on %ons$((ation,
e,en tho$#h it +e an o+ite" di%t$(, 'e ($st, in the sa(e 'a., "espe%t the othe" o+se",ation, tho$#h an
e9$al o+ite" di%t$( (ade in A+d$l Gadi"!s %ase 1<<6) < All 149 that:
8o$"ts o &$sti%e in India, in the e0e"%ise o thei" (i0ed &$"isdi%tion as 8o$"ts o e9$it. and la', a"e at $ll
li+e"t. to pass %onditional de%"ees to s$it the e0i#en%ies o ea%h pa"ti%$la" %ase:
16. 3ah(ood, 6., $ndo$+tedl. held that the loss o the a+sol$te "i#ht o the 'ie to "esist the %lai( o"
"estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts did not p"e,ent the 8o$"t "o( (a/in# the p"e,io$s pa.(ent o the do'e"
de+t a %ondition p"e%edent to the e0e%$tion o the de%"ee o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts. At p. 157 it 'as
o+se",ed that:
the "i#ht o do'e" (a. (odi. and ae%t the "i#ht o %oha+itation %annot +e do$+ted - ho' it ae%ts and
(odiies it is the (ain s$+&e%t o this "ee"en%e.
17. The o+se",ation at p. 16) sho's that the %ontention o" the 'ie 'as that the "i#ht o %o5ha+itation
does not a%%"$e to the h$s+and at all $ntil he has paid the p"o(pt do'e". The o+se",ation at p.169 has
al"ead. +een 9$oted. At p.17) it 'as stated:
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It is one thin# to sa. that s$%h a deen%e (a. +e set $p $nde" a %e"tain %ondition - it is a totall. die"ent
thin# to sa. that $ntil the do'e" 'as paid no %a$se o a%tion %o$ld a%%"$e to the plainti. The pa.(ent o
do'e" not +ein# a %ondition p"e%edent to the ,estin# o the "i#ht o %oha+itation, a s$it o" "est$tion o
%on&$#al "i#hts 'hethe" +. the h$s+and o" +. the 'ie, 'o$ld +e (aintaina+le $pon "e$sal +. the othe" to
%oha+it 'ith hi( o" he"- and in the %ase o a s$it +. the h$s+and, the deen%e o pa.(ent o do'e" %o$ld,
at its +est, ope"ate in (odii%ation o the de%"ee o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts +. "ende"in# the
eno"%e(ent o it %onditional $pon pa.(ent o so ($%h o the do'e" as (a. +e "e#a"ded to +e p"o(pt.
1<. 4i(ila"l. at p.71, the %on%l$sion 'as:
4o that p$shin# the analo#. o the la' o sale to its $llest e0tent, the "i#ht o a 3aho(edan 'ie to he"
do'e" is at +est a lien $pon his "i#ht to %lai( %oha+itation, and I a( $na'a"e o an. "$le o 3aho(edan
la' 'hi%h 'o$ld "endo" s$%h lien %apa+le o +ein# pleaded so as to deeat alto#ethe" the s$it o"
"estit$tion o %on&$#al"i#hts.
19. It is th$s %lea" that the lea"ned 6$d#e 'as p"epa"ed to (a/e the de%"ee o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts
%onditional $pon the pa.(ent o the do'e" de+t. This, o" all p"a%ti%al p$"poses, 'o$ld a(o$nt to
$pholdin# the "i#ht o the 'ido' to %lai( he" do'e", e,en tho$#h %ons$((ation o (a""ia#e has ta/en
pla%e, the onl. die"en%e +ein# that the po'e" o the 8o$"t to i(pose s$%h te"(s is held to +e +ased on
the #ene"al "$les o &$sti%e, e9$it. and #ood %ons%ien%e and not on the st"i%t p"in%iples o the 3aho(edan
La' as is no' inte"p"eted. This ,ie' 'as a%%epted +. the A$n&a+ 8hie 8o$"t in the %ase o 3t. 4aleh
=i+i ,. Rai Dddin (1<<9) 164 ALR 1<<9 and the passin# o a %onditional de%"ee 'as app"o,ed +. a
=en%h o this 8o$"t in the %ase o 1i&a+an ,. Ali 4he" ;han 3A@DEDAE)2<7E1921 . @o do$+t no
%onditional de%"ee 'as passed in the %ase o ;$nhi ,. 3oidin (1<<<) 11 3ad. 327 no" in the %ase o
1a(id$nnissa =i+i ,. Fohi"$ddin 4hei/h (1<9)) 17 8al. 67). =$t the point does not appea" to ha,e +een
"aised in those %ases. Wa>i" 6ahan =e#$( ,. 1aida" Ra>a ;han (19)7) 1) *8 11 'as appa"entl. a 4hia
%ase. It is a"#$ed on +ehal o the "espondent that the h$s+and has a s$+stanti,e "i#ht to %lai( "estit$tion
o %on&$#al "i#hts ate" %ons$((ation, e,en tho$#h the do'e" has not +een paid. It is said that this "i#ht is
not a (atte" o (e"e p"o%ed$"e +$t is a s$+stanti,e "i#ht $nde" the 3aho(edan La' 'hi%h the 8o$"t has
no dis%"etion to "e$se. Thei" Lo"dships o the A"i,. 8o$n%il in the %ase o 3$nshee =$>loo" Rahee( ,.
4ha(s$nnissa =e#$( (1<66) 11 I A 551 (A 8) o+se",ed that a s$it o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts,
tho$#h in the nat$"e o a s$it o" spe%ii% pe"o"(an%e is in "ealit. a s$it to eno"%e a "i#ht $nde" the
3aho(edan La' and the 8o$"ts sho$ld ha,e "e#a"d to the p"in%iples o 3aho(edan La'. The
o+se",ation o thei" Lo"dships 'as di"e%ted to e(phasisin# the point that 8o$"ts sho$ld not e0e"%ise thei"
dis%"etion in %o(plete s$pe"session o the 3aho(edan La', +$t that in e0e"%ise o thei" dis%"etion the.
sho$ld "ee" to that la'. =$t the p"in%iple 'as $ll. "e%o#nised that in passin# a de%"ee o" the "estit$tion
o %on&$#al "i#hts the 8o$"t has po'e" to ta/e into a%%o$nt all the %i"%$(stan%es o the %ase and i(pose
te"(s 'hi%h it %onside"s to +e ai" and "easona+le. The "$le (a. the"eo"e +e "e5stated as ollo's:
The"e is no a+sol$te "i#ht in a h$s+and to %lai( "estit$tion o %on5&$#al "i#hts a#ainst his 'ie
$n%onditionall. - the 8o$"ts ha,e a dis%"etion to (a/e the de%"ee %onditional on the pa.(ent o he"
$npaid do'e" de+t o" to i(pose othe" s$ita+le %onditions %onside"ed &$st, ai" and ne%essa". in the
%i"%$(stan%es o ea%h %ase.
2). Appl.in# these p"in%iples to the ease +eo"e $s I 'o$ld hold that the %ondition o the p"e,io$s
pa.(ent o the do'e" de+t sho$ld +e i(posed on the de%"ee o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts i passed.
3. "easons a"e as ollo's: (1) The"e a"e o"i#inal te0ts o $n9$estiona+le a$tho"it. 'he"e s$%h a %ondition
has +een di"e%ted. (2) The a(o$nt o the do'e" de+t is not e0%essi,e, and the"e is no s$##estion that it is
in an. 'a. +e.ond the (eans o the plainti 'ho %lai(s to +e "elated to the late @a'a+ o Ra(p$". (3)
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The deendant had %ontested the plain5"i!s %lai( o" do'e", and in spite o he" %ontest the plainti
o+tained a de%"ee 'hi%h has no' +e%o(e inal. (4) The p"esent s$it 'as instit$ted ate" the instit$tion o
the s$it o" do'e", and i the deendant is %o(pelled to #o to li,e in the plainti!s ho$se she (a. ind it
,e". dii%$lt to "ealise he" de%"ee o" do'e" 'hi%h 'o$ld in that e,ent +e%o(e $tile. (5) The plainti
had "e(ained 9$iet and did not s$e o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts till the %lai( o" do'e" had +een
(ade in 8o$"t and the"e is #"o$nd o" app"ehendin# that the s$it is +. 'a. o n$lli.in# the de%"ee o"
do'e". As a (atte" o a%t, the de%"ee o" do'e" 'as atta%hed +. the plainti in e0e%$tion o his de%"ee
o" "estit$tion o %on&$#al "i#hts 'hen the deendant "e$sed to o+e. the de%"ee. (6) The %ond$%t o the
plainti as dis%losed +. the indin# on the ne0t point (a/es it ai" and &$st that he sho$ld +e %alled $pon
to pa. the do'e" de+t +eo"e he has possession o his 'ie. The ne0t 9$estion is 'hethe" the deendant
s$%%eeded in esta+lishin# le#al %"$elt. 'hi%h 'o$ld disentitle the plainti "o( %lai(in# "estit$tion o
%on&$#al "i#hts. That 9$estion is one o a%t and depends (ainl. on o"al e,iden%e.
21. The lea"ned 4$+o"dinate 6$d#e 'ho hea"d the 'itnesses has "e%o"ded a %lea" indin# a#ainst the
deendant. It has to +e %on%eded that the 4$+o"dinate 6$d#e 'as in a +ette" position to &$d#e 'hethe" the
state(ents o the 'itnesses 'e"e %"edi+le, +e%a$se he 'as in a position to (a"/ thei" de(eano$" 'hi%h
'e, 'ho ha,e to #o +. the '"itten e,iden%e onl., a"e not. I 'o$ld a%%o"din#l. +e (ost "el$%tant to ta/e a
,ie' %ont"a". to that held +. the 4$+o"dinate 6$d#e, +$t as it is not onl. a (e"e 9$estion o a "i#ht to
p"ope"t. +$t o %o(pellin# the deendant to #o and li,e 'ith he" h$s+and a#ainst he" 'ill, 'hen the"e
(a. possi+l. +e an app"ehension o dan#e" to he" lie o" pe"son, it is o$" d$t. to e0a(ine the e,iden%e
a"esh, and satis. o$"sel,es that the indin# o the 8o$"t +elo' is %o""e%t. The points to 'hi%h the lea"ned
4$+o"dinate 6$d#e has not atta%hed d$e 'ei#ht o" 'hi%h he has alto#ethe" o,e"loo/ed a"e the ollo'in#:
(a) When the 9$estion is o the h$s+and!s %"$el, t"eat(ent to'a"ds his 'ie, e,iden%e o a la"#e n$(+e" o
'itnesses %annot +e e0pe%ted to +e o"th%o(in#, and ($%h 'ill depend on the state(ent o the 'ie
%o""o+o"ated +. the %i"%$(stantial e,iden%e, pa"ti%$la"l. 'hen the %"$elt. is alle#ed to ha,e ta/en pla%e
inside the ho$se o he" h$s+and. (+) In the '"itten state(ent the deendant had (ade spe%ii% alle#ations
as "e#a"ds the /eepin# o 3t. 1i+ia as a (ist"ess inside the ho$se and he" o'n Illt"eat(ent +. he"
h$s+and. This #a,e s$i%ient oppo"t$nit. to the h$s+and to p"od$%e "e+$ttin# e,iden%e. (%) Altho$#h the
lea"ned 6$d#e has held that the deendant has ailed to p"o,e an. le#al %"$elt. a#ainst he"- the positi,e
indin# "e%o"ded +. hi( onl. a(o$nts to. sa.in# that she has t"ied to e0a##e"ate he" alle#ations +e%a$se
he" do'e" 'as not paid. (Ate" dis%$ssin# the e,iden%e and the %i"%$(stan%es o the %ase, the &$d#(ent
p"o%eeded). I ha,e no hesitation in holdin# that the h$s+and (is+eha,ed in this 'a.: that he /ept a
(ist"ess in his ho$se alon# 'ith his 'ie and %a$sed (ental pain to he" in %onse9$en%e and that he ($st
ha,e, 'hen 9$a""els ens$ed, t"eated his 'ie %"$ell.- and that as the 9$a""els 'e"e not and %o$ld not +e
pat%hed $p, so lon# as 3t. 1i+ia "e(ained in the ho$se, deendant 1 had "easona+le app"ehension o
in&$". to he" pe"son. I thin/ that the 'ie is $ll. &$stiied in: "e$sin# to #o and li,e 'ith he" h$s+and so
lon# as the"e is no $nde"ta/in# not to /eep an. (ist"ess in his ho$se- she %an #o to li,e 'ith hi( onl. i a
sepa"ate ho$se is #i,en to he". :$"the" I thin/ that in o"de" to p"ote%t he" saet. it is ne%essa". that she
sho$ld ha,e the option o /eepin# one e(ale se",ant and one (ale se",ant, a%%o"din# to he" %hoi%e, in
the ho$se, 3". ;h'a&a on +ehal o the h$s+and a#"ees to the last (entioned %onditions. (Ate"
%onside"in# the e,iden%e a#ainst deendants, 2 to 5 and holdin# it to +e nil, the &$d#(ent %on%l$ded). I
'o$ld a%%o"din#l. allo' the appeal, in pa"t, and i(pose %onditions on the de%"ee o" the "estit$tion o
%on&$#al "i#hts.
%hom' .
22. I %on%$".
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