Page 1 Reportable

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 603 OF 2009

Rasheeda Khatoon (D)

Through LRs.

...Appellants

Versus

Ashiq Ali s/o of Lt. Abu Mohd (D)

Through LRs.

..Respondents

WITH

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 564 OF 2009

J U D G M E N T

Dipak Misra, J.

Rasheeda Khatoon, the predecessor-in-interest of

present appellants, instituted regular suit No. 31 of 1975 in

the Court of Civil Judge, Faizabad, seeking recovery of

possession from the original defendants. The case of original

plaintiff before the trial Court was that one Abdul Haq was

the owner of the house No. 2868 situated in Mohalla Hayat

Ganj in Tanda, District Faizabad. The only son of Abdul Haq

Page 2 had shifted to Pakistan at the time of Partition and there was

no one to look after him. The father of Rasheeda Khatoon,

Hazi Madari, was a close friend of Abdul Haq, and being a

neighbour, she was looking after him for last 20 years till

24.01.1972 when he breathed his last at the ripe age of

ninety. Regard being had to various aspects and fruther

being pleased with her services, 7 years prior to the

institution of the suit he made an oral gift of the suit house in

her favour which was accepted by her and possession of the

house was also handed over. Pursuant to the oral gift she

lived in the premises in question and looked after him. The

tenants who had been staying in the southern portion of the

house, accepted her status and started paying rent to her.

Prior to a year of his death being apprehensive that some

others might disturb in her possession, he executed a deed of

gift in writing evidencing the oral gift made earlier in favour

of the plaintiff. As pleaded, within one month from the death

of Abdul Haq, the defendants dishonestly moved an

application under Section 145 CrPC before the SDM, Tanda

with an intention to evict the plaintiff and in the said

proceeding the property in question was attached, and all

these circumstances constrained the plaintiff to file the civil

2

Page 3 suit for declaration that she was the owner in possession of

the house in question. During the pendency of the suit, as

alleged, the defendants took over possession in pursuance of

the release order passed by the SDM on 12.4.1975 and

thereafter the plaintiff amended the plaint and sought the

relief of recovery of possession.

2. The defendants entered contest and took various pleas

to the effect that the suit was under-valued and the court fee

that was paid was not sufficient; that Abdul Haq was in

possession of the house till his death and never parted

possession; that there was no oral gift as asserted by the

plaintiff; that Khairulnisha, Kamrulnisha alias Kumul and

Janharulnisha were the daughters of Abdul Haq; that

Khairulnisha died during the life time of Abdul Haq and her

sons Mohd. Ayub, Moyuddin, Mohd. Yasin, Sagir Ahmad and

Bashir Ahmad were alive; that the defendant No.1 is the son

of Jauharulnisha; that Abdul Haq died leaving behind

Kamarulnisha, Jauharulnisha and sons of Khairulnisha as his

legal heirs and they had become the owners; that during life

time Abdul Haq had given certain properties to the son of the

defendant No.2; and that after the death of Abdul Haq

defendant No.2 had constructed a shop with the permission

3

Page 4 of the defendant No.1 on the condition that the shop shall be

let-out to him. It was also asseverated that Jauhirulnissa had

executed a sale deed on 8.3.1972 and Usman and Rauf

executed a sale deed on 31.3.1972 in respect of the suit

house in favour of the defendant Nos. 2 and 3 and since then

the defendants no.2 and 3 had become the owners in

possession; that the proceeding initiated under Section 145,

CrPC was eventually decided in favour of the defendants; and

that the plaintiff had no right, title and interest over the suit

house; and that the defendants are the owners in possession

of the suit property.

3. On the basis of the aforesaid pleadings, the learned

trial Judge framed the following issues:-

“1. Whether plaintiff is owner of the disputed

house as claimed in plaint?

2. Whether defendant Nos. 1 to 3 are the owners

of the disputed house as claimed in their written

statement?

3. Whether there has been an oral gift and

subsequent writing evidencing this gift in favour

of the plaintiff by Abdul Haq on 9.10.1970 as

alleged in the plaint?

4. Whether suit is under-valued and deficient in

suit fees?

5. Whether suit is not maintainable, as alleged in

para no. 29 of the W.S.?

4

Page 5 6. Whether suit is barred by Section 34 of Specific

Relief Act?

7. To what relief, if any, is the plaintiff entitled in

the case?”

4. The learned trial Judge on appreciation of the evidence

brought on record came to hold that the plaintiff had proved

the oral gift executed by Abdul Haq in her favour; that the

gift deed did not require registration; that the deed of gift

could not be ignored solely because it was not registered

when it had demonstrably been established by the oral and

documentary evidence that Abdul Haq had made a gift in

favour of the plaintiff and had put her in possession; and that

she was the owner of the suit premises and entitled to get

back possession. Being of the said view, the trial court

decreed the suit.

5. Being dissatisfied with the said judgment and decree,

the defendants preferred Civil Appeal No. 435 of 1978 and

the first appellate court concurring with the view of the trial

court as regards the character and the nature of instrument,

that it is an oral gift, based its conclusions on the premises

that the contents of the document showed that the ‘Hiba’

had already been accepted by Rashida Kahtoon before the

deed was executed; that the document was only an evidence

5

Page 6 of the oral gift which had been made earlier by Abdul Haq in

favour of the plaintiff; that the stand of the defendants-

appellants that the document could not be read in evidence

because it was not registered was bereft of any substance in

view of the language employed in Section 129 of the Transfer

of Property Act (for brevity ‘the Act’) which lays down that

Section 123 of the Act which mandates registration in case of

a gift of an immovable property does not apply to any gift

made under the Muhammadan Law and a Muhammadan

could make an oral gift of immovable property and if a

Muhammadan prepares a document relating to gift such deed

of gift continues to be an evidence of gift. To arrive at the

aforesaid conclusions the first appellate court placed reliance

upon the authorities in Karam Ilahi v. Sharfuddin

1

, Nasib

Ali v. Wajid Ali

2

, Bishwanath Gosain v. Dulhin Lalmani

3

and Boya Ganganna v. State of Andhra Pradesh

4

.

6. The aforesaid Judgment and decree passed by the first

appellate court was assailed in second appeal and the

learned Single Judge taking note of the substantial question

of law opined that the core issue was whether the document

in question is a deed of gift or it evidences the oral gift. The

1

AIR 1916 All 351

2

AIR 1927 Cal 197

3

AIR 1968 Pat 481

4

AIR 1976 SC 1541

6

Page 7 learned Single Judge was of the view that if it was accepted

as an evidence of the oral gift it did not require registration

and if it is interpreted otherwise, it required registration. He

referred to certain provisions of the Act and Section 17 of the

Registration Act and, thereafter, scrutinized the contents of

the instrument in question and came to hold that the

document in question makes it clear that up to the date of

execution of gift deed no gift was made; that the executant

of the deed was in possession of the house; that the deed

transferred the property in favour of Rasheeda Khatoon in

praesenti; and that it is clear from the language employed in

the gift deed that the executant had not delivered possession

to the donee. Being of this view, he came to hold that both

the courts below had misread the deed dated 9.10.1970

executed by Abdul Haq and treated it to be an oral gift

though it was a document under which transfer was made

and, therefore, it was compulsorily registrable and

accordingly, allowed the appeal. Hence, the present appeal

by special leave.

7. We have heard Mr. Fakhruddin, learned senior counsel

for the appellant and Mr. A. G. Chaudhary, learned senior

counsel for the respondents.

7

Page 8 8. The gravamen of the controversy as is demonstrable

pertains to is the nature and character of the document

executed by Abdul Haq in favour of Rasheeda Khatoon, the

predecessor-in-interest of the appellants. Before we keenly

scrutinize the document, we think it necessary to refer to

certain authorities in the field that have dealt with the

concept of oral gift in Muhammadan Law. In this context

Sections 123 and 129 of the Transfer of Property Act have to

be taken note of. Section 123 of the Act stipulates that for

the purpose of making a gift of immovable property, the

transfer must be effected by a registered instrument signed

by or on behalf of the donor, and attested by at least two

witnesses. Section 129 provides for savings of donations

mortis causa and the gifts made under the Muhammadan

Law. It is clear from the said provision that the Chapter

relating to gifts including registration would not effect any

rule of Muhammadan Law.

9. In Karam Ilahi (supra) it has been held as follows:-

“It is admitted that a Muhammadan may make

an oral gift provided that possession follows. It

seems to us quite clear that the provisions of

Section 123 are inapplicable to gifts made by

Muhammadans and valid according to their law.

It is quite clear that the Legislature had in its

mind the provisions of Section 123 when

enacting Section 129. Section 123 is specifically

8

Page 9 referred to in Section 129. The deed of gift is

admissible to prove that a gift was made.”

10.In Nasib Ali (supra) Suhrawardy, J. referred to

Kamarunnissa Bibi v. Hussaini Bibi

5

and Karam Ilahi

(supra) and came to hold that the essentials of a gift under

the Muhammadan Law are a declaration of ‘hiba’ by the

donor, an acceptance, express or implied, of the gift by the

donee, and delivery of possession of the property, the

subject-matter of the gift, according to its nature. A simple

gift can only be made by going through the above formalities

and no written instrument is required. In fact no writing is

necessary to validate a gift and if a gift is made by a written

instrument without delivery of possession, it is invalid, in law.

Thereafter, the learned judge stated thus:-

“The position under the Mohammadan Law is

this: that a gift in order to be valid must be

made in accordance with the forms stated

above; and even if it is evidenced by writing,

unless all the essential forms are observed, it is

not valid according to law. That being so, a

deed of gift executed by a Mohammadan is not

the instrument effecting, creating or making the

gift but a mere piece of evidence. It may so

happen after a lapse of time that the evidence

of the observance of the above forms might not

be forthcoming, so it is sometimes thought

prudent to reduce the fact that a gift has been

made into writing. Such writing is not a

document of title but is a piece of evidence. ”

5

(1880) 3 All 266

9

Page 10 11.In Mahboob Sahab v. Syed Ismail and Others

6

a

two-Judge Bench referred to Section 147 of the Principles of

Mahomedan Law by Mulla wherein the essentials of valid gift

under the Muhammadan Law have been elucidated and

proceeded to explicate the principle. We think the

reproduction of the relevant passage would be seemly:-

“Under Section 147 of the Principles of

Mahomedan Law , by Mulla, 19

th

Edn., edited by

Chief Justice M. Hidayatullah, envisages that

writing is not essential to the validity of a gift

either of moveable or of immovable property.

Section 148 requires that it is essential to the

validity of a gift that the donor should divest

himself completely of all ownership and

dominion over the subject of the gift. Under

Section 149, three essentials to the validity of

the gift should be, (i) a declaration of gift by the

donor, (ii) acceptance of the gift, express or

implied, by or on behalf of the donee, and (iii)

delivery of possession of the subject of the gift

by the donor to the donee as mentioned in

Section 150. If these conditions are complied

with, the gift is complete. Section 150

specifically mentions that for a valid gift there

should be delivery of possession of the subject

of the gift and taking of possession of the gift by

the donee, actually or constructively. Then only

the gift is complete. Section 152 envisages that

where the donor is in possession, a gift of

immovable property of which the donor is in

actual possession is not complete unless the

donor physically departs from the premises with

all his goods and chattels, and the donee

formally enters into possession. It would, thus,

be clear that though gift by a Mohammedan is

not required to be in writing and consequently

need not be registered under the Registration

6

(1995) 3 SCC 693

10

Page 11 Act; for a gift to be complete, there should be a

declaration of the gift by the donor; acceptance

of the gift, expressed or implied, by or on behalf

of the donee, and delivery of possession of the

property, the subject-matter of the gift by the

donor to the donee. The donee should take

delivery of the possession of that property either

actually or constructively. On proof of these

essential conditions, the gift becomes complete

and valid. In case of immovable property in the

possession of the donor, he should completely

divest himself physically of the subject of the

gift.”

[Emphasis supplied]

12.Recently in Hafeeza Bibi and Others v. Shaikh

Farid (Dead) by LRS. and Others

7

a two-Judge Bench

referred to the authority in Mohd. Abdul Ghani v. Fakhr

Jahan Begam

8

wherein the Privy Council had made a

reference to Muhammedan Law by Syed Ameer Ali and

approved the statement as regards the essential three

conditions for a valid gift. Thereafter, the learned Judges

referred to Nasib Ali (supra), Assan Ravther v.

Manahapara Charayil

9

and Javeda Khatun v. Moksed

Ali

10

and stated the position of law thus:-

“The position is well settled, which has been

stated and restated time and again, that the

three essentials of a gift under Mohammadan

Law are: (1) declaration of the gift by the donor;

(2) acceptance of the gift by the donee; and (3)

delivery of possession. Though, the rules of

7

(2011) 5 SCC 654

8

(1921-22) 49 IA 195 : AIR 1932 PC 13

9

AIR 1972 Ker 27

10

AIR 1973 Gauhati 105

11

Page 12 Mohammadan Law do not make writing essential

to the validity of a gift; an oral gift fulfilling all

the three essentials makes the gift complete

and irrevocable. However, the donor may record

the transaction of gift in writing.”

13.After so stating the court referred to Asaf A.A.Fyzee

in Outlines of Muhammadan Law

11

and Mulla,

Principles of Mahomedan Law

12

and eventually ruled

thus:-

“In our opinion, merely because the gift is

reduced to writing by a Mohammadan instead of

it having been made orally, such writing does

not become a formal document or instrument of

gift. When a gift could be made by a

Mohammadan orally, its nature and character is

not changed because of it having been made by

a written document. What is important for a

valid gift under Mohammadan Law is that three

essential requisites must be fulfilled. The form is

immaterial. If all the three essential requisites

are satisfied constituting a valid gift, the

transaction of gift would not be rendered invalid

because it has been written on a plain piece of

paper. The distinction that if a written deed of

gift recites the factum of prior gift then such

deed is not required to be registered but when

the writing is contemporaneous with the making

of the gift, it must be registered, is inappropriate

and does not seem to us to be in conformity with

the rule of gifts in Mohammadan Law.”

[Emphasis added]

14.For a clear understanding of the conception of the valid

gift under the Muhammadan Law we think it apposite to

reproduce the passage from Mulla, Principles of

11

5

th

Edn. (edited and revised by Tahit Mahmood) at P. 182

12

(19

th

Edn.) P.120

12

Page 13 Mahomedan Law that has been quoted and approved in

Hafeeza Bibi (supra):-

“Under the Mahomedan law the three

essential requisites to make a gift valid are: (1)

declaration of the gift by the donor, (2)

acceptance of the gift by the donee expressly or

impliedly, and (3) delivery of possession to and

taking possession thereof by the donee actually

or constructively. No written document is

required in such a case. Section 129 of the

Transfer of Property Act excludes the rule of

Mahomedan Law from the purview of Section

123 which mandates that the gift of immovable

property must be effected by a registered

instrument as stated therein. But it cannot be

taken as a sine qua non in all cases that

whenever there is a writing about a Mahomedan

gift of immovable property there must be

registration thereof. Whether the writing

requires registration or not depends on the facts

and circumstances of each case.”

15.At this stage, it is condign to state that the two-Judge

Bench ultimately has ruled that it is not the requirement in all

cases where the gift deed is contemporaneous to the making

of the gift then such deed must be registered under Section

17 of the Registration Act, and each case would depend on its

own facts. Be it stated, the Court did not approve the view

expressed in Govt. of Hyderbad (Deptt. of Revenue) v.

Tayyaba Begum

13

, Ghulam Ahmad Sofi v. Mohd. Sidiq

Dareel

14

, Chota Uddandu Sahib v. Masthan Bi

15

,

13

AIR 1962 AP 199

14

AIR 1974 J&K 59

15

AIR 1975 AP 271

13

Page 14 Amirkhan v. Ghouse Khan

16

and Sunkesula Chinna

Budde Saheb v. Raja Subbamma

17

.

16.From the aforesaid discussion of the propositions of

law it is discernible that a gift under the Muhammadan Law

can be an oral gift and need not be registered; that a written

instrument does not, under all circumstances require

registration; that to be a valid gift under the Muhammadan

Law three essential features namely, (i) declaration of the gift

by the donor, (ii) acceptance of the gift by the donee

expressly or impliedly, and (iii) delivery of possession either

actually or constructively to the donee, are to be satisfied;

that solely because the writing is contemporaneous of the

making of the gift deed, it does not warrant registration

under Section 17 of the Registration Act.

17.At this juncture, it is pertinent to refer to a three-Judge

Bench decision in Valia Peedikakkandi Katheessa Umma

and others v. Pathakkalan Narayanath Kunhamu

(deceased) and after him his legal representatives and

others

18

where the question arose whether a gift by a

husband to his minor wife and accepted on her behalf by her

16

(1985) 2 MLJ 136

17

(1954) 2 MLJ 113 (AP)

18

AIR 1964 SC 275

14

Page 15 mother is valid. Dealing with the concept of gift under

Muhammadan Law the Court observed that:-

“... Muhammadan Law of gifts attaches great

importance to possession or seisin of the property

gifted (Kabz-ul-Kami) especially of immovable

property. The Hedaya says that seisin in the case

of gifts is expressly ordained and Baillie (Dig

P.508) quoting from the Inayah refers to a Hadis of

the Prophet-“a gift is not valid unless possessed.”

In the Hedaya it is stated – “Gifts are rendered

valid by tender, acceptance and seisin” (p.482)

and in the Vikayah “gifts are perfected by

complete seisin” Macnaghten (202).”

After so stating the Court proceeded to lay down that it

is only actual or constructive possession that completes the

gift and registration does not cure the defect nor is a bare

declaration in the deed that possession was given to a minor

of any avail without the intervention of the guardian of the

property unless the minor has reached the years of

discretion. It has been further opined therein that if the

property is with the donor he must divest from it and the

donee must enter upon possession. However, to that rule

there are certain exceptions which the Court took note of,

stating thus:-

“Exceptions to these strict rules which are well

recognized are gifts by the wife to the husband

and by the father to his minor child (Macnaghten,

page 51 principles 8 to 9). Later it was held that

where the donor and donee reside together an

overt act only is necessary and this rule applies

15

Page 16 between husband and wife. In Mahomed Sadiq Ali

Khan v. Fakhr Jahan Begum, 59 Ind App 2 : (AIR

1932 PC 13) it was held that even mutation of

names is not necessary if the deed declares that

possession is delivered and the deed is handed to

the wife.”

We have referred to this decision only to highlight the

principle that either there has to be actual delivery of

possession from the donor or the donee must be in

constructive possession to make a gift valid under the

Muhammadan Law.

18.Presently, we shall deal with the factual score. Mr.

Fakhruddin, learned senior counsel would submit that when

concurrent findings were returned that the plaintiff was in

possession on the date of execution of the gift deed as the

donee had started residing with the donor the High Court

should not have dislodged the finding of possession solely on

the ground that the gift deed was a contemporaneous

document which required registration. Per contra, Mr.

Chaudhary, learned senior counsel would submit that both

the courts below had committed serious illegality by coming

to hold that an oral gift was made in favour of the plaintiff

seven years prior the date of execution of gift deed and

factum of the said document only evidenced the oral gift,

though there is no mention of it in the deed itself. It is urged

16

Page 17 by him that by no stretch of examination such a finding could

have been recorded. As we notice, the trial court as well as

the appellate court has returned a finding that there was an

earlier oral gift by Abdul Haq in favour of the original plaintiff.

The same is not reflectible from the document itself. That

apart, there is nothing else on record to support the same.

The finding of the learned trial Judge as well as the appellate

Judge is based on unwarranted inferences which are not

supported by the evidence brought on record. While not

accepting the said finding of the courts below we are also

unable to accept the conclusion of the High Court that the

document being a contemporaneous document or document

in praesenti required registration.

19.The real thrust of the matter, as we perceive, is

whether the essential ingredients of the gift as is understood

in the Muhammadan Law have been satisfied. To elaborate,

a deed of gift solely because it is a written instrument does

not require registration. It can always be treated as a piece

of evidence evidencing the gift itself, but, a significant one,

that gift must fulfill the three essential conditions so that it

may be termed as a valid gift under the Muhammadan Law.

17

Page 18 20.The aforesaid being the position, we are obliged to

scrutinize the deed of gift and the material brought on

record. It has become necessitous in the instant case as the

original and the first appellate court have recorded findings

which are contrary to material brought on record and the

High Court has proceeded exclusively on the concept of a

deed in praesenti. Be it stated, this Court in exercise of

power under Article 136 of the Constitution can interfere with

the concurrent findings of fact, if the conclusions recorded on

certain factual aspects are manifestly perverse or

unsupported by the evidence on record. It has been so held

in Alamelu & Another v. State

19

, Heinz India (P) Ltd.

and Another v. State of U.P. and Others

20

and

Vishwanath Agrawal s/o Sitaram Agrawal v. Sarla

Vishwanath Agrawal.

21

21.In this backdrop we proceed to scan the gift deed. On

a perusal of the gift deed it is manifest that Abdul Haq had

declared therein that he had always been the owner in

possession and the entire house was in his exclusive

ownership and possession and free from all encumbrances.

Thus, the said recital belies the case of the plaintiff that there

19

(2011) 2 SCC 385

20

(2012) 5 SCC 443

21

(2012) 7 SCC 288

18

Page 19 was an oral gift seven years prior to filing of the suit, that is,

sometime in the year 1968. The learned trial Jude as well as

the appellate court has brushed aside the said aspect by

stating that it has not affected the stand of the plaintiff

inasmuch as some witnesses have deposed about the gift

having been made in 1968. As the deed would show the

executant had stated that he had executed a Will earlier in

favour of Rasheeda. That apart, such a fact, had it been true

would have definitely formed a part of the written instrument.

Omission of such a fact, in our view, defies common sense.

The conclusion that the gift deed dated 9.10.1970 evidences

such a gift, is absolutely unacceptable. Be that as it may, the

issue is whether the document and the concomitant factors

establish factum of gift made by the donor. As stated earlier,

if the essential features are met with no registration is

necessary. On a perusal of the deed of gift and the evidence

brought on record it is demonstrable that Abdul Haq

remained in the premises in question. He did not part with

physical possession. The case of the plaintiff is that she

resided with Abdul Haq and, therefore, the principle of donor

getting fully divested or handing over of physical possession

is not attracted. Though, such a finding has been recorded,

19

Page 20 we find it wholly contrary to the evidence on record. The

plaintiff was staying with her husband. The family register

and voters list, Exhibit 122 to 124 C indicate that Rasheeda

Khatoon was residing in her house with her husband. Though

the gift deed mentions that she was entitled to get her name

mutated in respect of the premises, yet it was not done. On

the analysis of evidence in the backdrop of the deed, it is

extremely difficult to hold that she was residing with Abdul

Haq in the premises in question. The first two courts have

based their conclusions on conjecture and inferences. The

High Court, as we notice, has not dwelled upon this aspect

and has only negatived the finding of the courts below that

the document did not evidence an oral gift. Thus scrutinized

there remains no shadow of doubt that she was not in actual

physical possession.

22.We have already stated, actual physical possession

may not be always necessary if there is constructive

possession of the donee. In this context we may reproduce

Section 152, sub-Section(3) of Mulla’s Muhammadan

Law:-

“No physical departure or formal entry is

necessary in the case of a gift of immovable

property in which the donor and the donee are

both residing at the time of the gift. In such a case

20

Page 21 the gift may be completed by some overt act by

the donor indicating a clear intention on his part to

transfer possession and to divert himself of all

control over the subject of the gift.”

23.Possession has been defined in Section 394 of the

Muslim Law by Tyabji. It is thus:-

“A person is said to be in possession of a thing, or

of immovable property, when he is so placed with

reference to it that he can exercise exclusive

control over it, for the purpose of deriving from it

such benefit as it is capable of rendering, or as is

usually derived from it.”

24.From the aforesaid it is vivid that the possession can

be shown not only by enjoyment of the land or premises in

question but also by asserting who has the actual control

over the property. Someone may be in apparent occupation

of the premises, but the other would have control and gaining

advantage of possession. In the case at hand plea of actual

physical possession by Rasheeda Khatoon does not deserve

acceptance. The existence of any overt act to show control

requires to be scrutinised. A plea was advanced by the

plaintiff that she had been collecting rent from the tenants

inducted by the donor, but no rent receipts have been filed.

On the contrary certain rent receipts issued by the donor

after the execution of the deed of gift have been brought on

record. There is no proof that the land was mutated in her

21

Page 22 favour by the revenue authorities. She was also not in

possession of the title deeds. Thus, the evidence on record,

on a studied scrutiny, clearly reveal that Rasheeda Khatoon

was not in constructive possession. Therefore, one of the

elements of the valid gift has not been satisfied. That being

the position there is no necessity to advert to the aspect

whether the instrument in question required registration or

not because there can be certain circumstances a deed in

writing may require registration. In the case at hand, we

conclusively hold that as the plaintiff could not prove either

actual or constructive possession, the gift was not complete

and hence, the issue of registration does not arise.

25.In view of the aforesaid premises, we, though for

different reasons, affirm the judgment and decree of the High

Court and dismiss the appeal as a consequence of which the

suit of the plaintiff stands dismissed. There shall be no order

as to costs.

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 564 OF 2009

26.In view of the dismissal of Civil Appeal No. 603 of 2009

the present appeal stands dismissed. There shall be no order

as to costs.

.............................J.

[Dipak Misra]

22

Page 23 .............................J.

[Vikramajit Sen]

New Delhi;

October 10, 2014

23