CASE STUDY 1: Permissive Possession Turning Hostile?
Facts
A allows B to cultivate land without rent due to family relations.
B remains in possession for 25 years.
Revenue record continues in Aโs name.
B later claims ownership by adverse possession.
Issue
Whether permissive possession can mature into adverse possession?
Held
โ No
Law Applied
Permissive possession never becomes adverse unless there is clear hostile repudiation.
Case Law
๐ Thakur Kishan Singh v. Arvind Kumar
(1994) 6 SCC 591
โPossession initially permissive cannot become adverse unless the possessor openly asserts hostile title.โ
Result
A succeeds.
๐งช CASE STUDY 2: Long Possession Without Hostility
Facts
B occupies government land openly for 30 years.
No document of ownership.
No objection raised by authorities.
B claims adverse possession.
Issue
Whether long, uninterrupted possession is sufficient?
Held
โ No
Law Applied
Long possession alone does not satisfy adverse possession.
Case Law
๐ Karnataka Board of Wakf v. Govt. of India
(2004) 10 SCC 779
โPossession must be hostile, open, and to the knowledge of the true owner.โ
Result
Claim rejected.
๐งช CASE STUDY 3: Tenant Claiming Adverse Possession
Facts
B enters land as tenant under A.
After expiry of tenancy, B continues possession for 15 years.
B claims adverse possession.
Issue
Whether tenant can claim adverse possession against landlord?
Held
โ No, unless tenancy is repudiated.
Case Law
๐ Mohan Lal v. Mirza Abdul Gaffar
(1996) 1 SCC 639
โTenant must first surrender possession or clearly deny landlordโs title.โ
Result
Landlord succeeds.
๐งช CASE STUDY 4: Mutation Entry vs Title
Facts
Bโs name is mutated in revenue records.
A remains silent for 12 years.
B claims ownership by adverse possession.
Issue
Whether mutation proves adverse possession?
Held
โ No
Case Law
๐ Balwant Singh v. Daulat Singh
(1997) 7 SCC 137
โMutation entries do not confer title nor prove adverse possession.โ
Result
True owner protected.
๐งช CASE STUDY 5: Co-owner Claiming Adverse Possession
Facts
A and B are co-owners.
B alone remains in possession for 40 years.
B claims adverse possession against A.
Issue
Can one co-owner claim adverse possession?
Held
โ Only if ouster is proved
Case Law
๐ P. Lakshmi Reddy v. L. Lakshmi Reddy
AIR 1957 SC 314
โMere exclusive possession by one co-owner does not amount to ouster.โ
Result
Claim fails.
๐ MASTER RULE (EXAM GOLDEN LINE)
โAdverse possession must be hostile, open, continuous, and to the knowledge of the true owner. Mere long possession, permissive occupation, or silence of the owner is insufficient.โ
๐ JUDICIARY EXAM HOTLIST (Repeat Topics)
โ๏ธ Permissive possession
โ๏ธ Tenant vs landlord
โ๏ธ Co-owner ouster
โ๏ธ Government land
โ๏ธ Mutation entries