Dear Sir,
My father executed a settlement deed, in my favour, in respect of his self acquired property, 5 years ago. I had got the name transfer effected in all records. 4 years hence, a person claiming to be my brother, files a suit for partition of the property, injunction, and also to nullify the settlement deed saying the same was executed by harassing my father. He was not seen all these years. Notice was not served to me, but still I engaged a lawyer. The City Civil Court on his petition [affidavit dated 7.12.2012] ordered [on 12.12.2012] status quo barring alienation of property till disposal of suit. But 3 months later he took unlawful possession of the suit property, and demanded a huge sum to withdraw the case. As a senior citizen, with great hesitation I agreed to the ransom. On my counsel's insistence that the payment be made as part of the Court records, the petitioner refused.Till this date, it has been adjournments. My counsel advised me to file a case in the High Court for possession of the property, which I have done. But the trespasser has not appeared in spite of the public notice, and a private notice from my lawyer. Sir, my query is:
1. Am I not entitled for a formal hearing before an Order is passed?
2. Is it not the prerogative of the Settler to execute his self acquired property to just anybody, leave alone his family member?
3. Is there any restriction on the number of adjournments in a Case?
4. I had reluctantly agreed to pay the sum demanded by the petitioner, then why should the case drag on? Will there be any other ulterior motive, as he is in full unlawful occupation of the suit property?
5. Cannot the Court , order on its own, verification of the Settlement Deed for its genuineness and authenticity by forensic examination?
6. Being a senior citizen, and a victim of dispossession of the property, and under constant threat to my life, can I transfer the case in the City Civil Court and the High Court, to the Supreme Court of India? Will there be an early solution, then?
Thanks. With regards.
Yours respectfully,
Premkumar