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Issues Involved:
1. Maintainability of the suit in the absence of Singaravelu Mudali. 2. Res judicata effect of the decree in Original Suit No. 59 of 1887. 3. Justification for the cancellation of the lease by the first defendant. 4. Entitlement and quantum of damages for the plaintiff. 5. Personal liability of the first defendant for the damages. Detailed Analysis: First Issue: Maintainability of the Suit in the Absence of Singaravelu Mudali The plaintiff argued that the second defendant had no real interest in the lease and therefore was not a necessary party. The court initially included the second defendant but later dismissed the suit against him. The first defendant contended that the suit must fail due to non-joinder of a necessary plaintiff. The court held that the second defendant, even if he had an interest, could be made a defendant to ensure all interested parties were before the court. Thus, the suit was maintainable without the second defendant as a co-plaintiff. Second Issue: Res Judicata Effect of the Decree in Original Suit No. 59 of 1887 The first defendant argued that the issues raised were already decided in O.S. No. 59 of 1887, making the current suit res judicata. The court examined whether the previous adjudication barred the present suit, noting that the previous suit involved a smaller claim and different appellate rights. The court concluded that the previous decision did not bind the current suit, as the jurisdiction and appellate rights differed, following the reasoning in Bholabhai v. Adesang and subsequent Bombay rulings. Therefore, the suit was not barred by res judicata. Third Issue: Justification for the Cancellation of the Lease The first defendant justified the lease cancellation based on non-payment of rent and taxes for fasli 1296. The plaintiff claimed unlawful eviction by the first defendant, which suspended the rent obligation. The court found no evidence supporting the plaintiff's claim of eviction by the first defendant. Instead, it concluded that the plaintiff's actions, such as raising rents and his conduct towards tenants, caused the disturbances. Thus, the first defendant was justified in cancelling the lease. Fourth Issue: Entitlement and Quantum of Damages The court considered the plaintiff's claim for damages, including lost profits and costs incurred from legal disputes. The court found the evidence for profits speculative and unreliable. It also rejected the claim for legal costs, citing Khaja Mahomed Isakhan v. Baboo Kisho Lal. Although the court estimated potential profits at Rs. 5,000 annually, it concluded that the plaintiff was not entitled to any damages due to the justified lease cancellation. Fifth Issue: Personal Liability of the First Defendant The court did not record a finding on this issue, as it became irrelevant following the conclusions on the other issues. Conclusion The court dismissed the plaintiff's suit with costs, finding that the suit was maintainable, not barred by res judicata, and that the first defendant was justified in cancelling the lease. The plaintiff was not entitled to any damages.
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