In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision in a dispute over land ownership and possession. The respondent purchased a plot of land from a housing cooperative in 1981 via registered sale deed and was given possession. The appellant later encroached on the land and built a hut without permission. The respondent sued for possession and mesne profits. The lower courts initially rejected the respondent's claim, holding the sale deed unproven because no attesting witnesses were examined and the appellant had acquired title through adverse possession. The High Court reversed this, holding the sale deed was properly proved. The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that a registered sale deed does not require attesting witnesses like gift deeds do, and that mere testimony of the purchaser with the seller's admission of title is sufficient proof. Adverse possession cannot override a superior registered title."
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