Adverse possession ka idea kaafi controversial hai. Law kahin-kahin kehta hai ki agar koi vyakti aapki land pe openly, continuously, aur aapke interest ke against kaafi saalon tak baitha rahe, aur aap kuch na karo, to ek stage pe uska title strong ho sakta hai aur aapka weaken.
Core elements:
- Possession actual ho – fence, construction, cultivation, etc.,
- Open and notorious – chhupke nahi, sabke saamne,
- Hostile – owner ke right ko deny karte hue, not with permission,
- Continuous for statutory limitation period.
Logic historical hai – law “sleeping owners” ko reward nahi, active possessors ko preference deta hai, takki land idle na rahe. Aaj ke zamane me jahan documentation aur awareness zyada hai, log is doctrine ko unfair samajhte hain, specially jab squatting or encroachment decently organised ho jaye.
Owners ke liye simple lesson: apni properties, specially vacant plots, pe regular nazar rakho, boundary maintain karo, aur encroachment dikhe to timely legal action lo. Delay se adverse possession ka defence strong hota jata hai.