9/14/2016 PrintArticle:ViolationofEasementaryRights

ViolationofEasementaryRights

Source:http://www.
Author:ronilgoger
Publishedon:January27,2013

ViolationofEasementaryRights ronilgoger'sProfileand
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1.Definitionandessentials
ThethreetopicsintheprojectcomewithintheambitofEasement I'ma
rights.Aneasementisarightwhichtheowneroroccupierofa
certainlandpossess,assuchforthebeneficialenjoymentofthat
landtodosomething,ortopreventandcontinuetoprevent
somethingbeingdone,inoruponorinrespectofcertainotherland
nothisown. studentpursuingmy
bachelorsdegreefrom
2.Characteristicsessentialtoaneasement AmityLawSchool,
Aneasementisaprivilege,withoutwhichtheownerofone Noida.I'mintrestedin
tenementhasarighttoenjoyinrespectofthattenementinorover legalwritingandmoot
thetenementofanotherperson,byreasonwhereofthelatteris courts.
obligedtosufferorrefrainfromdoingsomethingonhisown
tenementfortheadvantageoftheformer.
Thefollowingsixcharacteristicsareessentialforaneasement
(a)Theremustbeadominantandsurvienttenement
(b)Aneasementmustaccommodatethedominanttenement
(c)Therightsofeasementmustbepossessedforthebeneficialenjoymentofthedominant
tenement.
(d)Dominantandsurvientownersmustbedifferentpersons.
(e)Therightshouldentitlethedominantownerstodoandcontinuetodosomethingortoprevent
andcontinuetopreventsomethingbeingdone,inorupon,orinrespectof,theservienttenement
and
(f)Thesomethingmustbeofacertainorwelldefinedcharacterandbecapableofformingthe
subjectmatterofagrant.
ItformsapartofrightofwayisanaffirmativeeasementItentitlestheownerofarighttodoa
certainactandtocontinuetodoit,namelypassoverthelandoftheservientowner.Fromthis
pointofviewitiscalledapositiveeasement.Butarightofwayalsopreventstheservientowner
frombuildingofhisland,ordoinganyotheractintheenjoymentofhisproprietaryrightsonthe
land,whichwouldinterferewiththerightofway.Infact,everyrightofeasementimposesonthe
survientownerarestrictiveuseandenjoymentofhisownlandbyhimsothatitmaynotinterfere
withtheenjoymentoftherightofeasementbythedominantowner.Easementsareclassifiedinto
positiveornegativeaccordingtothepredominatingfactoroftheparticularexercised.

RIGHTTOWAY
Arightofwayisarighttopassoverthesoilofanotherpersonuninterruptedly.Rightsofwaydo
notfallunderthedenominationofnaturalrights.Theyarediscontinuouseasement,andmaybe
acquiredinthesamewayastheothereasementsareacquired.

Therearetwoclassesofrightofway
(a)Publicrightsofwaywhichexistforthebenefitofallpeople.Theyarecalledhighway.
Theiroriginisindedicationexpressorimplied.
(b)Privaterightsofway.Thesearevestedinparticularindividualsortoownersofparticular
tenements:theiroriginisgrantorprescriptionorbelongstocertainclassesofpersonsorcertain
portionsofthepublic,suchasthetenementofamanor,ortheinhabitantsofaparishorvillage,
theiroriginiscustom.

Arightofwaymaybecreatedbyexpressgrantorbyimmemorialcustom,necessityorby

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prescription,orbystatuteorthroughprivatededication.Simplybecausetheuseroftheland
withoutpermissionoftheownerwasacriminal,itdoesnotpreventintheacquiringoftherightof
waybyprescriptioniftheusercontinuedforthestatutoryperiod.Astothenatureofrightsof
way,theymaybegeneralincharacterorotherwordsusableforallpurposesandatalltimesorthe
righttousethemmaybelimitedtoparticularpurposese.g.forsweepers,ortocertaintimes.Thus
righttowaymaybelimitedtoagriculturalpurposesonlyandtheexistencesucharightisnot
itselfsufficientevidenceofgeneralrightforallpurposestocarrylimeorstonefromanewly
openedquarry,oritmaybelimitedtothepurposeofdrivingcattle,orcarriagesorofthepassage
ofboats,oritmaybeahorsewayormerelyawayforfootpassengers,ortherightofusermaybe
limitedtosuchtimesasagateisopen,ortocertainhoursoftheday,orwhenthecropareoffthe
land.Arightofwayacquiredbyprescriptionforagriculturalpurposescanbeusedforother
purposesprovidedthattheburdenontheservienttenementisnotincreasedbysuchuser.Whena
rightofwayisgrantedbyconveyanceforaccessanduseofaparticularland,itcannotbe
extendedandutilizedforcultivationofanotheradjoiningland.

1.Publicrightofway
Publicrightofwayexistsoverhighwaysornavigablerivers.Ahighwayisaroadoverwhichthe
publicatlargepossessarightofway.Thehighwaymaycovernotmerelythemetalledportionbut
alsothesidelands.Apublichighwaymayleadfromoneplacetoanother.Thepublichaverightto
freeuseanyportionofthehighway.Theownershipofthehighwayiswiththeownersoftheland
adjoiningthehighway,butbyastatutetheownershipisvestedinmunicipalbodies.Thevesting
ofthehighwayorapublicstreetinamunicipalityinonlyformanagementandmaintenance:the
vestingofahighwayorastreetalsoincludessomuchofthesoilbelowadofthespaceabovethe
surfaceasisnecessarytoenableittoadequatelymaintainthehighwayorthestreet.Everyperson
whooccupieslandadjoiningahighwayhasaprivaterightofaccesstothehighwayfromhisland
andviceversa.Therighttoaccessisdifferentfromtherightofpassageoverit.Theformerisa
privaterightandthelatterisapublicright.Therightoverapublichighwaycannotbelimitedto
anyclassorsectionofthepublic.Anattempttodedicateahighwaytoalimitedportionofpublic
isnodedicationatall.Therighttouseathoroughfareshouldbeinareasonablemannerwithout
anywantondisregardofthelegalrightsofothersorariotousdemonstrationtoprovoke
animosities.Butthesubjecttocontrolofappropriateauthoritiesandpublicorder,acitizenhasa
righttotakeprocessionsthroughapublicstreet,andeventoholdapublicmeetingataproper
timeandplaceonsuchastreet.Anywrongfulinterferencewitharightofwayconstitutesa
nuisance.

2.Classificationofways
Theclassificationofprivaterightsofwaywhichwasformerlyregardedasofimportanceisnow
ofnopracticalutilityTherearenoexactcategoriesunderoneorotherofwhicheveryprivateright
ofwaymustfall,aswasformerlysupposed.Thenatureandextentoftherightdependsuponall
thecircumstancesofeachparticularcase,andtheformerrigidclassificationnolongersuitthe
variouskindsofwaysastheyarenowregardedbythelaw.

3.Generalrightofway
Thedistinctionbetweengeneralandlimitedrightsofwayisstillofsomeimportance.Theterm
generalrightofwayisappliedtoprivaterightsofwayuponwhichthereisnorestrictionother
thanthenecessaryqualificationswhichnatureorthelawrequireswithregardtoallprivaterights
ofway.Thetermismisleadinginthatitismoreapplicabletoapublichighwayforallkindsof
trafficthantoprivaterightofway,whichisnecessarilyqualifiedbylawinseveralrespects,forall
privaterightofway,nomatterhowgeneraltheymaybe,canonlybeusedbytheownersand
occupiersofthedominanttenementandtheirlicensees,andonlyforthepurposeconnectedwith
thedominanttenement.Alsointhegreatmajorityofcases,theymayonlybeusedforthepurpose
ofthedominanttenementasthattenementexistedatthetimeofthecreationoftheeasement.In
thisrespectthescopeofaneasementmaybewiderontheconstructionofanexpressgrant
creatingitthanmeasuredbytheactualuserwhereitarisesbyprescription.

Thetruesignificanceofthetermgeneralrightofwayliesinitsuseincontradistinctiontothe
speciallimitationsexpressedorinferredupontheuserofanyparticularrightofwayoverand
abovethelimitationsthusimposedbygenerallaw.Thus,speciallimitationmaybeplacedupon
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theuserinrespectoftimeforinstance,theusermaybelimitedtocertaintimesintheday,to
certainseasonsorperiodsortothedurationofthepurposesforwhichitwascreated.Itmaybe
limitedalsoinrespectofthepartoftheareaoftheservienttenementoverwhichitmaybe
exercised.Anotherandthemostcommonformoflimitationisinrespectofthemodeinwhichthe
waymaybeused,thatistosay,inrespectofthenatureofthetraffic.Inthisrespectitmaybe
limitedtofootpassengerstomotortraffic,tocarriersandwheeledtraffic,excludingcattleand
otheranimals,toagriculturetraffic,tomendrivingcattleandotheranimals,ortotrafficofsome
otherparticularnature.Theuserofthewaymaybelimitedinrespectofitsspecialpurposesorof
thepersonswhoareentitledtouseit.

4.Personsentitledtouserightofway
Apartfromstatute,thedeterminationofthequestionthatwhomayusearightofwaydepends
uponthenatureandextentoftheright.Iftherightiscreatedbygrant,thepersonsorclassesor
personsentitledtouseitmaybeexpresslylimitedbythetermsoftheinstrument,agrantofthis
kindbeingconstrued,notstrictly,butinaccordancewiththeapparentintentionoftheparties.

Asageneralrulethepersonsorclassesofpersonswhomayusetherightmustbeascertainedby
construingtheinstrumenthavingregardtothegeneralcircumstancessurroundingtheexceptionof
thegrant.Themostimportantofthesecircumstancesarethenatureoftheplaceoverwhichthe
rightisgranted,andthenatureofthedominanttenement,andthepurposesforwhichthat
tenementis,inthecontemplationoftheparties,intendedtobeused.Intheordinarycaseofa
grantofarightofwaytoahousewhichmayonlybeusedasaprivatedwellinghouse,thewaybe
usedby,andtherightextendstothegrantee,andtomembersofhisfamily,visitors,guests,
employeesandthetradespeople,eventhoughnoneofthesepersonsisexpresslymentionedinthe
grant.Theownerofthedominanttenementmayusearightofwaytoit,eventhoughheisnotin
possession,forthepurposeofviewingwaste,demandingrent,removing,anobstructionorother
similarpurposes.

5.DisturbancesofRightofWay
Anywrongfulinterferencewitharightofwayconstitutesanuisance.As,however,arightofway
neverentitlesthegrantee,orthoselawfullyusingthewayunderthegrant,totheexclusiveuseof
landoverwhichthewayexists,noteveryobstructionifthewayamountstoanunlawful
interference,andnoactionwilllieunlessthereisasubstantialinterferencewiththeeasement
granted.Theeffectofagrantofarightofwaydiffersinthisrespectfromagrantofthesoilofthe
way,forinthelattercasetheslightestinterferenceisatrespass.

Thequestionwhetheranyparticularinterruptionamountstoanunlawfulinterferencedepends
uponthenatureoftherightofwayandoftheplace,anduponthecircumstancesofthecase.Any
disturbancesofawayisunlawfulwhichrendersthewayunfitforthepurposeforwhichitwas
granted,totheinjuryofthepersonentitledtotheway.Thus,therewouldbeanunlawful
interferenceifthewayissodamagedbyvehicularorothertrafficthatthegranteeisunabletouse
itorifthewayiseitherwhollyorpartiallyobstructedbybeingbuiltuponoriftheservient
tenementisploughedupsothatthewaycannotbeused.Thenatureoftheremedyisthesame
whetherthewaywascreatedbyexpressgrantorbywayofreservation,orisclaimedunderthe
doctrineofprescription.

6.Remedies
Thepersonentitledtoarightofwaymaysueforaninjunctiontorestrainobstructionoftheway
orfordamages.Ifheinfactsuffersnodamagebytheobstruction,nominaldamageswillbe
awardedonly,andaninjunctionwillberefused.

Apersonwhoinpurportedexerciseofarightofwaymakesanexcessiveuseroftheservient
tenementcommitsatrespassandmayberestrainedfromdoingattheinstanceoftheservient
owner.Whatamounttoexcessiveuserdependsonthescopeoftherightaccordingtothetrue
constructionofanexpressgrantoraccordingtotheuserestablishedbytheprescriptionasthecase
maybe?Atrespasscommittedinthemannerdescribed,however,givesnocauseofactionto
personswhoarenotentitledtousethewayandarenotinterestedintheservientstenement,nor
canthedominantownerclaimforthephysicaldamagetothewayunlessthissubstantially
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interfereswithhisrighttouseit.

Apersoninterestedonlyinreversionorremainderinthedominanttenementcannotsueforthe
protectionoftherightofwayunlesstheobstructionisofsuchanaturethatiteitherpermanently
injurestheestateoroperatesasadenialofright.

Apersoninterestedinreversionorremainderintheservienttenementcannotsuefortrespass
doneunderanallegedrightofway,becauseactsofthisnaturecannotoperateasevidenceofright
againstapersonwhohasnopresentremedybywhichhecanobtainredress.

RIGHTTOACCESSOFLIGHT
Atcommonlawtheowneroflandhasnorighttolight.Anyonemaybuilduphisownland
regardlessofthefactthathisdoingsoinvolvesaninterferencewiththelightwhichwould
otherwisereachthelandandbuildingofanotherpersonTherightoflightisacquiredasan
easementinaugmentationoftheordinaryrightsincidenttotheownershipandenjoymentofland.
Therighttolightisnothingmoreorlessthantherighttopreventtheowneroroccupierofan
adjoiningtenementfrombuildingorplacingonhisownlandanythingwhichhastheeffectof
illegallyobstructingorobscuringthelightofthedominanttenement.Itisintruthnomorethana
righttobeprotectedagainstaparticularformofnuisance,andanactionfortheobstructionof
lightwhichhasinfactbeenusedandenjoyedfortwentyyearswithoutinterruptingorwritten
consentcannotbesustainedunlesstheobstructionamountstoanactionablenuisance.
Anownerofancientlightisentitledtosufficientlight,accordingtotheordinarynotionsof
mankind,forthecomfortableuseandenjoymentofhishouseasadwellinghouse,ifitisa
dwelling,orforthebeneficialuseandoccupationofthehouse,ifitisawarehouse,ashop,or
otherplaceofbusiness.
Therightoflightisaneasementandmaybeacquired
a)Bygrantorcovenant,expressorimplied
b)ByprescriptionunderthePrescriptionActinEngland,andtheIndianEasementActinIndia.
Theseactsnecessitateanenjoymentwithoutinterruptionforaperiodoftwentyyearstoconferthe
right.Butthedominantownerdoesnotbyhiseasementobtainarighttoallthelighthehas
enjoyed.Heobtainsarighttosomuchofitaswillsufficefortheordinarypurposesof
inhabitancyorbusinessaccordingtotheordinarynotionsofmankind,havingregardtothe
localityandsurroundings.Arighttolightbyprescriptiontoaroominaresidentialhouseisnotto
bemeasuredbytheuseofwhichhasbeenputinthepast
c)Byreservationonthesaleoftheservienttenement.Ifavendoroflanddesirestoreserveany
rightinthenatureofeasementforthebenefitofhisadjacentlandwhichheisnotpartingwith,he
mustdoitbyexpresswordsinthedeedofconveyance,exceptinthecaseofeasementof
necessity.

1.NatureofEasementoflight
Theeasementoflightisanegativeeasementoraspeciesofnegativeeasement.Itisaright
acquiredinaugmentationoftheordinaryrightsincidenttotheownershipandenjoymentofland,
andmaybedefinedasarightwhichapersonmayacquire,astheowneroroccupierofabuilding
withwindowsorapertures,topreventtheowneroroccupierofanadjoiningpieceoflandfroma
buildingorplacinguponthelatterslandanythingwhichhastheeffectofillegallyobstructing
orobscuringthelightcomingtothebuildingoftheowneroftheeasement.
Theeasementoflightusedfrequentlytobespokenofastheeasementoflightandair,as
thoughtherighttolightandtherightofairwereinseparablyconnected.Theyarehowever,
whollydistinct,andalthoughordersfortheprotectionoflightonceincludedtheprotectionofair
aswell,thispracticehaslongsincebeenabandoned.

2.Extentofeasementoflight
Theeasementoflightdoesnotconsistofarighttohaveacontinuanceofallthelightwhichhas
previouslycometothewindowofthedominanttenement.Thetestwhethertheinterference
complainedofamountstoanuisanceisnotwhetherthediminutionisenoughmateriallytolessen
theamountoflightpreviouslyenjoyed,norisitentirelyaquestionofhowmuchlightisleft,
withoutregardtowhattherewasbefore,butwhetherthediminution(i.e.differencebetweenthe
lightbeforeandthelightaftertheobstruction)issuchareallymakesthebuildingtoasensible
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degreelessfitthanitwasbeforeforthepurposesofbusinessoroccupationaccordingtothe
ordinaryrequirementsofmankind.Theamountoflightissufficientaccordingtotheordinary
notionsofmankindincreasesasstandardsincrease.

Whatthedominantownerisboundtoshowinordertomaintainanactionisthattheinterference
issuchanobstructionoflightastointerferewiththeordinaryoccupationsoflife.Inotherwords,
thenatureandextentoftherightistohavethatamountoflightthroughthewindowofthe
dominanthousewhichissufficient,accordingtotheordinarynotionsofmankind,forthe
comfortableuseandenjoymentofthehouseasadwellinghouse,ifitisadwellinghouse,orfor
thebeneficialuseandoccupationofthebuildingifitisawarehouse,shoporotherplaceof
business.

Therulethattheeasementoflightdoesnotgivetothedominantownerarighttoallthelight
comingtothewindowofthedominanttenementapplieswhethertheeasementisbaseduponthe
doctrineofprescriptionatcommonlaworisclaimedundertheprovisionsofthePrescriptionAct
1832.Anuisanceishowevercommittedbyinterferenceoflightcomingtothedominanttenement
ifitresultsinasubstantialprivationoflightsufficienttorendertheoccupationofthehouse
uncomfortableandtopreventtheownerfromcarryingonhisaccustomedbusinessasbeneficially
asheformerlydid.

3.IndianLaw
Nodamageissubstantialunlessitmateriallydiminishesthevalueofthedominantheritage,or
interferesmateriallywithphysicalcomfortoftheplaintiff,orpreventshimfromcarryingonhis
accustomedbusinessinthedominantheritageasbeneficiallyashehaddonepreviousto
institutingthesuit.Inconsideringthesufficiencyoflight,thelightcomingfromotherquarters
shouldbeconsidered.Theextentofaprescriptiverighttothepassageoflightandairthougha
certainwindowisprovidedforbys.28(c)oftheIndianEasementsAct.Aneasementoflighttoa
windowonlygivesarighttohavebuildingsthatobstructitremovedsoastoallowtheaccessof
sufficientlighttothewindow.IncasesnotgovernedbytheEasementsActtheprinciplelaiddown
inBagramscasewillapplyviz.,Theonlyamountoflightwhichcanbeclaimedbyprescription
orbylengthofenjoyment,withoutanactualgrant,issuchanamountasisreasonablynecessary
fortheconvenientandcomfortablehabitationofthehouse,butthetestiswhethertheobstruction
complainedofisanuisance.

Incasesoflight,Courtoughtnottointerferebywayofinjunctionwhenobstructionoflightis
veryslightandwheretheinjurysustainedistrifling,exceptinrareandexceptionalcasesand
where,thedefendantisdoinganactwhichwillrendertheplaintiffspropertyabsolutelyuseless
tohimunlessitisstoppedinsuchacase,inasmuchastheonlycompensation,whichcouldbe
giventotheplaintiff,wouldbetocompelthedefendanttopurchasehispropertyoutandout,the
courtwillnotintheexerciseofitsdiscretioncompeltheplaintifftosellhispropertytothe
defendantsbyrefusingtogranthimaninjunctionandawardinghimdamagesonthatbasis.

Betweenthesetwoextremes,wheretheinjurytotheplaintiffwouldbeseriouswherethecourt
considersthepropertymaystillremainwiththeplaintiffandbesubstantiallyusefultohimasit
wasbeforeandwheretheinjuryisofoneofanaturethatcanbecompensatedbymoney,the
Courtsarevestedwithadiscretiontowithholdorgrantaninjunction,havingregardtoallthe
circumstancesoftheparticularcasebeforethem.InIndiatheCourthasdiscretion:Itmay,not
shall,issueaninjunctionwheretheinjuryissuchthatpecuniarycompensationwouldnotafford
adequaterelief.

Insomecasesamandatoryinjunctionwillalsobegranted.Courtwillgrantsuchinjunctionwhere
aman,whohasarighttolightandairwhichisobstructedbyhisneighboursbuilding,bringshis
suitandappliesforaninjunctionassoonashecanafterthecommencementofthebuilding,or
afterithasbecomeapparentthattheintendedbuildingwillinterferewithhislightandair.Butthe
courtshouldbesatisfiedthatasubstantiallossofcomforthasbeencausedandnotamerefanciful
orvisionaryloss.

Ifplaintiffhasnotbroughthissuitorappliedforaninjunctionattheearliestopportunity,andhas
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waitedtillthebuildinghasbeenfinished,andthenaskstheCourttohaveitremoved,amandatory
injunctionwillnotgenerallybegranted.

RIGHTTOACCESSOFAIR
Anowneroroccupieroflandorbuildinghasnonaturalrighttofreepassageairtohistenement
overadjoiningopenland.Hehasnonaturalrighttopreventhisneighbourfromusinghislandin
suchawayastoobstructthatfreepassageair.Arighttothegeneralpassageofairnotflowingin
anydefinedchannelmaybethesubjectofexpressgrantbutisnotcapableofbeingclaimedasas
easementbyprescription,orbyalostgrant.Thusnoactionwilllayfortheobstructionthe
passageofwindtoanoldmill,orchimney.Butarighttoairthroughaparticularapertureina
houseorbuildingonthedominanttenementcanbeacquittedbyprescriptionasaneasementorby
expressgrant.
Byimplicationoflawanditmaybeacquiredbyprescriptionandunderthedoctrineofalost
moderngrant.Therewouldappeartobenoreasonwhyitshouldnotbeaneasementwithinthe
meaningofthePrescriptionAct1832andbecapableofbeingacquiredbyprescriptionunderthe
provisionsofthatAct.
Arighttothegeneralpassageofairnotflowinginanydefinedchannelmaybethesubjectof
expressgrantorcovenant,butisnotcapableofbeingclaimedeitherbyaprescriptionincommon
laworbygrantorunderthePrescriptionAct1832.Suchclaimistoovagueandindefinitetobe
recognizedinlaw.

1.IndianLaw
AccessanduseofairtoandforanybuildingmaybeacquiredundertheIndian
EasementsActifithasbeenpeaceablyenjoyedwithoutinterruptionfortwentyyears.Therightto
airiscoextensivewiththerightlight.Theownerofhousecannotbyprescriptionclaimtobe
entitledtothefullanduninterruptedpassageofacurrentofwind.Hecanclaimnomoreairthan
whichissufficientforsanitarypurposes.Thereisnorightasarighttotheuninterruptedflowof
southbreezeassuch.Thereisnoeasementforfreeaccessofwind.Inthiscountryamanwhohas
enjoyedarightofairmoreorlesspureandfreewillisreasonablyprotectedagainstany
interference.TheconditionsherearedifferentfromthoseexistinginEngland,sofarasairis
concerned.InEnglandmorelightisneededthanhere:whereasmoreairisneededherethan
England.

2.Infringementoftheright
Therighttothepurityofairisnotviolatedunlessitinterferesmateriallywiththeordinary
comfortofhumanexistence.Itisonlyinrareandspecialcasesinvolvingdangertohealth,orat
leastsomethingverynearlyapproachingit,thattheCourtwouldbejustifiedinterferingonthe
groundofdimunationofair.
ButundertheIndianlawwheretheeasementdisturbedisarighttothefullpassageofairtothe
openinginahouse,damageissubstantialifitinterferesmateriallywiththephysicalcomfortof
theplaintiff,thoughitisnotinjurioustohishealth.TheCalcuttaHighCourthasheldthat
obstructionincasesnotgovernedbyEasementActmustbesuchastocausewhatistechnically
calledanuisancetothehouse,inotherwords,torenderthehouseunfitforordinarypurposesof
habitationorbusiness.

Conclusion
Thusconcluding,aneasementisarightwhichtheownerofapropertyhastocompeltheownerof
anotherpropertytopermitsomethingtobedone,ortorefrainfromdoingsomethingonthe
survientelementforthebenefitofthedominanttenement.E.g.Righttolight,rightofway.The
propertyinrespectofwhichaseasementisenjoyedisthedominantelement,anditsowner,
dominantowner,andthatoverwhichtherightisexercisediscalledthesurvienttenement,andits
owner,asurvientowner.
Howeverunlikealease,aneasementdoesnotgivetheholderarightof"possession"ofthe
property.Thusaccordingtotheresearcheraneasementaryrightisprovidedforspecificrelief
fromspecificviolationsofcommonbasicrights.Inthecaseoftherighttoway,anywrongful
interferencewiththerightofwayconstitutesanuisance.As,however,arightofwaynever
entitlesthegrantee,orthoselawfullyusingthewayunderthegrant,totheexclusiveuseofthe
landoverwhichthewayexistsnoteveryobstructionofthewayamountstoanunlawful
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interference,andnoactionwouldlieunlessthereisasubstantialinterferencewiththeeasement
granted.
Inthecaseofrighttoaccessoflight,itdoesnotconsistofarighttohaveacontinuanceofthe
sameamountoflightthroughout.Incaseofadiminution,thedominantownerisboundtoshow
thatthediminutionhasinterferedwithhisordinaryoccupationsoflifeanditresultsinanuisance
ifitissufficienttorendertheoccupationofthehouseuncomfortable,andpreventtheownerfrom
carryinghisbusinessasbeneficiallyasheformerlydid.
Inthecaseofrighttoaccessofair,itiscoexistencewiththerighttolight.Theownerofthe
housecannotbyprescriptionclaimanentitlementoftheflowanduninterruptedpassageofcurrent
ofwind,neitherisheentitledtorightofuninterruptedflowofbreezeassuch,andhecanclaim
onlysuchamountofairwhichissufficientforsanitarypurposes.Hence,itisonlyinrareand
specialcasesinvolvingdangertohealthcasesthatthecourtwouldjustifyasinterferingwiththe
righttodiminutionoflightundertheIndianlawundertheIndianEasementsAct,1882.

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#Thorntonv.Little(1907)97LT24,whereagrantofarightofwaytotheownerifthedominant
tenementforhertenants,visitorsandservantswasheldarightofwayforherpupils,thedo
minanttenementbeingaschoolatthetimeofthegrant.

#Hammondv.PrenticeBrosLtd(1920)1Ch201:grantofrightofwaynotlimitedtoclassof
personsnamed,butincludedtheirlicensees.
#Thropev.Brumfitt(1873)8ChApp650.

#Ibid:Supposeonepersonleavesawheelbarrowstandingonaway,thatmaycauseno
appreciableinconvenience,butifahundreddoso,thatmaycauseaseriousinconvenience,which
apersonentitledtotheuseofthewayhasarighttoprevent.

#Robertsonv.Adams(1930)69LJo301:thedefendants,whowereownersofanarcadeover
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9/14/2016 PrintArticle:ViolationofEasementaryRights

whichtheplaintiffhadarightofway,placedstallsandtablesalongthewidthandinthecentreof
thearcade.Thiswasheldtobeasubstantialinterferencewiththeplaintiffsrightanddamages
wereawardedandaninjunctionwasgranted.

#MilnersSafeCoLtdv.GreatNorthernandCityRailwayCo.(1907)1Ch208at228.
#Hopwoodv.Schofield(1837)2MoodandR34.
#Baxterv.Taylor(1832)4BandAd72.

#Independentlyofaneasementright,therighttoreceivelightacrossanotherslandisnota
naturalincidentofproperty.Unlessanduntilsucharightofeasementhasbeenacquiredno
amountormodeofobstructionisactionable:RashidAllidinav.JivanDasKhemji,ILR(1942)1
Cal488.

#Devidasv.Birsingh,ILR1945Nag948.
#Corbettv.Jones,(1892)3Ch137.
#Bhimajiv.Yeshwant,(1929)31BomLR771.
#Rowbothamv.Wilson(1857)8EandB123at147.
#Collsv.HomeandColonialStoresLtd(1904)AC179at185,186.
#Baxterv.Bower(1875)44LJCh625at628.
#FishmongersCo.v.EastIndiaCo.(1752)1Dick163.
#CollsvHomeandColonialStoresLtd(1904)AC179at210.
#Clarkev.Clark(1865)1ChApp16at20.
#Backv.Stacy(1826)2CandP465at466.
#Sec33oftheIndianEasementsAct,Vof1882.Kadarbhaiv.Rahimbhai(1889)ILR13Bom
674.
#Balav.Maharu,(1895)ILR20Bom788.
#GhanashamNilkantNadkarniv.MorabaRamchandraPai,(1894)ILR18Bom474,488,489.
#MohamedAuzamIsmailv.JaganathJamnadas,ILR(1925)3Ran230.
#Jamnadasv.Atmaram(1877)ILR2Bom133.
#DhannuMalv.BhagwanDas(1902)PLRNo.138of1902.
#Isenbergv.TheEastI.H.ECo.,(1863)3DeGJandS263.
#Webbv.Bird,(1863)13CBNS841.
#Bryantv.Lefever,(1879)4CPD172.
#ibid
#ibid
#ActVof1882,s.15.
#DelhiandLondonbankLtdv.HemLallDutt,(1887)ILR14Cal839.
#Thropev.Brumfitt(1873)8ChApp650.
#StrickandCo.Ltdv.CityOfficesCo.Ltd(1906)22TLR667.
#Huttonv.Hamboro(1860)2FandF218.
#Clarkev.Clarke(1865)IChApp16at20.
#Wellsv.Ody(1836)7CandP410at412.
Theauthorcanbereachedat:ronilgoger@legalserviceindia.com

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