Supreme Court Annual Digest 2022- Code
Of Civil Procedure (CPC)
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; The rules of procedure are
essentially intended to subserve the cause of justice and are not for
punishment of the parties in conduct of the proceedings. (Para 26.1)
Prakash Corporates v. Dee Vee Projects Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 162 : AIR 2022 SC 946 : (2022) 5 SCC 112
Dominus Litus
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Plaintiff is dominus litus, and they
cannot be compelled to seek relief against anyone. (Para 8.16) Small
Industries Development Bank of India v. Sibco Investment Pvt.
Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 7 : (2022) 3 SCC 56
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Execution
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Execution Proceedings - It is an
old saying that the difficulties of the litigant in India begin when he has
obtained a decree. The evil was noticed as far back in 1872 by the
Privy Council in relation to the difficulties faced by the decree holder in
execution of the decree. After more than a century, there has been no
improvement and still the decree holder faces the same problem what
was being faced in the past. A litigant coming to Court seeking relief is
not interested in receiving a paper decree when he succeeds in
establishing his case. What he primarily wants from the Court of
Justice is the relief and if it is a money decree, he wants that money
what he is entitled for in terms of the decree, must be satisfied by the
judgment debtor at the earliest possible without fail keeping in view
the reasonable restrictions/rights which are available to the judgment
debtor under the provisions of the statute or the code, as the case
may be. (Para 3) Griesheim GmbH v. Goyal MG Gases Pvt. Ltd.,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 95 : AIR 2022 SC 696
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Procedural Defect
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - The procedural defect may fall
within the purview of irregularity and capable of being cured, but it
should not be allowed to defeat the substantive right accrued to the
litigant without affording reasonable opportunity. (Para 10) Ramnath
Exports Pvt. Ltd. v. Vinita Mehta, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 564 : (2022)
7 SCC 678
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - While procedure is said to be the
handmaiden of justice and substantial justice must prevail and the
former may take the backseat, failure to follow the procedure laid
down by law can result in grave miscarriage of justice to the judgment
debtor and delay in the decree holder realising the fruits of the decree.
(Para 1) Rajbir v. Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5)
SCALE 321
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Section 2(12) - “Mesne Profits”
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 2(12) - Transfer of
Property Act, 1882; Section 111(a) - Tenant while continuing in
possession after the expiry of the lease liable to pay mesne profits - A
tenant at sufferance is not a tenant by holding over. While a tenant at
sufferance cannot be forcibly dispossessed, that does not detract from
the possession of the erstwhile tenant turning unlawful on the expiry
of the lease. (Para 60) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. Sudera
Realty Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 744 : AIR 2022 SC 5077
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Section 9 - Courts to try all civil suits unless barred.
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 9 - Civil Courts to
determine all disputes of civil nature unless the same is barred under
statute either expressly or by necessary implication and such a bar is
not to be readily inferred. The provision seeking to bar jurisdiction of a
Civil Court requires strict interpretation and the Court would normally
lean in favour of construction which would uphold the jurisdiction of
the Civil Court. (Para 43) Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. v. VCK Shares &
Stock Broking Services Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 941
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 9 - Law on ouster of
jurisdiction of civil courts - The jurisdiction of the civil courts to try
suits of a civil nature is expansive and the onus to prove the ouster of
the jurisdiction is on the party that asserts it. The court observed that
even in cases where the jurisdiction of the civil court is barred by a
statute, the test is to determine if the authority or tribunal constituted
under the statute has the power to grant reliefs that the civil courts
would normally grant in suits filed before them. (Para 15) Rajani v.
Smita, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 702
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 9 - Maharashtra Housing
and Area Development Act, 1976; Sections 71, 177 - The reliefs
sought in the plaint are: (i) the removal of the unauthorized
construction; (ii) a permanent prohibitory injunction restraining the
defendants from constructing over the open site and causing
'nuisance'; and (iii) restoration of the water connection as it was prior
to the construction - The reliefs claimed are beyond the scope of the
Act - A suit of this nature will be maintainable before the civil court
and would not be barred by Section 71 or Section 177 of the Act. (Para
16) Rajani v. Smita, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 702
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 9 - Recovery of Debts
Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993; Section 17,
18, 19 - Jurisdiction of a Civil Court to try a suit filed by a borrower
against a Bank or Financial Institution is not ousted by virtue of the
scheme of the RDB Act in relation to the proceedings for recovery of
debt - There is no provision in the RDB Act by which the remedy of a
civil suit by a defendant in a claim by the bank is ousted, but it is the
matter of choice of that defendant. Such a defendant may file a
counterclaim, or may be desirous of availing of the more strenuous
procedure established under the Code, and that is a choice which he
takes with the consequences thereof. (Para 45, 56) Bank of
Rajasthan Ltd. v. VCK Shares & Stock Broking Services Ltd.,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 941
Section 10 - Stay of Suit
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 10 - Application under
Section 10 CPC , by its very nature, requires immediate consideration
and before any other steps in the suit - If the prayer made in the
application moved under Section 10 were to be granted, the trial of
the subject suit is not to be proceeded with at all. (Para 26) Prakash
Corporates v. Dee Vee Projects Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 162 :
AIR 2022 SC 946 : (2022) 5 SCC 112
Section 11 - Res Judicata
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 11 - Res Judicata -
Doctrine of res judicata is attracted not only in separate subsequent
proceedings but also at the subsequent stage of the same
proceedings. Moreover, a binding decision cannot lightly be ignored
and even an erroneous decision remains binding on the parties to the
same litigation and concerning the same issue, if rendered by a Court
of competent jurisdiction. Such a binding decision cannot be ignored
even on the principle of per incuriam because that principle applies to
the precedents and not to the doctrine of res judicata. (Para 10) S.
Ramachandra Rao v. S. Nagabhushana Rao, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
861 : AIR 2022 SC 5317
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 11 - Res Judicata - For
res judicata to apply, the matter directly and substantially in issue in
the subsequent suit must be the same matter which was directly and
substantially in issue in the former suit. Further, the suit should have
been decided on merits and the decision should have attained finality -
Where the former suit is dismissed by the trial court for want of
jurisdiction, or for default of the plaintiff's appearance, or on the
ground of non-joinder or mis-joinder of parties or multifariousness, or
on the ground that the suit was badly framed, or on the ground of a
technical mistake, or for failure on the part of the plaintiff to produce
probate or letter of administration or succession certificate when the
same is required by law to entitle the plaintiff to a decree, or for failure
to furnish security for costs, or on the ground of improper valuation, or
for failure to pay additional court fee on a plaint which was
undervalued, or for want of cause of action, or on the ground that it is
premature and the dismissal is confirmed in appeal (if any), the
decision, not being on the merits, would not be res judicata in a
subsequent suit. The reason is that the first suit is not decided on
merits - Conditions that must be satisfied to constitute a plea of res
judicata laid down. (Para 30-31) R.M. Sundaram @
Meenakshisundaram v. Sri Kayarohanasamy and
Neelayadhakshi Amman Temple, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 612
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 11 - Res Judicata - To
succeed and establish a prayer for res judicata, the party taking the
said prayer must place on record a copy of the pleadings and the
judgments passed, including the appellate judgment which has
attained finality. (Para 32) R.M. Sundaram @ Meenakshisundaram
v. Sri Kayarohanasamy and Neelayadhakshi Amman Temple,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 612
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 11 - Res Judicata - When
the suit was dismissed for technical reasons, which decision is not an
adjudication on merits of the dispute that would operate as res
judicata on the merits of the matter. (Para 32) R.M. Sundaram @
Meenakshisundaram v. Sri Kayarohanasamy and
Neelayadhakshi Amman Temple, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 612
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 11 - The principle of
constructive res judicata has no application when there was no formal
adjudication between the parties after full hearing. (Para 52) Life
Insurance Corporation v. Sanjeev Builders Pvt. Ltd., 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 729 : AIR 2022 SC 4256
Section 24 - General power of transfer and withdrawal
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 24 - Given the prevailing
socioeconomic paradigm in the Indian society, generally, it is the wife's
convenience which must be looked at while considering transfer - In
matrimonial matters, wherever Courts are called upon to consider the
plea of transfer, the Courts have to take into consideration the
economic soundness of both the parties, the social strata of the
spouses and their behavioural pattern, their standard of life prior to
the marriage and subsequent thereto and the circumstances of both
the parties in eking out their livelihood and under whose protective
umbrella they are seeking their sustenance to life. (Para 9) NCV
Aishwarya v. AS Saravana Karthik Sha, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 627 :
AIR 2022 SC 4318
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 24 - The cardinal principle
for exercise of power under Section 24 CPC is that the ends of justice
should demand the transfer of the suit, appeal or other proceeding.
NCV Aishwarya v. AS Saravana Karthik Sha, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
627 : AIR 2022 SC 4318
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 24 - When two or more
proceedings are pending in different Courts between the same parties
which raise common question of fact and law, and when the decisions
in the cases are interdependent, it is desirable that they should be
tried together by the same Judge so as to avoid multiplicity in trial of
the same issues and conflict of decisions. (Para 10-11) NCV
Aishwarya v. AS Saravana Karthik Sha, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 627 :
AIR 2022 SC 4318
Section 25 - Power of Supreme Court to transfer suits, etc.
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 25 - Jurisdiction under
Section 25 cannot be extended to determine the question of territorial
jurisdiction of the proceedings- The plea of jurisdiction or the lack of it
can be prompted before the Court in which the proceedings are
pending. (Para 4-5) Neilan International Co. Ltd. v. Powerica Ltd.,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 566
Section 34 - Interest
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 34 - S. 34 of the Code of
Civil Procedure (CPC), award of interest is a discretionary exercise,
steeped in equitable considerations. Interest is payable for different
purposes such as compensatory, penal, etc. (Para 12.1) Small
Industries Development Bank of India v. Sibco Investment Pvt.
Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 7 : (2022) 3 SCC 56
Section 38 - Court by which decree may be executed
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Sections 38, 39 - For the effective
working of Section 39 of CPC, in other words, there must be a Court
which has passed a decree - When Sections 38 and 39 of the CPC are
not as such applicable, the decree holder may seek to execute the
decree in any Court which otherwise has jurisdiction. (Para 24)
Bhagyoday Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Ravindra Balkrishna Patel,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1020
Section 44A - Execution of decrees passed by Courts in
reciprocating territory
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 44A - Delhi High Court
Act, 1966 - Section 5 - The expression “District Court” in Section
44A for execution of foreign decree, will be construed to be a Court
holding ordinary original civil jurisdiction in terms of its pecuniary
limits as being notified under Section 5(2) of the Act 1966. (Para 27)
Griesheim GmbH v. Goyal MG Gases Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
95 : AIR 2022 SC 696
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 44A - Delhi High Court
Act, 1966 - Section 5 - The High Court of Delhi in exercise of its
original jurisdiction is a competent Court to entertain a petition for
executing a money decree (in excess of Rs.20 lakhs) of a foreign Court
which is notified as a superior Court of reciprocating territory under
Section 44A of the Code. (Para 28) Griesheim GmbH v. Goyal MG
Gases Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 95 : AIR 2022 SC 696
Section 64 - Private alienation of property after attachment to
be void
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 64(2) and Order XXI
Rule 58 - To get the benefit of sub-section (2) of Section 64 of the
CPC, the objector and/or subsequent purchaser has to plead and prove
that he is the bona fide purchaser, who has entered into the
transaction prior to the order of attachment. (Para 4) Dokala Hari
Babu v. Kotra Appa Rao, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 342
Section 96 - Appeal from Original Decree
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - One First Appeal filed by defendant
against a common judgment disposing two suits - An application
(CLMA) seeking permission to file a single appeal assailing the
common judgment alongwith two separate decrees filed - The first
appeal admitted by High Court - A decade later, the High Court
without passing any order on the said CLMA, at the time of hearing of
the appeal, accepted the preliminary objection regarding
maintainability of single first appeal without entering into the merits of
the case - Allowing appeal, the Supreme Court observed that the
approach adopted by High Court is not correct, because on dismissal of
the CLMA, the appellant might have had the opportunity to rectify the
defect by way of filing separate appeal under Section 96 CPC
challenging the same judgment with separate decree - Matter
remanded to the High Court to decide the CLMA before deciding the
preliminary objection of maintainability of one appeal. Ramnath
Exports Pvt. Ltd. v. Vinita Mehta, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 564 : (2022)
7 SCC 678
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 96 - An appeal is a
continuation of the proceedings of the original court. Ordinarily, First
appeal involves a rehearing on law as well as on fact as invoked by an
aggrieved person. The first appeal is a valuable right of the appellant
and therein all questions of fact and law are open for consideration by
reappreciating the material and evidence. The first appellate court is
required to address on all the issues and decide the appeal assigning
valid reasons either in support or against by reappraisal - It must
record its findings dealing all the issues, considering oral as well as
documentary evidence led by the parties. (Para 8) Ramnath Exports
Pvt. Ltd. v. Vinita Mehta, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 564 : (2022) 7 SCC
678
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 96, 105 and Order IX
Rule 13 - The appellant, while challenging ex parte decree by filing an
appeal, can always point out from the record of the trial court that the
order passed to proceed with the suit ex parte against him was illegal -
Only when the application made by a defendant under Rule 13 of
Order IX of CPC is dismissed that such a defendant cannot agitate in
the appeal against ex parte decree that the order directing that the
suit shall proceed ex parte was illegal or incorrect - Though the
appellant would not be entitled to lead evidence in appeal for making
out a sufficient cause for his absence before the trial court, he can
always argue on the basis of the record of the suit that either the suit
summons was not served upon him or that even otherwise also, the
trial court was not justified in proceeding ex parte against him. (Para
8) G.N.R. Babu @ S.N. Babu v. Dr. B.C. Muthappa, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 748 : AIR 2022 SC 4213
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Sections 96-100 - Any aggrieved
party can prefer an appeal with the leave of the Court - A person who
is affected by a judgment but is not a party to the suit, can prefer an
appeal with the leave of the Court. The sine qua non for filing an
appeal by a third party is that he must have been affected by reason
of the judgment and decree which is sought to be impugned. (Para 29-
31) My Palace Mutually Aided Cooperative Society v. B. Mahesh,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 698 : 2022 (12) SCALE 230
Section 100 - Second Appeal
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 100 - Electricity Act,
2003; Section 125 - For determining whether a case involves
substantial question of law, the test is not merely the importance of
the question, but its importance to the case itself necessitating the
decision of the question. The appropriate test for determining whether
the question of law raised in the case is substantial would be to see
whether it directly and substantially affects the rights of the parties. If
it is established that the decision is contrary to law or the decision has
failed to determine some material issue of law or if there is substantial
error or defect in the decision of the case on merits, the court can
interfere with the conclusion of the lower court or tribunal. The stakes
involved in the case are immaterial as long as the impact or effect of
the question of law has a bearing on the lis between the parties - In a
second appeal, the appellant is entitled to point out that the order
impugned is bad in law because it is de hors the pleadings, or it was
based on no evidence or it was based on misreading of material
documentary evidence or it was recorded against the provision of law
or the decision is one which no Judge acting judicially could reasonably
have reached. Once the appellate court is satisfied, after hearing the
appeal, that the appeal involves a substantial question of law, it has to
formulate the question and direct issuance of notice to the respondent.
(Para 30-31) BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. v. Delhi Electricity
Regulatory Commission, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 857 : 2022 (15)
SCALE 588
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 100 - Second Appeal -
Perversity in arriving at a factual finding gives rise to a substantial
question of law, attracting intervention of the High Court under Section
100 of the CPC - There is no prohibition on entertaining a second
appeal even on a question of fact provided the court is satisfied that
the findings of fact recorded by the courts below stood vitiated by non
-consideration of relevant evidence or by showing an erroneous
approach to the matter i.e. that the findings of fact are found to be
perverse. Azgar Barid v. Mazambi @ Pyaremabi, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 193 : AIR 2022 SC 1304 : (2022) 5 SCC 334
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 100 - Second Appeal -
Question of law ought to have been framed under Section 100 of the
said Code. Even if the question of law had not been framed at the
stage of admission, at least before the deciding the case the said
question of law ought to have been framed. (Para 22) Seethakathi
Trust Madras v. Krishnaveni, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 58 : AIR 2022 SC
558 : (2022) 3 SCC 150
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 100 - In the State of
Haryana a court in second appeal is not required to formulate a
substantial question of law, as what is applicable in Haryana is Section
41 of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918 and not Section 100 of CPC - But
only such decisions are to be considered in second appeal which are
contrary to law or to some custom or usage having the force of law or
the court below have failed to determine some material issue of law or
custom or usage having the force of law - Second appeal is not a
forum where court has to re-examine or re-appreciate questions of
fact settled by the Trial Court and the Appellate Court. (Para 10-15)
Satyender v. Saroj, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 679 : AIR 2022 SC 4732
Section 114 - Review
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 114, Order XLVII -
Distinction between an erroneous decision as against an error
apparent on the face of the record - An erroneous decision can be
corrected by the Superior Court, however an error apparent on the
face of the record can only be corrected by exercising review
jurisdiction - A judgment can be open to review if there is a mistake or
an error apparent on the face of the record, but an error that has to be
detected by a process of reasoning, cannot be described as an error
apparent on the face of the record for the Court to exercise its powers
of review. (Para 26) S. Madhusudhan Reddy v. V. Narayana
Reddy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 685 : 2022 (12) SCALE 261
Section 144 - Application for Restitution
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 144 - Appeal against
Division Bench direction that the State shall be at liberty to recover the
excess amount paid to the original writ petitioners - Dismissed - By
applying Section 144 CPC also, the amount paid pursuant to the order
passed by the learned Single Judge which has been set aside by the
Division Bench is required to be refunded/returned by the original writ
petitioners. Mekha Ram v. State of Rajasthan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
324 : AIR 2022 SC 1591
Section 151 - Saving of inherent powers of Court
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151 - Consent Decree -
The Court can entertain an Application under Section 151 of the CPC
for alterations/ modification of the consent decree if the same is
vitiated by fraud, misrepresentation, or misunderstanding. (Para 13)
Ajanta LLP v. Casio, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 127 : (2022) 5 SCC 449
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151 - Order XXIII Rule 3
- Even assuming there is a mistake, a consent decree cannot be
modified/ altered unless the mistake is a patent or obvious mistake. Or
else, there is a danger of every consent decree being sought to be
altered on the ground of mistake/ misunderstanding by a party to the
consent decree. (Para 13) Ajanta LLP v. Casio, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
127 : (2022) 5 SCC 449
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151 - Order XXIII Rule 3
- Consent Decree - A judgment by consent is intended to stop
litigation between the parties just as much as a judgment resulting
from a decision of the Court at the end of a long drawn out fight. A
compromise decree creates an estoppel by judgment. A consent
decree would not serve as an estoppel, where the compromise was
vitiated by fraud, misrepresentation, or mistake. (Para 12) Ajanta
LLP v. Casio, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 127 : (2022) 5 SCC 449
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151 - Section 151 of the
CPC can only be applicable if there is no alternate remedy available in
accordance with the existing provisions of law - It cannot be said that
the civil courts can exercise substantive jurisdiction to unsettle already
decided issues. A Court having jurisdiction over the relevant subject
matter has the power to decide and may come either to a right or a
wrong conclusion. Even if a wrong conclusion is arrived at or an
incorrect decree is passed by the jurisdictional court, the same is
binding on the parties until it is set aside by an appellate court or
through other remedies provided in law - Such inherent power cannot
override statutory prohibitions or create remedies which are not
contemplated under the Code. Section 151 cannot be invoked as an
alternative to filing fresh suits, appeals, revisions, or reviews. A party
cannot find solace in Section 151 to allege and rectify historic wrongs
and bypass procedural safeguards inbuilt in the CPC. (Para 26-28) My
Palace Mutually Aided Cooperative Society v. B. Mahesh, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 698 : 2022 (12) SCALE 230
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151, Order VII Rule 10 -
Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act,
1993; Section 19, 31 - An independent suit filed by the borrower
against the bank or financial institution cannot be transferred to be
tried along with application under the RDB Act, as it is a matter of
option of the defendant in the claim under the RDB Act - Since there is
no such power, there is no question of transfer of the suit whether by
consent or otherwise - Proceedings under the RDB Act will not be
impeded in any manner by filing of a separate suit before the Civil
Court - It is not open to a defendant, who may have taken recourse to
the Civil Court, to seek a stay on the decision of the DRT awaiting the
verdict of his suit before the Civil Court as it is a matter of his choice.
(Para 49- 56) Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. v. VCK Shares & Stock
Broking Services Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 941
Section 153A - Power to amend decree or order where appeal
is summarily dismissed
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 153A - Order XLI Rule
11 - An application before the Trial Court for correction of a decree
could be maintained only if the appeal was to be decided by the High
Court under Rule 11, Order 41 of the Code of Civil Procedure. B.
Boraiah v. M.G. Thirthaprasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 160
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 153A - The Trial Court has
no jurisdiction to entertain the application for correction of decree
passed by the High Court in the first appeal and cross objection - In
such a case, the application for correction could be maintained only
before the High Court where the decree has been finally confirmed. B.
Boraiah v. M.G. Thirthaprasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 160
Order 1 Rule 9 - Misjoinder and nonjoinder
Code of Civil Procedure, 1973; Order I Rule 9 - A "necessary
party" is a person who ought to have been joined as a party and in
whose absence no effective decree could be passed at all by the court.
It has been held that if a "necessary party" is not impleaded, the suit
itself is liable to be dismissed - For being a necessary party, the twin
test has to be satisfied. The first one is that there must be a right to
some relief against such party in respect of the controversies involved
in the proceedings. The second one is that no effective decree can be
passed in the absence of such a party. (Para 17-20) Moreshar
Yadaorao Mahajan v. Vyankatesh Sitaram Bhedi, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 802 : AIR 2022 SC 4710
Order 1 Rule 10 - Court may strike out or add parties
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order I Rule 10 - Plaintiffs are
the domius litis - Unless the court suo motu directs to join any other
person not party to the suit for effective decree and/or for proper
adjudication as per Order 1 Rule 10 CPC, nobody can be permitted to
be impleaded as defendants against the wish of the plaintiffs - In case
the counter-claim is allowed, it will not be open for the plaintiffs to
contend that no decree in the counter-claim be passed in absence of
the subsequent purchasers - Non-impleading the subsequent
purchasers as defendants on the objection raised by the plaintiffs shall
be at the risk of the plaintiffs. (Para 5 - 7) Sudhamayee Pattnaik v.
Bibhu Prasad Sahoo, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 773 : AIR 2022 SC 4304
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order I Rule 10 - The principle
that the plaintiffs is the dominus litus shall be applicable only in a case
where parties sought to be added as defendants are necessary and /
or proper parties. Plaintiffs cannot be permitted to join any party as a
defendant who may not be necessary and / or proper parties at all on
the ground that the plaintiffs is the dominus litus. (Para 9) Asian
Hotels (North) Ltd. v. Alok Kumar Lodha, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 585 :
AIR 2022 SC 3322 : (2022) 8 SCC 145
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order I Rule 3 - Non-joining of
necessary parties is fatal. (Para 18) B.R. Patil v. Tulsa Y. Sawkar,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 165 : 2022 (4) SCALE 122
Order 2 Rule 2 - Suit to include the whole claim
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order II Rule 2 - Constructive
Res Judicata - The party claiming and raising the plea of constructive
res judicata/Order II Rule 2 of the Code must place on record in
evidence the pleadings of the previous suit and establish the identity
of the cause of actions, which cannot be established in the absence of
record of judgment and decree which is pleaded to operate as
estoppel. (Para 33) R.M. Sundaram @ Meenakshisundaram v. Sri
Kayarohanasamy and Neelayadhakshi Amman Temple, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 612
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order II Rule 2 - Order II Rule 2 of
the CPC cannot apply to an amendment which is sought on an existing
suit - It applies only for a subsequent suit. (Para 49-50, 70) Life
Insurance Corporation v. Sanjeev Builders Pvt. Ltd., 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 729 : AIR 2022 SC 4256
Order 2 Rule 3 - Joinder of causes of action
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order II Rule 2, 3 - Joinder of
causes of action - Order II Rule 3 does not compel a plaintiff to join
two or more causes of action in a single suit. The failure to join
together all claims arising from a cause of action will be visited with
consequences proclaimed in Order II Rule 2 - The Code of Civil
Procedure indeed permits a plaintiff to join causes of action but it does
not compel a plaintiff to do so. (Para 16, 17) B.R. Patil v. Tulsa Y.
Sawkar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 165 : 2022 (4) SCALE 122
Order 6 Rule 17 - Amendment of Pleadings
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VI Rule 17 - All
amendments are to be allowed which are necessary for determining
the real question in controversy provided it does not cause injustice or
prejudice to the other side - The prayer for amendment is to be
allowed (i) if the amendment is required for effective and proper
adjudication of the controversy between the parties, and (ii) to avoid
multiplicity of proceedings, provided (a) the amendment does not
result in injustice to the other side, (b) by the amendment, the parties
seeking amendment does not seek to withdraw any clear admission
made by the party which confers a right on the other side and (c) the
amendment does not raise a time barred claim, resulting in divesting
of the other side of a valuable accrued right (in certain situations) - A
prayer for amendment is generally required to be allowed unless (i) by
the amendment, a time barred claim is sought to be introduced, in
which case the fact that the claim would be time barred becomes a
relevant factor for consideration, (ii) the amendment changes the
nature of the suit, (iii) the prayer for amendment is malafide, or (iv)
by the amendment, the other side loses a valid defence - In dealing
with a prayer for amendment of pleadings, the court should avoid a
hyper technical approach, and is ordinarily required to be liberal
especially where the opposite party can be compensated by costs.
(Para 70) Life Insurance Corporation v. Sanjeev Builders Pvt.
Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 729 : AIR 2022 SC 4256
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VI Rule 17 - Delay in
applying for amendment alone is not a ground to disallow the prayer.
Where the aspect of delay is arguable, the prayer for amendment
could be allowed and the issue of limitation framed separately for
decision. (Para 70) Life Insurance Corporation v. Sanjeev
Builders Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 729 : AIR 2022 SC 4256
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VI Rule 17 - If, by
permitting plaintiffs to amend the plaint including a prayer clause
nature of the suit is likely to be changed, in that case, the Court would
not be justified in allowing the amendment. It would also result in
misjoinder of causes of action. (Para 8) Asian Hotels (North) Ltd. v.
Alok Kumar Lodha, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 585 : AIR 2022 SC 3322 :
(2022) 8 SCC 145
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VI Rule 17 - Where the
amendment would enable the court to pin-pointedly consider the
dispute and would aid in rendering a more satisfactory decision, the
prayer for amendment should be allowed. - Where the amendment
merely sought to introduce an additional or a new approach without
introducing a time barred cause of action, the amendment is liable to
be allowed even after expiry of limitation - Amendment may be
justifiably allowed where it is intended to rectify the absence of
material particulars in the plaint - Where the amendment changes the
nature of the suit or the cause of action, so as to set up an entirely
new case, foreign to the case set up in the plaint, the amendment
must be disallowed. Where, however, the amendment sought is only
with respect to the relief in the plaint, and is predicated on facts which
are already pleaded in the plaint, ordinarily the amendment is required
to be allowed - Where the amendment is sought before
commencement of trial, the court is required to be liberal in its
approach. The court is required to bear in mind the fact that the
opposite party would have a chance to meet the case set up in
amendment. As such, where the amendment does not result in
irreparable prejudice to the opposite party, or divest the opposite
party of an advantage which it had secured as a result of an admission
by the party seeking amendment, the amendment is required to be
allowed. Equally, where the amendment is necessary for the court to
effectively adjudicate on the main issues in controversy between the
parties, the amendment should be allowed. (Para 70) Life Insurance
Corporation v. Sanjeev Builders Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 729
: AIR 2022 SC 4256
Order 7 Rule 10 - Return of Plaint
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 151, Order VII Rule 10 -
Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act,
1993; Section 19, 31 - An independent suit filed by the borrower
against the bank or financial institution cannot be transferred to be
tried along with application under the RDB Act, as it is a matter of
option of the defendant in the claim under the RDB Act - Since there is
no such power, there is no question of transfer of the suit whether by
consent or otherwise - Proceedings under the RDB Act will not be
impeded in any manner by filing of a separate suit before the Civil
Court - It is not open to a defendant, who may have taken recourse to
the Civil Court, to seek a stay on the decision of the DRT awaiting the
verdict of his suit before the Civil Court as it is a matter of his choice.
(Para 49- 56) Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. v. VCK Shares & Stock
Broking Services Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 941
Order 7 Rule 11 - Rejection of Plaint
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - A mere clever
drafting would not permit the plaintiff to make the suit maintainable
which otherwise would not be maintainable and/or barred by law. It
has been consistently held by this Court that if clever drafting of the
plaint has created the illusion of a cause of action, the court will nip it
in the bud at the earliest so that bogus litigation will end at the earlier
stage. (Para 10) Sree Surya Developers and Promoters v. N.
Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 143 : AIR 2022 SC 1031 :
(2022) 5 SCC 736
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - At the stage of
deciding the application under Order VII Rule 11 of CPC only the
averments and allegations in the application/plaint are to be
considered and not the written 37 statement and/or reply to the
application and/or the defence. (Para 12) Swadesh Kumar Agarwal
v. Dinesh Kumar Agarwal, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 454 : AIR 2022 SC
2193 : (2022) 10 SCC 235
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Averments in
the plaint alone are to be examined while considering an application
for rejection of plaint - No other extraneous factor can be taken into
consideration. H.S. Deekshit v. Metropoli Overseas Ltd., 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 703
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - M.P. Land
Revenue Code, 1959; Sections 250, 257 - Appeal against High
Court which allowed application filed by defendants seeking rejection
of plaint on the ground that the suit before the Civil Court would be
barred in view of Section 257 of the M.P. Land Revenue Code, 1959 -
Allowed - High Court did not appreciate the fact that the plaintiff had
earlier approached the Revenue Authority / Tehsildar where he was
nonsuited on the ground that Revenue Authority / Tehsildar had no
jurisdiction to decide the dispute with respect to title to the suit
property - Defendants cannot be permitted to take two contradictory
stands before two different authorities/courts. Premlata @ Sunita v.
Naseeb Bee, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 317 : AIR 2022 SC 1560 : (2022)
6 SCC 585
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Order VII Rule
11 does not provide that the court is to discharge its duty of rejecting
the plaint only on an application - The power under Order VII Rule 11
is available to the court to be exercised suo motu - It would take a
clear case where the court is satisfied. The Court has to hear the
plaintiff before it invokes its power besides giving reasons under Order
VII Rule 12. (Para 68) Patil AutomationPvt. Ltd. v. Rakheja
Engineers Private Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 678 : AIR 2022 SC
3848 : (2022) 10 SCC 1
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Order XXIII
Rule 3A - At the stage of deciding the application under Order VII
Rule 11 CPC, the only thing which was required to be considered is
whether the suit would be maintainable or not and that the suit
challenging the Compromise Decree would be maintainable or not in
view of Order XXIII Rule 3A CPC - Court is not required to consider on
merits the validity of the Compromise Decree. (Para 6) Sree Surya
Developers and Promoters v. N. Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw
SC 143 : AIR 2022 SC 1031 : (2022) 5 SCC 736
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Rejection of
Plaint - While considering an application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC,
the Court has to go through the entire plaint averments and cannot
reject the plaint by reading only few lines/passages and ignoring the
other relevant parts of the plaint - Only in a case where on the face of
it, it is seen that the suit is barred by limitation, then and then only a
plaint can be rejected - The plaint cannot be rejected partially. (Para 7,
7.1, 7.4) Biswanath Banik v. Sulanga Bose, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 280
: AIR 2022 SC 1519 : (2022) 7 SCC 731
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Rejection of
Plaint - The case on behalf of the petitioner is that the plaintiff is not
entitled to any relief in the suit. The aforesaid cannot be a ground to
reject the plaint at the threshold in exercise of powers under Order 7,
Rule 11 CPC. Gurdev Singh v. Harvinder Singh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
963
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Suit seeking
declaration that the cheque issued in the name of the appellant was a
security and the appellant had no right to encash it - In essence, the
suit attempts to frustrate the possibility of the appellant initiating
action under the provision of the NI Act for dishonour of cheque - Such
reliefs are barred by law - Revisional court was just in allowing
application under Order VII Rule 11 seeking rejection of plaint. Frost
International Ltd. v. Milan Developers & Builders, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 340 : (2022) 8 SCC 633
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VII Rule 11 - Suit seeking
declaration that the cheque issued in the name of the appellant was a
security and the appellant had no right to encash it - In essence, the
suit attempts to frustrate the possibility of the appellant initiating
action under the provision of the NI Act for dishonour of cheque - Such
reliefs are barred by law - Revisional court was just in allowing
application under Order VII Rule 11 seeking rejection of plaint. Frost
International Ltd. v. Milan Developers & Builders, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 340 : (2022) 8 SCC 633
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order VII Rule 11 - A mere clever
drafting would not permit the plaintiff to make the suit maintainable
which otherwise would not be maintainable and/or barred by law. It
has been consistently held by this Court that if clever drafting of the
plaint has created the illusion of a cause of action, the court will nip it
in the bud at the earliest so that bogus litigation will end at the earlier
stage. (Para 10) Sree Surya Developers and Promoters v. N.
Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 143 : AIR 2022 SC 1031 :
(2022) 5 SCC 736
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order VII Rule 11 - At the stage
of deciding the application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC, the only thing
which was required to be considered is whether the suit would be
maintainable or not and that the suit challenging the Compromise
Decree would be maintainable or not in view of Order XXIII Rule 3A
CPC - Court is not required to consider on merits the validity of the
Compromise Decree. (Para 6) Sree Surya Developers and
Promoters v. N. Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 143 : AIR
2022 SC 1031 : (2022) 5 SCC 736
Order 8 Rule 1 - Written Statement
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 1 - The time limit
for filing of the written statement is not mandatory - Delay in filing of
the written statement could very well be compensated with costs.
(Para 3-4) Bharat Kalra v. Raj Kishan Chabra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
465
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 1 proviso and
Order V Rule 1(1) second proviso - Time limit for filing written
statement not mandatory when the suit was instituted before the
normal Civil Court and transferred to a Commercial Court after the
expiry of 120 days. Raj Process Equipments and Systems v.
Honest Derivatives Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 928
Order 8 Rule 1A - Duty of Defendent to produce Documents
upon which Relief is claimed or Relief upon by him
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 1A (3) - To
deprive a party to the suit not to file documents even if there is some
delay will lead to denial of justice - Trial Court should have imposed
some costs rather than to decline the production of the documents
itself - Rules of procedure are hand-maid of justice. Levaku Pedda
Reddamma v. Gottumukkala Venkata Subbamma, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 533
Order 8 Rule 6A - Counter-claim by Defendant
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 6A - A counter
claim can be set up only "against the claim of the plaintiffs" - Since
there was no claim of the plaintiffs regarding the property, the
defendants were barred to raise any counter claim on these properties
as it has nothing to do with the plaintiffs - A counter claim can be
made by the defendant, even on a separate or independent cause of
action. (Para 16) Satyender v. Saroj, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 679 : AIR
2022 SC 4732
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 6A CPC -
Counter-claim in question could not have been removed out of
consideration merely because it was presented after a long time since
after filing of the written statement - No bar for taking the belatedly
filed counter-claim on record, which was indeed filed before framing of
issues. (Para 13-14) Mahesh Govindji Trivedi v. Bakul Maganlal
Vyas, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 836
Order 9 Rule 13 - Setting aside decrees ex parte
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order IX Rule 13 - Appeal against
judgment of High Court that affirmed the Trial Court order setting
aside the ex parte decree but held that the defendants cannot be
permitted to file their written statement - Allowed - It should have
been left to the Trial Court to consider the prayer of defendants
whether to allow them to file written statement or not. Sudhir Ranjan
Patra v Himansu Sekhar Srichandan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 492 : AIR
2022 SC 2881
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order IX Rule 13 - On setting
aside the exparte judgment and decree, though the defendants who
had not filed the written statement, can be permitted to participate in
the suit and crossexamine the witnesses. (Para 3.1) Nanda Dulal
Pradhan v. Dibakar Pradhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 579
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order IX Rule 13 - When an ex-
parte decree is set aside and the suit is restored to file, the defendants
cannot be relegated to the position prior to the date of hearing of the
suit when he was placed exparte. He would be debarred from filing any
written statement in the suit, but then he can participate in the
hearing of the suit inasmuch cross-examine the witness of the plaintiff
and address arguments. (Para 6) Sudhir Ranjan Patra v Himansu
Sekhar Srichandan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 492 : AIR 2022 SC 2881
Order 12 Rule 6 - Judgment on Admissions
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XII Rule 6 - The power to
pass judgment on admissions is discretionary and cannot be claimed
as a matter of right - The said power should be only exercised when
specific, clear and categorical admission of facts and documents are on
record, otherwise the Court can refuse to invoke it. (Para 16-18)
Karan Kapoor v. Madhuri Kumar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 567 : (2022)
10 SCC 496
Order 14 Rule 2 - Court to pronounce judgment on all issues
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order XIV Rule 2 - If the
determination of the issue of limitation is not a pure question of law, it
cannot be decided as preliminary issue. (Para 15) Mongia Realty and
Buildwell Pvt. Ltd. v. Manik Sethi, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 148 :
2022 (3) SCALE 270
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XIV Rule 2 - The plea of res
judicata in appropriate cases may be determined as preliminary issue
when it is neither a disputed question of fact nor a mixed question of
law and fact - Preliminary issues can be those where no evidence is
required and on the basis of reading of the plaint or the applicable law,
if the jurisdiction of the Court or the bar to the suit is made out, the
Court may decide such issues with the sole objective for the
expeditious decision. (Para 20, 30) Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 458 : AIR 2022 SC 2242 : (2022) 7 SCC 644
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XIV Rule 2 - To avoid the
possibility of remanding back the matter after the decision on the
preliminary issues, it is mandated for the trial court under Order XIV
Rule 2 and Order XX Rule 5, and for the first appellate court in terms
of Order XLI Rules 24 and 25 to record findings on all the issues. (Para
33) Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 458 : AIR 2022
SC 2242 : (2022) 7 SCC 644
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XIV, Rule 2(2)(b) - Issue of
limitation can be framed and determined as a preliminary issue in a
case where it can be decided on admitted facts - Though limitation is a
mixed question of law and facts it will shed the said character and
would get confined to one of question of law when the foundational
fact(s), determining the starting point of limitation is vividly and
specifically made in the plaint averment - Tthe provisions under Order
XIV Rule 2(1) and Rule 2(2)(b) permit to deal with and dispose of a
suit in accordance with the decision on the preliminary issue. (Para 18,
26) Sukhbiri Devi v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 810 : AIR
2022 SC 5058
Order 15 Rule 5 - Striking off Defence on failure to deposit
admitted Rent
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XV Rule 5 - As per these
provisions, in a suit by a lessor for eviction of a lessee after the
determination of lease and for recovery of rent or compensation for
use and occupation, the defendant is under the obligation: (1) to
deposit the entire amount admitted by him to be due together with
interest at the rate of 9% per annum on or before the first hearing of
the suit; and (2) to regularly deposit the monthly amount due within a
week of its accrual throughout the pendency of the suit. The
consequence of default in making either of these deposits is that the
Court may strike off his defence. The expression 'first hearing' means
the date for filing written statement or the date for hearing mentioned
in the summons; and in case of multiple dates, the last of them. The
expression 'monthly amount due' means the amount due every month,
whether as rent or damages for use and occupation at the admitted
rate of rent after making no other deduction except taxes, if paid to
the local authority on lessor's account. It is, however, expected that
before making an order striking off defence, the Court would consider
the representation of the defendant, if made within 10 days of the first
hearing or within 10 days of the expiry of one week from the date of
accrual of monthly amount. (Para 9.1) Asha Rani Gupta v. Sir
Vineet Kumar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 607
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XV Rule 5 - it cannot be laid
down as a general proposition that by merely denying the title of
plaintiff or relationship of landlord- tenant/lessor-lessee, a defendant
of the suit of the present nature could enjoy the property during the
pendency of the suit without depositing the amount of rent/damages.
(Para 14) Asha Rani Gupta v. Sir Vineet Kumar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
607
Order 20 Rule 5 - Court to state its Decision on each Issue
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XX Rule 5 - To avoid the
possibility of remanding back the matter after the decision on the
preliminary issues, it is mandated for the trial court under Order XIV
Rule 2 and Order XX Rule 5, and for the first appellate court in terms
of Order XLI Rules 24 and 25 to record findings on all the issues. (Para
33) Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 458 : AIR 2022
SC 2242 : (2022) 7 SCC 644
Order 20 Rule 18 - Decree in Suit for Partition of Property
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XX Rule 18 - Partition
Suits - Trial Courts to list the matter for taking steps under Order XX
Rule 18 of the CPC soon after passing of the preliminary decree for
partition and separate possession of the property, suo motu and
without requiring initiation of any separate proceedings - The courts
should not adjourn the matter sine die. (Para 32-34) Kattukandi
Edathil Krishnan v. Kattukandi Edathil Valsan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
549 : AIR 2022 SC 2841
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XX Rule 18 - Partition
Suits - The distinction between preliminary and final decree - A
preliminary decree merely declares the rights and shares of the parties
and leaves room for some further inquiry to be held and conducted
pursuant to the directions made in preliminary decree and after the
inquiry having been conducted and rights of the parties being finally
determined, a final decree incorporating such determination needs to
be drawn up. (Para 29-30) Kattukandi Edathil Krishnan v.
Kattukandi Edathil Valsan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 549 : AIR 2022 SC
2841
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XX Rule 18 - Partition
Suits - Final decree proceedings can be initiated at any point of time.
There is no limitation for initiating final decree proceedings. Either of
the parties to the suit can move an application for preparation of a
final decree and, any of the defendants can also move application for
the purpose. By mere passing of a preliminary decree the suit is not
disposed of. Kattukandi Edathil Krishnan v. Kattukandi Edathil
Valsan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 549 : AIR 2022 SC 2841
Order 21 - Execution of Decrees and Orders
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Appeal against High
Court judgment which upheld the procedure adopted by the Execution
Court that did not invite objections under Order XXI Rule 34 from
Judgment debtor to draft sale deed produced by Decree holder -
Allowed - Clearly contravenes the salutary provisions of Order XXI Rule
34 - The objections of the appellant to the draft sale deed to be
considered. Rajbir v. Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022
(5) SCALE 321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Execution - While it is
true that the court must be diligent in the matter of executing a decree
passed after adjudication which spans a long period of time, it is also
the duty of the court to execute the decree as it is and in accordance
with law - Though, it is indeed open to the executing court to construe
the decree; it cannot go beyond the decree. (Para 11, 14) Rajbir v.
Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE 321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Execution - While it is
true that the court must be diligent in the matter of executing a decree
passed after adjudication which spans a long period of time, it is also
the duty of the court to execute the decree as it is and in accordance
with law - Though, it is indeed open to the executing court to construe
the decree; it cannot go beyond the decree. (Para 11, 14) Rajbir v.
Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE 321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Execution
Proceedings - Execution Court must dispose of the execution
proceedings within six months from the date of filing - It is duty bound
to record reasons in writing when it is unable to dispose of the matter
- Direction issued in Rahul S. Shah Vs. Jinendra Kumar Gandhi (2021)
6 SCC 418 is meant to be observed. Bhoj Raj Garg v. Goyal
Educational and Welfare Society, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 976
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Execution
Proceedings - The woes of a decree holder begin after obtaining a
decree. It is in execution that a decree holder is confronted with an
unimaginably large number of obstacles. (Para 1) Bhagyoday
Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Ravindra Balkrishna Patel, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 1020
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - Order XXI is
exhaustive and in the nature of a complete Code as to how the
execution proceedings should take place. This is the second stage after
the success of the party in the civil proceedings. It is often said in our
country that another legal battle, more prolonged, starts in execution
proceedings defeating the right of the party which has succeeded in
establishing its claim in civil proceedings - There cannot be a licence to
prolong the litigation ad infinitum. (Para 39) Jagan Singh & Co. v.
Ludhiana Improvement Trust, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 733
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI - The mere dismissal of
the first application on the ground of default may not result in the
decree holder being precluded from filing a fresh execution petition
provided it is within time. (Para 21) Bhagyoday Cooperative Bank
Ltd. v. Ravindra Balkrishna Patel, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1020
Order 21 Rule 34 - Decree for execution of document
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Appeal against High Court
judgment which upheld the procedure adopted by the Execution Court
that did not invite objections under Order XXI Rule 34 from Judgment
debtor to draft sale deed produced by Decree holder - Allowed -
Clearly contravenes the salutary provisions of Order XXI Rule 34 - The
objections of the appellant to the draft sale deed to be considered.
Rajbir v. Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE
321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 34 - It is the duty
of the court to cause the draft to be served upon the judgment debtor
and to apply its mind and to make alterations in the draft, if needed,
when objections are filed - It will be thereafter that the decree holder
is to deliver it to the court with the alterations if any made by the
court, on proper stamp paper, if required and the execution of the
document is effected by the court or the officer appointed. (Para 10 -
11) Rajbir v. Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE
321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 34 - It is the duty
of the court to cause the draft to be served upon the judgment debtor
and to apply its mind and to make alterations in the draft, if needed,
when objections are filed - It will be thereafter that the decree holder
is to deliver it to the court with the alterations if any made by the
court, on proper stamp paper, if required and the execution of the
document is effected by the court or the officer appointed. (Para 10-
11) Rajbir v. Suraj Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE
321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 34 - Order XXI
Rule 34 cannot be diluted and any such departure from the provisions
can have highly deleterious consequences not merely qua the parties
in question but also persons who come to deal with those parties in
future. It can lead to further litigation. (Para 14) Rajbir v. Suraj
Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE 321
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 34 - Order XXI
Rule 34 cannot be diluted and any such departure from the provisions
can have highly deleterious consequences not merely qua the parties
in question but also persons who come to deal with those parties in
future. It can lead to further litigation. (Para 14) Rajbir v. Suraj
Bhan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 255 : 2022 (5) SCALE 321
Order 21 Rules 46 - Attachment of debt, share and other
property not in possession of judgment-debtor
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rules 46, 46A -
Execution Court should have first attached the debt under Order 21
Rule 46 before proceeding to pass the order under Order 21 Rule 46A -
Order 21 Rule 46A in the case of debt must be understood as a debt
spoken of in Order 21 Rule 46 of CPC and the debt must have been
attached under Order 21 Rule 46 - Order 21 Rule 46A excepts, debt
secured by a mortgage or a charge. Once these conditions are fulfilled,
then upon an application being made by the 'attaching creditor' a
notice may be issued to the garnishee. (Para 27- 28) Bhagyoday
Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Ravindra Balkrishna Patel, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 1020
Order 21 Rules 46A - Notice to Garnishee
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rules 46, 46A - The
exception is in regard to 'such other property' which though not in the
possession of the judgment debtor, is property deposited or is in the
custody of any Court - In regard to such property Order 21 Rule 46
and therefore Order 21 Rule 46A will not apply. (Para 25) Bhagyoday
Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Ravindra Balkrishna Patel, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 1020
Order 21 Rule 58 - Adjudication of claims to, or objections to
attachment of property
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 64(2) and Order XXI
Rule 58 - To get the benefit of sub-section (2) of Section 64 of the
CPC, the objector and/or subsequent purchaser has to plead and prove
that he is the bona fide purchaser, who has entered into the
transaction prior to the order of attachment. (Para 4) Dokala Hari
Babu v. Kotra Appa Rao, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 342
Order 21 Rule 90 - Application to set aside sale on ground of
irregularity or fraud
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 90(3) - The twin
conditions of material irregularity of fraud and substantial injury has to
be satisfied before an auction sale can be set aside under Order XXI
Rule 90(3) -No sale could be set aside unless the Court is satisfied that
the applicant has sustained substantial injury by reason of irregularity
or fraud in completing or conducting the sale. (Para 11, 38) Jagan
Singh & Co. v. Ludhiana Improvement Trust, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
733
Order 21 Rule 97 - Resistance or obstruction to possession of
immovable property
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 97 - The bonafide
purchaser of the suit property is not entitled objecting execution of the
decree by the decree holder. (Para 15) Shriram Housing Finance
and Investment India Ltd. v. Omesh Mishra Memorial
Charitable Trust, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 565
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXI Rule 97-102 -
Applications under Rule 97 and Rule 99 are subject to Rule 101 which
provides for determination of questions relating to disputes as to right,
title or interest in the property arising between the parties to the
proceedings or their representatives on an application made under
Rule 97 or Rule 99. Effectively, the said Rule does away with the
requirement of filing of fresh suit for adjudication of disputes. (Para
14, 16) Shriram Housing Finance and Investment India Ltd. v.
Omesh Mishra Memorial Charitable Trust, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 565
Order 22 Rule 1 - No abatement by party's death, if right to sue
survives
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXII Rule 1 - 4 - While
considering whether the suit/appeal has abated due to nonbringing the
legal representatives of plaintiffs/defendants or not, the Court has to
examine if the right to sue survives against the surviving respondents
- Court has to consider the effect of abatement of the appeal against
each of the respondents in case of multiple respondents. (Para 9- 9.2)
Delhi Development Authority v. Diwan Chand Anand, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 581 : (2022) 10 SCC 428
Order 22 Rule 2 - Procedure where one of several plaintiffs or
defendants dies and right to sue survives
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXII Rule 2 - When the
legal representative has been brought on record in appeal though from
an interlocutory order, such impleadment will enure towards the
proceedings in the suit itself. (Para 11 - 12) Maringmei Acham v. M.
Maringmei Khuripou, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 958
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXII Rule 2 - Where there
are more than one plaintiffs, the entire suit cannot be held to be
abated on the death of one of the plaintiffs. (Para 8-9) Siravarapu
Appa Rao v. Dokala Appa Rao, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 845
Order 22 Rule 10 - Procedure in case of assignment before final
order in suit
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXII Rule 10 - The death of
one of the partners does not foreclose the continuation of the civil
proceedings initiated by the firm - Where two persons have sued in the
name of a partnership firm and if one of such persons dies during the
pendency of the proceedings, it is not necessary to join the legal
representatives of the deceased as a party to such proceedings, which
shall continue in accordance with law. (Para 6-11) Sumer Singh
Galundia v. Jeevan Singh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1041
Order 22 Rule 11 - Application of Order to appeals
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXII Rule 2, 11 - A second
appeal does not abate on death of one of the respondents when the
right to sue survives against the surviving respondent - Abatement
occurs only when the cause of action does not survive upon or against
the surviving party. (Para 6-9) Sakharam v. Kishanrao, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 722
Order 23 Rule 3 - Compromise of Suit
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 23 Rule 3 - An aggrieved
person against the compromise decree has a right to file an application
before the Court which granted the decree - He has the right to avail
either the remedy of appeal in terms of Order 43 Rule 1A CPC or by
way of an application before the court granting decree. Vipan
Aggarwal v. Raman Gandotra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 442
Order 23 Rule 3A - Bar to Suit
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order XXIII Rule 3A - At the
stage of deciding the application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC, the only
thing which was required to be considered is whether the suit would be
maintainable or not and that the suit challenging the Compromise
Decree would be maintainable or not in view of Order XXIII Rule 3A
CPC - Court is not required to consider on merits the validity of the
Compromise Decree. (Para 6) Sree Surya Developers and
Promoters v. N. Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw SC 143 : AIR
2022 SC 1031 : (2022) 5 SCC 736
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order XXIII Rule 3A - A party to
a consent decree based on a compromise to challenge the compromise
decree on the ground that the decree was not lawful i.e., it was void or
voidable has to approach the same court, which recorded the
compromise and a separate suit challenging the consent decree has
been held to be not maintainable. (Para 8) Sree Surya Developers
and Promoters v. N. Sailesh Prasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 143 :
AIR 2022 SC 1031 : (2022) 5 SCC 736
Order 26 Rule 9 - Commissions to make local investigations
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXVI Rule 9, 11 - The
commissioners' reports are 'non-adjudicatory in nature', and the courts
adjudicate upon the rights of the parties - It is only an opinion or
noting, as the case may be with the details and/or statement to the
court the actual state of affairs. Such a report does not automatically
form part of the court's opinion, as the court has the power to confirm,
vary or set aside the report or in a given case issue a new commission.
(Para 33) M.P. Rajya Tilhan Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Maryadit v.
Modi Transport Service, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 471 : 2022 (7) SCALE
762
Order 26 Rule 11 - Commission to examine or adjust Accounts.
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXVI Rule 11 - Arbitration
Act, 1940; Section 21 - Distinction between the scope and
functions of an arbitral tribunal and a commissioner - For
submission to arbitration, there must be an arbitration agreement or
an agreement in terms of Section 21 of the Act that the difference or
dispute between the parties for which they intend to be determined in
a quasi-judicial manner. Commissioners are appointed by the court.
Appointment may be with consent of the parties, or even when there
is objection to the appointment. Preexisting agreement or the
requirement that the parties agree before the court, as is mandatory in
case of arbitration, is not necessary when a court directs appointment
of a commissioner. In the case of a reference to a commissioner, all
that the parties expect from the commissioner is a valuation/
examination of the subject matter referred, which he would do
according to his skill, knowledge and experience, which may be
without taking any evidence or hearing argument. (Para 32) M.P.
Rajya Tilhan Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Maryadit v. Modi
Transport Service, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 471 : 2022 (7) SCALE 762
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXVI Rule 11 - We would
like to introduce the principle of a 'facilitator' which a court may
appoint, be it a commissioner or an expert, for a specific purpose and
cause for ascertainment of a fact which may be even disputed. In
some cases, the commissioner may even hear the parties and give his
expert opinion based on the material or evidence produced by the
parties before the commissioner. (Para 32) M.P. Rajya Tilhan
Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Maryadit v. Modi Transport Service,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 471 : 2022 (7) SCALE 762
Order 30 Rule 4 - Right of suit on death of partner
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXX Rule 4 - The death of
one of the partners does not foreclose the continuation of the civil
proceedings initiated by the firm - Where two persons have sued in the
name of a partnership firm and if one of such persons dies during the
pendency of the proceedings, it is not necessary to join the legal
representatives of the deceased as a party to such proceedings, which
shall continue in accordance with law. (Para 6-11) Sumer Singh
Galundia v. Jeevan Singh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1041
Order 33 Rule 1 - Suits by Indigent Persons
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXIII Rule 1 - When
having prima facie found that the plaint does not disclose any cause of
action and the suit is barred by res judicata it cannot be said that the
Trial Court committed any error in rejecting the application to sue as
indigent persons - However, observations that the suit is barred by res
judicata and/or on no cause of action shall be treated confine to
deciding the application to sue as indigent person only. (Para 6.4 -
6.6) Solomon Selvaraj v. Indrani Bhagawan Singh, 2022 LiveLaw
(SC) 1004
Order 33 Rule 7 - Procedure at hearing
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXIII Rules 1, 7, 8 - If
the application to sue as indigent person is granted thereafter the suit
shall be numbered and registered - Till then the plaint/suit shall be at
pre-numbered and pre-registered stage. (Para 6.2) Solomon
Selvaraj v. Indrani Bhagawan Singh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1004
Order 33 Rule 8 - Procedure if application admitted
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXIII Rules 1, 7, 8 - If
the application to sue as indigent person is granted thereafter the suit
shall be numbered and registered - Till then the plaint/suit shall be at
pre-numbered and pre-registered stage. (Para 6.2) Solomon
Selvaraj v. Indrani Bhagawan Singh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 1004
Order 37 Rule 3 - Procedure for the appearance of defendant
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXVII Rule 3 - Summary
Suit - Grant of leave to defend (with or without conditions) is the
ordinary rule; and denial of leave to defend is an exception - Even if
there remains a reasonable doubt about the probability of defence,
sterner or higher conditions as stated above could be imposed while
granting leave but, denying the leave would be ordinarily
countenanced only in such cases where the defendant fails to show
any genuine triable issue and the Court finds the defence to be
frivolous or vexatious. (Para 17) B.L. Kashyap and Sons v. JMS
Steels & Power, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 59 : AIR 2022 SC 785 :
(2022) 3 SCC 294
Order 39 - Temporary Injunctions and Interlocutory Orders
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXIX - Interim
injunctions - While considering the question of grant of interim
injunction, the courts are required to consider the three tests of prima
facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable injury .(Para 36)
Shyam Sel and Power Ltd. v. Shyam Steel Industries Ltd; 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 282 : 2022 (4) SCALE 720
Order 39 Rule 2A - Consequence of disobedience or breach of
injunction
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXXIX Rule 2A - contempt
of a civil nature can be made out under Order XXXIX Rule 2A CPC not
when there has been mere “disobedience”, but only when there has
been “wilful disobedience”. The allegation of wilful disobedience being
in the nature of criminal liability, the same has to be proved to the
satisfaction of the court that the disobedience was not mere
“disobedience” but “wilful” and “conscious” - The power must be
exercised with caution rather than on mere probability. Future
Coupons Pvt. Ltd. v. Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC,
2022 LiveLaw (SC) 114 : (2022) 6 SCC 121
Order 41 Rule 11 - Power to dismiss appeal without sending
notice to Lower Court
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 153A - Order XLI Rule
11 - An application before the Trial Court for correction of a decree
could be maintained only if the appeal was to be decided by the High
Court under Rule 11, Order 41 of the Code of Civil Procedure. B.
Boraiah v. M.G. Thirthaprasad, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 160
Order 41 Rule 24 - Where evidence on record sufficient,
Appellate Court may determine case finally
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XLI Rule 24 - To avoid the
possibility of remanding back the matter after the decision on the
preliminary issues, it is mandated for the trial court under Order XIV
Rule 2 and Order XX Rule 5, and for the first appellate court in terms
of Order XLI Rules 24 and 25 to record findings on all the issues. (Para
33) Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 458 : AIR 2022
SC 2242 : (2022) 7 SCC 644
Order 41 Rule 25 - Where Appellate Court may frame issues
and refer them for trial to Court whose decree appealed from
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XLI Rule 25 - If evidence is
recorded by the learned Trial Court on all the issues, it would facilitate
the first Appellate Court to decide the questions of fact even by
reformulating the issues - It is only when the first Appellate Court finds
that there is no evidence led by the parties, the first Appellate Court
can call upon the parties to lead evidence on such additional issues,
either before the Appellate Court or before the Trial Court. (Para 32)
Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 458 : AIR 2022 SC
2242 : (2022) 7 SCC 644
Order 41 Rule 27 - Production of Additional Evidence in
Appellate Court
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 41 Rule 27 - High Court
dismissed an application for additional evidence filed by the appellant
to bring on record certain sale deeds and certified copy of the
judgments and awards passed in other land acquisition cases, which
he contended, were relevant for the purpose of determining the fair
market value -Allowed - It was a case of awarding of fair
compensation to the land owner whose land has been acquired for
public purpose - There was no other material available on record to
arrive at a fair market value of the acquired land. Therefore, in the
facts and circumstances of the case, the High Court ought to have
allowed the application for additional evidence. Sanjay Kumar Singh
v. State of Jharkhand, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 268 : AIR 2022 SC 1372
: (2022) 7 SCC 247
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 41 Rule 27 - The appellate
court to take additional evidence in exceptional circumstances - Where
the additional evidence sought to be adduced removes the cloud of
doubt over the case and the evidence has a direct and important
bearing on the main issue in the suit and interest of justice clearly
renders it imperative that it may be allowed to be permitted on record,
such application may be allowed - The admissibility of additional
evidence does not depend upon the relevancy to the issue on hand, or
on the fact, whether the applicant had an opportunity for adducing
such evidence at an earlier stage or not, but it depends upon whether
or not the appellate court requires the evidence sought to be adduced
to enable it to pronounce judgment or for any other substantial cause
- The true test, therefore is, whether the appellate court is able to
pronounce judgment on the materials before it without taking into
consideration the additional evidence sought to be adduced. (Para 4)
Sanjay Kumar Singh v. State of Jharkhand, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
268 : AIR 2022 SC 1372 : (2022) 7 SCC 247
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 41 Rule 27 - Though a party
can produce additional evidence at the appellate stage, the same has
to be within the four corners of law - The party has to establish that
notwithstanding the exercise of due diligence, such evidence was not
within its knowledge or could not even after due diligence, be
produced by it at the time when the decree appealed against was
passed. (Para 10) Sunil Kumar Maity v. State Bank of India, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 77 : AIR 2022 SC 577
Order 41 Rule 33 - Power of Court of Appeal
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 41 Rule 33 - The Rule
clothes the appellate court with an extra ordinary power, which
however is a rare jurisdiction. It is to reach justice in the special facts
of a case. It is not an ordinary rule to be applied across the board in all
the appeals. In fact, the principle is interalia no doubt that even if
there is no appeal by any of the parties in the proceedings, an order
can be passed in his favour in the appeal carried by the other side.
(Para 13) Eastern Coalfields Ltd. v. Rabindra Kumar Bharti, 2022
LiveLaw (SC) 374 : 2022 (6) SCALE 228
Order 43 Rule 1A - Right to challenge Non-Appealable Orders in
Appeal against Decrees
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 43 Rule 1A - An aggrieved
person against the compromise decree has a right to file an application
before the Court which granted the decree - He has the right to avail
either the remedy of appeal in terms of Order 43 Rule 1A CPC or by
way of an application before the court granting decree. Vipan
Aggarwal v. Raman Gandotra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 442
Order 47 - Review
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 114, Order XLVII -
Distinction between an erroneous decision as against an error
apparent on the face of the record - An erroneous decision can be
corrected by the Superior Court, however an error apparent on the
face of the record can only be corrected by exercising review
jurisdiction - A judgment can be open to review if there is a mistake or
an error apparent on the face of the record, but an error that has to be
detected by a process of reasoning, cannot be described as an error
apparent on the face of the record for the Court to exercise its powers
of review. (Para 26) S. Madhusudhan Reddy v. V. Narayana
Reddy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 685 : 2022 (12) SCALE 261
Order 47 Rule 1 - Application for Review of Judgment
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XLVII Rule 1 - A review
application would be maintainable on (i) discovery of new and
important matters or evidence which, after exercise of due diligence,
were not within the knowledge of the applicant or could not be
produced by him when the decree was passed or the order made; (ii)
on account of some mistake or error apparent on the face of the
record; or (iii) for any other sufficient reason - Scope of review
jurisdiction discussed. (Para 11- 25) S. Madhusudhan Reddy v. V.
Narayana Reddy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 685 : 2022 (12) SCALE 261
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Section 114, Order XLVII Rule 1
- "for any other sufficient reason" means "a reason sufficient on
grounds, at least analogous to those specified in the rule". (Para 26)
S. Madhusudhan Reddy v. V. Narayana Reddy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC)
685 : 2022 (12) SCALE 261
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XLVII Rule 1 - In order to
satisfy the requirements prescribed in Order XLVII Rule 1 CPC, it is
imperative for a party to establish that discovery of the new material
or evidence was neither within its knowledge when the decree was
passed, nor could the party have laid its hands on such
documents/evidence after having exercised due diligence, prior to
passing of the order. (Para 33) S. Madhusudhan Reddy v. V.
Narayana Reddy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 685 : 2022 (12) SCALE 261