Category: C P C

A party should not suffer due to the negligence of their counsel, and a restoration application under Order IX Rule 13 of the CPC can serve as an application for condonation of delay if it explains the reasons for the delay, so that courts should focus on the merits of a case rather than being hindered by procedural technicalities A. Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 9 Rule 13 — An application under Order 9 Rule 13 can also serve as an application for condonation of delay — The court cites Bhagmal and Ors Vs. Kunwar Lal and Others, to support its finding that where the delay in filing an application under Order 9 Rule 13 of the CPC is explained within the application itself, there is no need for a separate application for condonation of delay — The court emphasizes that the procedure is a handmaid of justice, and hyper-technical interpretations of rules should not stand in the way of achieving a just outcome.

2024 INSC 1030 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH DWARIKA PRASAD (D) THR. LRS. Vs. PRITHVI RAJ SINGH ( Before : Vikram Nath and Prasanna B. Varale, JJ. ) Civil…

Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 — Section 4 — The appellants sought a declaration and injunction in a civil suit — The defendants requested impounding of six documents related to property transactions, claiming they were not duly stamped — Whether the appellants are liable to pay stamp duty and penalty on agreements to sell executed prior to the sale deed —The appellants argued that since the sale deed was registered and stamp duty paid, the prior agreements did not require separate stamping —The respondents contended that the agreements included a clause about the transfer of physical possession, necessitating stamp duty —The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court’s decision to impound the documents and send them for adjudication of stamp duty and penalty —The court emphasized that the agreements to sell were separate transactions requiring individual stamp duty, as they included clauses for possession transfer —The court referred to Section 4 and Explanation I to Article 25 of Schedule I, concluding that the agreements were conveyances requiring stamp duty — The appeal was dismissed, and the appellants were directed to pay the appropriate stamp duty and penalty on the impounded documents.

2024 INSC 730 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SHYAMSUNDAR RADHESHYAM AGRAWAL AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. PUSHPABAI NILKANTH PATIL AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Pankaj Mithal and…

Genuineness of Will and Partition Suit — The Court emphasizes that in a partition suit where a Will is challenged, the genuineness of the Will must be determined as a necessary step to resolve the dispute over the property — Delays in deciding this issue should be minimized to prevent multiplicity of litigation.

2024 INSC 726 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH DINESH GOYAL @ PAPPU — Appellant Vs. SUMAN AGARWAL (BINDAL) AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : C.T. Ravikumar and Sanjay…

Suit for Partition of jointly owned Property — Liability to render accounts — The court held that the defendant Nos. 3(a) and defendant Nos. 15 to 19 are liable to render accounts and contribute rent as assessed by the Trial Court during the course of passing the final decree for the portions in their respective possession The court clarified that being in self-occupation of a property does not absolve a co-sharer from rendering accounts — The defendant No. 3(a) who purchased the property from defendant No. 3 after it had already been vacated by a tenant, was held liable to contribute rent as determined by the Trial Court. Business carried out in the property — The court held that defendant Nos. 15 to 19, who admitted to carrying on their own business in the portion of the property in their possession, are liable to render accounts and contribute rent as determined by the Trial Court.

2024 INSC 552 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH RAJINDER KAUR (DECEASED) THROUGH LEGAL HEIR USHA — Appellant Vs. GURBHAJAN KAUR (DECEASED) THROUGH LRS UPINDER KAUR AND OTHERS — Respondent…

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 23 Rule 3 — Validity of Compromise Decrees — The court clarified that for a valid compromise decree, there must be a lawful agreement or compromise in writing and signed by the parties, which must then be proved to the satisfaction of the court — Mere statements of the parties before the court about such a said compromise cannot satisfy the requirements of Order 23 Rule 3 of the CPC. The court held that if an order is not a compromise decree under Order XXIII Rule 3, then the restrictions imposed under Rule 3A would have no relevance. Transfer of Property Act, 1882 — Section 52 — Doctrine of Lis Pendens — The court clarified that the execution of a sale deed during the pendency of a suit does not make the sale deed void ab initio — The purchaser takes the bargain subject to the rights of the plaintiff in the pending suit.

2024 INSC 527 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH AMRO DEVI AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. JULFI RAM (DECEASED) THROUGH LRS. AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Vikram Nath…

Punjab Courts Act, 1918 – Section 41 – Second Appeals – Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Section 100 – The case revolves around the scope of Section 100 of the CPC and Section 41 of the Punjab Courts Act, specifically regarding the High Court’s power to re-appreciate evidence in second appeals – The petitioner argues that the High Court’s judgment was within its powers under Section 41 of the Punjab Act, and the Will in question was invalid due to suspicious circumstances – The respondent argues that the First Appellate Court’s findings were correct, the Will was genuine, and the High Court erred in its interference – The Supreme Court reviewed its previous judgment, acknowledging an error based on the legal position in Pankajakshi (Dead) Through Legal Representatives & Ors. v. Chandrika & Ors, (2016) 6 SCC 157, and decided to hear the Civil Appeal afresh on merits – The Supreme Court allowed the review petition, recalled its previous judgment, and decided the Civil Appeal on its merits, ultimately dismissing the appeal and upholding the trial court’s judgment.

(2024) INSC 429 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH LEHNA SINGH (D) BY LRS. — Appellant Vs. GURNAM SINGH (D) BY LRS. AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Vikram…

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 37 Rule 3(6)(b) — Suit for Recovery — Impact of Moratorium under IBC — The appellants argued that the moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) should halt the proceedings — However, the High Court rejected this argument, stating that the moratorium only applies to cases where the company is undergoing insolvency proceedings — In this case, the suit was not against a company undergoing insolvency, and therefore, the moratorium did not apply.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH ANISH M RAWTHER @ ANEES MOHAMMED RAWTHER — Appellant Vs. HAFEEZ UR RAHMAN AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Vikram Nath and Prashant…