IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
A.V.Sesha Sai, J.
Anumolu Jagan Mohan Rao - Appellant
Versus
Nikhila Constructions And Developers Pvt Ltd - Respondent
Civil Revision Petition No. 2955 of 2023
Decided On : 25-01-2024
Order 9 Rule 9 - Restoration of Suit - Code of Civil Procedure - [Order 9 Rule 9] - The court discussed the provisions of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure and the principles laid down by various judgments to determine the sufficiency of cause for non-appearance and the discretion of the court in restoring the suit. The court emphasized the need for substantial justice and the liberal consideration of 'sufficient cause' to advance the adjudication on merits.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit seeking specific performance of a contract of sale deed, which was dismissed for non-prosecution. The plaintiff filed an application for restoration under Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which was allowed by the court, leading to the present Civil Revision Petition.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the impugned order of restoration was justified based on the readiness and willingness of the plaintiff to proceed with the suit, the nature of the controversy, and the principles laid down by higher courts. The court emphasized the need for substantial justice and the liberal consideration of 'sufficient cause' to advance the adjudication on merits.
Issues: The issues before the court were whether the order of the learned Additional District Judge was sustainable and tenable in the facts and circumstances of the case, and whether the same warranted any interference of the court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the principles laid down in various judgments, emphasizing the need for substantial justice, liberal consideration of 'sufficient cause' for non-appearance, and the discretion of the court in restoring the suit to advance adjudication on merits.
Final Decision: The Civil Revision Petition was dismissed, and the costs imposed by the lower court were enhanced. The plaintiff was directed to pay the enhanced costs within a week, failing which would disentitle the plaintiff to prosecute the suit.
JUDGMENT
1. Heard Sri A.Satya Prasad, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri N.Ashwin Kumar, learned counsel for the plaintiff - respondent No.1 and perused the material available on record.
2. In the present Revision, filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, challenge is to the order dtd. 1/11/2023, passed by the Court of the XIII Additional District & Sessions Judge, (FTC), Vijayawada, allowing I.A.No.262 of 2019 in O.S.No.191 of 2011, filed by the plaintiff-respondent No.1 herein under the provisions of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
3. Respondent No.1 herein filed the aforesaid suit against the petitioners and four others, seeking the relief of specific performance of contract of sale deed. Suit schedule property, which consists of three items, is totally an extent of Ac.07.56 cents situated at Mantena Village, Gannavaram Mandal, Krishna District. The suit instituted by the respondent No.1 herein came to be dismissed by the learned XIII Additional District & Sessions Judge, (FTC), Vijayawada, for non-prosecution. Seeking restoration of the suit, by setting aside the order of default, the plaintiff - respondent No.1 herein filed the instant Interlocutory Application under the provisions of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure and the defendants - petitioners herein resisted the said application by filing counter. The learned XIII Additional District & Sessions Judge, (FTC), Vijayawada, by way of the order impugned in the present Revision, allowed the said Interlocutory Application and consequently restored the suit. Hence, the present Civil Revision Petition.
4. Learned Senior Counsel Sri A.Satya Prasad, representing Sri Prakash Buddarapu, learned counsel for the petitioners on record, contends that the impugned order is highly erroneous, contrary to law and defeats the very object and intention of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure; that having regard to the negligence exhibited by the plaintiff in prosecuting the suit, the learned Judge grossly erred in allowing the application; that the impugned order is completely bereft of valid and convincing reasons, as such, the same is liable to be set aside; that the past conduct of the plaintiff also disentitles the plaintiff to claim the benefit of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure; that the learned Judge failed to take into consideration the contents/averments in the counter filed by the defendants opposing the Interlocutory Application for restoration; the respondent No.1-plaintiff did not show sufficient cause for non-appearance nor the Court recorded any satisfaction in terms of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure; that the learned Judge did not properly consider the parameters of Order 9 Rule 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure and eventually, it is submitted by the learned Senior Counsel that the impugned order is unreasonable. It is also submitted by the learned counsel that the respondent No.1 ought not to have requested the Court for two reliefs in one application, namely, to set aside the dismissal order in the suit and also in Interlocutory Application.
5. To bolster his submissions and contentions, learned Senior Counsel places reliance on the following judgments:
1) Meena Chaudhary Vs. Commissioner of Delhi Police And Others, (2015) 2 SCC 145.
2) P.Arjun Vs. P.Subbaratanamma, 2022 SCC ONLINE AP 751.
3) Order dtd. 4/12/2012 in C.R.P.No.1610 and 1874 of 2012.
4) Order dtd. 24/9/1996 in C.R.P.No.266 of 1994.
5) T.Bhanumathi Vs. R.Hanumantha Rao (Died) and Ors., 1996 (1) ALT 52.
6. On the other hand, emphatically refuting the contentions advanced on behalf of the petitioners, it is contended by the learned counsel for the respondent No.1 - plaintiff that there is absolutely no error nor there exists any infirmity in the impugned order and in the absence of the same, the questioned order is not amenable for any correction under Article 227 of the Constitution of India; that since the impugned order i
Litigants are not penalized for their Advocate's negligence; restoration of a suit can be granted based on demonstrated sufficient cause for non-appearance.
The condonation of delay in restoring a civil suit for specific performance must be based on sufficient cause, and an exorbitant and inordinate delay without such cause can lead to the quashing of th....
The court emphasized the liberal construction of 'sufficient cause' for setting aside an ex parte decree and the need to balance the interests of both parties to prevent miscarriage of justice.
In matters of suit restoration, courts should prioritize justice and merits over default while ensuring adequate compensation for the opposing party's hardships.
The burden of proving sufficient cause for delay lies with the party seeking condonation. Negligence, inaction, or lack of bona fide on the part of the applicant may not justify condoning the delay.
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