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1996 Supreme(Kar) 299

Karnataka High Court
J.RAMA - Appellant
Versus
VIJAYA BANK, HEAD OFFICE, MANGALORE - Respondent
Decided On : 06-17-96

Important Points

Each execution application is a fresh, distinct, and independent one and cannot come within the ambit of the earlier proceeding. The Provisions of the Limitation Act should not be defeated.

Subject

Civil Law - Limitation Act Interpretation

Act Referred

CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE : S.151, O.21 R.17, S.153
LIMITATION ACT : Art.136

Headnote

Limitation Act - Interpretation of Article 136 - [Execution of Decrees] - [Article 136 of the Limitation Act] - The court discussed the interpretation of Article 136 of the Limitation Act in relation to the time limit for execution of decrees. It emphasized that each execution application is a fresh, distinct, and independent one and cannot come within the ambit of the earlier proceeding. The court highlighted the importance of diligence and expedition on the part of a decree-holder and emphasized that the Provisions of the Limitation Act should not be defeated.

Fact of the Case:

The respondent-bank filed a suit in 1974, and a decree was passed in 1975. An application for execution of the decree was filed roughly 9 years after the passing of the decree. After another 8 years, an amendment application seeking a different mode of execution was filed. The original defendant opposed the application, arguing that it was barred by limitation and not maintainable.

Finding of the Court:

The trial judge allowed the application, considering it as a fresh application within the period of limitation. The court, however, found that the application made after the original period of limitation was over was non est and stillborn, setting aside the impugned order.

Issues: The issues revolved around the interpretation of the Limitation Act, the permissibility of amending execution applications, and the diligence expected from a decree-holder.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that each execution application is a fresh, distinct, and independent one and cannot come within the ambit of the earlier proceeding. It highlighted the importance of diligence and expedition on the part of a decree-holder and emphasized that the Provisions of the Limitation Act should not be defeated.

Final Decision: The petition succeeded, and the impugned order passed by the trial court was set aside. No order as to costs was made.

M. F. SALDANHA, J.

( 1 ) THIS civil revision petition raises an interesting point with regard to the manner in which the Provisions of article 136 of the Limitation Act are required to be interpreted insofar as the twelve year period in relation to the time limit for execution of decrees is concerned. A few relevant facts are that the respondent-bank had filed a suit in original suit No. 146 of 1974 in which a decree came to be passed on 10-6-1975. An application for execution of the decree being No. 249 of 1984 was filed before the lower court roughly 9 years after the passing of the decree. Undoubtedly, since article 136 prescribes a limitation of 12 years, the court entertained the application. It is presumed that the bank made certain efforts to execute the decree and that it was unsuccessful as a result of which, after the lapse of another 8 years an amendment application dated 13-8-1992 was filed before the executing court. Effectively, this was in the position of a new application because the law does not provide for any amendments as far as execution applications are concerned. The relief asked for was not anywhere akin to what was prayed for in the original application, but on the other hand the application sought to have the judgment-debtor arrested and confined to prison. The application was opposed by the present petitioner who was the original defendant on the ground that it is barred by limitation as also on the ground that it was not at all maintainable. The learned trial judge after hearing the parties observed that the objection canvassed was to the effect that the proceeding was virtually in the nature of a new petition because it was a new relief and is misconceived; but insofar as the execution petition which was filed within the period of limitation was very much alive, that therefore it was certainly open to the applicant bank to pray for a different mode of execution. The learned judge also observed that the question of limitation would not come in because it was virtually a fresh application to the court in the existing proceeding and as long as the main execution application No. 249 of 1984 was filed within the period of limitation that it was open to the bank to apply within that framework. The learned judge accordingly allowed the application and this revision petition is directed against that order.

( 2 ) AN interesting argument has been advanced before mewhich princ ipally proceeds on the footing that even if the execution application No. 249/84 filed within the period of 12 years from the date of passing of the decree had been presented to the court in time and even if that proceeding was pending, that if the petitioner bank had been unsuccessful in recovering its dues, that they ought to have been sufficiently careful and vigilant with regard to the time period. What is submitted is that whereas the original execution proceeding could have been proceeded with, that if any fresh application were to be made to the court, it could only be through a new application and in that event, such an application would have to be still within the original period of limitation. The learned Advocate for the petitioner submitted that merely by seeking to couch the application within the framework of the earlier application which is incidentally not permissible in law, that the period of limitation can under no circumstances be extended. This is a very gross case because it is demonstrated to me that the application was presented to the court as late as on 13-8-1992 and that it came to be allowed on 20-10-1992. Learned Advocate submits that this application made on 13-8-1992, which is a little over 17 years from the date on which the decree has been passed, is hopelessly barred by time by virtue of the Provisions of the Limitation Act and that it could not have been granted.

( 3 ) THE arguments canvassed on behalf of the bank is that the bank had its own difficulties in executing the decree insofar as it was unable







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