2003 Supreme(Kar) 348
Karnataka High Court
Thanaram Bhati - Appellant
Versus
D.Annamalai Chettiar - Respondent
Decided On : 04-09-03
Headnote:Recalling application for modification in terms of compromise.
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE, 1908- Section 96, Order 21, Rule 2- Suit- decreed - appeal filed for re-calling & permission to modify in terms of compromise - dismissed - Interlocutory Application filed for recalling the order - held, once the appeal is disposed of, the Court becomes functus officio, thus, such an application not maintainable - parties to approach executing court - get the compromise effected and satisfaction of the decree in terms of the compromise be recorded and thereby give quietus to the lis.
[K. Sreedhar Rao, J.] -After disposal of the appeal, the Court has become functus officio. Therefore, entertaining an application to recall the order and to modify the decree in terms of compromise is an impermissible procedure adopted. It is not uncommon to find that after final disposal of the suit or other proceedings by a decree or final order, the parties may enter into a compromise which may be contrary to the terms of decree/order. In such a situation, the provision of Rule 2 of order 21 envisage recording of the compromise by the executing court and to record the satisfaction of the decree in terms of the compromise and finally give quietus to the litigation between the parties in terms of the compromise.
Recall application
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE, 1908 - Section 96 -Recall application - appeal against decree -disposed of on merits -can an application for recalling the order be entertained? No.
[K. Sreedhar Rao, J.] - After disposal of the appeal, the Court has become functus officio. Therefore, entertaining an application to recall the order and to modify the decree in terms of compromise is an impermissible procedure adopted. It is not uncommon to find that after final disposal of the suit or other proceedings by a decree of final order, the parties may enter into a proceedings by a decree of final order, the parties may enter into a compromise which may be contrary to the terms of decree/order. In such a situation, the provision of Rule 2 of Order 21 envisage recording of the compromise by the executing Court and to record the satisfaction of the decree in terms of the compromise and finally give quietus to the litigation between the parties in terms of the compromise.
( 2 ) IN the application it is contended that the judgement in the appeal is passed without hearing the appellant. The said submission is incorrect Para-4 of the judgement in clear terms indicate that both the Counsel for the appellant and he respondent were heard. Therefore, the judgement is passed on merits.
( 3 ) AFTER disposal of the appeal, the Court has become functus officio. Therefore, entertaining an application to recall the order and to modify the decree in terms of compromise is an imper-missible procedure adopted. It is not uncommon to find that after final disposal of the suit or other proceedings by a decree or final order, the parties may enter into a compromise which may be contrary to the terms of decree/order. In such a situation, the provision of Rule 2 of Order 21 envisage recording of the compromise by the executing court and to record the satisfaction of the decree in terms of the compromise and finally give quietus to the litigation between the parties in terms of the compromise. For convenient reference, the provisions of Rule 2 of Order 21 CPC is extracted here under: 2. Payment out of Court to decree holder (1) Where any money payable under a decree of any kind is paid out of Court, or the decree of any kind is otherwise adjusted in whole or in part to the satisfaction of the decree-holder, the decree-holder shall certify such payment or adjustment to the Court whose duty it is to execute the decree, and the Court shall record the same accordingly. (2) The judgement debtor or any person who has become surety for the judgement debtor also may inform the Court of such payment or adjustment, and apply to the Court to issue a notice to the decree- holder to show cause, on a day to be fixed by the Court, why such payment or adjustment should not be recorded as certified; and if, after service of such notice, the decree-holder fails to show cause why the payment or adjustment should not be recorded as certified, the Court shall record the same accordingly
( 4 ) THE plain reading of the provisions indicate that in a situation like this, it is appropriate for the parties to make an application under Rule 2 Order 21 to record the compromise or the adjustment as desired by the parties and to record the satisfaction of the decree in terms of the compromise.
( 5 ) THE respondent is present. The Counsel for the respondent submits that the respondent has to undergo Kidney Operation on 12-4-2003 and for several months, it may not be possible for him to be present before the Court to personally report the compromise. The respondent admits the terms of compromise. I find the difficulty pleaded by the respondent does not act as an impediment for getting the compromise effected before the executing court recording the satisfaction of the decree.
( 6 ) THE Counsel on behalf of the respondent can effectively plead for the respondent and admit the terms of compromise on his behalf and get the satisfaction of the decree recorded. At the request of both the Counsel for expeditious disposal of the proceedings, it is directed that the Registry shall forthwith transmit the records to the Principle City Civil Judge, Bangalore and the case be taken up for hearing the parties and recording the satisfaction of the decree on 16-4-2003. No fresh notices to parties be issued.
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