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2013 Supreme(Bom) 1923

R.K.DESHPANDE
Walchandnagar Industries Limited, through its Authorized Representative G. S. Agrawal – Appellant
Versus
Indraprastha Developers, through its Partner Mrs. Ujwala Mahendra Shah – Respondent


Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioners:S.G. Aney, Senior Advocate assisted by G. Datar, P.B. Shah, Mrs. Jaymala Oswal, Advocates.
For the Respondents:R1 & R2, G.S. Godbole, G.S. Baj, Kiran Kandipile, Advocates.

Judgement Key Points

Key Points: - The High Court may refuse to exercise its jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India when an alternative remedy by way of appeal or revision is available, respecting legislative policy to accelerate proceedings and avoid delay (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of CPC is a limited one, focused on ensuring that subordinate courts act within their authority and in accordance with law (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - Amendments to pleadings should be allowed if they are necessary for determining the real controversy between the parties and do not cause irreparable injustice or prejudice that cannot be compensated by costs (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - "Due diligence" means careful and persistent application and effort, such as a prudent person would exercise in their own affairs; mere inaction after the commencement of trial is not sufficient (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - A decree passed by a court lacking inherent jurisdiction is null and void and can be challenged at any stage, whereas a decree lacking territorial or pecuniary jurisdiction is voidable and can be challenged in appeal or revision under specific conditions (!) (!) (!) . - The doctrine of separability treats an arbitration agreement as collateral and independent of the main contract, allowing it to survive the termination or repudiation of the main contract, unless the controversy directly impeaches the arbitration agreement itself (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - An oral account of a document signed by parties cannot constitute a written arbitration agreement as per Section 7(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (!) (!) (!) . - A claim by a partner of a dissolved firm for a share in partnership property is barred by limitation if the dissolution occurred beyond three years from the claim (!) (!) . - The High Court may intervene under Article 227 to correct gross errors of jurisdiction or flagrant disregard of law by subordinate courts, provided a grave injustice has occasioned (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - An interlocutory order, even if not appealed from, can be challenged in an appeal from a final decree or order, provided the error in the interlocutory order affects the decision of the case (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The power to reject a plaint under Order VII, Rule 11(d) of CPC for want of jurisdiction or being barred by law can be invoked at any stage of the proceedings (!) (!) . - When a preliminary objection is rejected and the court proceeds to decide the matter on merits, there is no statutory right of appeal, but revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 can be invoked (!) (!) . - Section 99 of CPC prohibits reversal or modification of a decree for errors or irregularities not affecting the merits or jurisdiction of the court (!) (!) (!) . - Section 105 of CPC allows interlocutory orders to be challenged in an appeal from a decree, provided the error affects the decision of the case (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The High Court, in revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 CPC, cannot re-assess or re-examine evidence and substitute its own findings of fact for those of the subordinate court (!) . - A decree passed by a court lacking territorial or pecuniary jurisdiction is voidable and can be challenged in appeal or revision, subject to conditions of Section 21 CPC (!) (!) . - The amendment of pleadings after the commencement of trial is permissible only if the party proves that despite due diligence, the matter could not be raised earlier (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - In a suit for specific performance, an amendment introducing a plea of readiness and willingness can be permitted if it is necessary for determining the real controversy (!) . - The High Court may entertain a writ petition challenging an order on an amendment application if the court failed to record findings on relevant aspects, made erroneous findings, or committed an error in the decision-making process resulting in failure of justice (!) (!) (!) . - The exercise of jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution is for keeping subordinate courts within the bounds of their authority and can be invoked when there is a patent perversity or gross failure of justice (!) (!) (!) . - The amendment of pleadings should not change the nature or basic structure of the suit, nor should it introduce a fresh claim barred by limitation (!) (!) . - The question of valuation of a suit or appeal, affecting pecuniary jurisdiction, can be agitated in appeal or revision only on limited grounds, including prejudice affecting the merits of the case (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The High Court's revisional power under Section 115 CPC is restricted to errors relating to jurisdiction, not mere errors of fact or law unless they affect jurisdiction (!) (!) (!) . - The amendment of pleadings should be liberally allowed if necessary for determining the real controversy and avoiding multiplicity of litigation, provided it does not cause irreparable injustice (!) (!) . - The High Court may intervene under Article 226 or 227 if an error is manifest and apparent on the face of proceedings, leading to grave injustice or gross failure of justice (!) (!) . - A suit dismissed or plaint rejected under Section 9-A or Order VII, Rule 11(d) or Order XIV, Rule 2 of CPC becomes a decree, appealable under Section 96 (!) (!) (!) . - The High Court should be slow to interfere with interlocutory orders at an interlocutory stage if the question can be more conveniently and effectively dealt with in a regular appeal against the final decree (!) . - The amendment of pleadings should not change the cause of action or set up a fresh claim that has become barred by limitation (!) . - The High Court's jurisdiction under Section 115 CPC is to satisfy itself that subordinate courts act within their authority and in accordance with law (!) . - The proviso to Order VI, Rule 17 CPC restricts the court's power to allow amendments after the commencement of trial, requiring proof of due diligence (!) (!) (!) . - The exercise of jurisdiction under Article 227 is for keeping subordinate courts within the bounds of their authority and is not meant to correct mere errors of law or fact (!) . - The amendment of pleadings should not be allowed if it defeats a valuable right of limitation accruing to the opposite party (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The High Court may entertain a writ petition challenging an order on an amendment application if the findings recorded by the court are erroneous or against well-settled principles of law (!) . - The High Court may intervene under Article 227 if an error is such that if not corrected, it may become incapable of correction later, leading to a travesty of justice (!) . - The amendment of pleadings should be discouraged if it is mala fide and designed to delay legal proceedings (!) (!) . - The High Court may refuse to exercise its jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 if an alternative remedy is available, respecting legislative policy to avoid delay (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The Trial Court allowed an application for amendment of the plaint to include reliefs of specific performance and possession, finding that the amendment did not change the basic structure of the suit and was necessary for deciding the real controversy (!) (!) .

What are the guidelines for the High Court exercising revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the CPC or writ jurisdiction under Article 226 or 227 of the Constitution of India to interfere with interlocutory orders when an alternative remedy of appeal is available after the final decision?

What is the scope of revisional jurisdiction under Section 115 of the CPC concerning errors of law and fact?

What are the conditions for allowing an amendment of pleadings under Order VI, Rule 17 of the CPC after the commencement of trial?


Judgment :

1. Writ Petition No.722 of 2013 filed by the original defendant No.1 takes exception to the order dated 28-11-2012 passed by the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division, Pune, allowing Exhibit 68 – the application for amendment under Order VI, Rule 17 of the Civil Procedure Code filed by the plaintiffs in Special Civil Suit No.590 of 2011, after conclusion of the cross-examination of one witness, viz. Mahendra Maniklal Shah, examined by the plaintiffs.

2. It was a suit for declaration that there is a concluded conditional contract between the plaintiffs and the defendant No.1 for transfer of right, title and interest in the suit property in favour of the defendant No.2 and for permanent injunction restraining the defendant No.1 from dealing with the suit property in any manner prejudicial to the interest of the plaintiffs. By way of amendment, which has been allowed by the Trial Court, a relief of specific performance of contract and for possession of the suit property, has been asked for.

3. The Trial Court has recorded the finding that the plaintiffs have indirectly sought relief of specific performance of contract in the original suit and, therefore, the plaintiffs were


















































































































































































































































































































































































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