IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
M.S. SONAK, J.
Bhavana Kirit Vora and Others - Appellant
Versus
Kushal Surendra Shah and Others - Respondent
Writ Petition No. 6141 of 2017, 11511 of 2015
Decided On : 11-03-2019
Civil procedure code, 1908 - Section 7(iv)(c), 100 and 151 - Order 7 Rule 11 - Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 227 - Equitable writ jurisdiction - Learned counsel for the Petitioners at outset seeks leave to withdraw Writ Petition instituted by Petitioners to challenge order in this Suit - He points out that this very order has also been challenged in present Petition and therefore he submits that leave be granted to withdraw Writ Petition with liberty to press challenge in present Petition - Though Writ Petition is not on board today with consent of learned counsel for parties same is taken on board and disposed of as withdrawn with liberty to challenge order in present Petition - Registry to therefore indicate Writ Petition as disposed of by virtue of this order - Learned counsel for Petitioners made it clear that challenge to two orders is not being pressed since said orders are really consequential to other orders or in any case said orders relates to stay of suit pending service upon some of Defendants - Upon examination of order dated it is clear that same were purely procedural orders and there is really no legal infirmity as such in making of said orders – Held, Court inclined to hold that time could be extended by trial Court irrespective of fact that remedy of appeal was also available - For it was just a formality to prefer an appeal inasmuch as plaintiff had not raised any question related to interpretation of Bombay Court fees Act or Suits Valuation Act - Secondly plaintiff submitted application immediately after he came to know about bouncing of cheque - There was no substratum available to say that cheque was returned only because cash amount was not at his credit - His statement on affidavit was not controverted in this context and moreover plaintiff had expressed willingness to deposit deficit court-fees immediately without demur- impugned order has not caused any prejudice to rights of petitioner - Rejection of application would have on other hand caused grave injustice to plaintiff as he would have been put to excessive financial burden without a very serious lapse on his part- Normally when there is express provision in C-P-C - Petition dismissed
M.S. SONAK, J.
1. Heard Mr. Tajane, learned counsel for the Petitioners and Mr. Shinde for the Respondents.
2. Mr. Tajane, learned counsel for the Petitioners, at the outset seeks leave to withdraw the Writ Petition No. 11511 of 2015 instituted by the Petitioners to challenge the order dated 1st July, 2015 (Exhibit 40) in this Suit. He points out that this very order has also been challenged in the present Petition and therefore, he submits that leave be granted to withdraw the Writ Petition No. 11511 of 2015 with liberty to press the challenge in the present Petition. Though Writ Petition No. 11511 of 2015 is not on board today with consent of the learned counsel for the parties, the same is taken on board and disposed of as withdrawn with liberty to challenge the order dated 1st July, 2015 (Exhibit 40) in the present Petition. The Registry to therefore indicate Writ Petition No. 11511 of 2015 as disposed of by virtue of this order.
3. Rule.
4. Rule is made returnable forthwith with the consent and at the request of learned counsel for the parties.
5. The challenge in this Petition is to orders dated 31st March, 2017 (Exhibit 22), 31st March, 2017 (Exhibit 74) and 1st April, 2017 (Exhibit 76) made by the learned Civil Judge Senior Division, Niphad in Special Civil Suit No. 27 of 2012.
6. At the outset, Mr. Tajane, learned counsel for the Petitioners made it clear that the challenge to the two orders dated 31st March, 2017 (Exhibit 22) and 1st April, 2017 (Exhibit 75) is not being pressed, since, the said orders, are really consequential to the other orders or in any case the said orders relates to stay of the suit pending service upon some of the Defendants. Upon examination of the order dated 31st March, 2017 it is clear that the same were purely procedural orders and there is really no legal infirmity as such in making of said orders.
7. Mr. Tajane, however points out that the Petitioners also challenged the order dated 1st April, 2017 made below Exhibit 40. He submits that this is quite clear from the pleadings in the Petition, though in prayer clause (b) there is no specific reference to the order dated 1st April, 2017 (Exhibit 40). Accordingly he seeks leave to carry out the formal amendment. Leave is granted. Formal amendment to be carried out forthwith.
8. In this case, learned trial judge vide order dated 25th August, 2012 determined that appropriate Court fees were not paid along with Plaint and therefore granted 60 days time to the original Plaintiff to pay the deficit Court fees. However, since the deficit Court fees were not paid within prescribed period, the Plaint came to be rejected vide order dated 15th December, 2012.
9. The original Plaintiff then took out Civil Misc. Application No. 15 of 2013 (Exhibit 76) seeking for extension of time to pay the Court fees and consequently restoration to the suit. Thereupon the present Petitioners took out an application which came to be marked as Exhibit 40 objecting to the maintainability of Civil Misc. Application No. 15 of 2013 (Exhibit 76). By an order dated 1st April, 2017 the learned trial Judge rejected this Application (see Exhibit F, page 50 of the paper book). Further by order dated 1st April, 2017 the learned trial Judge allowed Misc. Application No. 15 of 2013 and extended the time for payment of Court fees and restore the Special Civil Suit No. 27 of 2012, since the deficit Court fees were paid by the original Plaintiff.
10. Mr. Tajane, learned counsel submits that an order rejecting the Plaint is "deemed decree" in terms of Section 2(2) of Code of Civil Procedure. He submits that only remedy to set aside such order is institution of an Appeal. He submits that since specific remedy by way of Appeal is provided under the Code, no application under section 151 of Code of Civil Procedure invoking the inherent powers of the Court was at all maintainable. He relies upon Mable vs. Dolores and Another, (2001) AIR Kerala 353 and State of U.P. vs. Roshan Singh and Ors
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.