The court affirmed that a party should not be denied the opportunity to prosecute their case based on technicalities, emphasizing the importance of justice in legal proceedings.

JUDGMENT :

Arun Kumar Jha, J.

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner.

2. Despite opportunity, no one is present on behalf of the respondents.

3. The present petition has been filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India against the order dated 22.10.2016 passed by learned Sub Judge-IV, Ara in Misc. Case No. 33 of 2010 whereby and whereunder the substitution petition filed by petitioner for substituting the heirs/legal representatives of deceased Gauri Shankar Ram has been rejected.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the mother of the petitioner filed a suit for partition vide Title Partition Suit No. 462 of 2002 before the Court of learned Sub Judge-Ist, Ara for partition of half share in joint family property with further prayer that survey entry in the name of defendant nos. 1 & 2 be declared wrong and incorrect. During pendency of the title partition suit, the original plaintiff (mother of the petitioner) died on 26.12.2009 and the petitioner filed a petition for her substitution in place of her mother and vide order dated 17.09.2010, substitution petition was allowed. However, due to mistake of office, name of the petitioner could not be brought on record. Learned counsel further submits that defendant in the title suit filed a petition on 18.01.2010 informing the Court about the death of Gauri Shankar Ram, one of the defendants, who died on 07.06.2008. However, the title suit was dismissed on 21.11.2010. Thereafter, the present petitioner filed Miscellaneous Case No. 33 of 2010 under Order 9, Rule-9 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure (in short ‘the Code’) for restoration of Title Suit No. 462 of 2002 stating the entire facts. The respondents who were defendants filed an objection and claimed that the petitioner was having full knowledge about death of defendant no.1, despite that she did not prosecute her case properly and she has not shown sufficient cause for recall of the order dated 21.11.2010. During pendency of the Miscellaneous Case No. 33 of 2010, the petitioner filed an application for substitution of the heirs/legal representatives of deceased defendant no. 1 Gauri Shankar Ram with a petition for condonation of delay. The learned Sub Judge IV, Ara rejected the substitution petition filed by the petitioner vide order dated 22.10.2016. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the learned trial court failed to consider the fact that the petitioner is a rustic lady and she was not aware about the processes before the Court. Further the petitioner got herself substituted in place of her mother and she was not having any knowledge about death of defendant no. 1 Gauri Shankar Ram. The petitioner has been residing in Village- Pakri, Ara, whereas the deceased defendant no. 1 Gauri Shankar Ram has been residing in Village-Katiya, P.S.- Bihiya, Ara. Learned counsel further submits that the learned trial court rejected the petition for substitution and condonation of delay only on the ground that petitioner was having full knowledge about death of defendant no. 1 still she failed to bring legal heirs on record within time. Learned counsel further submits that there is no deliberate laches or delay on part of the petitioner and she should be given an opportunity to contest the case before the learned trial court as she has been unduly penalized for so many years for no fault of her, whatever fault has been attributed to the petitioner, the same is more or less attributable on part of the counsel of the petitioner. Thus, learned counsel submits that in the interest of justice, the petitioner should be given an opportunity to prosecute her miscellaneous case.

5. I have given my thoughtful consideration to the submission made on behalf of the petitioner and to the facts of the case. Admittedly, the petitioner came to be substituted in place of her mother on 17.09.2010 and the defendants brought to the notice of the Court on 18.01.2010 that Gauri Shankar Ram has died. So, afte