IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
ARUN KUMAR JHA, J.
Civil Misc. Jur. No.1411 of 2024
(9.4.2025)
Shashi Shekhar Ojha & Ors. .... Petitioners
vs.
Pushpa Devi & Ors. ... Respondents
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 – Order 22, Rules 3, 4 and 8 read with Rule 12 – Application of order to execution proceeding – Promotion of Rule 12 of Order 22 makes it amply clear that there is no period of limitation prescribed and no abatement of proceeding as Order 22, Rule 3 and 4 do not apply to the execution proceedings – Thus, in view of the specific provision of law, there would be no abatement of the execution proceeding and as no limitation has been prescribed for substitution of the judgment debtors, they can be brought on record at any stage of proceeding and if any time frame is provided by the learned executing Court, within that time frame – On the basis of the principles adopted, the impugned order could not be faulted – No jurisdictional error found in the impugned order – Petition stands dismissed. (Paras 9 & 11)
Arun Kumar Jha, J. – The present petition has been filed by the petitioners challenging the order dated 02.09.2024 passed by the learned Sub Judge-II, Dumraon, Buxar in Execution Case No. 05 of 2008, whereby and whereunder the learned Sub Judge has ordered for deletion of names of deceased-decree holder as well as judgment debtors and bringing on record their legal heirs and also allowed correction of some typographical errors.
2. Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that one title suit bearing Title Suit No. 53 of 1968 was instituted by the plaintiffs/respondents seeking a decree of redemption of a mortgage bond dated 03.07.1996 executed by one Mahendra Missir in favour of Nandlal Ojha and others upon receipt of a sum of Rs. 2,500/-. The plaintiffs further sought a direction against the defendants to redeem the mortgage and to deliver possession of the mortgaged property, failing which a final decree was sought to be prepared and delivery of possession to be effected in favour of the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs claimed that the mortgaged property was partitioned between the defendants 3rd and 4th parties. Subsequently, the defendants 3rd and 4th parties sold 12 Anna share of the property to the plaintiffs through three sale deeds dated 24.11.1964. The plaintiffs further submitted that they tendered the mortgage amount, but the defendants refused to accept the same, giving rise to suit filed by the plaintiffs. The defendants in their written statement contended that in 1926, Mahendra Missir executed two mortgage deeds for a total sum of Rs. 5,000/-, one of which pertained to 5.88 acres for Rs. 2,500/-. It was agreed at the time of mortgage that both deeds would be redeemed simultaneously. The defendants 4th party continued to cultivate the entire 11.26 acres of land and used to settle account with the defendants-2nd party. The partition story of the plaintiffs was denied by the defendants as false. The defendants further asserted that Ramshakal Mishra and others never came into possession of the property as alleged by the plaintiffs and the vendors of the plaintiffs had no legal right to sell Mahendra Missir’s property. It was also contended that Mahendra Missir had executed a registered Will on 19.10.1940, bequeathing all his properties described in Schedules-I, II and III of the plaint to defendant-Baleshwar Mishra. Upon Mahendra Missir’s demise, Baleshwar Mishra inherited his property by virtue of this will, which was duly probated by the court on 29.05.1965. Thereafter, Baleshwar Mishra executed an agreement to sell for entire 11.26 acres to the defendants under a registered agreement to sale. The defendants further contended that the right to redeem the mortgage was lost due to the statutory limitation period, as no steps were taken by the plaintiffs to redeem the mortgage within the prescribed time. They contended that the sale deeds relied upon by the plaintiffs were illegal, forged, without consideration and were executed by individuals without any valid title and thus were void in the eyes of law. Therefore, the plaintiffs had no equity of redemption, nor was there any relationship of mortgagor and mortgagee. The said Title Suit No. 53 of 1968 was dismissed vide judgment and decree dated 21.09.1987. Aggrieved by the dismissal, the plaintiffs/respondents filed Title Appeal No. 147 of 1987 before the learned District Judge, Buxar, challenging the judgment and decree dated 21.09.1987 passed in Title Suit No. 53 of 1968. The Title Appeal No. 147 of 1987 was allowed by a judgment dated 25.08.2000, wherein the trial court's judgment and decree were reversed. Against the said appellate judgment, the defendants preferred Second Appeal No. 400 of 2000, which is still pending. It further transpires that during the pendency of Second Appeal No. 400 of 2000, the respondents attempted to negotiate the sale of the suit land and I.A. No. 2134 of 2001 under Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (for short ‘the Co
A decree remains executable even if some defendants are deceased, provided their heirs are on record and did not contest the suit.
Procedural rules under the CPC specify that execution proceedings are not abated by the death of a judgment-debtor, allowing legal representatives to enforce decrees.
Non-executability of decree – If decree is not nullity, executing court is required to execute such decree unless it has been set aside by a competent court in an appropriate proceeding.
Joint representation by surviving defendants suffices to prevent abatement of a suit when one defendant dies, as long as the estate is substantially represented.
Legal representatives of deceased judgment debtors must be impleaded in execution proceedings as prescribed by Section 50 of the Civil Procedure Code, mandating compliance with prior court opinions.
Substitution of legal heirs is mandatory in final decree proceedings when interests are at stake; non-compliance results in abatement of proceedings.
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