IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
KRISHNA RAO, J.
Sharmila Shetty & Anr. – Appellants
Versus
Hemen Barooah Benevolent & Family Trust & Ors. – Respondents
IA No. GA 8 of 2022 In CS 175 of 2014
Decided on : 11-03-2024
Defects in Plaint - Dismissal of Suit - Chapter VIII of the Rules on the Original Side - Order IX Rule 5 of the Code - Procedural Irregularity - Curable Defect - Enlargement of Time - Sufficiency of Cause - Dismissal of Suit
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiffs filed a suit in 2014, but the plaint was found to have defects. Despite several opportunities and extensions granted by the court, the plaintiffs failed to cure the defects and did not serve the writ of summons on the defendants. The court dismissed the suit in May 2022 for non-compliance with the orders to cure the defects and issue the writ of summons.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the plaintiffs' failure to cure the defects and serve the writ of summons despite multiple opportunities and extensions led to the dismissal of the suit. The court also dismissed the plaintiffs' application to recall the order, citing lack of entitlement to the reliefs sought.
Issues: Non-compliance with court orders to cure defects in the plaint and serve the writ of summons, delay in taking appropriate steps, and failure to provide sufficient cause for the delay.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the plaintiffs' failure to cure the defects and serve the writ of summons despite multiple opportunities and extensions warranted the dismissal of the suit. The court also emphasized the importance of being diligent in proceeding with the case before the court of law.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the plaintiffs' application to recall the order and found that the plaintiffs were not entitled to the reliefs sought.
JUDGMENT :
Krishna Rao, J.
1. The instant application has been filed by the plaintiff No.1, inter alia, seeking for recalling of the order dated 20th May, 2022 passed by this Hon’ble Court, wherein the Court has dismissed the suit along with its connected applications.
2. The Plaintiffs have instituted a suit being C.S. No. 175 of 2014 on or about 8th day of May, 2014 praying for the following reliefs:
c) Declaration that the plaintiff No.1 is a trustee of the HBBFT and that her purported removal as trustee thereof is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no effect or consequence whatsoever;
d) Declaration that the plaintiffs are beneficiaries of HBBFT and that their purported removal as beneficiaries of the said trust is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no effect or consequence whatsoever;
e) Declaration that the defendant Nos. 3 and 4 have not been validly appointed as and are not trustees of HBBFT and consequently cannot act as such;
f) Delivery up and cancellation of the alleged amendment deeds dated 21st November, 2011, 2nd November, 2012 and 8th February, 2013 forming Annexure “B” “C” and “D” to the plaint;
g) Decree for perpetual injunction restraining the defendant Nos.3 and 4 from representing or holding themselves out to be trustees of HBBFT or from acting as such;
h) Declaration that the appointment of the defendant No.5 as advisor of HBBFT is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no effect or consequence whatsoever;
i) Decree for perpetual injunction restraining the defendant no.5 form representing or holding himself out to be the advisor of HBBFT or form acting as such;
j) Declaration that the purported amendment of the provisions of the Deed of Trust dated 5th April, 2011 providing for appointment of minimum of 4 trustees in place and stead of the originally stipulated minimum 7 of trustees is wrongful and bad in law;
k) Declaration that all acts done by any Board of HBBFT comprised of less than 7 trustees is bad in law and non-est;
l) Declaration that after the death of Hemendra Prasad Barooah there was in any event no Board of Trustees any event no Board of Trustees of HBBFT and all acts done by the defendant Nos.2 to 4 purporting to represent themselves as the Board of the HBBFT are wrongful, invalid and non-est;
m) Decree for perpetual injunction restraining the defendant No.2 or any of the purported trustees of HBBFT including the defendant Nos.3 and 4 from voting on the strength of the said 5.09% shareholding of HBBFT in B&A Limited or from otherwise relying on the said shares or exercising any right in respect thereof also all past voting to be declared null and void;
n) Decree for perpetual injunction restraining the defendant No.2 or any of the purported trustees of HBBFT including the defendant Nos.3 and 4 from in any manner dealing with any property of the Trust including any share of B&A Limited; Kaziranga Golf Club Private Limited; Hacienda Properties Private Limited; Heritage North East Properties Private Limited and Barooahs & Associates Private Limited;
o) Decree directing the removal of the defendant No.2 as trustee of HBBFT;
p) Decree directing the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees of HBBFT with the plaintiff No.1' as a trustee and the appointment of six fit and proper independent trustees
q) Receiver;
r) Injunction;
s) Costs;
t) Further or other reliefs to which the plaintiffs may be entitled.
3. The suit was filed in the year 2014 and on 8th May, 2014, the plaint was admitted subject to scrutiny by the department. On scrutiny of the plaint altogether eight defects we
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Non-compliance with court orders and failure to provide sufficient cause for delay can lead to the dismissal of a suit.
The court emphasized that procedural rules should not lead to dismissal of a suit when the defendant has knowledge of the proceedings, allowing for restoration of the suit.
The appearance of an Advocate and filing of a Vakalatnama by him could not dispense with the requirement of service of summons. The time to file written statement commences only after service of the ....
The strict and mandatory nature of the timelines for filing a written statement in commercial suits, as per the provisions of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 and the amended provisions of the Code of....
Service at registered office meets requirements; no need for delivery to designated individuals.
The court reinforced that the obligation to file a written statement timely is critical, and mere claims of non-service of summons do not justify excessive delays.
Actual service of summons by registered post acknowledgment due is valid, even if defendants reside outside jurisdiction, and non-compliance with procedural rules does not equate to no service.
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