SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img



IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
C. Hari Shankar, J.
Gallus Chattels Pvt. Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Ishwar Industries Ltd. - Respondent
CM(M) 455 of 2022 & CM Appl. 23180 of 2022, CM Appl. 23181 of 2022
Decided On : 17-05-2022




Repeated petitions under Article 227 intended to thwart execution process are deemed frivolous; execution petition maintainable if sufficient court fees paid.

Headnote:(A) Constitution of India - Article 227 - Challenge to execution proceedings - Petitioner’s multiple petitions aimed at delaying execution deemed frivolous, leading to dismissal. Court confirms that sufficient court fees paid; executing decree valid, parallels drawn with Supreme Court precedence on preventing abuse of judicial process. (Paras 1, 18, 30, 32)

(B) Court Fees Act, 1870 - Section 11 - Execution of decree relates to sufficiency of court fees - Disputes on court fees not grounds for dismissing execution petition - Duty to ensure fees sufficient lies with executing court. (Paras 11, 21, 22, 28)

Facts of the case:
Appellant challenged execution petition filed against them by the respondent for possession of a property, following a decree from February 2020. Multiple petitions under Article 227 filed to prevent execution were deemed as tactics to delay.

Findings of Court:
Execution proceeding is maintainable as sufficient court fees were deemed to have been paid; repeated petitions were intended to disrupt the process.

Issues: Whether the execution petition was maintainable considering court fee sufficiency; whether multiple petitions were attempts to delay execution.

Ratio Decidendi: Court emphasized that repeated attempts to thwart execution are not bona fide and did not adhere to procedural obligations, drawing on precedents to highlight the importance of swift justice.

Result: Petition dismissed with token costs of ₹3,000/- on the petitioner.

Table of Content
1. challenge of execution petition order. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. repeated petitions hinder execution process. (Para 4 , 5 , 10)
3. prior challenges regarding court fees. (Para 6 , 7 , 9)
4. legal interpretation of court fees requirements. (Para 18 , 20 , 21)
5. dismissal with warning on continued abuse of process. (Para 28 , 32 , 34)

JUDGMENT (Oral)

1. This petition, under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, challenges an order dated 1st April, 2022, passed by the learned Additional District & Judge ("the learned ADJ"), in Execution Petition 245/2021.

2. Execution Petition 245/2021, preferred by the respondent against the petitioner, sought execution of a judgment and decree dated 19th February, 2020, passed by the learned ADJ in CS 9831/2016 (Ishwar Industries Ltd. v. M/s Gallus Chattels Pvt. Ltd.).

3. The operative portion of the said judgment reads thus:

    "(i) A decree is passed thereby the defendants are directed to handover the physical vacant possession of the suit property i.e. Block No.4 as shown in site plan (Ex.PW1/4) within 30 days to the plaintiff after removing their additions, alternations, stocks, furnitures, fixtures, fittings, constructions and installations. If the defendants do not remove the same, the possession will be delivered in the same position to the plaintiff and the plaintiff will not be liable to pay any damages/amount of said constructions/installations.

    (ii) A decree of permanent injunction is also passed in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants and the defendants are restrained to alienate, transfer, charges or parting with possession of the said suit property and to carry out any further alterations or additions, or to carry out any business from there (except for prayer (i)

    (iii) A decree of damages 1 mesne profit is also passed in favour of the plaintiff `and against the defendant @ Rs.75/- per sq. feet w.e.f. 23.11.1996 for the area of 2500 sq. feet (which comes out to be Rs.1,87,5001- per month) till the date of delivery of possession.

    (iv) A decree is also passed in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants by granting a reasonable interest @ 12% p.a. on the aforesaid amount for the period prior to filing of the suit till the date of decree i.e. w.e.f. 23.11.1996 till date. If the defendants do not hand over the vacant physical possession of the suit property within 30 days to the plaintiff, the interest will be applicable @ 15% per annum for the future period after said 30 days at the same rate of mesne profit till delivery of possession.

    (v) In the case of Salem Advocates Bar Association Vs. Union of India, 2005(6) SCC 344 the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has dealt with the relevant provisions under the CPC 1908 for award of compensatory and punitive cost in favour of successful party. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in this landmark judgment has suggested a hike in the quantum of cost on persons including in frivolous and vexatious litigations which are clogging up the justice delivery system in the country, in view of the said judgment and the conduct of the defendants this court award an explanatory punitive cost of Rs.3,00,0001- out of which Rs.2,00,000/- shall be paid to the plaintiff and Rs.1,00,0001- to be deposited either with the Prime Minister's Relief Funds or the Chief Minister Relief fund, Govt. of NCT of Delhi within 30 days and receipt therefore be placed on record.

    (vi) All the defendants are jointly and severally liable in respect of aforesaid reliefs/directions.

    Ordinary cost of suit is also awarded in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants as per rule as under:

Sl. No.PlaintiffRs.P.DefendantRs.P.
1.Stamp for plaint3815000Stamp for plaint,
2.Stamp for power05Stamp for power,
3.Stamp for exhibits-Pleader's fees,
4.Pleader's fees-Subsistence of witness,
5.Subsistence of witness-Service of proof,
6.Commissioner's fees-Commissioner's fees,
7.Service of proof22Miscellaneous,
8.Miscellaneous276,
9.Total3845300,

4. This is th

Click Here to Read the rest of this document
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top