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1940 Supreme(Mad) 370

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS FULL BENCH
Alfred Henry Lionel Leach, C.J.
Gunturu Seeta Ramanjaneyulu, minor by mother and guardian Seetamma
Versus
Vishnubhotla Ramayya and Ors.
Decided On : 30.09.1940

The Court affirmed the power of the District Munsif to require security before admitting an application in execution proceedings, and clarified that the direction to file a separate application under Section 47 was incorrect.

Headnote:

Security - Execution Proceedings - Order 21 Rule 90 - Sections 47 and 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure

Fact of the Case:

The appellant, a minor, sought to set aside the sale of his alleged self-acquired property in execution of a money decree. The District Munsif required the appellant to furnish security, and upon failure to do so, dismissed the application. The District Judge directed the appellant to file a separate application under Section 47. The appellant appealed to the High Court on the dismissal of the application and the requirement to file a separate application.

Finding of the Court:

The High Court held that the District Judge's direction to file a separate application under Section 47 was incorrect, and treated the appeal as an application for revision. The Court also upheld the District Munsif's power to require security before admitting the application.

Issues: 1. Whether the District Judge's direction to file a separate application under Section 47 was correct. 2. Whether the District Munsif had the power to require security before admitting the application.

Ratio Decidendi: The High Court found that the District Judge's direction was incorrect, and treated the appeal as an application for revision. The Court also held that the District Munsif had the power to require security before admitting the application.

Final Decision: The appeal succeeded in part, as the District Judge's direction was found to be incorrect, but was dismissed in all other respects. The second respondent was awarded costs, and the District Munsif was directed to proceed with the hearing of the petition without requiring security.

JUDGMENT

Alfred Henry Lionel Leach, C.J.

1. On the 9th of May, 1934, the first respondent obtained a money decree in the Court of the District Munsif of Masulipatam against the third respondent and his son, the appellant, who is a minor. So far as the appellant was concerned, the decree was limited to his share in the family property and the assets of the estate of his-deceased grandfather in his hands. On the 15th of March, 1937, 19.26 acres of land were sold by the Court in execution of this decree. This land had Seen attached by the decree-holder on the ground that it represented joint family property. The second respondent became 4he purchaser on the 14th April, 1937. The appellant then filed an application in execution proceedings asking that the sale be set aside. He asserted that the property sold was his self-acquired property, that no notice had been issued to him as required by Order 21, Rule 22 of the Code of Civil Procedure and that there had been material irregularity in the publication of the sale, the result of which was that the property had been sold at considerably less than its real value. This application purported to be made under the provisions of Sections 47 and 151 and Order 21, Rule 90 the Code of Civil Procedure. The Court has not been informed of the reason for invoking Section 151, but it is said that Section 47 was invoked because under that section the appellant was entitled to an inquiry into his allegations that the property belonged to him and that the sale was bad by reason of notice not having been issued under Order 21, Rule 22, Order 21, Rule 90 applied in so far as the appellant sought to obtain the setting aside of the sale on the ground of material irregularity in its publication. The petition was not in order and it was returned to the appellant to remedy the defect. This was done and the petition was re-presented on the 21st June, 1937. On the 26th June, 1937, the Court ordered the appellant to enter into a security bond in the amount for which the property had been sold, namely, Rs. 1,450, and directed that the security bond should be filed by the 6th July, 1937. In requiring security to be furnished the Court acted under the provisions of Order 21, Rule 90. It is riot disputed that before this order was passed the appellant had an opportunity of being heard. The security was found to be unsatisfactory, and on the 19th August, 1937, the Court ordered the appellant to deposit in Court the amount in cash if he wished to proceed with his application. The appellant failed to deposit the amount within the time allowed by the Court - the time had been, extended to the 23rd September, 1937 - and in consequence the District Munsif dismissed his application. The appellant then appealed to the District Judge of Kistna. The District-Judge, while agreeing with the dismissal of the application for default so far as the application related to Order 21, Rule 90, pointed out that the Court should nevertheless have proceeded with the application so far as it came under the provisions of Section 47, but instead of directing the District Munsif to hear and decide that part of the application, the District Judge indicated that the proper course would be for the appellant to file a separate application under Section 47 and limit it to his allegations that the property was self-acquired and that the sale was bad because of the failure to give notice under Order 21, Rule 22. The appellant has now appealed to this Court with regard to (a) the dismissal of his application for default in making the required deposit and (b) the requirement of the District Judge that he should file a separate application in so far as he claims under Section 47.

2. It has been accepted by the learned advocate for the second respondent, who alone is concerned with this appeal, that the District Judge should not have directed the appellant to file a fresh application under Section 47, and to that extent he agrees that the appeal shoul













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