The main legal point established is that the grant of permission to withdraw a suit under Order XXIII, Rule 1(2)(b) must be based on 'sufficient ground' and the exercise of judicial discretion, and condoning defects due to the plaintiff's default without a valid excuse constitutes a material irregularity.

1. We disallow the preliminary objection that no Letters Patent Appeal lies with reference to Rama Aiyar v. Venkatachella Padayachi (1906) I.L.R. 30 M. 311. There is no doubt that an ill-advised grant of permission to withdraw a suit with leave to sue again, under Order XXIII, Rule 1(2)(b) may be such a material irregularity as is contemplated by Section 115(c) of the Civil Procedure Code. Here the District Munsif granted permission, after a substantial portion of the plaintiffs case had been heard, on his affidavit that (1) he could not attend the hearing owing to his brothers death (2) he wished for the issue of a commission, apparently then first mentioned (3) that he had to have certain measurements made and a plan prepared,

2. We are prepared to hold that the " sufficient ground referred to in Order XXIII, Rule 1(2)(b) must be ejusdem generis with the defect referred to in Rule 1(2)(a) with reference to the usual interpretation of these words elsewhere in the Code, and to the explicit authority of Burathgunta Pentadu v. Kurla Pathi Rajamma (1911) M.W.N. 105. And that it is clear that the District Munsif acted on nothing in any way resembling a formal defect and that his order is unsustainable. But whether or no this interpretation of the phrase "sufficient ground " be adopted, we must hold that his discretion was not exercised judicially, since it was exercised in spite of the defendants opposition to condone defects in the plaintiffs conduct of his case, which were due entirely to his own default and for which no excuse was attempted. The facts closely resemble those dealt with in Bui Kashi Bai v. Shidappa Annapa (1913) I.L.R. 37 B. 683, a decision in which we express our respectful concurrence. The Letters Patent Appeal and Petition are allowed with costs. The District Munsifs order is set aside and he is directed to restore the suit and dispose of it according to law.