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2017 Supreme(Mad) 1624
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M.V. MURALIDARAN, J.
Duraisamy Reddiyar - Appellant
Vs.
Balakrishnan - Respondent
CRP(PD).No.3436 of 2013 and M.P.No.1 of 2013
Decided on : 28-08-2017
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioners: Mr.Yogesh Kannadasan for M/s.V.J. Latha
For the Respondent: Mr.R.Parthiban
The duty of the parties to approach their advocate and get proper instructions of the hearing date and not blame their advocates.
Headnote:
Default - Restoration of Suit - O.S.No.551 of 2004 - [The judgment referred to the cases of Parimal v. Veena @ Bharti reported in (2011) 4 MLJ 540 (SC), Rafiq and another v. Munshilal and another reported in 1981 AIR 1400, and Ponnusamy Poosari and another v. Nallan Poosari and 3 others reported in 2009 (2) CTC 132.] - The court discussed the nature of the suit, the attitude of the plaintiff, and the duty of the parties to approach their advocate and get proper instructions of the hearing date. The court found that the plaintiff's reason for non-appearance was not proper and warranted interference of the order in I.A.No.99 of 2013 passed by the learned District Munsif, Perambaluur, setting it aside.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for declaration and permanent injunction against the defendant. The suit was dismissed for default on three occasions, and the defendant's counter claim was decreed in their favor. The plaintiff filed an application to restore the suit, claiming that their counsel was not properly informed of the hearing date.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the plaintiff's reason for non-appearance was not proper and warranted interference of the order in I.A.No.99 of 2013 passed by the learned District Munsif, Perambaluur, setting it aside.
Issues: The issues revolved around the restoration of the suit after being dismissed for default, the plaintiff's non-appearance, and the duty of the parties to approach their advocate and get proper instructions of the hearing date.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that it is the bounded duty of the parties to approach their advocate and get proper instructions of the hearing date and they should not blame their advocates. The reason given by the plaintiff for non-appearance was not considered proper.
Final Decision: The civil revision petition was allowed by setting aside the order passed in I.A.No.99 of 2013 in O.S.No.551 of 2004 dated 09.07.2013, on the file of the District Munsif, Perambalur. No costs were awarded, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.
The defendant in O.S.No.551 of 2004 is the Civil Revision Petitioner before this Court, challenging the order passed in I.A.No.99 of 2013 in O.S.No.551 of 2004 dated 09.07.2013, on the file of the learned District Munsif Court, Perambalur.
2. It is the case of the defendant is that the plaintiff has filed the suit in O.S.No.551 of 2004 against this respondent/defendant before the learned District Munsif Court, Perambalur in O.S.No.551 of 2004 for declaration and for permanent injunction. The petitioner, who is the defendant has filed his written statement denying the allegations set out in the plaint and also filed counter claim in the said suit. Originally the suit was dismissed for default on two occasions. Therefore, the plaintiff has filed a petition on the two occasions to restore the suit and both the occasions the suit was restored at the instance of the plaintiff. Again on restoring the above suit, the suit was posted on 18.09.2012 and 28.09.2012 for hearing and on behalf of the respondent/plaintiff, an application for adjournment was filed and the suit was adjourned to 09.10.2012, but even then on the said date i.e. on 09.10.2012, the plaintiff has not appeared, therefore, the suit was again dismissed for default on the 3rd occasion. Though the suit was decreed against the respondent/plaintiff has been taken up on 29.10.2012 and on 01.11.2012, while the suit was dismissed for default, the counter claim was decreed in favour of the petitioner/defendant. Therefore, the plaintiff has filed applications for restore the suit on the ground that the hearing dated 09.10.2012 was not properly informed by his counsel. Therefore, the suit was dismissed for default and counter claim was decreed in favour of the defendant. Therefore, the respondent/plaintiff has prayed the trial Court namely, the District Munsif Court, Perambalur to restore the suit in O.S.No.551 of 2004, which was dismissed for default on 01.11.2012.
3. Considering both side cases, the learned District Munsif Court, Perambalur was pleased to allow the I.A.No.99 of 2013, on condition that the respondent should pay a sum of Rs.300/- to this petitioner/defendant on or before 26.07.2013, failing which the petition will be dismissed. Challenging the said order, this petitioner, who is the defendant has filed the present Civil Revision Petition before this Court.
4. I heard Mr.Yogesh Kannadasan for M/s.V.J.Latha, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr.R.Parthhiban, learned counsel appearing for the respondent and perused the entire records.
5. The suit has been filed by the respondent/plaintiff against this petitioner/defendant for declaration and for permanent injunction and the said suit was filed in the year 2004. Denying the plaint averments made by the respondent, the petitioner/defendant has filed his written statement with the counter claim.
6. The Judgment was referred by the petitioners and the respondent in the following cases:
(1) The judgment produced by the petitioners in the case of Parimal v. Veena @ Bharti reported in (2011) 4 MLJ 540 (SC).
(2) The judgments produced by the respondent in the case of (i)Rafiq and another v. Munshilal and another reported in 1981 AIR 1400 and (ii)Ponnusamy Poosari and another v. Nallan Poosari and 3 others reported in 2009 (2) CTC 132.
7. It is admitted fact that if one occasion already the suit was dismissed for default that can be restored, but in this case earlier on two occasions, the suit was dismissed for default and this was third occasion.
8. On 3rd occasion, the suit was dismissed for default and the counter claim was allowed in favour of this petitioner/defendant on 01.11.2012. The trial Court must have seen the proceeding of the cases and nature of the cases filed. Admittedly, the suit has been filed in the year 2004, more than 13 years lapsed, but till the suit has been restored one after another application filed by the respondent/plaintiff. Whenever applications filed by the respective parties ei
