Allahbad High Court
A.BANERJI
Bahori - Appellant
Versus
Vidya Ram - Respondent
Decided On : 03/02/1978
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE, 1908 - SECTION 151 - REVISION - CONVERSION INTO APPEAL - POWER OF COURT - CONDITIONS - CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING CONVERSION - DELAY IN MAKING APPLICATION - NO LIMITATION PERIOD - DISCRETION OF COURT.
Fact of the Case:
The District Judge dismissed a revision as not maintainable on the ground that an appeal lay. The revisionist argued that the District Judge erred in not converting the revision into an appeal, as it was filed within the time for filing an appeal.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the District Judge had the power to convert the revision into an appeal, even though the prayer for conversion was made after the period for filing an appeal had expired. The court found that the circumstances of the case, including the onerous conditions imposed by the trial court, justified the conversion.
Issues: 1. Whether the District Judge had the power to convert a revision into an appeal after the period for filing an appeal had expired. 2. Whether the circumstances of the case justified the conversion.
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the inherent powers of the court under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, permit the court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice, including the conversion of an appeal into a revision or vice versa. 2. The court found that the circumstances of the case, including the onerous conditions imposed by the trial court, justified the conversion of the revision into an appeal.
Final Decision: The court allowed the revision, set aside the order of the District Judge, and directed the District Judge to convert the revision into an appeal and hear the appeal on the merits.
2. It was urged on behalf of the revisionist that the view taken by the learned District Judge was manifestly erroneous as the Court had power to order the conversion of a revision into an appeal where the revision was filed within the time provided for the filing of an appeal. It was further urged that since the District Judge was also competent to hear the appeal against the order of the learned Munsif he should have treated the revision as an appeal and heard it on merits. The failure on his part to do so has resulted in an erroneous exercise of jurisdiction.
3. The trial court while setting aside an ex parte decree, under O. IX, R. 13 C.P.C. imposed certain conditions. One of the conditions was the deposit of the entire decretal amount in court and the other was the payment of Rs. 40 as costs within 30 days failing which the application was to stand rejected. In the revision filed before the District Judge it was stated that the condition for the deposit of the entire decretal amount was penal and harsh and it be set aside as the ends of justice would be served by ordering the payment of costs only. The learned District Judge in his order held that since the ex parte order was passed on the very first date of hearing and there was no dilatory tactics by the defendant, the condition imposed in the particular case was harsh and he was inclined to allow the revision but as an appeal lay against the order he held that the revision was not maintainable. The conditional order passed by the learned Munsif was a complete order. If it was not complied with, the original decree passed in the suit would stand. Against such an order only an appeal lay. (see, AIR 1953 Mad 360 Balarama, v. Subbarama). It is well settled that where an appeal lies no revision would lie.
4. On the question of the conversion of the revision into an appeal, the learned District Judge found that the revision had been filed within the time prescribed for filing of an appeal but he declined to interfere on the ground that the oral prayer for the conversion was made beyond the period of filing of appeal. He thus declined to convert the revision into an appeal and dismissed the revision. There is no manner of doubt that the court is empowered to convert an appeal into a revision or a revision into an appeal in exercise of its inherent powers under S. 151 C.P.C. This is a discretionary power and is to be exercised provided the circumstances of the case warrant the same. It is also well settled that such an order could be passed provided the appeal or the revision had been filed within the time prescribed for filing of the appeal or the revision, as the case may be. The learned District Judge had found that the terms imposed by the conditional order by the trial court were onerous and penal and there was no dilatory tactics on the part of the defendant in the suit. Circumstances in the present case, therefore, fully justified the conversion of the revision into an appeal.
5. The question, therefore to be considered is whether an order of conversion could be passed after the date of filing of the appeal had expired. I see no impediment in the Court s power to do so. After all, both appeal and revision come under the appellate jurisdiction of the Court. The scope and ambit of exercise of power under an appeal is wider and that under a revision is not so wide. But then if either an appeal or a revision is allowed the order sought to be appealed or revised is set aside. The result then in either case is the same i.e. the order is set aside.
6. There is no specific provision in the Civil P. C. for the conversion of an appeal into a revision or vice versa. Consequently, the exe
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