JUDGMENT

Thom, C.J. - The question referred for decision may be stated thus : "Is Section 48, Civil P.C., uncontrolled by the provisions of Section 15, Limitation Act?" The question has arisen in the following circumstances : A final decree was passed on 19th May 1922 against one Raghubir Pal Singh and his son Dirag Pal Singh. The decree-holders presented an application for execution of that decree on 8th May 1925. During the pendency of this application, the validity of the decree was challenged by the judgment-debtors in Suit No. 171 of 1926. This suit was dismissed by the trial Court on 23rd May 1927. The plaintiffs appealed to the High Court and during the pendency of the appeal in the High Court the execution proceedings initiated on 8th May 1925 were stayed by order dated 26th November 1927. On 12th April 1932, the judgment-debtors appeal in Suit No. 171 of 1926 was dismissed and the stay order was discharged. The execution application had remained pending throughout. It was however dismissed for want of prosecution in February 1936. The decree-holders, on 20th October 1936, filed a second application for execution. The judgment-debtor objected to the execution of the decree u