2006 Supreme(MP) 244

2006(1) JLJ 413
S.S. Jha and A.P. Shrivastava, JJ.
Aruna Kumari v. Dr. Ambrish Kumar Sengar
First Appeal No. 88 of 2005: against the order of the Family Court, Gwalior passed in Case No. 377-A of 2002 HMA;
Decided on 15.2.2006.

Headnote:(1) Civil P.C., 1908 -- 0.9 R.l3 and S. 141 -- Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 -- S. 25 -- ex parte order under S. 25 of the Act -- can be set aside under 0.9 R.13 r/w S. 141 of the Code.

       Appellant Aruna Kumari was married to respondent Dr.Ambrish Kumar Sengar on 14.2.1993. A child named Shashank was born within the wedlock on 26.9.1994. On account of some matrimonial dispute, appellant was living with her parents at Vasco de Gama, Goa, alongwith her son. Ex parte decree for divorce was passed in favour of the respondent by the Court at Udaipur in the State of Rajasthan. Respondent claimed that the Court of Udaipur has found that the husband and wife had last resided at Udaipur in the year 1998. After the said ex parte decree, respondent entered into second marriage. Respondent then submitted an application under section 25 of the Guardians and Wards Act read with S. 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act for custody of the child Shashank in the Court of VII Additional District Judge, Gwalior. The then Seventh Additional District Judge, Gwalior passed an ex parte order dated 27.4.2002 and allowed the application under section 25 of the Guardians and Wards Act in favour of the respondent directing delivery of custody of the son to the respondent. Having learnt that said ex parte decree has been passed, appellant filed an application under Order IX Rule 13 CPC for setting aside the ex parte decree on 4.9.2002 before the Court of VII Additional District Judge, Gwalior. Said application was returned to the appellant for presentation before the family Court on 7.10.2002. Then application was riled before the Family Court setting out the grounds for selling aside the ex parte decree specifically alleging that notices were not served upon the appellant. Said application has been dismissed by the Family Court on the ground that the provisions of Order IX Rule 13 CPC are not applicable to the proceedings under Guardians and Wards Act. After rejection of the application, appellant has preferred this appeal before this Court under section 19 of the Family Courts Act praying therein that the application under Order IX Rule 13 CPC before the Family Court was maintainable and order passed by the Family Court deserves to he set aside. [Para 1

       Held : It is apparent and clear that the Family Court committed a grave error in rejecting the application under Order IX Rule 13 CPC holding therein that the order passed under section 25 of the Guardians and Wards Act is not a decree as such application under Order IX Rule 13 CPC is not maintainable.

       Therefore, in our considered view, as discussed above Family Court was not justified in holding that the said application was not maintainable. Family Court has not considered the import of section 141 CPC. It is therefore, held that application under Order IX Rule 13 read with Section 141 CPC is maintainable before the Family Court. Family Court has committed a grave error in rejecting the application summarily. 200 1 (2) BLJ 81 relied on. [Paras 23 & 24

       (2) Family Courts Act, 1984--S.10-Civil P.C., 1908--0.9R.13-S.10 of the Act makes the provisions of the Code applicable to Family Court -- provisions under 0.9 R.13 are thus applicable to the Family Court.

       Section 10 of the Family Courts Act. 1984 provides that subject to the other provisions of this Act and the rules, the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) and of any other law for the time being in force shall apply to the suits and proceedings. ... for the purpose of the said provisions of the Code, a Family Court shall be deemed to be a civil Court and shall have all the powers of such Court. Therefore, under section 10 of the Family Courts Act, said application was maintainable and the Family Court was bound to decide the application in accordance with law. [Para 25

       (3) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S. 141 -- procedure provided in the Code with regard to suit -- shall be followed as far as it can be made applicable in all proceedings in any Court of Civil jurisdiction. [Para 5

       (4) Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 -- S. 4(4) and 4(5) -- Court which exercises the jurisdiction under the Act n is a Court of original civil jurisdiction. [Para 6

       (5) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S. 141 -- proceedings in any Court of civil jurisdiction n include not only original matters in the nature of suits -- but also proceedings in probate, guardianship, etc. 1976 JLJ 340 (FB), 22IA 44 and (1927) ILR Cal. 534 relied on. AIR 1962 SC 1886 followed. [Para 8

       (6) Civil P.C., 1908--S. 141 -- ‘Civil Proceeding‘ -- is not necessarily confined to original proceedings--procedure is not only applicable to appointment of guardian but also to proceeding which is not original. AIR 1966 SC 1888 followed. [Para 8

       (7) Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 -- S. 12 -- Civil P. C., 1908--O.40 R.1and S. 141 -- proceeding under S. 12 of the Act--is a proceeding in a Court of Civil jurisdiction -- receiver may be appointed in such proceeding under 0.40 R.1, CPC. AIR 1925 Lahore 489 relied on. [para 8

       (8) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S.141-- proceedings under Arbitration Act Civil Procedure Code is applicable to such proceedings. AIR 1962 SC 903 followed. [Para 10

       (9) Guardians and Wards Act, 1890--Ss. 25 and 47(c) -- Civil PC, 1908 -- O.7 R.10 and S. 141 -- proceedings under the Act -- are miscellaneous proceedings in a Court of Civil jurisdiction -- if jurisdiction is exercised beyond territories by a Court -- it may be directed to return application for appointment of guardian for presentation to the proper Court. AIR 1973 Guj. 1 relied on. [Para 11

       (10) Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 -- S.12 -- Civil PC, 1908 -- S. 141 and O.40 R.1 -- application under S. 12 for protection of minor‘s property -- Court can appoint receiver -- such receiver can sell the property in the interest of minor. AIR 1930 Cal. 385 relied on. [Para 12

       (11) Civil P.C., 1908 -- Ss. 21 and 141,O.9 R.13 -- application under O.9 R.13 for setting aside ex parte decree -- provisions of S. 21 are applicable by virtue of S. 141. AIR 1930 All. 873 relied on. [Para 13

       (12) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S. 141 and O.23 R.3 -- proceedings under Arbitration Act -- may be compromised under 0.23 R.3 by virtue of S. 141. AIR 1962 SC 903 followed. [Para 14

       (13) Civil P.C., 1908 --Ss. 141 and 4 -- Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 -- Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 -- procedure provided under CPC -- is applicable to both the Acts when Acts are silent. ILR (1979)I Delhi 99 and AIR 1933 Nag. 62 relied on. [Para 15

       (14) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S. 141 -- procedure provided under the Code -- is to be followed in all proceedings in any Court of Civil jurisdiction -- it also includes proceeding under Companies Act. AIR 1955 Nag. 78 relied on. [Para 16

       (15) Criminal P.C., 1973 -- S.146(1) -- Civil PC, 1908 -- S. 141 -proceeding undertaken on reference under S. 146(1), CrPC -- is a ‘Civil proceeding‘ under S. 141, CPC -- it is applicable also when such proceedings are not original proceeding. AIR 1966 SC 1888 followed. [Para 18

       (16) Civil P.C., 1908 -- S. 141 -- ‘as far as it can be made applicable‘ -- Court applying the provisions of Code must take into account nature of proceedings and relief sought -- if nature is civil, provision of Code can be applied. AIR 1974 SC 2105 followed. [Para 19

       (17) Guardians and Wards Act, 1890-- S. 25 -- Civil PC, 1908 -- S. 141 and O.9 R.13 -- Limitation Act, 1963 -- Arts. 181 and 164 -- ex parte order under S. 25 of 1890 Act -- may be set aside under O.9 R.13 r/w S. 141, CPC -- limitation is governed by Art. 181 and not by Art. 164 of Limitation Act. AIR 1966 All. 105 relied on. [Para 20

       ¼1½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &vk-9 fu-13 rFkk /kkjk 141& &laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 25& &vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds v/khu ,di{kh; vkns‘k& &lafgrk dh /kkjk 141 ds lkFk ifBr vk-9 fu-13 ds v/khu vikLr fd;k tk ldrk gSA

       vihyh; v#.k dqekjh dk fookg çR;FkhZ MkW- vacjh; dqekj lsaxj ds lkFk 14-2-1993 dks gqvk FkkA bl fookfgr voLFkk esa ‘k‘kkad uked f‘k‘kq us 26-9-1994 dks tUek fy;k FkkA fdlh oSokfgd fookn fookn ds dkj.k vihykFkhZ vius iq= ds lkFk okLdks fM- xkek] xksok esa vius ekrk&firk ds lkFk jg jgh FkhA jktLFkku jkT; esa mn;iqj fLFkr U;k;ky; esa çR;FkhZ ds i{k esa fookg&foPNsn dh fMØh ,di{kh; ikfjr gks xbZ FkhA çR;FkhZ us nkok fd;k fd mn;iqj fLFkr U;k;ky; us ;g fu"d"kZ fudkyk gS fd ifr vkSj iRuh mn;iqj esa vafre ckj o"kZ 1998 esa jgs FksA mDr ,di{kh; fMØh ds i‘pkr çR;FkhZ us nwljh fookg dj fy;kA çR;FkhZ us rc ckyd ‘k‘kkad dh vfHkj{kk ds fy, fganw vçkIrO;rk vkSj laj{kdrk vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 6 ds lkFk ifBr laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds v/khu vkosnu lIre vij ftyk U;k;k/kh‘k] Xokfy;j ds U;k;ky; esa fn;kA rRle; lIre vij ftyk U;k;k/kh‘k] Xokfy;j us ,di{kh; vkns‘k fnukad 27-4-2002 ikfjr fd;k rFkk laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds v/khu vkosnd dk vkosnu] iq= dh vfHkj{kk çR;FkhZ dks lkSais tkus dk funs‘k nsrs gq,] çR;FkhZ ds i{k esa eatwj dj fy;kA ;g tkudkjh çkIr gksus ij fd ,di{kh; fMØh ikfjr dh xbZ gS] vihykFkhZ us ,di{kh; fMØh vikLr dh tkus ds fy, flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds v/khu lIre vij ftyk U;k;k/kh‘k] Xokfy;j ds U;k;ky; ds le{k vkosnu 4-9-2002 dks Qkby fd;kA mDr vkosnu dqVqac U;k;ky; ds le{k çLrqr fd, tkus ds fy, 7-10-2002 dks vihykFkhZ dks okil ns fn;k x;k FkkA rc fofufnZ"Vr% ;g vfHkdFku djrs gq, fd vihykFkhZ ij lwpukvksa dh rkehy ugha gqbZ] ,di{kh; fMØh vikLr fd, tkus ds vk/kkj crkrs gq, dqVqac U;k;ky; ds le{k vkosnu çLrqr fd;k x;kA mDr vkosnu dqVqac U;k;ky; }kjk bl vk/kkj ij [kkfjt dj fn;k x;k gS fd laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh ij flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds mica/k ykxw ugha gksrsA vkosnu dh [kkfjth ds i‘pkr vihykFkhZ us dqVqac U;k;ky; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 19 ds v/khu bl U;k;ky; ds le{k vihy mlesa ;g çkFkZuk djrs gq, dh gS fd dqVqac U;k;ky; ds le{k flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds v/khu vkosnu pyus ;ksX; Fkk vkSj dqVqac U;k;ky; }kjk ikfjr vkns‘k vikLr fd, tkus ;ksX; gSA ¼iSjk 1½

       vfHkfu/kkZfjr % ;g çdV vkSj Li"V gS fd ;g vfHkfu/kkZfjr djrs gq, fd laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds v/khu ikfjr vkns‘k fMØh ugha gS vkSj bl çdkj flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds v/khu vkosnu pykus ;ksX; ugha gS] flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds v/khu vkosnu [kkfjt dj ds dqVqac U;k;ky; us xaHkhj xyrh dh gSA

       blfy,] gekjh lqfopkfjr jk; esa] tSlk Åij foospu fd;k x;k gS] dqVqac U;k;ky; }kjk ;g vfHkfu/kkZfjr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr ugha Fkk fd mDr vkosnu pyus ;ksX; ugha FkkA dqVqac U;k;ky; us flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 141 ds vfHkçk; ij fopkj ugha fd;k gSA blfy, ;g vfHkfu/kkZfjr fd;k tkrk gS fd flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 141 ds lkFk ifBr vkns‘k 9 fu;e 13 ds v/khu vkosnu dqVqac U;k;ky; ds le{k pyus ;ksX; gSA vkosnu la{ksir% [kkfjt djus esa dqVqac U;k;ky; us xaHkhj xyrh dh gSA 2001¼1½ ch ,y ts 81 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 23 ,oa 24½

       ¼2½ dqVqac U;k;ky; vf/kfu;e] 1984& &/kkjk 10& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &vk-9 fu-13& &vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 10 }kjk lafgrk ds mica/k dqVqac U;k;ky; dks ykxw gksrs gSa& &bl çdkj vk-9 fu-13 ds v/khu mica/k dqVqac U;k;ky; dks ykxw gksrs gSaA

        dqVqac U;k;ky; vf/kfu;e] 1984 dh /kkjk 10 esa micaf/kr gS fd bl vf/kfu;e ds vU; mica/kksa vkSj fu;eksa ds v/khu jgrs gq, flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908 ¼1908 dk 5½ vkSj rRle; ço`Ùk fdlh fof/k ds mica/k oknksa vkSj dk;Zokfg;ksa dks ykxw gksaxsA----lafgrk ds mDr mica/kksa ds ç;kstuksa ds fy, dqVqac U;k;ky;] flfoy U;k;ky; le>k tk,xk vkSj ,sls U;k;ky; dh leLr ‘kfDr;k¡ mls çkIr gksaxhA blfy,] dqVqac U;k;ky; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 10 ds v/khu mDr vkosnu pyus ;ksX; Fkk vkSj dqVqac U;k;ky; fof/k ds vuqlkj vkosnu dk fofu‘p; djus ds fy, vkc) FkkA ¼iSjk 25½

       ¼3½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &okn ds laca/k esa lafgrk esa micaf/kr çfØ;k& &flfoy vf/kdkfjrk ds fdlh Hkh U;k;ky; esa leLr dk;Zokfg;ksa esa vuqlfjr dh tk,xh tgka rd og ykxw dh tk ldrh gSA ¼iSjk 5½

       ¼4½ laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 4 ¼4½ rFkk 4 ¼5½& &Uk;ky; tks vf/kfu;e ds v/khu vf/kdkfjrk ç;qDr djrk gS& &ewy flfoy vf/kdkfjrk dk U;k;ky; gSA ¼iSjk 6½

       ¼5½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &flfoy vf/kdkfjrk ds fdlh U;k;ky; esa dk;Zokgh& &u dsoy okn dh çÑfr ds ewy ekeys lfEefyr gSa vfirq çkscsV] laj{kdrk vkfn esa dk;Zokgh Hkh lfEefyr gSA ¼1976½ ts ,y ts 340 ¼iw.kZ U;k;ihB½] 22 vkb , 44 rFkk ¼1927½ vkj ,y vkj dy- 534 voyafcrA , vkb vkj 1962 ,l lh 1886 vuqlfjrA ¼iSjk 8½

       ¼7½ laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 12& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &vk-40 fu-1 rFkk /kkjk 141& &flfoy vf/kdkfjrk ds U;k;ky; esa vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 12 ds v/khu dk;Zokgh& &,slh dk;Zokgh esa flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds vk- 40 fu-1 ds v/khu fjlhoj fu;qDr fd;k tk ldrk gSA , vkb vkj 1925 ykgkSj 489 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 9½

       ¼8½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &ek/;LFke vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh& &,slh dk;Zokgh dks flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ykxw gksrh gSaA , vkb vkj 1962 ,l lh 903 vuqlfjrA ¼iSjk 10½

       ¼9½ laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 25 rFkk 47¼x½& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &vk- 7 fu- 10 rFkk /kkjk 141& &vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokfg;k¡ flfoy vf/kdkfjrk ds U;k;ky; esa çdh.kZ dk;Zokfg;k¡ gSa& &;fn vf/kdkfjrk fdlh U;k;ky; }kjk {ks= ds ckgj ç;qDr dh tkrh gS& &leqfpr U;k;ky; esa çLrqr fd, tkus ds fy, laj{kd fu;qDr fd, tkus dk vkosnu okil fd, tkus dk funs‘k mls fn;k tk ldrk gSA , vkb vkj 1973 xqtjkr 1 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 11½

       ¼10½ laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 12& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141 rFkk vk-40 fu-1& &voLd dh laifÙk dh laj{kk ds fy, /kkjk 12 ds v/khu vkosnu& &Uk;ky; fjlhoj fu;qDr dj ldrk gS& &,slk fjlhoj vo;Ld ds fgr esa laifÙk dk foØ; dj ldrk gSA , vkb vkj 1930 dydÙkk 385 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 12½

       ¼11½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 21 rFkk 141] vk-9 fu-13& &,di{kh; fMØh vikLr fd, tkus ds fy, vk-9 fu-13 ds v/khu vkosnu& &/kkjk 141 ds çHkko ls /kkjk 21 ds mica/k ykxw gksrs gSaA , vkb vkj 1930 bykgkckn 837 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 13½

       ¼12½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141 rFkk vk- 23 fu-3& &ek/;LFke~ vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokgh& &/kkjk 141 ds çHkko ls vk-23 fu-3 ds v/khu le>kSrk fd;k tk ldrk gSA , vkb vkj 1962 ,l lh 903 vuqlfjrA ¼iSjk 14½

       ¼13½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141 rFkk 4& &fganw vo;Ldrk rFkk laj{kdrk vf/kfu;e] 1956& &laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk ds v/khu micaf/kr çfØ;k& &nksuksa vf/kfu;eksa dks ykxw gksrh gSa tc vf/kfu;e ekSu gksaA vkb ,y vkj 1979¼1½ fnYyh 99 rFkk , vkb vkj 1933 ukxiqj 62 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 15½

       ¼14½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &lafgrk ds v/khu micaf/kr çfØ;k& &flfoy vf/kdkfjrk ds fdlh Hkh U;k;ky; esa leLr dk;Zokfg;ksa esa vuqlj.k fd;k tkuk gksrk gS& &daiuh vf/kfu;e ds v/khu dk;Zokfg;ka Hkh blesa lfEefyr gSaA , vkb vkj 1955 ukxiqj 78 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 16½

       ¼15½ naM çfØ;k lafgrk] 1973& &/kkjk 146¼1½& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &naM çfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 146¼1½ ds v/khu funsZ‘k ij ls dk;Zokgh& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 141 ds v/khu flfoy dk;Zokgh gSa& &,slh dk;Zokgh ewy dk;Zokgh ugha gksus ij Hkh ;g ykxw gSA , vkb vkj 1966 ,l lh 1888 vuqlfjrA ¼iSjk 18½

       ¼16½ flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141& &tgk¡ rd og ykxw dh tk lds& &lafgrk ds mikca/k ykxw djus okys U;k;ky; }kjk dk;Zokgh dh çÑfr vkSj bZfIlr mipkj ij vo‘; fopkj fd;k tkuk pkfg,& &;fn çÑfr flfoy gS] lafgrk ds mica/k ykxw fd, tk ldrs gSaA , vkb vkj 1974 ,l lh 2105 vuqlfjrA ¼iSjk 19½

       ¼17½ laj{kd vkSj çfrikY; vf/kfu;e] 1890& &/kkjk 25& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk] 1908& &/kkjk 141 rFkk vk-9 fu-13& &ifjlhek vf/kfu;e] 1963& &vuq- 181 rFkk 164& &1890 ds vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 25 ds v/khu ,di{kh; vkns‘k& &flfoy çfØ;k lafgrk dh /kkjk 141 ds lkFk ifBr vk-9 fu-3 ds v/khu vikLr fd, tk ldrs gSa& &ifjlhek] ifjlhek vf/kfu;e ds vuq- 181 }kjk ‘kkfey gksrs gSa] vuq- 164 /kkjk 181 ughaA , vkb vkj 1966 bykgkckn 105 voyafcrA ¼iSjk 20½