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2026 Supreme(Ker) 129

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
P.KRISHNA KUMAR, SATHISH NINAN
Venkatramana Bhat, S/O. Ganapathi Bhat – Appellant
Versus
Anantha Bhat, S/O.Achutha Bhat – Respondent


Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Sri.V.V.Asokan (Sr.), Shri.K.I.Mayankutty Mather (Sr.), Smt.Uthara Asokan
For the Respondent: Shri.K.Shrihari Rao

Judgement Key Points

Key Points: - The directive for compounding interest at 12% per annum on profits was intentional and not amendable under Section 152; Section 152 cannot be used to change merits of a judgment (!) (!) (!) . - Section 152 covers clerical/arithmetical mistakes and accidental slips; it does not allow modification of decisions on merits; remedy is via appeal, revision, or review (!) (!) (!) (!) . - Inherent powers (Section 151) apply when no other remedy exists and cannot override general principles of law; cannot rectify final decree for issues already decided on merits except where applicable to ends of justice (!) (!) (!) (!) . - The court held that the 12% interest direction was intentional and not subject to correction under Section 152; revision petitions dismissed; orders directing disposal to be expedited (!) (!) . - Comparison and interplay with precedent: George v. Federal Bank Ltd., Velayudhan Nair v. Kerala K.Y.Kuries, and Jayalakshmi Coelho clarified limits of Section 152 and 151; final conclusion that no conflict in principle and that 12% interest directive was intentional (!) (!) (!) .

What is the scope and applicability of Section 151 and Section 152 of the Code of Civil Procedure in amending final judgments and decrees?


Table of Content
1. defendants appeal against amendment denial. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. interest rate amendment not justified. (Para 4 , 9 , 10)
3. clarification on sections 151 and 152. (Para 5 , 6 , 8)
4. conditions for correction under section 152. (Para 7 , 11 , 12)

ORDER

P.Krishna Kumar, J.

The revision petitioners are the defendants in a suit for partition. They assail the correctness of an order passed by the learned Sub Judge rejecting two applications filed by them under Sections 151 , 152, and 153 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (the Code) seeking amendment of the final judgment and decree to delete the direction for compounding interest at the rate of 12% on past and future profits.

2. In the preliminary decree, the defendants were directed to pay past and future profits. However, in the final decree, an additional direction was issued entitling the plaintiffs to interest at the rate of 12% per annum on such profits, with the interest calculated for one year being added to the principal for the succeeding year. Contending that this direction was impermissible, the revision petitioners filed two applications under Sections 151 , 152, and 153 of the Code seeking amendment of the

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