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2025 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 67814

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI, J
Nachammal – Appellant
Versus
C. Murugesan – Respondent
Second Appeal No.49 of 2019|C.M.P.No.1047 of 2019



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners:Mr. V.P. Sengottuvel, Senior Advocate for Mr. K.R. Nishanth
For the Respondents:Mr. T. Murugamanickam, Senior Advocate For Mr. K. Govi Ganesan for R1 and R2, Mr. N. Mayilsamy for R3

A plaint cannot be rejected under Order 7 Rule 11 solely for res judicata or limitation as these require detailed examination of facts beyond the plaint's averments.

Headnote:(A) Civil Procedure Code, 1908 - Order 7 Rule 11 - Principle of Res Judicata - Suit seeking declaration and permanent injunction filed by plaintiffs (legal heirs) challenging previous decree is not maintainable due to prior judgment - Issues of limitation and res judicata not appropriate for rejection under Order 7 Rule 11 - Plaint cannot be rejected solely based on res judicata without examining previous pleadings and judgments - The application for rejection of plaint was allowed by trial court but reversed by appellate court, which the present appeal contests. (Paras 1, 6, 10, 24)

Facts of the case:
Plaintiffs, grandsons of the original defendant in an earlier suit, filed O.S.No.174 of 2007 challenging the decree of O.S.No.637/1994 after being impleaded in execution proceedings post-grandfather's death. Defendants contended the suit was barred by Res Judicata and Limitation since prior decree was final. (Paras 3, 6)

Findings of Court:
The appellate court determined that the trial court erred in rejecting the plaint solely on res judicata and limitation grounds without thorough examination. Court affirmed the appeal and upheld the trial decision. (Paras 23, 24)

Issues: 1. Can res judicata be decided in rejection of plaint? 2. Is the present suit barred by limitation? (Paras 7, 8)

Ratio Decidendi: The rejection of the plaint under Order 7 Rule 11 cannot rest on the determination of res judicata or limitation which are mixed questions of fact and law requiring substantial evidence, and therefore not suitable for summary disposal. (Paras 11, 18)

Result: Second appeal dismissed. (Para 25)

Table of Content
1. factual background of the case based on previous suit. (Para 1 , 3 , 4)
2. defendants' arguments regarding jurisdiction and procedural bars. (Para 5 , 6 , 19)
3. plaintiffs' response regarding the legitimacy of their claim. (Para 8 , 9 , 22)
4. court’s analysis on the principles of res judicata. (Para 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 18)
5. key rulings regarding rejection of the plaint and principles governing the case. (Para 17 , 23)
6. final ruling and dismissal of the appeal. (Para 24 , 25)

JUDGMENT

This Second Appeal is preferred challenging the judgment and decree dated 27.03.2018 made in A.S.No.43 of 2017 on the file of the learned I Additional District and Sessions Judge, Tiruppur reversing the judgment and decree dated 08.06.2017 made in I.A.No.14 of 2012 in O.S. No. 174 of 2007 on the file of the Additional Sub-ordinate Judge, Tiruppur.

2.The defendants in O.S.No.174 of 2007 on the file of Additional Sub Court,Tiruppur have filed the petition in I.A.No.14/2012 under Order 7 Rule 11(d) of CPC to reject the plaint.

3.The brief contents of the petition is that the respondents/plaintiffs have filed the suit for setting aside the decree passed in O.S. No.637/1994, Sub-Court, Tirupur, for declaration of title and for Permanent Injunction. The petitioners filed a suit for partition and separate possession against the grandfather of the respondents/plaintiffs and his brother regarding the properties under the suit survey fields in O.S.637/1994. The respondents/plaintiffs' grandfather and his brothers have not chosen to file written statement and they were set exparte and preliminary decree was passed on 02.01.1997. Subsequently in final decree (I.A.1717/1999) proceedings the respondent/plaintiffs' grand father was served with notice and he remained ex-parte and final decree was passed on 24.09.2001. Subsequently first and second petitioner filed an execution petition in E.P.74/2003. During execution proceedings, the grandfather of respondents/plaintiffs died and steps were taken to implead these respondents/plaintiffs. The respondents also appeared in the said execution proceedings on 08.01.2004. Meanwhile, the brother of respondent's grandfather filed a petition in I.A. No.1575/2003 to set aside the decree passed in 1997 along with section 5 application after lapse of 7 years. After detailed enquiry the trial Court was pleased to dismiss the petition and revision was preferred against the order before this court in CRP No.105/2006 and the same was also dismissed and thereby the decree passed in O.S.637/1994 became final. The respondents being party to the above proceeding are estopped from filing the present suit by suppressing all the above material facts. If at all the respondents/plaintiffs have any objection or valid grounds, they ought to have raised it in the execution proceedings alone and not by way of fresh suit as the same is prohibited by the express provision given under section 47(1) of the Civil Procedure Code. The respondents/plaintiffs had instigated his relative Palanisamy to file a vexatious suit in O.S. 386/2006 for Permanent Injunction. The same is also pending before the District Munsif Court, Tirupur. The respondents/plaintiffs are fully aware of all the above proceedings. That being so, the respondents/plaintiffs stepping into the shoes of their grand father Rakkiappa Gounder who is the 1st defendant in the previous suit in O.S.637/1994 has chosen to file the present suit and they are estopped from filing this suit. Hence, there is no cause of action arose and suit is squarely barred by limitation. It is further stated that the respondents/plaintiffs are claiming right over the property through their grandfather as his legal heirs and they cannot say that the decree in O.S.637/1994 against their grandfather will not bind them as they are not parties in the above suit. The present suit is also barred by the Principles of Res-Judicata. The pleadings revealed in the plaint itself is sufficient

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