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  • Review as a creature of statute - The courts have consistently held that review is not an inherent power but a statutory creature, requiring express statutory provision to be entertained. In the absence of such express powers, review petitions are not maintainable. For instance, the Supreme Court in Latafat Ullah Khan AIR 1978 SC 1814 followed earlier judgments in Chunibhai and Harbhajan Singh, emphasizing that review cannot be entertained without specific statutory provisions ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1384"]. Similarly, Karam Singh AIR 1966 SC 641 held that review orders without statutory authority are ultra vires and illegal ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1384"].

  • Absence of express review powers leads to non-entertainment - Courts have reiterated that without explicit legal authority, review petitions cannot be entertained, especially against judicial or quasi-judicial orders. This principle is reinforced across multiple judgments, including the Allahabad High Court and other High Courts, which have dismissed review petitions on the ground that the law does not confer such powers unless explicitly provided ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1384"], ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1372"], ["2009 0 Supreme(Ori) 532"].

  • Inherent powers are not a substitute for statutory review - The courts have clarified that inherent powers cannot be invoked to bypass the statutory requirement for express review provisions. For example, in ["2011 0 Supreme(Gau) 962"], the court dismissed a review petition, emphasizing that inherent powers are limited and cannot be used to review finalized judgments without statutory backing ["2011 0 Supreme(Gau) 962"].

  • Distinction from appellate powers - Review is distinguished from appellate jurisdiction; the latter involves correcting errors by a higher authority, whereas review is not a re-hearing but a limited correction, and only where statutory powers exist. The courts have consistently held that review cannot be exercised in the absence of such statutory powers, and attempts to do so are illegal ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1384"], ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1372"].

  • Judicial consensus - The principle that review requires express statutory authority is well-settled and reiterated across various judgments, including those dealing with civil, criminal, and administrative law. The courts have emphasized that the doctrine of separation of powers and statutory mandates restrict courts from exercising review powers unless explicitly conferred ["2022 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 2110"], ["2022 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 2131"], ["2022 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 5030"].

Analysis and Conclusion:The consistent judicial stance across the cited judgments confirms that review petitions cannot be entertained in the absence of explicit statutory powers. Courts have underscored that review is not an inherent jurisdiction but a statutory remedy, and any attempt to exercise review powers without clear legal authority is illegal and ultra vires. This principle preserves the separation of powers and maintains the rule of law by ensuring that courts do not overstep their statutory bounds ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1384"], ["2003 0 Supreme(All) 1372"], ["2011 0 Supreme(Gau) 962"].

When Courts Lack Inherent Review Power: Navigating Statutory Limitations and Void Orders

When Can Courts Entertain Review Petitions? The Strict Rule on Express Powers

In the intricate world of Indian jurisprudence, the power to review judicial or quasi-judicial orders is not something courts wield freely. Imagine a scenario where a party, dissatisfied with a court's decision, files a review petition—only for it to be dismissed outright because the court lacked the authority to even consider it. This raises a critical question: provide judgments which hold that review petition cannot be entertained in the absence of express powers of review?

This blog post delves into this pivotal legal principle, drawing from landmark Supreme Court and High Court rulings. We'll examine why review is strictly a 'creature of statute,' how orders passed without such powers are nullities, and insights from related cases. Note: This is general information based on precedents and not specific legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer for your case.

The Core Principle: Review is Not an Inherent Power

The foundational rule is clear: review petitions cannot be entertained without express statutory or rule-based powers. Review is not an inherent judicial power; it must be conferred explicitly or by necessary implication. As held in multiple judgments, The power of review is not an inherent power. It must be conferred by law either specifically or by necessary implication. 2000 3 Supreme 601

This principle echoes across cases like Patel Narshi Thakershi & Ors. v. Pradyumansinhji Arjunsinhji (AIR 1970 SC 1273) and Harbhajan Singh v. Karam Singh (AIR 1966 SC 641). In the latter, the Supreme Court ruled that absent statutory provisions, review is impermissible, rendering such orders ultra vires and void. 2001 4 Supreme 363 2000 3 Supreme 601

Key points from leading judgments include:- Review lacks inherent authority and demands legal conferment. 2000 3 Supreme 601 2001 4 Supreme 363- Courts consistently deem review petitions non-maintainable without specific provisions. 2000 5 Supreme 181 2005 8 Supreme 488 2003 0 Supreme(All) 1372- Orders void for jurisdictional defects or statutory non-compliance cannot be reviewed. 2022 0 Supreme(Telangana) 669

Orders Passed Without Review Powers: Null and Void

When authorities attempt review sans statutory backing, the resulting orders are nullities from inception. In Kuntesh Gupta v. Management of Hindu Kanya Mahavidyalaya (AIR 1987 SC 2186), the Court declared: In the circumstances, it must be held that the Vice-Chancellor acted wholly without jurisdiction. The said order... was a nullity. 2001 4 Supreme 363

Similarly, Sanjeev Kapoor v. Chandana Kapoor (2020) and State of Orissa v. Commissioner of Land Records (1998) affirm that quasi-judicial bodies cannot revisit orders without express power. 2000 5 Supreme 181 In Krishna Ashram Educational Trust v. District Judge (AIR 1995 All 415), the absence of review provisions made orders final and irrevisable. 2005 8 Supreme 488

This extends to violations of natural justice. Kranti Associates (2010) and Vishnu Agarwal (2011) stress that unreasoned orders or those breaching fairness are invalid ab initio, ineligible for review. 2022 0 Supreme(Telangana) 669

Judicial Consistency Across Precedents

A string of decisions reinforces this: Harbhajan Singh, Patel Narshi Thakershi, Maj. Chandra Bhan Singh, Dr. Smt. Kuntesh Gupta, and Sunita Jain (2008). In Hari Singh Mann (2001), courts clarified that without express conferment, review petitions fail, and void orders resist validation. 2003 0 Supreme(All) 1372

The distinction between procedural and substantive review is vital—only law-specified errors qualify. 2025 0 Supreme(Bom) 697

Insights from Arbitration and Other Contexts

Recent High Court rulings echo this in specialized domains. Under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 (Section 11), the Delhi High Court in cases like 2022 Supreme(Online)(DEL) 5595 and

Kush Raj Bhatia vs DLF Power & Services Ltd.

held: no power of review can be exercised in the absence of any express provision conferring this power of review. High Courts lack inherent review powers for jurisdictional orders; substantial review demands specific conferment.

KUSH RAJ BHATIA vs M/S DLF POWER AND SERVICES LIMITED

IND_Delhi_ARBP-869_2022 2022_DHC_5349

Even ex-parte procedural orders might invoke inherent powers sparingly, but merit-based decisions require statutory review—absent which, petitions falter. This aligns with the principle that review isn't for re-hearing disputes.

Review Cannot Be an Appeal in Disguise

Courts repeatedly caution against treating review as a backdoor appeal. As in 2022 0 Supreme(Jhk) 262, a review petition cannot be allowed to be 'an appeal in disguise'. It may be exercised where some mistake or error apparent on the face of the record is found. Grounds are narrow: new evidence (post-due diligence), apparent errors, or analogous reasons. 2019 0 Supreme(Jhk) 870 2018 0 Supreme(Jhk) 937

In a Jharkhand Public Works case, the court dismissed a frivolous review, imposing costs, emphasizing specific grounds only. 2022 0 Supreme(Jhk) 262 Successive reviews are barred, as in a Motor Vehicles Act dispute where a second petition was rejected for finality. 2021 0 Supreme(Ker) 163

Under Article 226, non-parties (e.g., interveners) cannot seek review, and petitions must show apparent errors—not re-argument. 2016 0 Supreme(Tri) 127

Exceptions and Limitations

While void ab initio orders are nullities, review cannot cure them without statutory power. Exceptions are rare, tied to explicit law. No broad inherent power exists, even under constitutional writs, without CPC Order XLVII alignment.

Practical Recommendations for Practitioners

Legal professionals should:- Verify statutory review provisions before filing.- Challenge void orders directly via certiorari or appeal, not review.- Avoid frivolous petitions risking costs. 2022 0 Supreme(Jhk) 262- In arbitration or administrative matters, prioritize appeals.

Kush Raj Bhatia vs DLF Power & Services Ltd.

Conclusion: Statutory Strictness Safeguards Finality

Indian law's consensus is unequivocal: review petitions cannot be entertained absent express powers. Orders lacking this are nullities, review no substitute for appeal. This upholds finality, curbing endless litigation. 2000 3 Supreme 601 2005 8 Supreme 488

Key Takeaways:- Review demands explicit statutory conferment. 2001 4 Supreme 363- Absent power, petitions fail; orders void. 2022 0 Supreme(Telangana) 669- Narrow grounds only—no appeals in disguise. 2022 0 Supreme(Jhk) 262

Stay informed on evolving precedents. For tailored guidance, seek expert counsel.

#ReviewPetition #IndianLaw #StatutoryReview
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