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Brij Bhushan And Another v. The State Of Delhi

Brij Bhushan And Another v. The State Of Delhi

(Supreme Court Of India)

Civil Appeal No. 29 Of 1950 | 20-11-1950

Mahajan, J.

(1) A decree for pre-emption of the property in suit was passed in favour of the plaintiff and he was ordered to deposit the sale price within two months from the date of the decree. An appeal was taken against this decision but it was withdrawn. The pre-emption money was not deposited within the time fixed in the decree. The pre-emptor made an application to the court for making the deposit without disclosing that the time fixed by the decree had elapsed. The application was allowed. The defendant, when apprised of the situation, made an application to the court to the effect that the plaintiffs suit stood dismissed owing to his failure in making the deposit in time and that he was not entitled to execute the decree. The trial Judge held that the pre-emption money not having been paid within the time fixed in the decree the suit stood dismissed. On appeal this decision was set aside but on second appeal it was restored and it was held that the suit stood dismissed under Order 20, Rule 14, Civil Procedure Code. Against this decision an appeal was preferred to the Judicial Committee of the State and it is now before us under Article 374(4) of the Constitution.

(2) It was contended on behalf of the appellant that the decision of the High Court was wrong inasmuch as an appeal having been preferred from the trial courts decree in the pre-emption suit, the pre-emptor was justified in not depositing the amount within the time fixed by the decree. This argument cannot be sustained. Mere filing of an appeal does not suspend the decree of the trial Judge and unless that decree is altered in any manner by the court of appeal, the pre-emptor is bound to comply with its directions.

(3) In our opinion, the High Court was right in holding that the pre-emptors suit stood dismissed by reason of his default in not depositing the pre-emption price within the time fixed in the trial Courts decree. It was next contended that the decree drawn up by the trial Judge was not in accordance with the provisions of Order 20 Rule 14 in that it contained no direction to the effect that if the deposit was not made within the time fixed the suit will stand dismissed.

(4) In our view, this contention is not sound because the dismissal of the suit is as a result of the mandatory provisions of Order 20 Rule 14 and not by reason of any decision of the Court and the omission to incorporate this direction in the decree could not in any way affect the rights of the parties.

(5) The result therefore is that this appeal fails and is dismissed with costs.

Advocate List
  • For the Appearing Parties Laxman Rao Ganu, Maruthi Rao Joshi, Advocates.
Bench
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.C. MAHAJAN
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.S. NAIK
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KHALILUZZAMAN SIDDIQUI
Eq Citations
  • AIR 1954 SC 50
  • LQ/SC/1950/39
Head Note

A. Civil Procedure Code, 1908 — Or. 20 R. 14 — Pre-emption suit — Deposit of pre-emption price — Failure to deposit within time — Effect of appeal against decree — Held, mere filing of appeal does not suspend decree of trial court and unless that decree is altered in any manner by court of appeal, pre-emptor is bound to comply with its directions — Hence, suit stood dismissed by reason of default of pre-emptor in not depositing pre-emption price within time fixed in decree — Civil Procedure Code, Ss. 96, 100 and Or. 20 R. 14