It is quite apparent from the factual position noticed
hereinabove, that after the issues were framed on 18.10.1993, the
counter claim was filed by the appellants before this Court (i.e.
by defendant Nos.3 and 4 before the trial court) almost two and a
half years after the framing of the issues. Having given our
thoughtful consideration to the provisions relating to the filing
of counter claim, we are satisfied, that there was no justification
whatsoever for the High Court to have declined, the appellant
before this Court from filing his counter claim on 17.06.1996,
specially because, it is not a matter of dispute, that the cause of
action, on the basis of which the counter claim was filed by
defendant Nos.3 and 4, accrued before their written statement was
filed on 11.11.1992. In the present case, the
respondent-plaintiff's evidence was still being recorded by the
trial court, when the counter-claim was filed. It has also not
been shown to us, that any prejudice would be caused to the
respondent-plaintiff before the trial court, if the counter-claim
was to be adjudicated upon, along with the main suit. We are of the
view, that no serious injustice or irreparable loss (as expressed
in paragraph 15 of Bollepanda P.Pooncha's case), would be suffered
by the respondent-plaintiff in this case.
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL Nos.2308-2309 OF 2016
VIJAY PRAKASH JARATH Vs TEJ PRAKASH JARATH
Bench: Jagdish Singh Khehar, C. Nagappan
Dated:MARCH 1, 2016.11
Citation: (2016) 11 SCC 800
1. The respondent before this Court – Tej Prakash Jarath
filed Suit No.608 of 1992 on 09.11.1992. In the aforesaid suit,
defendants Nos.3 and 4 – Om Prakash Jarath (the father of the
plaintiff in the suit) and Vijay Prakash Jarath (the elder brother
of the plaintiff) respectively, filed written statements on
11.11.1992. Thereupon, issues came to be framed on 18.10.1993.
After the framing of the issues, the petitioners before this Court2
(i.e. defendant Nos.3 and 4 in the original suit), filed a
counter-claim on 17.06.1996 i.e. almost two and a half years after
the framing of the issues.
2. The trial court, vide its order dated 28.10.1996,
accepted the aforesaid counter-claim. The above order dated
28.10.1996, came to be assailed by the respondent-plaintiff-Tej
Prakash Jarath through Civil Miscellaneous Writ Petition No.1266 of
2001, before the High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital (hereinafter
referred to as `the High Court’). The High Court relying upon the
judgment of this Court in Rohit Singh & ors. vs. State of Bihar
(Now State of Jharkhand) & Ors., (2006) 12 SCC 734, concluded, that
the counter-claim filed by the petitioner-defendant Nos.3 and 4
before the trial court, was not legally acceptable. The order
passed by the High Court dated 02.01.2008, recording the above
conclusion, has been assailed through the instant special leave
petitions.
3. Leave granted.
4. Before adverting to the merits of the controversy, we
would first endeavour to deal with the issues as to whether the
High Court correctly applied the judgment rendered by this Court in
Rohit Singh’ case (supra), to the controversy in hand. In order to
appreciate the conclusions drawn by this Court in Rohit Singh’s
case (supra), the following observations (relating to the facts and
conclusions) recorded therein need to be taken into consideration:
“17. We shall first consider whether there was a
counterclaim in the suit in terms of Order 8 Rule 6A of
the Code in this case. The suit was filed against the
Divisional Forest Officer and the State of Bihar as
Defendants 1 and 2 on 26.2.1996 by Respondent No.63
herein. After the written statement was filed by the
defendants, issues were framed and the suit went to
trial. On 3.6.1996 and 6.6.1996 the evidence on the
side of the plaintiff was concluded. On 14.6.1996 the
evidence on the side of the defendants was completed.
On 24.6.1996 arguments were concluded. Judgment was
reserved. 25.6.1996 was fixed as the date for
pronouncing the judgment. The judgment was not
pronounced and it appears that the Judge was
subsequently transferred. Therefore, on 20.8.1996
arguments were again heard by the successor Judge and
judgment was reserved. 27.8.1996 was fixed as the date
for judgment. Apparently, it was not pronounced. It
is thereafter that Defendants 3 to 17 filed an
application on 11.9.1996 for intervention in the suit.
We have already referred to the allegations in that
application for impleading filed. We only notice again
that they claimed to be in possession of the property
and that their presence before the court was necessary
in order to enable the court to effectually and
completely adjudicate upon and settle all the questions
involved in the suit. On 19.9.1996 the application for
intervention was allowed. On 30.9.1996 a written
statement was filed by Defendants 3 to 12. We have
already summarised the pleas raised therein.
18. After this, the witnesses of the plaintiff were
recalled and permitted to be cross-examined by these
Defendants. That was on 5.10.1996. Again the witnesses
for defendants 1 and 2, were recalled and they were
permitted to be cross-examined on behalf of these
defendants. The evidence on the side of Defendants 3 to
17 was let in. It commenced on 24.2.1997 and was
closed on 30.1.1997. Thereafter, arguments were heard
again and the arguments on the side of the defendants
including that of Defendants 3 to 17 were concluded on
4.3.1997. The suit was adjourned for arguments on the
side of the plaintiff. On 5.3.1997, the suit was
dismissed for default of the plaintiff. It was then
restored on 29.5.1998. It was thereafter on 5.6.1998,
that Defendants 3 to 17 filed an application for
amending the written statement. The amendment was
allowed on 20.7.1998. There was no order treating the
amended written statement as a counter-claim or
directing either the plaintiff or Defendants 1 and 2 to
file a written statement or an answer thereto.
Defendants 3 to 17 had questioned the pecuniary
jurisdiction of the trial court in their written
statement. That plea was permitted to be withdrawn on
4.2.1999. It is clear that after the evidence was
closed, there was no occasion for impleading the
interveners. Even assuming that they were properly
impleaded, after they had filed their written4
statement, the suit had gone for further trial and
further evidence including that of the interveners had
been taken, the evidence again closed and even
arguments on the side of the interveners had been
concluded. The suit itself was dismissed for default
only because on behalf of the plaintiff there was a
failure to address arguments. But the suit was
subsequently restored. At that stage no counter-claim
could be entertained at the instance of the
interveners. A counter-claim, no doubt, could be filed
even after the written statement is filed, but that
does not mean that a counter-claim can be raised after
issues are framed and the evidence is closed.
Therefore, the entertaining of the so-called
counter-claim of Defendants 3 to 17 by the trial court,
after the framing of issues for trial, was clearly
illegal and without jurisdiction. On that short ground
the so called counter-claim, filed by Defendants 3 to
17 has to be held to be not maintainable.
19. As can be seen, what Defendants 3 to 17 did, was
to merely amend their written statement by adding a
sentence to para 16 of the written statement they
originally filed. In para 16 it was only pleaded that
those defendants were claiming to be in peaceful
possession of the suit lands ever since the time of
their predecessors. They wanted to add that they had
claimed acquisition of title based on long and
uninterrupted possession and they crave leave to get
their title declared in the suit for which a
declaratory court fee is paid. It may be noted that not
even a prayer was sought to be added seeking a
declaration of their title as is the normal practice.
It is, therefore, clear that on going through the
original written statement and the amendment
introduced, that there was no counter-claim in terms of
Order 8 Rule 6A of the Code in the case on hand, which
justifies a trial of that counter-claim even
assuming that such a counter-claim was maintainable
even if no relief was claimed against the plaintiff in
the suit but it was directed only against the
co-defendants in the suit. The counter-claim so called
is liable to be rejected on that ground as well.”
(emphasis is ours)
5. The factual position in the relied upon judgment, is not
similar to the factual position of the case in hand. In the
present case, after the issues had been framed, the plaintiff’s5
evidence had commenced to be recorded. Though the same had not yet
been concluded. In Rohit Singh’ case (supra), on the other hand,
not only were issues framed, and the evidence of the rival
parties, including the defendant recorded. Furthermore, on several
occasions, arguments were heard for the ultimate disposal of the
suit. And more than once, the judgment was also reserved, but
then, on account of transfer of the Judge, and for other reasons,
evident from the extract recorded hereinabove, judgment could not
be pronounced. It is in the aforesaid situation, that the counter
claim filed by the defendants, at such a belated stage, was
considered to be, not sustainable in law. We are, therefore,
satisfied in holding, that the judgment rendered in Rohit Singh’s
case is clearly not applicable to the facts and circumstances of
this case.
6. Furthermore, learned counsel for the appellants had
contended, on the basis of observations recorded in para 18
(extracted above) in Rohit Singh’s case (supra), that counter
claim would not be permissible after framing of the issues, and
after the evidence is concluded. Even if the above parameter is
applied to the facts of the present case, it is apparent, that the
judgment rendered in Rohit Singh’s case (supra) would not lead to
the findings recorded by the High Court in the impugned order, for
the simple reason, that in Rohit Singh's case, evidence from both
sides was concluded, and even arguments had been heard, whereas,
in the present case, even though evidence on behalf of the
respondent-plaintiff has commenced, it has not yet concluded. The
evidence on behalf of the defendants is yet to commence. 6
7. Despite the conclusions recorded by us hereinabove, it is
relevant to record, that it was also the contention of the learned
counsel for the respondent-plaintiff, that the decision rendered
by this Court in Rohit Singh’s case, has been reiterated in
Bollepanda P. Poonacha & Anr vs. K.M.Madapa, (2008) 13 SCC 179,
and a perusal of the above judgment, would lead to the conclusion,
that in the factual analysis, the conclusions drawn by the High
Court were justified. Our pointed attention was drawn to the
conclusions recorded in paragraph 15 of the above judgment, which
is extracted hereunder:
“15. A belated counter claim must be discouraged by this
Court. See Ramesh Chand Ardawatiya Vs. Anil Panjwani
[(2003) 7 SCC 350]. We are, however, not unmindful of the
decisions of this Court where a defendant has been allowed
to amend his written statement so as to enable him to
elaborate his defence or to take additional pleas in
support of his case. The Court in such matters has a wide
discretion. It must, however, subserve the ultimate cause
of justice. It may be true that further litigation should
be endeavoured to be avoided. It may also be true that
joinder of several causes of action in a suit is
permissible. The Court, must, however, exercise the
discretionary jurisdiction in a judicious manner. While
considering that subservance of justice is the ultimate
goal, the statutory limitation shall not be overstepped.
Grant of relief will depend upon the factual background
involved in each case. The Court, while undoubtedly would
take into consideration the questions of serious injustice
or irreparable loss, but nevertheless should bear in mind
that a provision for amendment of pleadings are not
available as a matter of right under all circumstances.
One cause of action cannot be allowed to be substituted by
another. Ordinarily, effect of an admission made in
earlier pleadings shall not be permitted to be taken away.
See State of A.P Vs. M/s. Pioneer Builders, A.P. [(2006) 9
SCALE 520] and Steel Authority of India Ltd. Vs. Union of
India [2006 (9) SCALE 597] and Himmat Singh Vs. I.C.I.
India Ltd. [2008 (2) SCALE 152].”
(emphasis is ours)
Having perused the conclusions drawn in paragraph 15, extracted7
above, we are satisfied, that the same are wholly inapplicable to
the facts and circumstances of this case, and that, the decision
of the High Court could not have been legitimately based on the
conclusions recorded in paragraph 15, extracted above.
8. It is in these circumstances, that we advert to Order
VIII Rule 6A of the Code of Civil Procedure, which is being
reproduced below:
“6A. Counter-claim by defendant - (1) A defendant
in a suit may, in addition to his right of pleading a
set-off under rule 6, set up, by way of counter-claim
against the claim of the plaintiff, any right or claim
in respect of a cause of action accruing to the
defendant against the plaintiff either before or after
the filing of the suit but before the defendant has
delivered his defence or before the time limited for
delivering his defence has expired, whether such
counter-claim is in the nature of a claim for damages
or not:
Provided that such counter-claim shall not exceed
the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the Court.
(2) Such counter-claim shall have the same effect as a
cross-suit so as to enable the Court to pronounce a
final judgment in the same suit, both on the original
claim and on the counter-claim.
(3) The plaintiff shall be at liberty to file a written
statement in answer to the counter-claim of the
defendant within such period as may be fixed by the
Court.
(4) The counter-claim shall be treated as a plaint and
governed by the rules applicable to plaints.”
A perusal of Sub-clause (1) of Section 6A of Order VIII, leaves no
room for any doubt, that the cause of action in respect of which a
counter claim can be filed, should accrue before the defendant has
delivered his defence, namely, before the defendant has filed a8
written statement. The instant determination of ours is supported
by the conclusions drawn in Bollepanda P. Poonacha & Anr vs.
K.M.Madapa (supra), wherein this Court observed as under:
“11. The provision of Order 8 Rule 6-A must be
considered having regard to the aforementioned
provisions. A right to file counterclaim is an
additional right. It may be filed in respect of any
right or claim, the cause of action therefor, however,
must accrue either before or after the filing of the
suit but before the defendant has raised his defence.
The respondent in his application for amendment of
written statement categorically raised the plea that
the appellants had tresspassed on the lands in
question in the summer of 1998. Cause of action for
filing the counterclaim inter alia was said to have
arisen at that time. It was so explicitly stated in
the said application. The said application, in our
opinion, was, thus, clearly not maintainable. The
decision of Ryaz Ahmed (supra) is based on the
decision of this Court in Baldev Singh Vs. Manohar
Singh [(2006) 6 SCC 498].”
(emphasis is ours)
It is not a matter of dispute in the present case, that cause of
action for which the counter-claim was filed in the present case,
arose before the respondent-plaintiff filed the suit (out of which
these petitions/appeals have arisen). It is therefore apparent that
the appellants before this Court were well within their right to
file the counter-claim.
9. It is quite apparent from the factual position noticed
hereinabove, that after the issues were framed on 18.10.1993, the
counter claim was filed by the appellants before this Court (i.e.
by defendant Nos.3 and 4 before the trial court) almost two and a
half years after the framing of the issues. Having given our
thoughtful consideration to the provisions relating to the filing
of counter claim, we are satisfied, that there was no justification
whatsoever for the High Court to have declined, the appellant
before this Court from filing his counter claim on 17.06.1996,
specially because, it is not a matter of dispute, that the cause of
action, on the basis of which the counter claim was filed by
defendant Nos.3 and 4, accrued before their written statement was
filed on 11.11.1992. In the present case, the
respondent-plaintiff's evidence was still being recorded by the
trial court, when the counter-claim was filed. It has also not
been shown to us, that any prejudice would be caused to the
respondent-plaintiff before the trial court, if the counter-claim
was to be adjudicated upon, along with the main suit. We are of the
view, that no serious injustice or irreparable loss (as expressed
in paragraph 15 of Bollepanda P.Pooncha's case), would be suffered
by the respondent-plaintiff in this case.
10. For the reasons recorded hereinabove, we set aside the
impugned order passed by the High Court dated 02.01.2008, and
restore the order passed by the trial court dated 28.10.1996.
11. The appeals are allowed in the above terms.
12. Needless to mention, that it shall be open to the
respondent-plaintiff to raise all pleas open to him through the
written statement which is filed by the respondent-plaintiff, to
the counter claim.
13. Leave granted.
14. Learned counsel for the parties are agreed, that the
controversy raised in the instant appeal, is akin to the one10
adjudicated upon by this Court in Vijay Prakash Jarath vs. Tej
Prakash Jarath (Civil Appeal Nos.2308-2309 of 2016, arising out of
SLP(C)Nos.8536-8537 of 2008, decided by us on 01.03.2016. The
instant appeal is accordingly allowed in terms of the decision
rendered by this Court in Vijay Prakash Jarath vs. Tej Prakash
Jarath decided on 01.03.2016.
..........................J.
(JAGDISH SINGH KHEHAR)
..........................J.
(C.NAGAPPAN)
NEW DELHI;
MARCH 1, 2016.11
Print Page
hereinabove, that after the issues were framed on 18.10.1993, the
counter claim was filed by the appellants before this Court (i.e.
by defendant Nos.3 and 4 before the trial court) almost two and a
half years after the framing of the issues. Having given our
thoughtful consideration to the provisions relating to the filing
of counter claim, we are satisfied, that there was no justification
whatsoever for the High Court to have declined, the appellant
before this Court from filing his counter claim on 17.06.1996,
specially because, it is not a matter of dispute, that the cause of
action, on the basis of which the counter claim was filed by
defendant Nos.3 and 4, accrued before their written statement was
filed on 11.11.1992. In the present case, the
respondent-plaintiff's evidence was still being recorded by the
trial court, when the counter-claim was filed. It has also not
been shown to us, that any prejudice would be caused to the
respondent-plaintiff before the trial court, if the counter-claim
was to be adjudicated upon, along with the main suit. We are of the
view, that no serious injustice or irreparable loss (as expressed
in paragraph 15 of Bollepanda P.Pooncha's case), would be suffered
by the respondent-plaintiff in this case.
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL Nos.2308-2309 OF 2016
VIJAY PRAKASH JARATH Vs TEJ PRAKASH JARATH
Bench: Jagdish Singh Khehar, C. Nagappan
Citation: (2016) 11 SCC 800
1. The respondent before this Court – Tej Prakash Jarath
filed Suit No.608 of 1992 on 09.11.1992. In the aforesaid suit,
defendants Nos.3 and 4 – Om Prakash Jarath (the father of the
plaintiff in the suit) and Vijay Prakash Jarath (the elder brother
of the plaintiff) respectively, filed written statements on
11.11.1992. Thereupon, issues came to be framed on 18.10.1993.
After the framing of the issues, the petitioners before this Court2
(i.e. defendant Nos.3 and 4 in the original suit), filed a
counter-claim on 17.06.1996 i.e. almost two and a half years after
the framing of the issues.
2. The trial court, vide its order dated 28.10.1996,
accepted the aforesaid counter-claim. The above order dated
28.10.1996, came to be assailed by the respondent-plaintiff-Tej
Prakash Jarath through Civil Miscellaneous Writ Petition No.1266 of
2001, before the High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital (hereinafter
referred to as `the High Court’). The High Court relying upon the
judgment of this Court in Rohit Singh & ors. vs. State of Bihar
(Now State of Jharkhand) & Ors., (2006) 12 SCC 734, concluded, that
the counter-claim filed by the petitioner-defendant Nos.3 and 4
before the trial court, was not legally acceptable. The order
passed by the High Court dated 02.01.2008, recording the above
conclusion, has been assailed through the instant special leave
petitions.
3. Leave granted.
4. Before adverting to the merits of the controversy, we
would first endeavour to deal with the issues as to whether the
High Court correctly applied the judgment rendered by this Court in
Rohit Singh’ case (supra), to the controversy in hand. In order to
appreciate the conclusions drawn by this Court in Rohit Singh’s
case (supra), the following observations (relating to the facts and
conclusions) recorded therein need to be taken into consideration:
“17. We shall first consider whether there was a
counterclaim in the suit in terms of Order 8 Rule 6A of
the Code in this case. The suit was filed against the
Divisional Forest Officer and the State of Bihar as
Defendants 1 and 2 on 26.2.1996 by Respondent No.63
herein. After the written statement was filed by the
defendants, issues were framed and the suit went to
trial. On 3.6.1996 and 6.6.1996 the evidence on the
side of the plaintiff was concluded. On 14.6.1996 the
evidence on the side of the defendants was completed.
On 24.6.1996 arguments were concluded. Judgment was
reserved. 25.6.1996 was fixed as the date for
pronouncing the judgment. The judgment was not
pronounced and it appears that the Judge was
subsequently transferred. Therefore, on 20.8.1996
arguments were again heard by the successor Judge and
judgment was reserved. 27.8.1996 was fixed as the date
for judgment. Apparently, it was not pronounced. It
is thereafter that Defendants 3 to 17 filed an
application on 11.9.1996 for intervention in the suit.
We have already referred to the allegations in that
application for impleading filed. We only notice again
that they claimed to be in possession of the property
and that their presence before the court was necessary
in order to enable the court to effectually and
completely adjudicate upon and settle all the questions
involved in the suit. On 19.9.1996 the application for
intervention was allowed. On 30.9.1996 a written
statement was filed by Defendants 3 to 12. We have
already summarised the pleas raised therein.
18. After this, the witnesses of the plaintiff were
recalled and permitted to be cross-examined by these
Defendants. That was on 5.10.1996. Again the witnesses
for defendants 1 and 2, were recalled and they were
permitted to be cross-examined on behalf of these
defendants. The evidence on the side of Defendants 3 to
17 was let in. It commenced on 24.2.1997 and was
closed on 30.1.1997. Thereafter, arguments were heard
again and the arguments on the side of the defendants
including that of Defendants 3 to 17 were concluded on
4.3.1997. The suit was adjourned for arguments on the
side of the plaintiff. On 5.3.1997, the suit was
dismissed for default of the plaintiff. It was then
restored on 29.5.1998. It was thereafter on 5.6.1998,
that Defendants 3 to 17 filed an application for
amending the written statement. The amendment was
allowed on 20.7.1998. There was no order treating the
amended written statement as a counter-claim or
directing either the plaintiff or Defendants 1 and 2 to
file a written statement or an answer thereto.
Defendants 3 to 17 had questioned the pecuniary
jurisdiction of the trial court in their written
statement. That plea was permitted to be withdrawn on
4.2.1999. It is clear that after the evidence was
closed, there was no occasion for impleading the
interveners. Even assuming that they were properly
impleaded, after they had filed their written4
statement, the suit had gone for further trial and
further evidence including that of the interveners had
been taken, the evidence again closed and even
arguments on the side of the interveners had been
concluded. The suit itself was dismissed for default
only because on behalf of the plaintiff there was a
failure to address arguments. But the suit was
subsequently restored. At that stage no counter-claim
could be entertained at the instance of the
interveners. A counter-claim, no doubt, could be filed
even after the written statement is filed, but that
does not mean that a counter-claim can be raised after
issues are framed and the evidence is closed.
Therefore, the entertaining of the so-called
counter-claim of Defendants 3 to 17 by the trial court,
after the framing of issues for trial, was clearly
illegal and without jurisdiction. On that short ground
the so called counter-claim, filed by Defendants 3 to
17 has to be held to be not maintainable.
19. As can be seen, what Defendants 3 to 17 did, was
to merely amend their written statement by adding a
sentence to para 16 of the written statement they
originally filed. In para 16 it was only pleaded that
those defendants were claiming to be in peaceful
possession of the suit lands ever since the time of
their predecessors. They wanted to add that they had
claimed acquisition of title based on long and
uninterrupted possession and they crave leave to get
their title declared in the suit for which a
declaratory court fee is paid. It may be noted that not
even a prayer was sought to be added seeking a
declaration of their title as is the normal practice.
It is, therefore, clear that on going through the
original written statement and the amendment
introduced, that there was no counter-claim in terms of
Order 8 Rule 6A of the Code in the case on hand, which
justifies a trial of that counter-claim even
assuming that such a counter-claim was maintainable
even if no relief was claimed against the plaintiff in
the suit but it was directed only against the
co-defendants in the suit. The counter-claim so called
is liable to be rejected on that ground as well.”
(emphasis is ours)
5. The factual position in the relied upon judgment, is not
similar to the factual position of the case in hand. In the
present case, after the issues had been framed, the plaintiff’s5
evidence had commenced to be recorded. Though the same had not yet
been concluded. In Rohit Singh’ case (supra), on the other hand,
not only were issues framed, and the evidence of the rival
parties, including the defendant recorded. Furthermore, on several
occasions, arguments were heard for the ultimate disposal of the
suit. And more than once, the judgment was also reserved, but
then, on account of transfer of the Judge, and for other reasons,
evident from the extract recorded hereinabove, judgment could not
be pronounced. It is in the aforesaid situation, that the counter
claim filed by the defendants, at such a belated stage, was
considered to be, not sustainable in law. We are, therefore,
satisfied in holding, that the judgment rendered in Rohit Singh’s
case is clearly not applicable to the facts and circumstances of
this case.
6. Furthermore, learned counsel for the appellants had
contended, on the basis of observations recorded in para 18
(extracted above) in Rohit Singh’s case (supra), that counter
claim would not be permissible after framing of the issues, and
after the evidence is concluded. Even if the above parameter is
applied to the facts of the present case, it is apparent, that the
judgment rendered in Rohit Singh’s case (supra) would not lead to
the findings recorded by the High Court in the impugned order, for
the simple reason, that in Rohit Singh's case, evidence from both
sides was concluded, and even arguments had been heard, whereas,
in the present case, even though evidence on behalf of the
respondent-plaintiff has commenced, it has not yet concluded. The
evidence on behalf of the defendants is yet to commence. 6
7. Despite the conclusions recorded by us hereinabove, it is
relevant to record, that it was also the contention of the learned
counsel for the respondent-plaintiff, that the decision rendered
by this Court in Rohit Singh’s case, has been reiterated in
Bollepanda P. Poonacha & Anr vs. K.M.Madapa, (2008) 13 SCC 179,
and a perusal of the above judgment, would lead to the conclusion,
that in the factual analysis, the conclusions drawn by the High
Court were justified. Our pointed attention was drawn to the
conclusions recorded in paragraph 15 of the above judgment, which
is extracted hereunder:
“15. A belated counter claim must be discouraged by this
Court. See Ramesh Chand Ardawatiya Vs. Anil Panjwani
[(2003) 7 SCC 350]. We are, however, not unmindful of the
decisions of this Court where a defendant has been allowed
to amend his written statement so as to enable him to
elaborate his defence or to take additional pleas in
support of his case. The Court in such matters has a wide
discretion. It must, however, subserve the ultimate cause
of justice. It may be true that further litigation should
be endeavoured to be avoided. It may also be true that
joinder of several causes of action in a suit is
permissible. The Court, must, however, exercise the
discretionary jurisdiction in a judicious manner. While
considering that subservance of justice is the ultimate
goal, the statutory limitation shall not be overstepped.
Grant of relief will depend upon the factual background
involved in each case. The Court, while undoubtedly would
take into consideration the questions of serious injustice
or irreparable loss, but nevertheless should bear in mind
that a provision for amendment of pleadings are not
available as a matter of right under all circumstances.
One cause of action cannot be allowed to be substituted by
another. Ordinarily, effect of an admission made in
earlier pleadings shall not be permitted to be taken away.
See State of A.P Vs. M/s. Pioneer Builders, A.P. [(2006) 9
SCALE 520] and Steel Authority of India Ltd. Vs. Union of
India [2006 (9) SCALE 597] and Himmat Singh Vs. I.C.I.
India Ltd. [2008 (2) SCALE 152].”
(emphasis is ours)
Having perused the conclusions drawn in paragraph 15, extracted7
above, we are satisfied, that the same are wholly inapplicable to
the facts and circumstances of this case, and that, the decision
of the High Court could not have been legitimately based on the
conclusions recorded in paragraph 15, extracted above.
8. It is in these circumstances, that we advert to Order
VIII Rule 6A of the Code of Civil Procedure, which is being
reproduced below:
“6A. Counter-claim by defendant - (1) A defendant
in a suit may, in addition to his right of pleading a
set-off under rule 6, set up, by way of counter-claim
against the claim of the plaintiff, any right or claim
in respect of a cause of action accruing to the
defendant against the plaintiff either before or after
the filing of the suit but before the defendant has
delivered his defence or before the time limited for
delivering his defence has expired, whether such
counter-claim is in the nature of a claim for damages
or not:
Provided that such counter-claim shall not exceed
the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the Court.
(2) Such counter-claim shall have the same effect as a
cross-suit so as to enable the Court to pronounce a
final judgment in the same suit, both on the original
claim and on the counter-claim.
(3) The plaintiff shall be at liberty to file a written
statement in answer to the counter-claim of the
defendant within such period as may be fixed by the
Court.
(4) The counter-claim shall be treated as a plaint and
governed by the rules applicable to plaints.”
A perusal of Sub-clause (1) of Section 6A of Order VIII, leaves no
room for any doubt, that the cause of action in respect of which a
counter claim can be filed, should accrue before the defendant has
delivered his defence, namely, before the defendant has filed a8
written statement. The instant determination of ours is supported
by the conclusions drawn in Bollepanda P. Poonacha & Anr vs.
K.M.Madapa (supra), wherein this Court observed as under:
“11. The provision of Order 8 Rule 6-A must be
considered having regard to the aforementioned
provisions. A right to file counterclaim is an
additional right. It may be filed in respect of any
right or claim, the cause of action therefor, however,
must accrue either before or after the filing of the
suit but before the defendant has raised his defence.
The respondent in his application for amendment of
written statement categorically raised the plea that
the appellants had tresspassed on the lands in
question in the summer of 1998. Cause of action for
filing the counterclaim inter alia was said to have
arisen at that time. It was so explicitly stated in
the said application. The said application, in our
opinion, was, thus, clearly not maintainable. The
decision of Ryaz Ahmed (supra) is based on the
decision of this Court in Baldev Singh Vs. Manohar
Singh [(2006) 6 SCC 498].”
(emphasis is ours)
It is not a matter of dispute in the present case, that cause of
action for which the counter-claim was filed in the present case,
arose before the respondent-plaintiff filed the suit (out of which
these petitions/appeals have arisen). It is therefore apparent that
the appellants before this Court were well within their right to
file the counter-claim.
9. It is quite apparent from the factual position noticed
hereinabove, that after the issues were framed on 18.10.1993, the
counter claim was filed by the appellants before this Court (i.e.
by defendant Nos.3 and 4 before the trial court) almost two and a
half years after the framing of the issues. Having given our
thoughtful consideration to the provisions relating to the filing
of counter claim, we are satisfied, that there was no justification
whatsoever for the High Court to have declined, the appellant
before this Court from filing his counter claim on 17.06.1996,
specially because, it is not a matter of dispute, that the cause of
action, on the basis of which the counter claim was filed by
defendant Nos.3 and 4, accrued before their written statement was
filed on 11.11.1992. In the present case, the
respondent-plaintiff's evidence was still being recorded by the
trial court, when the counter-claim was filed. It has also not
been shown to us, that any prejudice would be caused to the
respondent-plaintiff before the trial court, if the counter-claim
was to be adjudicated upon, along with the main suit. We are of the
view, that no serious injustice or irreparable loss (as expressed
in paragraph 15 of Bollepanda P.Pooncha's case), would be suffered
by the respondent-plaintiff in this case.
10. For the reasons recorded hereinabove, we set aside the
impugned order passed by the High Court dated 02.01.2008, and
restore the order passed by the trial court dated 28.10.1996.
11. The appeals are allowed in the above terms.
12. Needless to mention, that it shall be open to the
respondent-plaintiff to raise all pleas open to him through the
written statement which is filed by the respondent-plaintiff, to
the counter claim.
13. Leave granted.
14. Learned counsel for the parties are agreed, that the
controversy raised in the instant appeal, is akin to the one10
adjudicated upon by this Court in Vijay Prakash Jarath vs. Tej
Prakash Jarath (Civil Appeal Nos.2308-2309 of 2016, arising out of
SLP(C)Nos.8536-8537 of 2008, decided by us on 01.03.2016. The
instant appeal is accordingly allowed in terms of the decision
rendered by this Court in Vijay Prakash Jarath vs. Tej Prakash
Jarath decided on 01.03.2016.
..........................J.
(JAGDISH SINGH KHEHAR)
..........................J.
(C.NAGAPPAN)
NEW DELHI;
MARCH 1, 2016.11
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