MANOHAR SINGH versus D.S. SHARMA & ORS.

MANOHAR SINGH versus D.S. SHARMA & ORS.

Dismissal of suit for failure to pay costs is not contemplated under Section 35B of CPC. Non-payment results in forfeiture of the right to further prosecute the suit; the court should proceed on merits with available evidence and argument of the non-defaulting party.

Parties
Appellant: Manohar Singh; Respondents: D.S. Sharma & Ors.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
13 November 2009
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Appeal From High Court Judgment and Trial Court Order
Outcome
Appeals allowed; orders of High Court and trial court set aside; suit restored subject to conditions.
Legal Topics
Costs for Causing Delay, Non Payment of Costs, Dismissal of Suit, Adjournments, Cross Examination, Forfeiture of Rights

Case Brief

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Parties

Manohar Singh

Appellant

D.S. Sharma & Ors.

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Appeal From High Court Judgment and Trial Court Order

  1. 1 Whether courts below were justified in dismissing the suit of the plaintiff for non-payment of cost levied for harassing defendants and witness by seeking repeated adjournments

Ratio Decidendi

Dismissal of suit for failure to pay costs is not contemplated under Section 35B of CPC. Non-payment results in forfeiture of the right to further prosecute the suit; the court should proceed on merits with available evidence and argument of the non-defaulting party.

Court Disposition

Appeals allowed; orders of High Court and trial court set aside; suit restored subject to conditions.

Orders

  • Suit restored to file.
  • Plaintiff's right to cross-examine DW2 forfeited.