High CourtsDivision Bench(1935) 09 MAD CK 0021

Ramakrishna Nadar and Another vs Ponnayya Thirumalai Vandaya Thevar and Others

Madras High Court · Decided on 23 September 1935 · Citation: AIR 1936 Mad 24 : 159 Ind. Cas. 1029 : (1936) 43 LW 67 : (1935) 69 MLJ 791

HON’BLE JUDGES
Varadachariar, J

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Judgment

23 paragraphs · 586 words

Varadachariar, J.—We do not think it necessary for the purpose of disposing of this appeal to express any definite-opinion on the proper

construction of Order 33, Rule 15, but we may note that the view taken by the Allahabad High Court in Mahadeo Sahai v. Secretary of State

1932 All 312 has recently been. affirmed by a Full Bench of that Court in Shiam Sundar v. Mt. Savitri Kunwar 1935 All 723. The costs directed

to be paid to the respondent in O. P. No. 8 of 1931 have been paid on 2nd March 1932 and assuming, as contended for by the defendants, that

this won''t satisfy the terms of Order 33, Rule 15, because of the use of the word ''first'' in that rule, we do not think the Court below need have

dismissed the suit altogether. It is unnecessary to go through the formality of a dismissal and a re-institution the next moment after payment of the

costs ordered in O. P. No. 8 of 1931. We think it will be sufficient to say that the suit must be treated as one instituted on 2nd March 1932, and

dealt with ''on that basis.

2.

On behalf of the respondents here it was argued that the appellate Court has no power to make any such order because there was no suit

regularly instituted in the Court below and therefore no appeal legally before us in which we can make any such order; and reliance was placed on

the Full Bench decision of the Allahabad High Court above referred to for that purpose, and on a judgment of the Privy Council which is also

referred to in that case. We do not agree with this contention. The Allahabad Full Bench only held that payment of the costs of the pauper petition

during the pendency of the subsequent suit would not amount to a substantial compliance with the terms of Order 33, Rule 15; that is, it would not

make the institution of the suit valid as from the date of the institution. It has nothing to do with the course that we now propose to adopt. Nor has

the Privy Council decision any bearing upon this point. In that case a right of appeal was given only on leave granted by the Court of first instance

or by the appellate Court and the grant of leave was made by the law itself subject to certain conditions being complied with. All that their

Lordships held was that where these conditions had not been complied with and no leave had been granted, there was no case before the Court of

appeal to deal with. Whether the ground sought to be urged in the appeal in the present case is well founded or not, it does not seem to us right to

hold that the appeal itself is not competent and that there is no appeal that the Court can legally deal with.

3.

We accordingly set aside the decree of dismissal and send the case back to the lower Court with directions to restore it to file and deal with the

suit on the merits on the footing that the suit was instituted on 2nd March 1932. We have been informed that, as a precaution, the plaintiffs have in

fact filed another suit in the lower Court. To avoid any complications or conflicts, we direct that arrangements may be made for both the suits being

heard together. There will be no order as to costs in this appeal.