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1994 DIGILAW 90 (GUJ)

VASANT SHAH v. MAGANLAL HIRJIBHAI THAKKAR

1994-03-19

R.A.MEHTA

body1994
MEHTA, J. ( 1 ) THE original defendant No. 2 is aggrieved by the Order directing him to pay special cost in sum of Rs. 2,000. 00 to the plaintiff. ( 2 ) IN the Civil Suit issues were framed on 6-3-1990 and the matter could not be proceeded with on the earlier two occasions on account of adjournments sought by the defendant. Ultimately, on 25-9-1990, the learned judge rejected the application submitted by the defendant No. 2 in person seeking adjournment of the suit on the ground of change of the learned advocate. The learned Judge observed that when the desired adjournment could not be obtained, the recourse is made to further dilatory tactics by means of the present application purported to have been made by defendant no. 2 in person. The learned Judge also observed that this application is smacked of mala fide on the part of defendant No. 2 as well as his learned advocate. The learned Judge further observed that no ground whatsoever was given as to why defendant No. 2 wanted to change his Advocate when the matter was set down for recording the evidence. In view of dilatory tactics adopted by the litigant, the learned Judge passed an order for special costs in sum of Rs. 2,000. 00. ( 3 ) THE learned Advocate for the petitioner submitted that under Sec. 35b of the Code of Civil Procedure, this order could not have been passed because that section provides for awarding costs for causing delay and that too only if the party to the suit obtains an adjournment on any date fixed for hearing of a suit or for taking any step therein, the Court may make an order requiring such party to pay to the other side such costs as would, in the opinion of the Court should be reasonable and sufficient to reimburse the other party in respect of the expenses incurred by him in attending the Court on that date. It is submitted that when the adjournment is refused on this application being made, the question of causing the delay would not arise. ( 4 ) THOUGH, the petitioner is right that Sec. 35b is not applicable. But sec. 35a does vest discretion in the Court to award special cost in all proceedings where any false or vexatious and/or unsuccessful attempt is made to prolong the proceedings. ( 4 ) THOUGH, the petitioner is right that Sec. 35b is not applicable. But sec. 35a does vest discretion in the Court to award special cost in all proceedings where any false or vexatious and/or unsuccessful attempt is made to prolong the proceedings. Therefore, the order of costs in the facts of the present case quantified at Rs. 2,000. 00 is justified. Under Sec. 115 of C. P. C. , the High Court shall not vary or reverse any order made by the trial Court, except where the order, if allowed to stand, would occasion failure of justice. In the present case, there is no failure of justice, hence, this application deserves to be dismissed. ( 5 ) IN the result, this application is dismissed. Rule discharged. Interim stay/relief vacated. .