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1997 DIGILAW 904 (MAD)

Karuppusamy Pillai and others v. Swami Subramania Chettiar

1997-08-22

BALASUBRAMANYAN, S.M.ABDUL WAHAB, THANIKKACHALAM

body1997
Judgment :- N.V. Balasubramanian, J. 1. In the above said Letters Patent Appeals, the following question was referred for decision: "Whether Letters Patent Appeal would lie against the order of a learned single Judge of the High Court passed in a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal?" 2. The necessary facts leading to the reference of the abovesaid question are as follows: One Durairajan and his son D. Rajkumar filed a scheme suit in O.S. No. 684 of 1995 on the file of Sub-Judge, Coimbatore, to frame a scheme for the administration of a trust known as G.R. Govindarajulu & Sons Charities. The trust was created by a trust deed dated 19. 1958. In the said scheme suit, I.A. No. 944 of 1995 was filed praying for an interim injunction restraining D. Srinivasan from acting as a trustee. I.A. No. 943 of 1995 was filed praying for an interim injunction restraining the respondents therein from re-constituting and replacing or altering the Trust Board without the sanction of the Court. Interim injunction in both the above said applications were initially granted by the trial court. The trial court then by a common order dated 28. 1995 vacated the interim injunction granted in both the applications on the grounds (1) Chandrakanthi and Rengasamy in collusion co- opted the trustees and disqualified Seethalakshmi as trustee, without notice; (2) the meetings were not held as per the trust deed or resolutions; and (3) D. Srinivasan is not a fit person for trusteeship and he was restrained from attending the Trust Board meetings and allowed Seethalakshmi to act as a trustee in the Trust Board. 3. While vacating the interim injunction in I.A. No. 943 of 1995, the trial court held that (1) the trustees can be co-opted by an unanimous decision of the Trust Board; (2) the irregularities pointed out by Rajkumar have not been rectified; (3) the minutes of the Trust Board meeting dated 16. 1995 were not signed by Rajkumar. 4. On contest made by the respondents, the trial court, with the above said findings, dismissed the applications for injunction. Against the common order, the following civil miscellaneous appeals were filed before this Court: 1. CMA. No. 1341 of 1995 against I.A. No. 943 of 1995 by respondents 1,2, and 3. 2. CMA. No. 1388 of 1995 against I.A. No. 944 of 1995 by do. 3. CMA. Against the common order, the following civil miscellaneous appeals were filed before this Court: 1. CMA. No. 1341 of 1995 against I.A. No. 943 of 1995 by respondents 1,2, and 3. 2. CMA. No. 1388 of 1995 against I.A. No. 944 of 1995 by do. 3. CMA. No. 1441 of 1995 against I.A. No. 944 of 1995 by D.Srini-vasan. 4. CMA. No. 1442 of 1995 against I.A. No. 943 of 1995 by D. Srinivasan. 5. CMA. No. 1357 of 1995 against I.A. No. 943 of 1995 by Rajkumar and Devarajan. 5. The learned single judge of this Court by a common order dated 5. 1996 and by a clarification order dated 15. 1996, modified the order of the trial Court to the effect that Seethalakshmis removal can be decided in the suit and that the co-option can be effected by majority. The learned single Judge also granted permission to the Trust Board to fill up the vacancy of Rajkumar by a majority decision even during summer holidays and the appointment should be ratified by the Sub-Court, Coimbatore. It was pointed out that no Trust Board meeting was held from 29. 1995 till the date of the order passed in the civil miscellaneous appeals on 15. 1996. It is also to be noted that on 19. 1994, the Trust Board passed a resolution adopting unanimously to increase the strength of the Trust Board members from seven to nine. 6. Against the common order passed by the learned single Judge in the civil miscellaneous appeals, these appeals LPA. Nos.87 to 90 and 101 of 1996 were filed and interim orders also sought for the appointment of Seethalakshmi and Rajkumar as the trustees of the Trust Board. Stay of the operation of the orders of the first appellate Court was also asked for. At the time of admission of these Letters Patent Appeals, the question of maintainability of Letters Patent Appeals was raised. Since LPA No. 90 of 1994 has already been referred to a Full Bench to decide this question, the other appeals were also referred to the Full Bench for deciding the question of maintainability. 7. At the time of admission of these Letters Patent Appeals, the question of maintainability of Letters Patent Appeals was raised. Since LPA No. 90 of 1994 has already been referred to a Full Bench to decide this question, the other appeals were also referred to the Full Bench for deciding the question of maintainability. 7. As already stated, the present appeals under clause 15 of the Letters Patent are filed against the order of the learned single Judge in C.M.A. Nos.1341 of 1995 etc., The main objection taken in these appeals is that no letters patent appeal under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent would lie against the appellate order of the learned single Judge of this Court. The objection to the maintainability of the appeal is mainly based on the following decisions: M/s. New Kenilworth Hotel (P) Ltd. , v. Orissa State Finance Corporation , 1997 (2) L.W. 276; Rosham Singh Pyara Singh v. Abdul Sattat , 1996 (I) C.T.C. 185 : 1996 (1) L.W. 357; Sarasammal v. Murugasamy and others , 1995 (I) C.T.C.. 450 ; Somasundaram v. Thangaraju , 1997 (1) L.W. 506 ; Madan Naik v. Hansubala Devi , AIR 1983 S.C. 676 ; B.S. Adityam v. Financing Association of India , Jabalpur, AIR 1991 M.P. 316 ; Union of India v. Mohindra Supply Co. , AIR 1962 S.C. 256 ; Charity Commissioner, Bombay v. Rajendra Singh , AIR 1984 Bom. 478. It is upon those judgments, it was argued that section 104(2) of the Code of Civil Procedure bars appeals under clause 15 of the Letters Patent. Civil miscellaneous appeals were filed in this Court under section 104 read with Order 43, Rule 1(J) of the Code and therefore, by virtue of the provisions of section 104(2), no further appeal will lie from an order passed in such appeals. Mr.G. Masilamani, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that Letters Patent is a special law and the Civil Procedure Code is a central law and therefore, the special provisions cannot be done away with by resorting to the subsequent central legislation. Mr.G. Masilamani, learned Senior Counsel further pointed out that the subsequent rulings of the Supreme Court have not referred to ruling of four Judges Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Mohindra Supply Co. AIR 1962 S.C 256 . .8. Mr.G. Masilamani, learned Senior Counsel further pointed out that the subsequent rulings of the Supreme Court have not referred to ruling of four Judges Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Mohindra Supply Co. AIR 1962 S.C 256 . .8. It has to be seen that the right to get an injunction is covered by a special law, namely, Specific Relief Act, Chapter VII. Section 36 of the Specific Relief Act deals with the grant of preventive relief of injunction by grant of injunction, temporary or perpetual. Section 37 of the said Act deals with temporary and perpetual injunction and states that temporary injunction is regulated by the Civil Procedure Code. In Civil Procedure Code, we find section 94 and Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 and that is made appelable under Order 41 Rule 1(r) read with section 104, C.P.C. Therefore, a special right to get injunction with inbuilt remedy of appeal under Order 43, Rule 1(r) read with section 104 is governed by the Civil Procedure Code. When the relief is granted under the Civil Procedure Code, the remedy should be only within the four corners of the Civil Procedure Code and not otherwise. Section 4 of the Civil Procedure Code cannot be resorted to and even otherwise grant of injunction is a special remedy, covered by the Specific Relief Act resorting to the Civil Procedure Code. This is the view adumbrated in the decision in Madan Naik v. Hansubala Devi, AIR 1983 S.C. 676 . The decision in the case of Mohindra Supply Co., AIR 1962 S.C. 256 does not lay down that an appeal would lie under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, irrespective of section 104(2) of the Code of Civil Procedure. 9. Clause 15 of the Letters Patent cannot be read in isolation and dissociated from Clause 44 of the Letters Patent. The provisions of the Letters Patent are only subject to the legislative powers of the Indian Legislature. Consequently, clause 44, which was substituted in 1919 clearly makes it subject to the Civil Procedure Code and the Letters Patent will not override the civil Procedure Code, when there is a conflict between the Letters Patent and the Civil Procedure Code. The provisions of the Letters Patent are only subject to the legislative powers of the Indian Legislature. Consequently, clause 44, which was substituted in 1919 clearly makes it subject to the Civil Procedure Code and the Letters Patent will not override the civil Procedure Code, when there is a conflict between the Letters Patent and the Civil Procedure Code. Civil Procedure Code alone could govern the matter, as the Civil Procedure Code is not a general law, but a special law providing the implementation of the rights created under sections 36 and 37 of the Specific Relief Act. In fact, the decision in the case of Mohindra Supply Co., AIR 1962 SC 256 , though decided by a Bench of four Judges, does not lay down the proposition that despite section 104(2) of the Code, clause 15 of the Letters Patent could be invoked. .10. The rulings in Radhy Shyam v. Shyam Behari, AIR 1971 SC 2337 , is arising under Order 21, Rule 90 of the Code. The main point that centered round was that an order under Order 21 Rule 90 of the Code would amount to a judgment and the question of section 104(2) was not at all raised in that case. In fact, the ruling in Babulal Khimjis case, AIR 1981 SC 1786 was considering the various types of orders that would come within the scope of the expression "judgment" and in the above said judgment, it was observed that there is no warrant for accepting the argument of the respondent therein that if Order 43, Rule 1 applies, then a further appeal will also lie against the appellate order to a Division Bench, this is neither contemplated nor borne out by the provisions of the Letters Patent. The Supreme Court categorically laid down that no appeal was available against the appellate order of a single judge to a Division Bench under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent. It is significant to note that even the rulings in Radhya Shyams case, AIR 1971 SC 2337 and Mohindra Supply Co.s case, AIR 1962 SC 256 were not referred to. But the decision in the case of Madan Naik, AIR 1983 SC 676 decided by three Judges clearly holds a contrary view. 11. There is no controversy between the rulings in Mohindra Supply Co.s case, AIR 1962 SC 256 and Babulal Khimjis case, AIR 1981 SC 1756. But the decision in the case of Madan Naik, AIR 1983 SC 676 decided by three Judges clearly holds a contrary view. 11. There is no controversy between the rulings in Mohindra Supply Co.s case, AIR 1962 SC 256 and Babulal Khimjis case, AIR 1981 SC 1756. The view expressed in Boopathi Vijayaraghvan Chettiar v. Radha Rukmani Ammal, 1984 TLNJ 92 and in Rukmani v. Thirumalai Chettiar, AIR 1985 Mad. 283 are not supported by any reasoning but merely following the earlier decisions. The decision in Pandey-Mishra & Co. v. Anil, AIR 1989 Bom. 72 is another judgment holding that Letters Patent Appeal is not maintainable. The rulings in Rosham Singh Pyara Singhs case, 1996 (I) C.T.C. 185 : 1996 (1) L.W. 357 and M/s.New Kenilworth Hotels case, 1997 (2) L.W. 506 are in no way inconsistent with the rulings in the case of Mohindra Supply Co., AIR 1962 SC 256 . At this juncture, it is necessary to refer to the rulings in Mohindra Supply Co.s case, AIR 1962 SC 256 , Kevelchand Daga v. Girdhardoss, 1961(2) MLJ 528 and Kunhi Pathumma v. Sundra Ayyar, 1945 (1) MLJ 54 . The decision in Kunhi Pathummas case, 1945 (I) MLJ 54 was overruled by the ruling in Kevelchand Dagas case, 1961 (2) MLJ 528 . The decision in Mohindra Supply Co.s case, AIR 1962 SC 256 overruled the ruling in Kevelchand Dagas case, 1961 (2) MLJ 528 and restored the decision in Kunhi Pathummas case, 1945(1) MLJ 54 . .12. The powers conferred under order 43 Rule 1(r) read with section 104 are special power of appeal in respect of injunction. In fact, in State of W.B. v. Gourangalal Chatterjee, 1993 (3) SCC 1 , it was held referring to the decision in the case of Mohindra Supply Co., AIR 1962 SC 256 that no appeal would lie under section 104(2) of the code. This argument was based upon a number of judgments. It is significant to note that in Punjab Land Development & Reclamation Officer, Corpn. v. Presiding, Labour Court , 1990 (3) SCC 582 at page 705, where the Supreme Court said that the Supreme Court is not bound by its own decisions. It was also held that a precedent may need be departed from, if the basis of legislation changes. All these aspects were considered in Madhusudan Vegetable Products v. Bapa Chemicals Vapi, AIR 1986 Guj. It was also held that a precedent may need be departed from, if the basis of legislation changes. All these aspects were considered in Madhusudan Vegetable Products v. Bapa Chemicals Vapi, AIR 1986 Guj. 156 , Fr.Abraham Mathews v. Allani Pillai, AIR 1981 Kel. 129, Obedur Rahman v. Ahmedali Bharucha, AIR 1983 Bom. 120 and Charity Commissioners case, AIR 1984 Bom. 470. 13. In fact, in Asrumathi Debi v. Rupendra Deb, AIR 1953 SC 198 , it was mentioned that no order is appealable unless an appeal is provided by the Civil Procedure Code or by some other law. In the present cases it cannot be said that the Letters Patent is a special law. It is pertinent to note that the earlier decision in Bhaidas Shivdas v. Bai Gulab and other, AIR 1921 P.C. 6 throws some light on the matter and it runs counter to section 98(2) of the Code. Clause 36 of the Letters Patent deals with the powers of the single judges and Division Benches and Courts. Section 98(3) subsequently covered clause 36 of the Letters Patent. Similarly, Civil Procedure Code excludes its applicability to the Original Side of the High Court. Reference to section 120, C.P.C. excluding Sections 16,17 and 20 of the Code in Original Side may also be made. It is a well known principle of interpretation of statute that when a particular provision preserves an earlier enactment and other provisions made no reference to the same, what is not preserved is impliedly made inapplicable. 14. In M/s. New Kenilworth Hotels case, 1997 (2) L.W. 276, it was held as under: "It is settled legal position that right of appeal is a creature of the statute. Against an interlocutory order, an appeal has been provided under Sec. 104(1) of the Code read with Order 43, Rule 1. In respect of interim injunction, it is covered by Order 43, Rule 1 (r). In this case, the order of status quo was passed in an application filed under Order 39, Rule 1 appealable under Order 43, Rule 1(r) of the Code. Sub-section (2) of section 104 specifically prohibits second appeal against such an order postulating that "No appeal shall lie from any order passed in appeal under this section." In Resham Singh Pyara Singh v. Abdul Sattar, 1996 (I) C.T.C. 185 : JT. Sub-section (2) of section 104 specifically prohibits second appeal against such an order postulating that "No appeal shall lie from any order passed in appeal under this section." In Resham Singh Pyara Singh v. Abdul Sattar, 1996 (I) C.T.C. 185 : JT. 1995(8) SC 559 : (1996) 2 SCC 49) a Bench of this Court consisting of K. Ramaswamy and B.L. Hansaria, JJ. has held that against an appellate order of a learned single Judge of a High Court passed by the Civil Court, a Letters Patent Appeal would not lie by reason of the bar created by subsection (2) of section 104 of the Code. "It would, thus, be seen that Clause 10 of the Letters Patent consists of only two parts. In the first part, an appeal shall lie from a judgment of a learned single Judge to a Division Bench not being a judgment passed in exercise of the appellate jurisdiction or revisional jurisdiction. In other cases, where the learned single Judge exercises the appellate jurisdiction, if he certifies that it is a fit case for an appeal to the Division Bench. Notwithstanding the prohibition contained in the latter part of clause 10, an appeal would lie. It is seen that the Division Bench in Sukkri Dibyas case (supra) has interpreted Clause 10 and stated that it consists of three components." "The question then is: Whether notwithstanding such prohibition, though an order of injunction passed by the learned single Judge in the appellate jurisdiction under Order 39, Rule 1 is a judgment, as held by this court in Shah Babulal Khimji v. Jayaben D.C. Kania and another, 1981 (4) SCC 8 , an appeal would lie on the basis there of ? It is contended that an appeal would lie to the Division Bench. We find no force in the contention. It is true that the learned Judges composing of the Division Bench as well as the Full Bench of the High Court construed that the ratio in Shah Babulal Khimjis case, 1981 (4) SCC 8 , would attract item (ii) of the analysis of the learned Judges and, therefore, an appeal would lie to the Division Bench. We are of the view that the learned judges, with due respect, have not understood the scope of the judgment in Shah Babulal Khimjis case, 1981 (4) SCC 8 , in its proper perspective. We are of the view that the learned judges, with due respect, have not understood the scope of the judgment in Shah Babulal Khimjis case, 1981 (4) SCC 8 , in its proper perspective. Therein, the learned single Judge exercising the original jurisdiction of the High Court passed an order in applications filed under Order 40, Rule 1 for appointment of a receiver and issue of injunction order under Order 39, Rule 1." "Since section 104(2) expressly prohibits an appeal, against an order passed by the appellate court under Order 43, Rule 1 read with section 104(1) no appeal would lie. As a consequence no Letters Patent Appeal would lie. This view taken in Madhusudan Vegetable Products Co. Ltd., Ahmedabad v. Bapa Chemicals Vapi & Ors. AIR 1986 Guj. 156 and Firm Chhunilal Laxman Prasad v. M/s. Agarwal and Co. & Ors, AIR 1987 MP.172 by the two High Courts is correct in law. The view of the Division Bench in Shashikala v. Hiren, 1991 CLT 197 is correct in law. Sukuri Dibyas case and the Birendras case are not good law." "Thereby the judgment from an appellate jurisdiction stands excluded under the first part of clause 10 of the Letters Patent itself. Therefore, the Division Bench of the High Court was right in holding that the Letters Patent Appeal would not lie against an order of the learned single Judge." 15. It was held in Resham Singh Pyara Singhs case, 1996 (I) C.T.C. 185 : 1996 (1) SCC 49 by the Supreme Court while considering section 104 and Order 43 Rule 1(r) C.P.C. as follows:- "It would, therefore, be clear that when an appeal was filed against the order of the City Civil Court, Bombay to the learned single Judge under Order 43 Rule 1(r) as provided in sub- section (1) of section 104 by operation of sub-section (2) of section 104, no further appeal shall lie from any order passed in appeal under this section. In Khimjis case, the suit was filed on the original side of the High Court and the learned Single Judge on the original side passed an interlocutory order. In Khimjis case, the suit was filed on the original side of the High Court and the learned Single Judge on the original side passed an interlocutory order. Against the orders of the learned single judge, though it was an interlocutory order, since the appeal would lie to the Division Bench under the Letters Patent, this Court held that against the interlocutory orders passed by the Single Judge, Letters Patent Appeal would be maintainable. That ratio, therefore, is clearly inapplicable to the facts in this case." 16. Similarly, a Division Bench of this Court consisting of Srinivasan, J. (as he then was) and S.S. Subramani, J, in LPA No. 204 of 1992 by the judgment dated 17. 1996 Somasundaram v. Thangaraju, 1997 (1) L.W. 506 after considering the prior decisions on this subject, held that Letters Patent Appeal is not maintainable because of the provision of section 104(2) of the Code of Civil Procedure and consequently, Letters Patent Appeal was dismissed. This judgment was rendered by taking into consideration the above said two decisions of the Supreme Court along with other decisions. 17. A similar view was taken by a Division Bench comprising of Mr.K.A. Swami, C.J. and Raju, J., which was reported in Sarasammal v. Murugasamy and others, 1995 (I) C.T.C. 450 , wherein it was ultimately held that section 104, C.P.C. overrides clause 15 of the letters patent. This view taken was taken in accordance with the view by the Supreme Court in M/s. New Kenilworth Hotels case, 1997 (1) L.W. 256. 18. In view of the above said recent decisions of the Supreme Court, whatever may be the reasons given by the learned counsel appearing for the appellants that letter patent appeal would lie against an order passed by the learned single Judge of this Court sitting on the appellate side, we are unable to accept such an argument. Accordingly, we answer the question referred to us by holding that since section 104(2) of the Code expressly prohibits an appeal against the order passed by the appellate court under Order XLIII Rule 1 read with section 104 of the Code, no Letters Patent Appeal would lie. Accordingly, these Letters Patent Appeals are dismissed as not maintainable. There will be no order as to costs. All the pending civil miscellaneous petitions are dismissed.