No second appeal in certain cases
Full Text
No second appeal shall lie from any decree, when the subject matter of the original suit is for recovery of money not exceeding twenty-five thousand rupees.
Plain English Summary
Section 102 bars second appeals from any civil decree where the subject matter of the original suit is for recovery of money not exceeding twenty-five thousand rupees, regardless of whether a substantial question of law is involved.
Key Legal Elements
- Subject-Matter Test: Limited strictly to suits for the recovery of money.
- Pecuniary Limit: Suits where the original valuation does not exceed twenty-five thousand rupees (₹25,000).
- Absolute Prohibition: Bars second appeal completely, irrespective of the presence of a substantial question of law.
- Exclusion of Non-Monetary Reliefs: Inapplicable to suits concerning immovable property, title declarations, or injunctions.
Practical Note
Pecuniary Bar in Money Recovery Suits & Date of Institution Test: (1) Raised to ₹25,000 by 2002 Amendment: The pecuniary threshold was enhanced from ₹3,000 to ₹25,000 by Act 22 of 2002 to reduce docket overload in High Courts over petty money claims. (2) Total Bar Even on Questions of Law: If the original suit was for money recovery ≤ ₹25,000, Section 102 creates an absolute bar; even if a grave substantial question of law exists, a second appeal under Section 100 cannot be entertained. (3) Original Suit Valuation Governs: The threshold depends strictly on the valuation of the subject-matter of the *original suit* (as valued in the plaint), not the amount decreed or the amount claimed in appeal (*State of Karnataka v. B. Suvarna Malini, 2001*). (4) Non-Money Suits Unaffected: Suits for declaration, injunction, possession of property, or specific performance are not governed by Section 102, even if valued under ₹25,000.
हिंदी पाठ
जब मूल वाद की विषय-वस्तु पच्चीस हजार रुपये से अनधिक की धन की वसूली के लिए है, तब किसी डिक्री से कोई द्वितीय अपील नहीं होगी।