Exemption from arrest and personal appearance
Full Text
In a suit instituted against a public officer in respect of any act purporting to be done by him in his official capacity—
(a) the defendant shall not be liable to arrest nor his property to attachment otherwise than in execution of a decree, and,
(b) where the Court is satisfied that the defendant cannot absent himself from his duty without detriment to the public service, it shall exempt him from appearing in person.
Plain English Summary
Section 81 extends statutory protection to public officers sued in their official capacity by immunizing them and their property from pre-judgment arrest and attachment before judgment (under Order XXXVIII), and mandating exemption from personal court appearance where absence from public duty would cause public detriment.
Key Legal Elements
- Immunity from Pre-Judgment Coercion (cl. a): Public officer cannot be arrested and their property cannot be attached before judgment (Order XXXVIII excluded; only post-decree execution allowed).
- Official Capacity Scope: Applies strictly to acts done or purporting to be done in their official public capacity.
- Mandatory Appearance Exemption (cl. b): Court is obligated ('shall exempt') to dispense with personal attendance if absence harms public service.
- Representation by Government Pleader: Officer may defend and appear entirely through counsel/Government Pleader under Order XXVII.
Practical Note
Bar on Order XXXVIII Arrest/Attachment & Exemption from Personal Appearance: (1) Absolute Bar Against Interim Attachment: Litigants frequently file applications under Order XXXVIII Rule 5 for attachment before judgment against defendants; Section 81(a) creates a statutory immunity preventing plaintiffs from attaching a public officer's salary, bank accounts, or property prior to the passing of a final decree. (2) Protection from Harassment: Routine summoning of high-ranking government officials (Secretaries, Collectors, Municipal Commissioners) to stand in court is discouraged; under clause (b), if their absence prejudices public administration, the court must exempt personal presence and permit representation through the Government Pleader under Order XXVII Rule 2.
हिंदी पाठ
किसी लोक अधिकारी के विरुद्ध उसके द्वारा अपनी पदीय हैसियत में किए जाने के लिए तात्पर्यित किसी कार्य के संबंध में संस्थित किए गए किसी वाद में—
(क) प्रतिवादी किसी डिक्री के निष्पादन से अन्यथा गिरफ्तारी का और न ही उसकी संपत्ति कुर्की की दायित्वाधीन होगी, तथा
(ख) जहां न्यायालय का यह समाधान हो जाता है कि प्रतिवादी लोक सेवा की हानि के बिना अपने कर्तव्य से अनुपस्थित नहीं रह सकता, वहां वह उसे स्वयं उपस्थित होने से छूट देगा।