Objections as to non-joinder or misjoinder
Full Text
All objections on the ground of non-joinder or misjoinder of parties shall be taken at the earliest possible opportunity and, in all cases where issues are settled, at or before such settlement, unless the ground of objection has subsequently arisen, and any such objection not so taken shall be deemed to have been waived.
Plain English Summary
Mandates that all objections regarding misjoinder or non-joinder of parties must be raised at the threshold at or before settlement of issues, failing which they are conclusively deemed waived.
Key Legal Elements
- Strict Statutory Timeline: Objections must be taken at the earliest possible opportunity and at or before settlement of issues.
- Statutory Waiver: Failure to take the plea in the written statement or before issues constitutes deemed legal waiver.
- Subsequent Ground Exception: Delayed objection permissible only if the ground of objection arose subsequent to framing of issues.
- Proviso / Substantive Distinction: Deemed waiver applies to proper parties, but cannot cure the non-joinder of an indispensable 'necessary party' whose absence prevents any enforceable decree.
Practical Note
Crucial Courtroom Pleading & Appellate Strategy: 1. Mandatory Written Statement Clause: Defendant's advocate MUST incorporate the objection in the preliminary objections of the Written Statement itself. If omitted, the defense of misjoinder or non-joinder is forever extinguished by virtue of deemed waiver. 2. Precedent on Waiver: In State of U.P. v. Ram Swarup, AIR 1974 SC 1570, the Supreme Court held that where objection as to non-joinder is not taken at or before settlement of issues, it cannot be entertained in appeal. 3. Exception for Necessary Party: While waiver is absolute for proper parties, if the omitted party is a 'necessary party' without whom no decree can be passed at all, the court cannot grant relief, and the defect can be examined even at appellate stages. 4. Framing of Preliminary Issue: After raising the objection in the written statement, defendant should request the court under Order XIV Rule 2 to frame a preliminary issue on non-joinder/misjoinder.
हिंदी पाठ
पक्षकारों के असंयोजन या कुसंयोजन के आधार पर सभी आक्षेप यथासंभव शीघ्रतम अवसर पर और उन सभी मामलों में, जिनमें विवाद्यक स्थिर किए जाते हैं, ऐसे स्थिरीकरण के समय या उससे पूर्व लिए जाएंगे, जब तक कि आक्षेप का आधार पश्चातवर्ती रूप में उत्पन्न न हुआ हो, और ऐसा कोई आक्षेप, जो इस प्रकार नहीं लिया गया है, अधित्यक्त (Waived) समझा जाएगा।