Notice to show cause against execution in certain cases
Full Text
(1) Where an application for execution is made—
(a) more than two years after the date of the decree, or
(b) against the legal representative of a party to the decree or where an application is made for execution of a decree filed under the provisions of section 44A, or
(c) against the assignee or receiver in insolvency, where the party to the decree has been adjudged to be an insolvent,
the Court executing the decree shall issue a notice to the person against whom execution is applied for requiring him to show cause, on a date to be fixed, why the decree should not be executed against him: Provided that no such notice shall be necessary in consequence of more than two years having elapsed between the date of the decree and the application for execution if the application is made within two years from the date of the last order against the party against whom execution is applied for, made on any previous application for execution, or in consequence of the application being made against the legal representative of the judgment-debtor if upon a previous application for execution against the same person the Court has ordered execution to issue against him.
(2) Nothing in the foregoing sub-rule shall be deemed to preclude the Court from issuing any process in execution of a decree without issuing the notice thereby prescribed, if, for reasons to be recorded, it considers that the issue of such notice would cause unreasonable delay or would defeat the ends of justice.
Plain English Summary
Mandates the issuance of a show-cause notice before issuing execution process where the application is filed more than 2 years after the decree, or against legal representatives, or against an insolvency receiver, unless dispensing with notice is justified under recorded reasons.
Key Legal Elements
- Three Mandatory Notice Triggers: (a) Over 2 years post-decree; (b) Against legal representatives / Section 44A foreign decrees; (c) Against insolvency receivers.
- Natural Justice in Execution: Prevents surprise attachments on stale decrees.
- Emergency Dispensation (Sub-rule 2): Court can issue immediate attachment without notice if debtor is about to abscond or alienate assets.
Practical Note
Strategic Use of Rule 22 and Emergency Dispensation under Sub-rule (2): 1. Mandatory Jurisdictional Notice: Historically and in established practice, issuing process without Rule 22 notice when required by law renders execution void unless covered by recorded reasons under Sub-rule (2). 2. Urgent Ex-Parte Attachment Motion: When filing execution 3 years after decree and the debtor is actively demolishing the structure or selling flats, explicitly invoke Sub-rule (2): 'The Decree-Holder prays for dispensing with prior notice under Order XXI Rule 22(2) CPC and issuing immediate warrants of attachment, as notice will defeat the ends of justice'.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां निष्पादन का आवेदन: (क) डिक्री की तारीख के दो वर्ष से अधिक समय बाद किया जाता है; अथवा (ख) डिक्री के किसी पक्षकार के विधिक प्रतिनिधि (Legal Representative) के विरुद्ध अथवा धारा 44क के अधीन किया जाता है; या (ग) दिवालिया न्यायनिर्णीत पक्षकार के समनुदेशिती या रिसीवर के विरुद्ध किया जाता है, वहां निष्पादन न्यायालय उस व्यक्ति को कारण बताओ नोटिस (Notice to Show Cause) जारी करेगा कि उसके विरुद्ध डिक्री का निष्पादन क्यों न किया जाए: परन्तु यदि पिछले 2 वर्ष के भीतर कोई निष्पादन आदेश हुआ था तो 2 वर्ष बीतने पर भी नोटिस अनिवार्य नहीं होगा।
(2) यदि न्यायालय लिखित कारणों से यह समझता है कि नोटिस जारी करने से अयुक्तियुक्त विलंब होगा या न्याय के उद्देश्य विफल हो जाएंगे, तो वह नोटिस जारी किए बिना भी निष्पादन का आदेश दे सकेगा।