Custody of movable property
Full Text
(1) Where the property attached consists of live-stock, agricultural implements or other articles which cannot conveniently be removed and the attaching officer does not act under the proviso to rule 43, he may, at the instance of the judgment-debtor or of the decree holder or of any other person claiming to be interested in such property, leave it in the village or place where it has been attached, in the custody of any respectable person (hereinafter referred to as the “custodian”).
(2) If the custodian fails, after due notice, to produce such property at the place named by the Court before the officer deputed for the purpose or to restore it to the person in whose favour restoration is ordered by the Court, or if the property, though so produced or restored, is not in the same condition as it was when it was entrusted to him,—
(a) the custodian shall be liable to pay compensation to the decree-holder, judgment-debtor or any other person who is found to be entitled to the restoration thereof, for any loss or damage caused by his default; and
(b) such liability may be enforced—
(i) at the instance of the decree-holder, as if the custodian were a surety under section 145;
(ii) at the instance of the judgment-debtor or such other person, on an application in execution; and
(c) any order determining such liability shall be appealable as a decree.
Plain English Summary
Authorizes entrusting attached livestock or heavy implements to a local respectable custodian (supurdar), creating statutory surety liability under Section 145 for any failure to produce or damage to the property, appealable as a decree.
Key Legal Elements
- Appointment of Custodian (Supurdar): For livestock, machinery, or heavy goods left on-site.
- Supurdnama Execution: Custodian signs formal undertaking to produce goods upon court notice.
- Statutory Surety Liability (Sub-rule 2): Enforceable against custodian personally under Section 145.
- Appealable as Decree (Sub-rule 2(c)): Adjudication of custodian liability has decree status.
Practical Note
Enforcing Against a Defaulting Supurdar: When attached livestock or machinery is left with a local custodian on a 'Supurdnama', and the custodian fails to produce the property on auction day, do not file a fresh suit. File an application under Order XXI Rule 43A read with Section 145 CPC to attach and sell the custodian's own property!
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां कुर्क की गई संपत्ति पशुधन (Live-stock), कृषि उपकरण या अन्य ऐसी वस्तुएं हैं जिन्हें सुविधापूर्वक हटाया नहीं जा सकता, वहां कुर्क करने वाला अधिकारी उसे उसी गांव या स्थान में किसी प्रतिष्ठित व्यक्ति (सुपुर्ददार / Custodian) की अभिरक्षा में छोड़ सकेगा।
(2) यदि सुपुर्ददार सम्यक सूचना के पश्चात उस संपत्ति को पेश करने में विफल रहता है या संपत्ति क्षतिग्रस्त हो जाती है, तो सुपुर्ददार नुकसानी के लिए उत्तरदायी होगा; और ऐसा दायित्व धारा 145 के अधीन प्रतिभू (Surety) की भांति निष्पादित कराया जा सकेगा, तथा इस दायित्व का अवधारण करने वाला आदेश डिक्री के समान अपीलीय होगा।