Effect of abatement or dismissal
Full Text
(1) Where a suit abates or is dismissed under this Order, no fresh suit shall be brought on the same cause of action.
(2) The plaintiff or the person claiming to be the legal representative of a deceased plaintiff or the assignee or the receiver in the case of an insolvent plaintiff may apply for an order to set aside the abatement or dismissal; and if it is proved that he was prevented by any sufficient cause from continuing the suit, the Court shall set aside the abatement or dismissal upon such terms as to costs or otherwise as it thinks fit.
(3) The provisions of section 5 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1877 (15 of 1877) shall apply to applications under sub-rule (2).
Explanation.—Nothing in this rule shall be construed as barring, in any later suit, a defence based on the facts which constituted the cause of action in the suit which had abated or had been dismissed under this Order.
Plain English Summary
Bars fresh suits on the same cause of action once a suit abates, establishing the procedure to set aside abatement upon showing 'sufficient cause' within 60 days under Article 121, with express applicability of Section 5 of the Limitation Act for condonation of further delay.
Key Legal Elements
- Absolute Bar on Fresh Suit (Sub-rule 1): Abatement operates with the force of res judicata against fresh suits.
- Setting Aside Abatement (Sub-rule 2): Remedy to revive the suit upon establishing 'sufficient cause'.
- Limitation Periods: 60 days to set aside abatement under Article 121 Limitation Act (i.e. up to 150 days from death).
- Section 5 Applicability (Sub-rule 3): Express statutory mandate that delay beyond 150 days can be condoned.
- Explanation on Defenses: Abatement does not bar using the underlying facts as a defense in subsequent litigation.
Practical Note
Setting Aside Abatements under Rule 9: 1. Liberal Construction of 'Sufficient Cause' - Perumon Bhagvathy Devaswom v. Bhargavi Amma (2008) 8 SCC 321 & Union of India v. Ram Charan AIR 1964 SC 215: The Supreme Court held that the rules of procedure under Order XXII are handmaids of justice, not traps. Where the applicant proves lack of knowledge of death, residence in a remote area, or illness, the court should adopt a justice-oriented approach and set aside abatement. 2. The Total Timeline: (i) Day 1–90: File substitution under Rule 3 or 4; (ii) Day 91–150: File under Rule 9 to set aside abatement (within 60 days of abatement); (iii) Day 151 onwards: File composite application under Rule 9 read with Section 5 Limitation Act explaining every day of delay.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां कोई वाद इस आदेश के अधीन उपशमित (Abates) हो जाता है या खारिज कर दिया जाता है, वहां उसी वाद-हेतुक पर कोई नया वाद (No fresh suit) नहीं लाया जाएगा।
(2) वादी या मृत वादी का विधिक प्रतिनिधि अथवा दिवालिया वादी का रिसीवर उपशमन या खारीजी को अपास्त कराने (Set aside the abatement) के लिए आवेदन कर सकेगा; और यदि यह साबित हो जाता है कि वह किसी पर्याप्त हेतुक (Sufficient cause) से वाद को चालू रखने से निवारित रहा था, तो न्यायालय खर्चे की शर्तों पर उपशमन या खारीजी को अपास्त करेगा।
(3) मियाद अधिनियम की धारा 5 के उपबंध उप-नियम (2) के अधीन आवेदनों पर लागू होंगे।
स्पष्टीकरण— इस नियम की कोई भी बात बाद के किसी वाद में ऐसे तथ्यों पर आधारित प्रतिरक्षा (Defence) को वर्जित करने वाली नहीं समझी जाएगी जो उपशमित हुए वाद में वाद-हेतुक थे।