Rules 1 to 14 (Except rule 2A) to apply to persons of unsound mind
Full Text
Rules 1 to 14 (except rule 2A) shall, so far as may be, apply to persons adjudged, before or during the pendency of the suit, to be of unsound mind and shall also apply to persons who, though not so adjudged, are found by the Court on enquiry to be incapable, by reason of any mental infirmity, of protecting their interest when suing or being sued.
Plain English Summary
Extends the entire protective machinery of Order XXXII (Rules 1 to 14) to persons of unsound mind and individuals suffering from mental infirmities, mandating a judicial inquiry by the trial court before proceeding.
Key Legal Elements
- Dual Categories: (a) Formally adjudged lunatics under Mental Healthcare Act, (b) Persons found mentally infirm upon judicial inquiry by the trial court.
- Mandatory Judicial Inquiry: Court must conduct a personal or medical inquiry to ascertain mental capacity before appointing next friend / guardian.
- Complete Procedural Umbrella: Applies all rules regarding compromise, leave, and representation mutatis mutandis.
Practical Note
Mandatory Judicial Inquiry — Supreme Court Jurisprudence: 1. Inquiry is Mandatory: In Kasturi Bai v. Anguri Chaudhary (2003) 3 SCC 225, the Supreme Court held that where an allegation of mental infirmity is raised under Rule 15, the trial court has a mandatory duty to conduct an inquiry into whether the person is incapable of protecting their interests by reason of mental infirmity. A court cannot proceed without holding such an inquiry. 2. Medical Board Examination: Counsel should move an application requesting the court to examine the party in chamber or refer them to a Medical Board / Government Psychiatrist.
हिंदी पाठ
नियम 1 से 14 (नियम 2क को छोड़कर) के उपबंध, जहां तक हो सके, उन व्यक्तियों को लागू होंगे जो वाद के लंबित रहने से पूर्व या उसके दौरान विकृतचित्त (Unsound mind) न्यायनिर्णीत किए गए हैं और उन व्यक्तियों को भी लागू होंगे जो, यद्यपि इस प्रकार न्यायनिर्णीत नहीं किए गए हैं, फिर भी न्यायालय द्वारा जांच (Enquiry) किए जाने पर मानसिक दुर्बलता के कारण वाद लाते समय या उन पर वाद लाए जाते समय अपने हितों की रक्षा करने में असमर्थ पाए जाते हैं।