Detention, preservation, inspection, etc., of subject-matter of suit
Full Text
(1) The Court may, on the application of any party to a suit, and on such terms as it thinks fit,—
(a) make an order for the detention, preservation or inspection of any property which is the subject-matter of such suit, or as to which any question may arise therein;
(b) for all or any of the purposes aforesaid authorise any person to enter upon or into any land or building in the possession of any other party to such suit; and
(c) for all or any of the purposes aforesaid authorise any samples to be taken, or any observation to be made or experiment to be tried, which may seem necessary or expedient for the purpose of obtaining full information or evidence.
(2) The provisions as to execution of process shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to persons authorised to enter under this rule.
Plain English Summary
Vests wide interlocutory powers in the court to order the detention, preservation, physical inspection, taking of samples, or scientific observation/experimentation regarding any suit property or land in another party's possession.
Key Legal Elements
- Detention & Preservation: Safeguards property from destruction, alteration, or concealment.
- Inspection of Property: Allows court-authorized commissioner/expert to inspect disputed machinery, buildings, or works.
- Right of Entry on Adverse Party's Land: Overcomes trespass issues by legally authorizing entry under sub-rule (1)(b).
- Sampling & Scientific Experiments: Taking samples of raw materials, water, soil, chemicals, or software logs.
- Distinction from Order XXVI Local Investigation: Rule 7 is aimed at preservation, detention, and securing physical evidence before trial.
Practical Note
Anton Piller Orders & Securing Fleeting Evidence: 1. Anton Piller Injunctions & Search/Seizure: In intellectual property and commercial piracy suits, Order XXXIX Rule 7 is the domestic statutory foundation for Anton Piller orders (ex parte search, seizure, and inspection of counterfeit stocks and ledger books on the defendant's premises). 2. No Fishing Inquiry: The Supreme Court and High Courts have consistently held that Rule 7 cannot be used for a roving or fishing inquiry to unearth the defendant's trade secrets or make up for the plaintiff's lack of primary evidence. The property must be directly related to the subject-matter of the suit.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) न्यायालय वाद के किसी पक्षकार के आवेदन पर और ऐसे निबंधनों पर जैसा वह ठीक समझे—
(क) किसी ऐसी संपत्ति के निरोध (Detention), परिरक्षण (Preservation) या निरीक्षण (Inspection) के लिए आदेश दे सकेगा जो ऐसे वाद की विषय-वस्तु है अथवा जिसके संबंध में उसमें कोई प्रश्न उत्पन्न हो सकता है;
(ख) पूर्वोक्त प्रयोजनों में से सभी या किसी के लिए किसी व्यक्ति को ऐसे वाद के किसी अन्य पक्षकार के कब्जे में की किसी भूमि या भवन पर या उसके भीतर प्रवेश करने के लिए प्राधिकृत कर सकेगा; तथा
(ग) पूर्वोक्त प्रयोजनों में से सभी या किसी के लिए कोई नमूना (Samples) लिए जाने, अथवा कोई संप्रेक्षण (Observation) किए जाने या कोई प्रयोग (Experiment) किए जाने को प्राधिकृत कर सकेगा, जो पूरी जानकारी या साक्ष्य प्राप्त करने के प्रयोजन के लिए आवश्यक या समीचीन प्रतीत हो।
(2) आदेशिका के निष्पादन के संबंध में उपबंध, आवश्यक परिवर्तनों सहित, इस नियम के अधीन प्रवेश करने के लिए प्राधिकृत व्यक्तियों पर लागू होंगे।