Dismissal of appeal for appellant’s default
Full Text
(1) Where on the day fixed, or on any other day to which the hearing may be adjourned, the appellant does not appear when the appeal is called on for hearing, the Court may make an order that the appeal be dismissed.
Explanation.—Nothing in this sub-rule shall be construed as empowering the Court to dismiss the appeal on the merits.
(2) Hearing appeal ex parte.—Where the appellant appears and the respondent does not appear, the appeal shall be heard ex parte.
Plain English Summary
Provides for dismissal of an appeal for default upon non-appearance of the appellant, contains the crucial statutory Explanation barring dismissal on the merits in the appellant's absence, and allows ex parte hearing if the respondent defaults.
Key Legal Elements
- Dismissal for Default: Court can dismiss for non-prosecution if appellant is absent when appeal is called.
- Absolute Bar on Deciding on Merits (Explanation): Appellate court CANNOT write a judgment dismissing the appeal on merits in the absence of appellant.
- Ex Parte Hearing (Sub-rule 2): If respondent defaults, appeal is heard ex parte on merits.
- Added by 1976 Amendment: Explanation added to overrule contrary judicial views and protect right to restoration.
Practical Note
No Dismissal on Merits in Appellant's Absence: 1. Supreme Court Landmark — Abdur Rahman v. Athifa Begum (1996) 6 SCC 62 & Ghanshyam Dass Gupta v. Makhan Lal (2012) 8 SCC 745: The Supreme Court held that the Explanation to Rule 17(1) is absolute: if the appellant is absent, the appellate court has only two options: (a) adjourn the hearing, or (b) dismiss the appeal for default. The court has NO jurisdiction to peruse the record and dismiss the appeal on merits. A judgment on merits rendered in the absence of the appellant is a nullity and must be set aside. 2. Preservation of Remedy under Rule 19: Dismissing for default preserves the appellant's valuable remedy to seek restoration under Rule 19 on showing sufficient cause.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां नियत दिन को या किसी अन्य दिन को जिस पर सुनवाई स्थगित की जाए, अपील की सुनवाई के लिए पुकार होने पर अपीलार्थी उपसंजात नहीं होता है, वहां न्यायालय यह आदेश कर सकेगा कि अपील खारिज कर दी जाए।
स्पष्टीकरण—इस उप-नियम की किसी भी बात का यह अर्थ नहीं लगाया जाएगा कि वह न्यायालय को अपील को गुण-दोष पर (On the merits) खारिज करने के लिए सशक्त करती है।
(2) अपील की एकपक्षीय सुनवाई—जहां अपीलार्थी उपसंजात होता है और प्रत्यर्थी उपसंजात नहीं होता है, वहां अपील की सुनवाई एकपक्षीय (Ex parte) की जाएगी।