Re-hearing on application of respondent against whom ex parte decree made
Full Text
Where an appeal is heard ex parte and judgment is pronounced against the respondent, he may apply to the Appellate Court to re-hear the appeal; and, if he satisfies the Court that the notice was not duly served or that he was prevented by sufficient cause from appearing when the appeal was called on for hearing, the Court shall re-hear the appeal on such terms as to costs or otherwise as it thinks fit to impose upon him.
Plain English Summary
Permits a respondent against whom an ex parte appellate judgment was pronounced to apply for a re-hearing by proving non-service of notice under Rule 14 or sufficient cause that prevented appearance.
Key Legal Elements
- Ex Parte Appellate Decree: Appeal heard in respondent's absence and decided against them.
- Two Grounds for Re-hearing: (1) Notice of appeal under Rule 14 was not duly served; OR (2) Respondent was prevented by sufficient cause from appearing.
- Mandatory Restoration: If either ground is substantiated, the court 'shall' re-hear the appeal, imposing reasonable terms as to costs.
- Limitation: 30 days under Article 123 of the Limitation Act, 1963, from the date of the decree or date of knowledge of decree where summons not duly served.
Practical Note
Setting Aside Ex Parte Appellate Decrees: 1. Parallel with Order IX Rule 13: Order 41 Rule 21 is the exact appellate counterpart of Order IX Rule 13 CPC. The judicial principles governing 'sufficient cause' apply identically. 2. Remedy vs Second Appeal: The aggrieved respondent has two concurrent remedies: (i) an application under Order 41 Rule 21 before the same appellate court, or (ii) a Second Appeal under Section 100 CPC before the High Court. Pursuing Rule 21 is faster and allows leading factual evidence of non-service or bona fide illness/accident preventing appearance.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां अपील की सुनवाई एकपक्षीय की गई है और प्रत्यर्थी के विरुद्ध निर्णय सुनाया गया है, वहां वह अपील की पुनः सुनवाई के लिए अपीलीय न्यायालय को आवेदन कर सकेगा; और यदि वह न्यायालय को यह समाधानप्रद रूप से दर्शित कर देता है कि सूचना की सम्यक तामील नहीं हुई थी अथवा जब अपील सुनवाई के लिए पुकारी गई थी तब वह किसी पर्याप्त हेतुक से उपसंजात होने से निवारित रहा था, तो न्यायालय ऐसे खर्चों या अन्यथा निबंधनों पर जैसा वह उस पर अधिरोपित करना ठीक समझे, अपील की पुनः सुनवाई करेगा।