Upon hearing respondent may object to decree as if he had preferred separate appeal
Full Text
(1) Any respondent, though he may not have appealed from any part of the decree, may not only support the decree but may also state that the finding against him in the Court below in respect of any issue ought to have been in his favour; and may also take any cross-objection to the decree which he could have taken by way of appeal provided he has filed such objection in the Appellate Court within one month from the date of service on him or his pleader of notice of the day fixed for hearing the appeal, or within such further time as the Appellate Court may see fit to allow.
Explanation.—A respondent aggrieved by a finding of the Court in the judgment on which the decree appealed against is based may, under this rule, file cross-objection in respect of the decree in so far as it is based on that finding, notwithstanding that by reason of the decision of the Court on any other finding which is sufficient for the decision of the suit, the decree, is, wholly or in part, in favour of that respondent.
(2) Form of objection and provisions applicable thereto.—Such cross-objection shall be in the form of a memorandum, and the provisions of rule 1, so far as they relate to the form and contents of the memorandum of appeal, shall apply thereto.
(3) [Omitted by Act 46 of 1999]
(4) Where, in any case in which any respondent has under this rule filed a memorandum of objection, the original appeal is withdrawn or is dismissed for default, the objection so filed may nevertheless be heard and determined after such notice to the other parties as the Court thinks fit.
(5) The provisions relating to appeals by indigent persons shall, so far as they can be made applicable, apply to an objection under this rule.
Plain English Summary
Governs respondent's right to support the decree, challenge adverse findings without filing a cross-appeal, or lodge a formal cross-objection within 30 days of notice; sub-rule (4) ensures cross-objections survive withdrawal or default dismissal of the main appeal.
Key Legal Elements
- Two Distinct Rights of Respondent: (1) Support decree and assail adverse findings without filing cross-objection; (2) File formal cross-objection challenging part of decree.
- 1976 Explanation: Permits formal cross-objection against an adverse finding even where ultimate decree was in respondent's favour.
- Limitation: Within 1 month (30 days) from date of service of notice of hearing of appeal (court may extend on sufficient cause).
- Form of Memorandum: Governed by Rule 1 rules of drafting (concise grounds, court fee payable as per Court Fees Act).
- Survival Principle (Sub-rule 4): Withdrawal or default dismissal of main appeal does NOT abate or dismiss the cross-objection.
Practical Note
Strategic Use of Cross-Objections and Adverse Findings: 1. Supporting Decree vs Cross-Objection: In Ravinder Kumar Sharma v. State of Assam (1999) 7 SCC 435 and Mahant Dhangir v. Madan Mohan (1987) Supp SCC 528, the Supreme Court settled that where a respondent merely wants to support the trial court's ultimate decree dismissing the plaintiff's suit, he can challenge any adverse finding (e.g. finding on limitation or title) orally during arguments without filing a formal cross-objection. A formal cross-objection is required only when the respondent seeks a variation or reversal of a part of the decree itself. 2. Cross-Objection as an Independent Appeal: In Superintending Engineer v. B. Subba Reddy (1999) 4 SCC 423, the Apex Court held that a cross-objection is virtually an appeal by the respondent. Therefore, by virtue of sub-rule (4), even if the appellant withdraws the appeal or allows it to be dismissed for default, the cross-objection must be adjudicated on merits.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) कोई प्रत्यर्थी, यद्यपि उसने डिक्री के किसी भाग के विरुद्ध अपील न की हो, न केवल डिक्री का समर्थन कर सकेगा अपितु यह भी कथन कर सकेगा कि निचले न्यायालय में उसके विरुद्ध किसी विवाद्यक पर निकाला गया निष्कर्ष उसके पक्ष में होना चाहिए था; और वह डिक्री के प्रति कोई ऐसा प्रत्यक्षेप (Cross-objection) भी कर सकेगा जो वह अपील द्वारा कर सकता था, बशर्ते कि उसने ऐसा आक्षेप अपील की सुनवाई के लिए नियत दिन की सूचना की अपने ऊपर अथवा अपने प्लीडर पर तामील की तारीख से एक मास के भीतर या ऐसे अतिरिक्त समय के भीतर जैसा अपीलीय न्यायालय अनुज्ञात करना ठीक समझे, अपीलीय न्यायालय में फाइल कर दिया हो।
स्पष्टीकरण—उस निर्णय में जिसके आधार पर अपील की गई डिक्री आधारित है, न्यायालय के किसी निष्कर्ष से व्यथित कोई प्रत्यर्थी, इस नियम के अधीन डिक्री के प्रति उस सीमा तक प्रत्यक्षेप फाइल कर सकेगा जहां तक वह उस निष्कर्ष पर आधारित है, भले ही न्यायालय द्वारा किसी अन्य निष्कर्ष के विनिश्चय के कारण जो वाद के विनिश्चय के लिए पर्याप्त है, डिक्री पूर्णतः या भागतः उस प्रत्यर्थी के पक्ष में ही क्यों न हो।
(2) आक्षेप का प्ररूप और उसे लागू उपबंध—ऐसा प्रत्यक्षेप ज्ञापन (Memorandum) के प्ररूप में होगा और नियम 1 के उपबंध, जहां तक वे अपील के ज्ञापन के प्ररूप और अंतर्वस्तु से संबंधित हैं, इसे लागू होंगे।
(3) [1999 के अधिनियम सं० 46 द्वारा लोप किया गया]
(4) जहां किसी ऐसे मामले में, जिसमें किसी प्रत्यर्थी ने इस नियम के अधीन आक्षेप का ज्ञापन फाइल किया है, मूल अपील वापस ले ली जाती है या व्यतिक्रम के कारण खारिज कर दी जाती है, वहां इस प्रकार फाइल किया गया आक्षेप अन्य पक्षकारों को ऐसी सूचना दिए जाने के पश्चात, जैसी न्यायालय ठीक समझे, फिर भी सुना और अवधारित किया जा सकेगा।
(5) निर्धन व्यक्तियों द्वारा अपीलों से संबंधित उपबंध, जहां तक वे लागू किए जा सकते हों, इस नियम के अधीन आक्षेप को लागू होंगे।