Suit to be commenced by plaint
Full Text
(1) Every suit shall be instituted by presenting a plaint in duplicate to the Court or such officer as it appoints in this behalf.
(2) Every plaint shall comply with the rules contained in Orders VI and VII, so far as they are applicable.
(3) The plaint shall not be deemed to be duly instituted unless it complies with the requirements specified in sub-rules (1) and (2).
Plain English Summary
Governs the formal institution of civil suits, mandating presentation of the plaint in duplicate and strict compliance with pleading rules in Orders VI & VII as a condition precedent for lawful institution.
Key Legal Elements
- Mandatory Duplicate Plaint: Plaint must be presented in duplicate (inserted by 1999/2002 Amendment).
- Proper Forum & Officer: Must be presented to the Judge or designated filing officer/sheristadar during court hours.
- Compliance with Orders VI & VII: Must include verification, affidavit under Section 26(2), statement of value, and essential particulars.
- Statutory Bar to Deemed Institution (Sub-rule 3): Failure to comply with duplicate requirement or basic pleading rules deprives the plaint of 'duly instituted' status.
- Limitation Interplay: Limitation stops on the date of actual physical/e-filing presentation, provided formal defects are cured within granted time.
Practical Note
Courtroom Guidance & Limitation Trap on Institution of Suits: 1. Landmark Precedents on 1999/2002 Amendment & Sub-rule (3): — Salem Advocate Bar Association (I) v. Union of India (2003) 1 SCC 49 & Salem Advocate Bar Association (II) (2005) 6 SCC 344: Supreme Court clarified that sub-rule (3) is directory regarding curable clerical defects. If a plaint is filed without duplicate or with minor defects within the limitation period, the court/registry must give time to cure defects. Once cured, the suit relates back to the original presentation date for limitation purposes. 2. Presentation Requirements: — Must be accompanied by an affidavit verifying pleadings under Section 26(2) and Order VI Rule 15(4). — Accompanied by prescribed court fee stamps, memo of parties, and list of reliance documents. 3. Defense Strategy under Order VII Rule 11: — If plaintiff fails to file duplicate plaint or affidavit despite registrar's objection, defendant can move under Order VII Rule 11(a)/(d) read with Order IV Rule 1(3) arguing the suit is not duly instituted.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) प्रत्येक वाद न्यायालय को या ऐसे अधिकारी को, जिसे वह इस निमित्त नियुक्त करे, दो प्रतियों में (In duplicate) वादपत्र उपस्थापित करके संस्थित किया जाएगा।
(2) प्रत्येक वादपत्र, जहां तक वे लागू हों, आदेश 6 और आदेश 7 में अंतर्विष्ट नियमों का अनुपालन करेगा।
(3) वादपत्र तब तक सम्यक् रूप से संस्थित किया गया नहीं समझा जाएगा जब तक कि वह उपनियम (1) और (2) में विनिर्दिष्ट अपेक्षाओं का अनुपालन न करता हो।