Bindu Kumari v. Santosh Kumar

Delhi High Court · 05 Sep 2019 · 2019:DHC:4382
Sanjeev Sachdeva
C.R.P. 167/2019
2019:DHC:4382
civil appeal_dismissed

AI Summary

The High Court upheld the Trial Court's order allowing amendment of the plaint under Order VI Rule 17 CPC, holding that the amendment did not change the nature of the suit and factual issues are to be decided after trial.

Full Text
Translation output
C.R.P.167/2019
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
JUDGMENT
delivered on: 05.09.2019
C.R.P. 167/2019
BINDU KUMARI ..... Petitioner
versus
SANTOSH KUMAR ..... Respondent Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: Mr. Gopal Singh, Advocate.
For the Respondent: None.
CORAM:-
HON’BLE MR JUSTICE SANJEEV SACHDEVA
JUDGMENT
SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J. (ORAL)
CM APPL.35088/2019 (exemption)
Exemption is allowed subject to all just exceptions.
C.R.P. 167/2019 & CM APPL. 35089/2019 (stay), CM APPL.
35090/2019 (for condonation of delay)

1. Petitioner impugns order dated 18.03.2019, whereby, application under Order VI Rule 17 of the respondent/complainant has been allowed.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Trial Court has erred in allowing the application and has held that the petitioner is 2019:DHC:4382 a licensee.

3. Perusal of the order shows that initially case set up by the Plaintiff/respondent was that the petitioner/defendant is a mere licensee and he was seeking a direction thereby directing the petitioner to handover the peaceful vacant possession of the property in Suit. By the amendment, respondent seeks possession of the Suit property in occupation of the petitioner.

4. The Trial Court, in the impugned order, has merely noticed the contention of the respondent that the petitioner is a licensee and has not returned any finding of fact.

5. In any case, in an application under Order VI Rule 17, the Court is not to consider the merits of the amendment but has to consider inter alia as to whether the amendment changes the nature of the Suit. In the subject case, the respondent was seeking a direction in the original plaint thereby directing the petitioner to handover the peaceful vacant possession. By amendment, the respondent has sought the relief of possession which is identical in nature to the relief earlier sought. The Amendment does not change the nature or character of the Suit.

6. The issue as to whether the petitioner is a licensee or has independent rights to the property in Suit, would be considered by the Trial Court after trial. The contention of the Respondent noticed in the impugned order is not a finding of fact returned by the Trial Court.

7. Further, the grievance is that the respondent by the amendment has deleted the relief of declaration. In case the plaintiff respondent has deleted the relief of declaration, the effect thereof would be considered by the Trial Court at an appropriate stage.

8. I find no infirmity in the impugned order. There is no merit in the petition. Petition is, accordingly, dismissed.

SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J SEPTEMBER 05, 2019 st