Bhanumati Keshrichand Jhaveri (Since Deceased) Through Lrs vs. Goodwill Realtors And Properties Pvt. Ltd

Court:Supreme Court of India
Judge:Hon'ble M.R. Shah
Case Status:Disposed
Order Date:17 May 2022
CNR:SCIN010133742022

AI Summary

The Supreme Court has granted an interim stay on a High Court order that directed the framing of additional issues in a civil property dispute. This crucial development affects a case where legal representatives of a deceased petitioner are challenging a High Court decision, ensuring the primary suit can continue while specific procedural directions are temporarily halted.

Ratio Decidendi:
An interim stay can be granted by the Supreme Court on an interlocutory order of a High Court, particularly when such an order directs the framing of 'additional issues' in a pending suit, to prevent potential prejudice or delay, provided that such stay does not unduly obstruct the progress of the main suit at the trial court level.
Obiter Dicta:
The Court's observation that the 'present stay order shall not come in the way of the learned Trial Court in proceeding further with the suit' serves as an important clarification on the scope and limitations of its interim order, ensuring the main proceedings are not stalled.

Case Identifiers

Primary Case No:8504/2022
Case Type:Special Leave Petition (Civil)
Case Sub-Type:SLP - Property Dispute
Secondary Case Numbers:SCIN010133742022, 4805/2022
Order Date:2022-05-17
Filing Year:2022
Court:Supreme Court of India
Bench:Division Bench
Judges:Hon'ble M. R. Shah, Hon'ble B. V. Nagarathna

Petitioner's Counsel

Amit Sibal
Senior Advocate - Appeared
Darpan Sachdeva
Advocate - Appeared
Vinay Tripathi
Advocate - Appeared
Nupur Kumar
Advocate on Record - Appeared

Respondent's Counsel

Shyam Divan
Senior Advocate - Appeared
Shohit Chaudhry
Advocate on Record - Appeared

Advocates on Record

Nupur Kumar
Shohit Chaudhry

eCourtsIndia AITM

Brief Facts Summary

The case originated from a Special Leave Petition filed against an order of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay dated April 13, 2022, which had directed the framing of additional issues in an underlying civil suit. The petitioner, legal representatives of a deceased individual, challenged this direction. The Supreme Court, on May 17, 2022, issued notice to respondent numbers 1 and 3, and granted an interim stay on the High Court's order regarding the framing of additional issues, while clarifying that the trial court could continue with the suit.

Timeline of Events

2021

Underlying Civil Writ Petition (CWP No. 6356/2021) filed in High Court of Judicature at Bombay.

2022-04-13

High Court of Judicature at Bombay passed an order in CWP No. 6356/2021, directing the framing of additional issues.

2022-04-28

Filing of the Special Leave Petition (C) No. 8504/2022 in the Supreme Court of India.

2022-05-17

Supreme Court heard the Special Leave Petition, issued notice, and granted an interim stay on the High Court's order.

2022-06-14

Approximate deadline for filing counter affidavit (4 weeks from May 17, 2022).

2022-07-11

Deadline for filing rejoinder affidavit.

2022-07-18

Next returnable date for notice.

Key Factual Findings

The High Court had passed an order directing the framing of additional issues.

Source: Recited from Impugned Order

Respondent No. 1's counsel accepted notice.

Source: Current Court Finding

Other respondents are proforma respondents.

Source: Recited from Petitioner Pleading

The present stay order should not hinder the Trial Court's proceedings.

Source: Current Court Finding

Primary Legal Issues

1.Whether the High Court was correct in directing the framing of additional issues in the underlying suit.
2.Whether an interim stay on such a procedural direction is warranted by the Supreme Court.

Secondary Legal Issues

1.Propriety of exercising Special Leave Jurisdiction against an interlocutory High Court order regarding issue framing.
2.Scope of judicial interference with trial court's discretion on framing issues.

Petitioner's Arguments

The petitioners, through their senior counsel, argued for an interim stay of the High Court's order, implicitly contending that the direction to frame additional issues was either unnecessary, incorrect, or would unnecessarily prolong/complicate the trial, thereby seeking immediate relief from the Supreme Court.

Respondent's Arguments

The respondents, through their senior counsel, accepted notice for respondent no. 1, implying their presence and awareness of the proceedings, but no specific arguments are recorded in this brief order regarding the merits of the High Court's order or the stay application.

Court's Reasoning

The Court, after hearing counsel, issued notice to select respondents and granted an interim stay on the impugned High Court order. The reasoning for the stay is not explicitly detailed but implies that the Court found a prima facie case for interference with the High Court's direction regarding additional issues, deeming it appropriate to halt its operation pending further hearing of the Special Leave Petition. The Court also clarified that the stay would not impede the Trial Court's ability to proceed with the main suit, suggesting the stay is specifically limited to the 'additional issues' aspect.

Judicial Philosophy Indicators:
  • Emphasis on Expedited Justice (by preventing unnecessary issues)
  • Pragmatism (by allowing suit to continue despite stay on one aspect)
Order Nature:Interim
Disposition Status:Pending

Impugned Orders

High Court of Judicature at Bombay
Case: CWP No. 6356/2021
Date: 2022-04-13

Specific Directions

  1. 1.Issue notice to respondent nos. 1 and 3 only, returnable on 18.07.2022.
  2. 2.In the meantime, the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court directing to frame the additional issues is ordered to be stayed.
  3. 3.Counter affidavit, if any, to be filed within a period of four weeks from today.
  4. 4.Rejoinder affidavit, if any, to be filed on or before 11.07.2022.
  5. 5.The present stay order shall not come in the way of the learned Trial Court in proceeding further with the suit.

Precedential Assessment

Non-Binding (Procedural)

This is a brief interim procedural order, issuing notice and granting a temporary stay. It does not establish a new legal principle or interpret a statute in a manner that would be binding or highly persuasive as a precedent.

Tips for Legal Practice

1.Even procedural orders of High Courts are subject to interim stay by the Supreme Court if a prima facie case is made out.
2.Counsel should be prepared for specific directions regarding filing of affidavits (counter/rejoinder) with strict timelines in interim orders.
3.Interim stays can be granted with riders to ensure the primary proceedings are not entirely stalled.

Legal Tags

Supreme Court interim stay procedural ordersHigh Court directions framing additional issuesSpecial Leave Petition civil property disputeScope of Supreme Court intervention interlocutory ordersTrial court proceedings unaffected by superior court stayNotice issued to proforma respondents legal implicationsAdjournment of Supreme Court Special Leave PetitionInterim relief in civil appeal pending admissionHigh Court of Judicature at Bombay decision challengedPractice and procedure in civil litigation India

Disclaimer: eCourtsIndia (ECI) is not a lawyer and this analysis is generated by ECI AI, it might make mistakes. This is not a legal advice. Please consult with a qualified legal professional for matters requiring legal expertise.

Order Issued After Hearing

Purpose:

First Hearing

Listed On:

17 May 2022

Original Order Copy

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Order Text

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 8504/2022

(Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 13-04-2022 in CWP No. 6356/2021 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay)

BHANUMATI KESHRICHAND JHAVERI (SINCE DECEASED) THROUGH LRS Petitioner(s)

VERSUS

GOODWILL REALTORS AND PROPERTIES PVT. LTD. & ORS. Respondent(s)

(FOR ADMISSION and I.R. and IA No.69165/2022-EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT and IA No.69166/2022-PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES )

Date : 17-05-2022 This petition was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

Natarajan

12:00:16 IST Reason:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA

For Petitioner(s) Mr. Amit Sibal, Sr. Adv. Mr. Darpan Sachdeva, Adv. Mr. Vinay Tripathi, Adv. Ms. Nupur Kumar, AOR

For Respondent(s) Mr. Shyam Divan, Sr. Adv. Mr. Shohit Chaudhry, AOR

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R

Issue notice to respondent nos. 1 and 3 only, returnable on 18.07.2022, as the other respondents are reported to be proforma respondents.

Shri Shohit Chaudhary, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of respondent no.1.

In the meantime, the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court directing to frame the additional issues is ordered to be stayed. Digitally signed by R Date: 2022.05.20 Signature Not Verified

Counter affidavit, if any, to be filed within a period of four weeks from today.

Contd..

Rejoinder affidavit, if any, to be filed on or before 11.07.2022.

It goes without saying that the present stay order shall not come in the way of the learned Trial Court in proceeding further with the suit.

(NEETU SACHDEVA) (NISHA TRIPATHI) COURT MASTER (SH) ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

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Case History of Orders

Order(3) - 19 Jul 2022

ROP - of Main Case

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Order(2) - 18 Jul 2022

ROP - of Main Case

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Order(1) - 17 May 2022

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