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  • provisions of the United Provinces Encumbered Estates Act, 1934.6.
  • Section 115, clauses. (b) and (c) of the CPC. Section 115 of the CPC,
  • it.5. Section 2, sub-section (17) of the U.P Debt Redemption Act
  • U.P Debt Redemption Act in view of S. 2, sub-s. (9) of that Act.
  • Sections 2(9), 2(17) and 9(1) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 2, sub-section (9) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act, that
  • Section 12 of the U.P Agriculturists' Relief Act
  • Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 12 of the Agriculturists' Relief Act
  • Section 9 of the U.P Debt Redemption Act,
  • Section 115, sub-s. (b)
  • COURT FEES ACT
  • Section 115(c)
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Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Judges
Acts
  • provisions of the United Provinces Encumbered Estates Act, 1934.6.
  • Section 115, clauses. (b) and (c) of the CPC. Section 115 of the CPC,
  • it.5. Section 2, sub-section (17) of the U.P Debt Redemption Act
  • U.P Debt Redemption Act in view of S. 2, sub-s. (9) of that Act.
  • Sections 2(9), 2(17) and 9(1) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 2, sub-section (9) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act, that
  • Section 12 of the U.P Agriculturists' Relief Act
  • Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act
  • Section 12 of the Agriculturists' Relief Act
  • Section 9 of the U.P Debt Redemption Act,
  • Section 115, sub-s. (b)
  • COURT FEES ACT
  • Section 115(c)
Smart Summary

Judgment Summary — Wanchoo, J.

Factual and Procedural Background

The applicants (Abdul Majid and others) preferred a revision under Section 115 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) against an order of the Second Civil Judge, Meerut. The appellate Court had modified the trial Court's decree in a suit brought under Section 12 of the U.P. Agriculturists' Relief Act. The original suit sought redemption of a usufructuary mortgage dated 20 April 1918, executed by several mortgagors (including Abdul Majeed, Abdul Samad, Abdul Wahab, Abdul Majid, five sons of Nasrat Ali and Mrs. Bismillah Jan).

After the mortgage, portions of some mortgagors' interests were sold at court auction. The lower appellate Court found that the equity of redemption of 33/40th of the mortgaged property had been sold and only 7/40th remained with some mortgagors. The appellate Court held that the liability for payment of the 33/40th part of the debt had transferred to the auction purchaser and therefore that portion ceased to be a "loan" within the Debt Redemption Act; consequently the applicants were entitled to benefits of the Debt Redemption Act only for the remaining 7/40th. The appellate Court then ordered accounting and fixed a redemption payment of Rs. 2,050.

The trial Court had earlier decreed redemption without payment, holding that the entire mortgage debt had been paid off by usufruct under the U.P. Debt Redemption Act. Applicants sought revision to restore the trial Court's decree.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether revision under Section 115 of the CPC lies against the lower appellate Court's decision in this matter (i.e., whether the High Court can entertain revision under clauses (b) or (c) of Section 115 in the facts of this case).
  2. Whether the benefit of the U.P. Debt Redemption Act (specifically the definition of "loan" in Section 2(9) and applicability under Sections 2(17) and 9(1)) applies to the entire mortgage debt or only to the 7/40th share remaining with certain mortgagors, given that 33/40th was sold at execution.
  3. Whether the liability for repayment of the advance (mortgage money) was transferred by sale in execution of a decree to another person (thus removing that portion from the scope of the Debt Redemption Act).
  4. Whether the lower Court "acted" illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction such that revision under Section 115(c) is maintainable.

Arguments of the Parties

Applicants' Arguments

  • The applicants contended that the lower appellate Court erred in holding that the Debt Redemption Act did not apply to 33/40th of the mortgage debt; they said the benefit of the Act should extend to the entire debt and the trial Court's decree should be restored.
  • They relied principally on the authority of Saran/Sarnam Singh v. Miththan/Mithan Lal (1946 A.L.J 91; A.I.R. 33 (1946) ALL 174 F.B) to support the contention that liability can in substance remain with mortgagors and that the entire liability might still be treated as such for the purposes of the Debt Redemption Act.
  • They urged that revision was maintainable under Section 115, clauses (b) and (c) of the CPC: clause (b) because the lower Courts allegedly failed to exercise jurisdiction vested in them (by deciding applicability of the Debt Redemption Act against the applicants), and clause (c) because the Court acted illegally or with material irregularity in interpreting and applying Section 2(9) of the Debt Redemption Act.

Opposite Party (Daleep Singh)'s Arguments

  • A preliminary objection was raised by Daleep Singh that this revision does not lie (i.e., that the High Court should not entertain revision under Section 115 in the circumstances).
  • Beyond the preliminary objection, the opinion records that the lower appellate Court concluded that the liability for 33/40th had transferred to a purchaser by sale in execution and therefore that portion ceased to be a "loan" under Section 2(9) of the Debt Redemption Act.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Saran (Sarnam) Singh v. Mithhan (Miththan) Lal, 1946 A.L.J. 91 : A.I.R. 33 (1946) ALL 174 (Full Bench) Interpreted Section 2(9) of the Debt Redemption Act: held that where a mortgagor, as between himself and a third party (a second mortgagee or purchaser of the equity), has left a sufficient part of the mortgage or purchase money in the hands of the second mortgagee or purchaser, he has, between them, certainly transferred the entire liability for the mortgage in the sense of the ultimate burden. The Court relied on this authority as a later Full Bench decision which limits the scope for holding subordinate Courts' decisions to be illegal or materially irregular when they have jurisdiction and have merely interpreted the provision differently. The Court treated this decision as a controlling authority relevant to interpretation of Section 2(9).
Rajak Amir Hassan Khan v. Sheo Baksh Singh, 11 I.A. 237 (Privy Council) Addresses the meaning of "acted illegally or with material irregularity" under Section 115: even if a Court decides wrongly, if it had jurisdiction it does not thereby act illegally or with material irregularity. The Court quoted this decision to emphasize that Section 115(c) requires an illegal act or material irregularity in the exercise of jurisdiction — not merely an incorrect decision on law or fact.
Raghubir Singh alias Raghubir Saran v. Mulchand, 1937 A.L.J. 671 : A.I.R. 24 (1937) ALL 598 (F.B.) Illustration of a subordinate Court not applying its mind to relevant statutory provisions (i.e., a case where acting illegally/materially irregularly may be found). The Court cited it as an example of a class of cases (second class) where failure to apply mind to relevant provisions constitutes acting illegally/materially irregularly under S.115(c).
Khun Khun Chaube alias Sukhnandan Chaube v. Mahabir Chaube, 1918 A.L.J. 90 : A.I.R. 35 (1948) ALL 261 (F.B.) Another illustration of failure to apply mind to relevant statutory provisions. Cited similarly as authority illustrating the class of cases where S.115(c) applies because the lower Court did not apply its mind to the relevant provisions.
Mt. Pran Dei Kunwari v. Ganga Prasad, A.I.R. 35 (1948) ALL 54 : (1947 A.L.J. 230) Example of inferior Courts inventing arbitrary rules (an "arbitrary rule" followed in the district of Basti) — an instance of acting illegally/materially irregularly. Used as an illustration of a class of cases (first type) where a Court "acts" illegally or with material irregularity by inventing or following arbitrary rules.
Harihar Prasad Narain Singh v. Gopal Saran Narain Singh, A.I.R. 22 (1935) Pat 385 : (14 Pat. 488) Held that where jurisdiction originates in some special law the High Court can construe the law and compel the lower Court to exercise or refrain from exercising jurisdiction accordingly. Cited by applicants; the present Court expressed doubt about treating such matters as "special law" to that extent and did not accept this view for the present case.
Deonandan Thoikur v. Mt. Hanso Kuer, A.I.R. 24 (1937) Pat 104 : (167 I.C. 63) Held that where a Court, by misinterpretation of a statute, assumed jurisdiction it would warrant High Court interference under Section 115. The present Court noted that a different view has been taken in this Court and did not follow this Patna Court approach for the present matter.
Ramkhelawan Sahu v. Bir Surendra Sahi, A.I.R. 25 (1938) Pat 22 : (16 Pat. 766 (F.B.)) Full Bench held superior Court will generally not exercise revisional jurisdiction against a decision of a lower Court on matters of fact and law between parties, but will interfere where jurisdiction is statutory and the issue is construction of that statute. The present Court characterized this line of reasoning as similar to the second Patna case but observed this Court (All India) has taken a different view in certain Full Bench decisions.
Lachman v. Ali Bux, A.I.R. (34) 1947 Oudh 228 : (22 Luck. 403) Case where the revenue Court would have had no jurisdiction if a particular plea (mortgage void ab initio) were accepted; example of a decision of law resulting in the Court assuming jurisdiction where it had none. Relied upon by applicants to show Section 115(b) may apply where a decision of law results in the Court assuming jurisdiction it does not have; the present Court distinguished it as a different type (where jurisdiction was in truth absent).
Yad Ram v. Sunder Singh, A.I.R. 10 (1923) All 392 : (45 All. 425 F.B.) One of the All-India decisions cited as taking a view different from the Patna Full Benches — supportive of a more restrictive revisional jurisdiction. Cited to show that this Court has taken a view different from the Patna decisions; used to justify reluctance to exercise revision for mere errors of law.
Surya Pal Singh v. Chiranji, 1944 A.L.J. 288 : A.I.R. 31 (1944) ALL 170 (Full Bench) Full Bench held that superior Court should generally not interfere in revision merely because it thinks a lower Court's decision is wrong; emphasized that no failure to exercise jurisdiction or illegal exercise was present. The present Court relied on the Full Bench view to support refusal to entertain revision where the lower Courts had jurisdiction and only reached what may be a wrong conclusion on law.
Megh Singh v. Suraj Pal Singh, A.I.R. 33 (1946) ALL 280 : (225 I.C. 328) Another All-India decision supporting the view that revisional jurisdiction should not be used to correct mere errors of law. Cited among authorities indicating this Court's established approach against entertaining revision for wrong conclusions on law alone.
Hafiz Abdul Noor v. Sahu Brij Mohan Saran, 1938 A.L.J. 107 : A.I.R. 25 (1938) ALL 163 Decision that, in its result, supports applicants' position on revisional jurisdiction. The present Court acknowledged this decision supports applicants, but noted that two Full Benches of this Court take the opposite view, outweighing it for present purposes.
Mt. Sukhia v. Pt. Kirpa Ram, A.I.R. 32 (1945) ALL 348 : (I.L.R. (1945) All. 604) Another decision cited by the applicants' side supporting their position. The Court recorded it among authorities that are on the other side but indicated that Full Bench precedents of this Court take precedence in approach.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court approached the matter by examining whether Section 115 of the CPC — particularly clauses (b) and (c) — authorized revision in this case. The Court identified two central factual-legal determinations that underpinned the dispute: (1) whether the particular suit fell within the Debt Redemption Act (Sections 2(17) and 9(1)), and (2) whether under Section 2(9) the 33/40th portion of the debt had had its liability transferred by sale in execution (and therefore ceased to be a "loan").

On Section 115(b) (failure to exercise jurisdiction): the Court rejected the applicants' argument that the lower Courts had "failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested." The reasoning was that the lower Courts plainly had jurisdiction to interpret and decide whether a transaction or part of it amounted to a loan. Clause (b) applies where a Court explicitly says it has no jurisdiction at all (or in situations where a decision of law results in the Court arrogating jurisdiction it truly did not possess). The Court distinguished cases like Lachman v. Ali Bux where the acceptance of a particular legal plea would have meant the revenue Court had no jurisdiction, which is not the situation here.

On Section 115(c) (acted illegally or with material irregularity): the Court carefully parsed the meaning of "acted" and relied upon Privy Council authority (Rajak Amir Hassan Khan v. Sheo Baksh Singh) to spell out that clause (c) is not engaged by an erroneous decision alone. The Court held that for clause (c) to apply there must be an illegal act or material irregularity in the mode of exercising jurisdiction (for example, failure to follow mandatory procedure, not giving opportunities required by law, not applying mind to relevant statutory provisions, inventing arbitrary rules, or acting in defiance of admitted facts), rather than merely arriving at a wrong conclusion on law or fact.

The Court identified categories where "acted illegally or with material irregularity" would apply:

  • Failure to follow mandatory procedure (illustrated by failure to give opportunity to amend a pauper petition under O.33 R.5(a) as amended).
  • Failure to apply mind to relevant statutory provisions (illustrated by Raghubir Singh and Khun Khun Chaube decisions).
  • Ignoring binding authority of the High Court (acting contrary to controlling precedent).
  • Inventing arbitrary rules or acting in defiance of admitted facts (examples given including Mt. Pran Dei Kunwari and an example where admitted evidence showed no loan but Court nonetheless found a loan).

Applying these principles to the present case, the Court held:

  • The lower appellate Court had jurisdiction to interpret Sections 2(9), 2(17) and 9(1) of the Debt Redemption Act; it did so and reached a conclusion that the 33/40th liability had passed by sale in execution. The exercise constituted interpretation and decision, not an illegal "act" in the sense required by Section 115(c).
  • Even if the appellate Court's interpretation were wrong, the existence of a later Full Bench authority (Saran Singh v. Mithhan Lal) supports the view that the lower Court's decision could not be characterized as illegal or materially irregular merely because it arrived at a different conclusion.
  • Therefore, the case did not fall within clause (c) because the lower Courts did not commit the kinds of procedural or deliberate violations that clause (c) is intended to remedy; they merely reached an arguably incorrect interpretation of the statutory provision.

Holding and Implications

Holding: Revision dismissed; preliminary objection upheld.

The Court dismissed the applicants' revision application. It concluded that Section 115(c) does not permit revision merely to correct a wrong decision on points of law or fact unless the decision is vitiated by an illegal act or material irregularity in the exercise of jurisdiction (as exemplified and explained in the opinion).

Consequences and Implications:

  • Direct effect on the parties: The appellate Court's order (modifying the trial Court's decree and ordering redemption upon payment of Rs. 2,050 in respect of the 7/40th share) stands. The revision was dismissed and parties were ordered to bear their own costs in the High Court; costs of the lower Courts remain as ordered by the lower appellate Court.
  • Broader legal implication stated in the opinion: The decision reiterates and clarifies that Section 115(c) is limited to cases where the subordinate Court has "acted" illegally or with material irregularity in the manner of exercising jurisdiction, and does not provide a remedy simply because the subordinate Court made an erroneous interpretation of law. The Court emphasized the continuing distinction between a second appeal and a revision under Section 115.
  • No new precedent was proclaimed beyond the Court's stated application of existing Full Bench and Privy Council authorities to limit the scope of revision under Section 115 to cases of illegal acts or material irregularity rather than mere errors of law.

Disposition: Application dismissed; parties to bear their own costs in the High Court. Costs in lower Courts to remain as ordered below.

    Abdul Majid v. L. Daleep Singh

    Wanchoo, J.:— This is a revision by Abdul Majid and others, under Section 115 of the CPC against the order of the second Civil Judge Meerut by which the decree of the trial Court in a suit under Section 12 of the U.P Agriculturists' Relief Act was modified on appeal by Daleep Singh opposite party.

    2. The applicants brought a suit under Section 12 of the Agriculturists' Relief Act for redemption of a usufructuary mortgage dated 20th April, 1918. The mortgage in suit was executed by Abdul Majeed, Abdul Samad, Abdul Wahab, Abdul Majid, five boss of Nasrat Ali and Mt. Bismillah Jan, widow of Nasrat Ali. Some time after the-execution of the mortgage deed, the interest of some of the mortgagors was sold at a court-auction. It has been found by the lower appellate Court that the equity of redemption of 33/10 part of the mortgaged property has been Bolds, off and only 7/40th part of the mortgaged property is still with come of the mortgagors. The question then arose whether the liability of the-mortgagors for payment of the mortgage money had been transferred or not and whether the mortgagors could get the benefit of the U.P Debt Redemption Act in view of S. 2, sub-s. (9) of that Act. The lower appellate Court came to the conclusion that the liability for payment of 33/40th part of the debt had been transferred to the auction purchaser and this portion of the-debt ceased to be a loan and, therefore, the benefits of the Debt Redemption Act would not accrue to the applicants and they were only entitled to the benefits of that Act with respect, to 7/40th share of the debt. The lower appellate? Court then went into the question of accounting and ordered redemption on payment of a sum of Rs. 2,050. This substantially varied the decree of the trial Court which had decreed redemption without payment of any money holding that the entire mortgage debt had been paid off by the usufruct under the U.P Debt Redemption Act.

    3. The applicants contend, in this revision, that the lower appellate Court was not right in coming to the conclusion that the benefit of the Debt Redemption Act would not accrue with respect to 33/40th part of the mortgage debt and that the applicants were entitled to the benefits of the said Act with respect to the entire debt and that, therefore, the decree of the trial Court should be restored. In this connection, reliance has been placed, on behalf of the applicants, on the case of Sarnam Singh…(Applicant); v. Miththan Lal…(Decree-Holder).*, 1946 A.L.J 91 : (A.I.R 33 (1946) ALL 174 F.B). A preliminary objection has been taken on behalf of Daleep Singh, opposite party that do revision lies. In reply to this, learned counsel for the applicants contends that the case is covered by Section 115, clauses. (b) and (c) of the CPC. Section 115 of the CPC, is as follows:

    “The High Court may call for the record of any case which has been decided by any Court Subordinate to such High Court and in which no appeal lies thereto, and if such subordinate Court appears

    (a) to have exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law, or

    (b) to have failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested, or

    (c) to have acted in the exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity, the High Court may make such order in the case as it thinks fit.”

    4. The argument, on behalf of the applicants, is that the Courts below had to decide, under Section 9 of the U.P Debt Redemption Act, whether this was a suit to which the Act applied. As the Court below has decided that this was a suit to which the Debt Redemption Act did not apply with respect to the 33/40th share of the debt, it had failed to exercise a jurisdiction vested in it.

    5. Section 2, sub-section (17) of the U.P Debt Redemption Act defines a suit to which the Act applies as meaning

    ‘any suit or proceeding relating to a loan, but does not include proceedings under the provisions of the United Provinces Encumbered Estates Act, 1934.’

    6. Then we have to go bask to Section 2, sub-section (9) of the Debt Redemption Act for the definition of the word “loan” which is as follows:

    ““Loan” means an advance in cash or kind made before the first day of June: 1940, recoverable from an agriculturist or a workman or from any such person and other persons jointly or from the property of an agriculturist or workman and includes any transaction which in sub-stance amounts to such advance, but does not include an advance the liability for the repayment of which has by a contract with the borrower or his heir or successor, or by sale in execution of a decree, been transferred to another person….”

    7. The question in this case was whether the liability for the repayment of the advance had been transferred by sale in execution of a decree to another person. The lower appellate Court came to the conclusion that the liability for 33/40th part of the loan had been transferred to another person by sale in execution of a decree and, as such, the Debt Redemption Act did not apply to this part of the advance and only applied to 7/40th part which was treated as a loan.

    8. We cannot accept the contention of the learned counsel for the applicants that the case falls under Section 115, clause (b) of the CPC. To our mind, this cannot be said to be a case where the Court below has failed to exercise the jurisdiction so vested, because the jurisdiction was, in any case, in the lower Court whether it held that a particular transaction or part of it amounted to a loan or not. Section 115, sub-s. (b) can apply only to cases where the Court says specifically that it has no jurisdiction at all and not to cases of this kind where the Court merely considers the interpretation of a particular section of a particular Act. Reliance was placed, in this connection, on behalf of the applicants, on the case of Lachman v. Ali Bux, A.I.R (34) 1947 Oudh 228 : (22 Luck. 403). That was a case of muafidar who had mortgaged his muafi and applied under Section 12 of the Agriculturists' Relief Act in the Revenue Court for redemption. It was pleaded by defendant Lachman in that suit that the mortgage was void ab initio and no application lay under Section 12 of the Agriculturists' Relief Act. This plea, if given effect to, meant that the revenue Court had no jurisdiction at all. The revenue Court decided in favour of Ali Bux, plaintiff, and that decree was practically upheld by the appellate Court. Lachman defendant then file a revision in which Ali Bux raised an objection that no revision lay at all because the point decided was one of law. This contention was however, repelled on the ground that though the point decided was a question of law, the decision of the point resulted in the Court assuming a jurisdiction when it did not have any such jurisdiction. Thus it was held that where the decision of a point of law resulted in the Court exercising a jurisdiction or refusing to exercise jurisdiction, the case would be covered either be cl. (a) or cl. (b) of Section 115 of the CPC. In the case before us, however, the question of jurisdiction of the Court does not arise at all whatever might have been the decision of the Courts below on the interpretation of the words “the liability for the repayment of which has by sale in execution of a decree been transferred to another person.”

    9. It has further been urged that, in any case, the Court acted, in the exercise of its jurisdiction, illegally or with material irregularity and revision lies under Section 115 clause (c) of the CPC. The leading case on the point is that of Rajak Amir Hassan Khan v. Sheo Baksh Singh, 11 I.A 237 : (11 Cal. 6 P.C). Their Lordships of the Privy Council, while dealing with Section 115 of the CPC observed as follows:

    “The question then is, did the Judges of the lower Courts in this case, in the exercise of their jurisdiction act illegally or with material irregularity. It appears that they had perfect jurisdiction to decide the question which was before them and they did decide it. Whether they decided it rightly or wrongly, they had jurisdiction to decide the case; and even in they decided wrongly, they did not exercise their jurisdiction illegally or with, material irregularity.”

    10. It seems to us, therefore, that the material word in S. 115, sub-s. (c) is “acted.” This clause will apply when the Court ‘acts’ illegally on with material irregualrity in the exercise of its I jurisdiction. It cannot apply to cases where the Court merely comes to a wrong decision on a question of fact or of law. The use of the word “acted” indicates the true position and limits this clause to that class of cases where the Court having jurisdiction violates, any rule of law or of procedure-prescribing the mode in which such jurisdiction is to be exercised. The arriving at a conclusion or decision is only a mental operation and the Court cannot be said to be ‘acting’ in so coming to a conclusion or decision on a question of law or of fact. It is, of course, not possible to give an exhaustive list of cases where the Court can be said to have acted illegally or with material irregularity in exercise of its jurisdiction. But for practical purposes certain general indications can be given of the class of cases to which this clause will apply.

    11. In the first place, it will apply to all cases where the Court, though it has jurisdiction, has not followed the procedure provided by law. This may be illustrated by a simple example. For instance, O. 33, R. 5(a) of the CPC, as amended by this Court, provides that the Court shall reject an application for permission to sue as a pauper where it is not framed and presented in the manner prescribed by Rr. 2 and 3 and the applicant on being required by the Court to make any amendment within the time to be fixed by the Court fails to do so. Now if a Court dismisses an application for permission to sue as a pauper on the ground that it does not comply with O. 83, R. 5(a), as it was not framed and presented in the manner prescribed by Rr. 2 and 3 without giving the person, making the application, an opportunity to amend it, it must be held to have ‘acted’ illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction. In such a case the Court ‘acts’ as distinguished from ‘decides’ when it does not give an opportunity to the person applying it to amend the application.

    12. The second class of cases consists of those in which the Court does not at all apply its mind to the relevant provisions of an enactment. An illustration of this class of cases will be found in two decisions of this Court, namely, (1) Raghubir Singh alias Raghubir Saran v. Mulchand, 1937 A.L.J 671 : A.I.R 24 (1937) ALL 598 (F.B)) and (2) Khun Khun Chaube alias Sukhnandan Chaube v. Mahabir Chaube, 1918 A.L.J 90 : A.I.R 35 (1948) ALL 261 (F.B)).

    13. The third class of cases consists of those where the Court completely ignores an authority of this Court as to what the law is. In such cases also, it can be said that the Court ‘acted’ illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction. As an instance we may point out that this Court held in Saran Singh v. Mithan Lal, 1946 A.L.J 91 : (A.I.R 33 (1946) ALL 174 (F.B)), while dealing with Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act, that

    “in a case in which a mortgagor, as between himself and a third party, whether a second mortgagee or a purchaser of the equity, his left a sufficient part of the mortgage or purchase money in the hands of a second mortgagee or purchaser, he has certainly, as between them, transferred, the entire liability for the mortgage, in the sense of the ultimate burden of bearing it.”

    14. If a subordinate Court completely ignores this authority and decides the question whether the liability has been transferred or not in favour of the mortgagor on the ground that part of the equity of redemption shall vests in the mortgagor, it would be ‘acting’ illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction and not merely ‘deciding’ wrongly.

    15. Lastly there may be a class of cases where the Court invents a kind of arbitrary rule and ‘acts’ on its basis, or acts in defiance of the admitted facts of the case, in such cases also, it can be said that the Court has acted illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction.

    16. As an illustration of the first type, we may mention the arbitrary rule invented and followed by the Courts in the district of Basti which has been referred to in the case of Mt. Pran Dei Kunwari v. Ganga Prasad, A.I.R 35 (1948) ALL 54 : (1947 A.L.J 230).

    17. As an example of the second type, we may mention a case where the admitted evidence is that A did not take a loan, but the Court holds that the loan was taken by A and then goes on to hold that a legatee under the will of A was bound to pay the loan because the will of A provides that the legatee will take the residue after paying all as debts.

    18. We may now notice the cases cited before us. There are three cases of the Patna High Court: (1) Harihar Prasad Narain Singh v. Gopal Saran Narain Singh, A.I.R 22 (1935) Pat 385 : (14 Pat. 488), (2) Deonandan Thoikur v. Mt. Hanso Kuer, A.I.R 24 (1937) Pat 104 : (167 I.C 63) and (3) Ramkhelawan Sahu v. Bir Surendra Sahi, A.I.R 25 (1938) Pat 22 : (16 Pat. 766 (F.B)) cited in support of the applicants.

    19. In the first it was held that:

    “If a particular jurisdiction originates in some special law or enactment, the High Court can always interfere in the sense that it can construe the law, and in accordance with that construction compel the lower Court to exercise such jurisdiction or to refrain from exercising the jurisdiction if not warranted by the law or enactment in question.”

    20. That was, however, a case where the question arose whether O. 33, R. 3 applies or O. 21, R. 2. We doubt if that can be a ewe of a special law or enactment and even if it be so, we find ourselves unable to accept this view.

    21. In the second, it was held that:

    “Where the Court by a misinterpretation of a statute assumed jurisdiction in respect of a matter over which it would not have had jurisdiction if the statute had been rightly interpreted, the High Court can interfere under Section 115 of the CPC”

    22. In this Court, however, a different view has been held as we shall show presently.

    23. In the third it was held by the Full Bench, that:

    “Where a lower Court has jurisdiction to decide questions of law and fact as between the parties, the superior Court will not exercise revisional jurisdiction against the decision whether it be right or wrong; but the superior Court will interfere in revision where the jurisdiction is derived from statute e.g, the Court-fees Act, and the matter is one of construction of the statute e.g, the particular category into which the suit falls and the proper court-fee payable on it.”

    24. This is similar to the second case mentioned above.

    25. This Court has taken a different view as is clear from the following cases: (1) Yad Ram v. Sunder Singh, A.I.R 10 (1923) All 392 : (45 ALL. 425 F.B); (2) Surya Pal Singh v. Chiranji, 1944 A.L.J 288 : (A.I.R 31 (1944) ALL 170 F.B); (3) Megh Singh v. Suraj pal Singh, A.I.R 33 (1946) ALL 280 : (225 I.C 328). The second was a Full Bench case of five Judges, Allsop J. observed as follows at p. 291:

    “I may add that there is another reason, for dismissing the application in revision. The Courts below did not refuse to exercise jurisdiction. They came to a decision right or wrong that the application for execution most he dismissed and they dismissed it. This Court generally should not interfere in revision merely because it thinks that the decision of the to ser Court as wrong.”

    26. Hamilton J., who differed from Allsop J., on the other question observed as follows at p. 293:

    “As regards Civil Revision No. 165 of 1942 I am of opinion that the decision was incorrect in law but there was no failure to exercise jurisdiction and no exercise of jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity and therefore the application should be rejected ‘with costs.”

    27. Iqbal Ahmad C.J, agreed with Hamilton J.; Dar J., and Mithur J., did not express them, selves on this point.

    28. Two cases of this Court on the other aide may be noticed: (1) Hafiz Abdul Noor v. Sahu Brij Mohan Saran, 1938 A.L.J 107 : A.I.R 25 (1938) ALL 163) and (2) Mt. Sukhia v. Pt. Kirpa Ram, A.I.R 32 (1945) ALL 348 : (I.L.R (1945) All. 604) The first case in particular supports the applicants. But as we shave pointed out already two Full Benches of this Court are against that view.

    29. The case before as is, in our opinion, of a different nature altogether and it cannot be said that the Court below acted illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction.

    30. It had to interpret Section 2, clause (9) of the Debt Redemption Act in order to decide whether the benefit of that Act could be given to the applicants in the case before it. It interpreted that section to the best of its ability and came to a certain conclusion. Even if that conclusion is wrong, in view of a later authority of this Court in Saran Singh v. Mithhan Lal, 1946 A.L.J 91 (at p. 94, Civil Revn. 285 of 1941) : (A.I.R 33 (1946) ALL 174 F.B) it cannot be said that the Court below acted illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction. It had the jurisdiction to interpret Sections 2(9), 2(17) and 9(1) of the Debt Redemption Act and if it made a mistake in interpreting them, it cannot be said that it acted illegally or with material irregularity in the exercise of its jurisdiction. All that has happened is that the Court had decided a question of law wrongly. Section 115(c) does not, in our opinion, provide for revisions of wrong decisions on questions of law if those decisions are not vitiated by any ‘act’ of the Court which is illegal or materially irregular. In this case, it cannot be said that the decision of the lower appellate Court was vitiated by any act which was illegal or materially irregular. We are, therefore, of opinion that where the decision of the lower Court may be wrong as to the interpretation of a particular provision of the law, no revision would lie under S. 115, cl. (c) if the Court has not ‘acted’ illegally or with material irregularity in the manner explained by us. If revisions under S. 115, cl. (c) can lie merely because of a wrong interpretation of law, there would be no difference between a second appeal and a revision which there undoubtedly is.

    31. We, therefore, uphold the preliminary objection and dismiss this revision. In the circumstances, we order parties to bear their own costs of this Court. The costs of the lower Courts will be as ordered by the lower appellate Court.

    32. Application dismissed.

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    Abdul Majid v. L. Daleep Singh
    (Jan 1, 1949)