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Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Advocates
Judges
Acts
  • Order 21, Rule 58(4). Section 104(1), Section 2(2) and Section 96(1) of the amended Code
  • Article 3 of Schedule 2 of Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suits Valuation Act, 1956
  • conclusive.9. Order 21, Rule 58(1) of amended Civil Procedure Code
  • Sections (Rules) 60 to 63 of unamended Civil Procedure Code.
  • Order 21, Rule 63 (unamended) of the Civil Procedure Code;
  • Section 96 of the Code.12. No doubt, Order 21, Rule 58(4)
  • SECTION 96 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • sub-rule (4) of Rule 58 of Order 21 of amended Code,
  • Order 21, Rule 58(1) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Civil Procedure Code,
  • Section 47 of unamended Civil Procedure Code.
  • ORDER 21 RULE 58 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Section 96 of amended Civil Procedure Code
  • Rule 58(3) of Order 21 of the amended Code
  • Civil Procedure Code, Order 21, Rule 58(4)
  • Section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • ORDER 21 RULE 103 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Order 21, Rules 58 and 59 of the Code
  • Order 21, Rule 97 of the amended Code.
  • Rule 103. After amendment of Rules 97
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of amended Code,
  • Rules in Order 21 of amended Code,
  • Rule 58 of Order 21 of the Code.
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Code.
  • Rule 101. Sub-rule (4) of Rule 58
  • Rule 103. Sub-rule (5) or Rule 58
  • Order 21, Rule 58 of the Code
  • Section 47 or Section 144,
  • Rule 98, just as Rule 58(4),
  • Order 21, Rule 58. Rule 58
  • Sub-rule (2) of Rule 58
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3)
  • Rule 58(3) Order, 21
  • Order 21, Rule 58(1)
  • Order 21, Rules 58
  • Order 21, Rule 63
  • Order 21, Rule 58.
  • Section 96, C.P.C,
  • sub-rule (2),
  • sub-rule (1),
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Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Advocates
Judges
Acts
  • Order 21, Rule 58(4). Section 104(1), Section 2(2) and Section 96(1) of the amended Code
  • Article 3 of Schedule 2 of Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suits Valuation Act, 1956
  • conclusive.9. Order 21, Rule 58(1) of amended Civil Procedure Code
  • Sections (Rules) 60 to 63 of unamended Civil Procedure Code.
  • Order 21, Rule 63 (unamended) of the Civil Procedure Code;
  • Section 96 of the Code.12. No doubt, Order 21, Rule 58(4)
  • SECTION 96 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • sub-rule (4) of Rule 58 of Order 21 of amended Code,
  • Order 21, Rule 58(1) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Civil Procedure Code,
  • Section 47 of unamended Civil Procedure Code.
  • ORDER 21 RULE 58 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Section 96 of amended Civil Procedure Code
  • Rule 58(3) of Order 21 of the amended Code
  • Civil Procedure Code, Order 21, Rule 58(4)
  • Section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • ORDER 21 RULE 103 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Order 21, Rules 58 and 59 of the Code
  • Order 21, Rule 97 of the amended Code.
  • Rule 103. After amendment of Rules 97
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of amended Code,
  • Rules in Order 21 of amended Code,
  • Rule 58 of Order 21 of the Code.
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Code.
  • Rule 101. Sub-rule (4) of Rule 58
  • Rule 103. Sub-rule (5) or Rule 58
  • Order 21, Rule 58 of the Code
  • Section 47 or Section 144,
  • Rule 98, just as Rule 58(4),
  • Order 21, Rule 58. Rule 58
  • Sub-rule (2) of Rule 58
  • Order 21, Rule 58(3)
  • Rule 58(3) Order, 21
  • Order 21, Rule 58(1)
  • Order 21, Rules 58
  • Order 21, Rule 63
  • Order 21, Rule 58.
  • Section 96, C.P.C,
  • sub-rule (2),
  • sub-rule (1),
Smart Summary

Concise Analytical Summary of the Opinion (Y. Bhaskar Rao, J.)

Factual and Procedural Background

The present Miscellaneous Appeal challenges an order in an Execution Application under Order 21, Rule 58(1) of the Civil Procedure Code, in which the Court below (Subordinate Judge, Pithapuram) rejected the claimant/appellant's petition that the property attached in execution belonged to him and not to the judgment-debtor. The appellant impugned that order by filing the present appeal. The core procedural point in controversy is whether an appeal against an order rendered after adjudication of a claim petition under Order 21, Rule 58 (as amended in 1976) is a 'regular appeal' under Section 96 of the Code or a 'Civil Miscellaneous Appeal'.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether an order passed after adjudication in a claim petition under Order 21, Rule 58 (as amended) is appealable by a regular appeal under Section 96 of the Civil Procedure Code, or whether only a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is maintainable.
  2. Whether an order under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the amended Code is in the nature of an "original decree" (a decree attracting Section 96) or is an "appealable order" (a deemed decree, attracting a miscellaneous appeal).

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments (as advanced by Sri Durga Prasada Rao)

  • The impugned order was passed under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Civil Procedure Code as amended, and it is an "appealable order" rather than an original decree envisaged by Section 96; therefore the appellant properly filed a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal.
  • Under the unamended Code decisions after adjudication in a claim petition under Order 21 were final and required the claimant to file a suit under old Order 21, Rule 63; after the 1976 amendment (which changed Rules 58 and 59 and omitted Rules 60–63), the order under Rule 58(3) was rendered appealable and only a Miscellaneous Appeal lies.

Respondent / Government Pleader for Revenue's Arguments

  • Order 21, Rule 58(4) (amended) provides that an order on a claim petition "shall have the same force and be subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as if it were a decree." Thus the legislature has given the status of a "decree" to such an order, and when adjudication involves right, title and interest after permitting evidence, the proceedings are original in nature and the order must be treated as a decree permitting only a regular appeal under Section 96 of the amended Code, not a Miscellaneous Appeal.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Sidramappa v. Shankaralingappa, AIR 1979 Kant 89 Invoked by appellant as part of a catena of decisions concerning the nature of proceedings under Order 21, Rule 58 (whether appeal or revision lies). The Court held this decision (and similar ones cited in the same group) is of no help because they address whether an appeal or revision lies, not the discrete question whether a Miscellaneous or Regular Appeal lies against an order under Rule 58(3).
Ram Krishna Mandal v. Baikuntha Lal, AIR 1981 Pat 292 Part of the catena relied on by the appellant about appeal/revision questions under Order 21, Rule 58. Found not directly helpful for the present issue (miscellaneous vs regular appeal) for the same reason as above.
Avinash Chander v. Mohan Lal, AIR 1984 Punj & Har 391 Included in the catena addressing appeal/revision aspects under Order 21 Rule 58. The Court treated it as not advancing the appellant's distinct contention about whether a Miscellaneous Appeal (rather than a Regular Appeal) lies.
Harbans Lal v. Ram Jawai Devi, AIR 1979 Delhi 230 Also cited among earlier decisions dealing with appeal/revision against orders under Order 21 Rule 58. Court concluded it does not assist on the specific question now under consideration (miscellaneous v. regular appeal).
Aishabi v. Yakub, AIR 1984 Ker 237 Cited as dealing with whether an appeal or a separate suit is required against an Order 21 Rule 58 order. The Court noted this decision concerned appeal vs suit, and so was not directly on point for the present limited question (miscellaneous vs regular appeal).
Commr. of Payments (Coking Coal) v. Sourindra Nath, AIR 1982 Cal 605 Also related to whether an appeal or a suit is the correct remedy against an Order 21 Rule 58 order. Held by the Court to be concerned with appeal vs suit, and therefore not decisive on the misc. vs regular appeal question.
B. Venkat Rao v. C. Subbaiah, AIR 1983 AP 166 Decision of this Court dealing with whether a second appeal lies against an order passed on appeal assailing an original order under Order 21, Rule 58. The Court observed this deals with a different question (second appeal) and is not helpful to decide whether a Miscellaneous Appeal or a Regular Appeal lies in the present context.
Vasanthi (Mrs.) v. K. Karuppanna Gounder, 1988 (2) The Law Weekly 45 (Madras HC) Considered whether dismissal by the lower appellate Court on the ground that only a regular appeal lies (under Section 96) was justifiable; examined Order 21 Rule 58(4), Section 104(1), Section 2(2) and Section 96(1) (amended Code). The Court treated this decision as persuasive: it held that no regular appeal under Section 96 is contemplated and that a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal alone is contemplated; thus the lower appellate court was wrong in holding that only a regular appeal would lie.
B. Biksha Reddy v. G. Venuka Bai, 1982 (2) An WR 181 Considered a related question about court-fee payable in an appeal filed under Order 21, Rule 97 (amended Code); compared Rule 98 with Rule 58(4) to draw analogies on treatment of such orders. The Court treated this as analogically helpful: the reasoning supports that applications under Order 21 (e.g., Rule 58(1)) are not to be treated as suits for valuation, and that the relevant appeal is a Miscellaneous Appeal, not a Regular Appeal.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court limited itself to the pure question of law and proceeded as follows:

  1. Examined the definition of "decree" as contained in Section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Code both before and after amendment. The amended definition excludes adjudications covered by Section 47 of the unamended Code from the definition of "decree".
  2. Observed that by the 1976 amendments Order 21 (particularly Rules 58 and 59) was reworded and Rules 60–63 (old) were omitted. Under the amended scheme, the claimant no longer has the remedy of filing a separate suit once his claim is adjudicated on merits by the Executing Court.
  3. Carefully read Order 21, Rule 58 as amended:
    • Rule 58(1) allows claim petitions or objections to attachment to be adjudicated.
    • Rule 58(2) directs that questions relevant to right, title or interest are to be determined by the Court dealing with the claim and not by a separate suit.
    • Rule 58(3) empowers the Court to allow/disallow the claim or continue attachment or pass such orders as it thinks fit.
    • Rule 58(4) provides that an order made under Rule 58(3) "shall have the same force and be subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as if it were a decree."
  4. Interpreted Rule 58(4) as creating a "deemed decree" — the order has incidents of a decree for certain purposes (appeal/conditions) but is not a decree in itself within the definition of Section 2(2) of the amended Code.
  5. Contrasted the pre-amendment position (where orders under Section 47/unamended rules were treated as decrees) with the post-amendment statutory language which intentionally excludes such orders from the definition of decree; concluded that orders under old Section 47 are no longer "decrees" but "appealable orders".
  6. Considered relevant case law. The Court found many earlier decisions cited by the appellant dealt with whether appeal or revision (or appeal vs suit) lay and were not directly on the narrow question whether a Miscellaneous Appeal or a Regular Appeal lies against an order under Rule 58(3). The Court relied on the Madras High Court decision in Vasanthi and the Andhra Pradesh decision in B. Biksha Reddy (by analogy) to support the conclusion that only a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal lies against orders under Rule 58(3).
  7. Addressed the respondent's contention that Rule 58(4) gives the order the status of a "decree" and that, therefore, a regular appeal under Section 96 alone is available. The Court rejected this contention on statutory construction grounds: Rule 58(4) makes the order have the same force and appeal-conditions "as if it were a decree", but that does not convert the order into a decree within Section 2(2); thus it is a "deemed decree" and remains an appealable order attracting a Miscellaneous Appeal rather than a Regular Appeal under Section 96.
  8. Applied statutory text, the changed definition of "decree" after amendment, and the cited authorities to conclude that the order under Rule 58(3) is not an original decree but is an appealable order for which the remedy is a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal.
  9. On court-fee, applied Article 3 of Schedule 2 of the Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suits Valuation Act, 1956 to hold Rs. 10 is the proper fee for the present Miscellaneous Appeal; rejected the respondent's submission for ad valorem fee which rested on the (rejected) contention that a regular appeal under Section 96 lies.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Court held that the appeal filed is a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal and that such an appeal is maintainable. The court-fee paid (Rs. 10 under Article 3 of Schedule 2 of the Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suits Valuation Act, 1956) was held to be correct. The Miscellaneous Appeal was admitted and an order to that effect was passed.

Implications:

  • The direct practical effect is that orders passed under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the amended Civil Procedure Code are to be challenged by filing a Civil Miscellaneous Appeal (not a "regular appeal" under Section 96), and the particular appeal before the Court is therefore properly brought and admitted.
  • The Court treated such orders as "deemed decrees" for certain procedural purposes (e.g., force and conditions as to appeal) but not as "decrees" within the definition of Section 2(2) so as to attract Section 96; this narrows the application of a regular appeal to true decrees as defined post-amendment.
  • The opinion does not articulate or purport to lay down any broader binding precedent beyond the statutory construction and the application to this case; the outcome is the direct resolution of the remedy (Civil Miscellaneous Appeal) and the correctness of the court-fee in the present matter.

Order: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal admitted. Order accordingly.

    B. Nookaraju v. M.S.N Charities And Others

    Y. Bhaskar Rao, J.:— This Miscellaneous Appeal is filed against an order passed in an Execution Application filed under Order 21, Rule 58(1) of the Civil Procedure Code by the appellant herein holding that he has not established his claim over the petition schedule property.

    2. At this inception stage, the simple question that arises for our consideration in this matter is, whether it is a ‘regular Appeal’ or a ‘Miscellaneous Appeal’ that lies against an order passed after adjudication in a claim petition filed under Order 21, Rule 58 of the Civil Procedure Code as a manded in 1976.

    3. In the Court of the Subordinate Judge, Pithapuram, during the course of Execution proceedings, a petition was filed under Order 21, Rule 58 of the Civil Procedure Code claiming that the property under attachment belongs to the claimant/appellant and not to the Judgment-debtor. That claim petition was rejected on merits holding that the appellant did not establish his claim over the property in question.

    4. The learned Counsel Sri Durga Prasada Rao appearing for the appellant contended that the order impugned was passed under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Civil Procedure Code, as amended, that it is an ‘appealable order’, not being in the nature of ‘an original decree’ envisaged by Section 96 of the Civil Procedure Code and therefore, he has rightly filed the ‘Miscellaneous Appeal’. He also contended that there is no obligation to file a ‘regular appeal’ under Section 96 of the Civil Procedure Code in as much as the order under appeal is not in the nature of a original decree. He further contended that under the unamended Civil Procedure Code, the decision rendered after adjudication in a claim petition filed under Order 21, Rule 58 of the Code was final and the aggrieved party had to file a suit in the light of Order 21, Rule 63 (unamended) of the Civil Procedure Code; whereas after the amendment to the Civil Procedure Code in 1976, there is a change in the language of Order 21, Rules 58 and 59 of the Code and in that not only Rules 60 to 63 thereof are omitted, but the ‘order’ made under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the unamended Code is/also rendered to be one in the nature of ‘Appealable order’ and therefore, only a ‘miscellaneous Appeal’ lies against such an order and not a ‘regular appeal’.

    5. The learned Government Pleader for Revenue on the other hand, contended that after the amendment to the Civil Procedure Code, Order 21, Rule 58(4) provides that the order made on a claim petition ‘shall have the same force and be subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as if it were a decree’ and therefore when the Legislature has given the status of ‘decree’ to such an order and when the adjudication made is with regard to the right, title and interest of the parties, after permitting them to let in evidence, the proceedings are original in nature and accordingly the order is to be deemed to be a ‘decree’ permitting only a ‘regular appeal’ against such a decree under Section 96 of amended Civil Procedure Code but not a Miscellaneous appeal.

    6. Since the question involved in this matter is purely one of law, we are not adverting to the detailed facts involved in the case.

    7. At the outset, to test the nature of the impugned order, we shall advert to the definition of “decree” provided under Section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Code as it stood before amendment:

    ““Decree” means the formal expression of adjudication which, so far as regards the Court expressing it, conclusively determines the rights of the parties with regard to all or any of the matters in controversy in the suit and may be either preliminary or final. It shall be deemed to include the rejection of a plaint and the determination of any question within Section 47 or Section 144, but shall not include—

    (a) any adjudication from which an appeal lies as an appeal from an order, or

    (b) any order of dismissal for default.

    Explanation: A decree is preliminary when further proceedings have to be taken before the suit can be completely disposed of. It is final when such adjudication completely disposes of the suit. It may be partly preliminary and partly final:”

    As per the above definition, ‘decree’ included question decided under Section 47 or 144. Under the amended Civil Procedure Code, there is a slight departure in the definition of ‘decree’ and it runs as under:

    ““Decree” means the formal expression of an adjudication which, so far as regards the Court expressing it, conclusively determines the rights of the parties with regard to all or any of the matters in controversy in the suit and may be either preliminary or final. It shall be deemed to include the rejection of a plaint and the determination of any question within Section 144, but shall not include—

    (a) any adjudication from which an appeal lies as an appeal from an order, or

    (b) any order of dismissal for default.

    Explanation. — A decree is preliminary when further proceedings have to be taken before the suit can be completely disposed of. It is final when such adjudication completely disposes of the suit. It may be partly preliminary and partly final.”

    The above definition of ‘decree’ under the amendment Civil Procedure Code has excluded orders of adjudication made under Section 47 of unamended Civil Procedure Code. Therefore, such orders after the amended Civil Procedure Code came, into force, are no more ‘decrees’. Further, the amended Civil Procedure Code brought in a change in the language of Order 21, Rules 58 and 59 also to some extent while omitting completely Sections (Rules) 60 to 63 of unamended Civil Procedure Code. The claimant, whose claim petition was adjudicated under unamended Code, was provided with a remedy of a suit under Order 21, Rule 63 of the unamended Code, as stated supra. Under the amended Code, the remedy of filing a suit is not available to the claimant when there is adjudication of his claim on merits by the Executing Court.

    8. Order 21 of amaded Civil Procedure Code deals with execution of decrees and orders. Under the Rules in Order 21 of amended Code, different types of attachments in execution of the decree are provided. Order 21, Rule 58 of the Code as amended, provides adjudication of claims and objections, which is relevant and important in deciding the question involved in this appeal and it is to the following effect:

    “Rule 58: Adjudication of claims to, or objections to attachment of property:—

    (1) Where any claim is preferred to, or any objection is made to the attachment of, any property attached in execution of a decree on the ground that such property is not liable to such attachment, the Court shall proceed to adjudicate upon the claim or objection in-accordance with the provisions herein contained:

    Provide that no such claim or objection shall be entertained—

    (a) where before the claim is preferred or objection is made, the property attached has already been sold; or

    (b) where the Court considers that the claim or objection was designedly or unnecessarily delayed.

    (2) All questions (including questions relating to right, title or interest in the property attached) arising between the parties to a proceeding or their representatives under this rule and relevant to the adjudication of the claim or objection, shall be determined by the Court dealing with the claim or objection and not by a separate suit.

    (3) Upon the determination of the questions referred in sub-rule (2), the Court shall, in accordance with such determination,—

    (a) allow the claim or objection and release the property from attachment either wholly or to such extent as it thinks fit; or

    (b) disallow the claim or objection; or

    (c) continue the attachment subject to any mortgage, charge, or other interest in favour of any person; or

    (d) pass such order as in the circumstances of the case it deems fit.

    (4) Where any claim or objection has been adjudicated upon under this rule, the order made hereon shall have the same force and be subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as if it were a decree.

    (5) Where a claim or an objection is preferred and the Court, under the proviso to sub-rule (1), refuses to entertain it, the party against whom such order is made may institute a suit to establish the right which he claims to the property in dispute; but, subject to the result of such suit, if any, an order so refusing to entertain the claim or objection shall be conclusive.”

    9. Order 21, Rule 58(1) of amended Civil Procedure Code provides for making a claim petition or raising an objection and when a petition is so made or an objection raised, the Court shall proceed to adjudicate the same in accordance with the provisions contained therein. However, where the claim is made after the attached property was sold or with unnecessary delay, the same will not be entertained, in which event as per Rule 58(5), the aggrieved party may institute a suit, since the petition was rejected at the inception stage. O. 21, R. 58(2) of amended Code directs that all questions (including question relating to right, title or interest in the property attached), shall be determined by the Court dealing with the claim or objection but not by a separate suit. Under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of amended Code, the Court is empowered either to allow or disallow the, claim or objection or continue the attachment proceedings subject to mortgage, charge or other interest in favour of any person or pass such orders as it deems fit. According to sub-rule (4) of Rule 58 of Order 21 of amended Code, where an order is passed under Rule 58(3), the said order will have the same force and subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as though it were a decree. It is however, to be borne in mind that such an order will have the incidents of decree only, and that by itself, is not a decree.

    10. The real question now that arises for our consideration is, whether the order passed under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of amended Code is in the nature of ‘an original decree’ or ‘an appealable order’.

    11. Under the unamended Code, all questions decided by the Executing Court and covered by Section 47 were treated as decrees as defined under Section 2(2) of the unamended Code and therefore, they were not ‘appealable orders’. Now, in view of exclusion of ‘orders’ passed under Section 47 of unamended Code, from the definition of ‘decree’ as per the amended Code, orders passed under Section 47 of unamended Code are no more ‘decrees’ and they are only ‘appalable orders’ not attracted by Section 96 of the Code.

    12. No doubt, Order 21, Rule 58(4) declared that the order made under sub-rule (3) “will have the same force and be subject to the same conditions as to appeal or otherwise as if it were a decree”. Thus, the order is declared to be a ‘deemed decree’ and not a ‘decree’ by itself.

    13. Now, adverting to the case law on the issue, Mr. Durga Prasada Rao, invited our attention to a catena of decisions, In Sidramappa v. Shankaralingappa, AIR 1979 Kant 89, Ram Krishna Mandal v. Baikuntha Lal, AIR 1981 Pat 292, Avinash Chander v. Mohan Lal, AIR 1984 Punj and Har 391 and Harbans Lal v. Ram Jawai Devi, AIR 1979 Delhi 230, the question involved is whether against an order made under Order 21, Rule 58(3) it is ‘an Appeal’ or ‘Revision’ that arises. Therefore, those decisions are all (of) no help in the present case, because we are concerned with the question, whether it is a ‘Miscellaneous Appeal’ or ‘a Regular Appeal’ that lies against the order made under Order 21, Rule 58(3) of the Code. Further, the two decisions, one of the Kerala High Court in Aishabi v. Yakub, AIR 1984 Ker 237 and the other of Calcutta High Court in Commr. of Payments (Coking Coal) v. Sourindra Nath, AIR 1982 Cal 605 relate to the question whether it is ‘Appeal’ or a separate ‘suit’ that has got to be resorted to against an order made under Rule 58 of Order 21 of the Code. So much so, the decision of this Court reported in B. Venkat Rao v. C. Subbaiah, AIR 1983 AP 166, deals with a question completely different and there, a Division Bench of this Court was dealing with the question, whether a ‘Second Appeal’ lies against an order passed on appeal assailing the original order made under Order 21, Rule 58. Therefore, these decisions are also of equally no assistance to advance the case of the appellant. However, the decision on the Madras High Court in Vasanthi, Mrs. v. K., Karuppanna Gounder, 1988 (2) The Law Weekly 45, is one dealing with the question, whether dismissal of the appeal by the lower Appellate Court on the ground that only a regular appeal lies under Section 96 of the Code against an order made under Order 21, Rule 58 of the Code is justifiable. After considering the scope of Order 21, Rule 58(4). Section 104(1), Section 2(2) and Section 96(1) of the amended Code and number of other decisions ruling the field, it is held that ‘no regular appeal’ is contemplated as provided under Section 96, C.P.C, but a ‘civil miscellaneous appeal’ alone is contemplated and as such the lower appellate Court is wrong in holding that a civil miscellaneous appeal is not maintainable and only a regular appeal would lie.

    14. This Court in B. Biksha Reddy v. G. Venuka Bai, 1982 (2) An WR 181, had the occasion in considering a question of identical nature on hand while deciding the Court-fee payable in an appeal, no doubt, filed under Order 21, Rule 97 of the amended Code. The line of reasoning adopted therein is analogically helpful in resolving the present issue. Amended Rule 98, just as Rule 58(4), declares that the order made has the same force as if it were a decree. By this, it does not follow that the application made under the said provision is a suit and should be valued as such. It is helpful to read hereunder the relevant paragraph in the said decision.

    “Here, language of Order 21, Rule 103, Civil Procedure Code, can be compared with Order 21, Rule 58. Rule 58 relates to adjudication of claims and objections to attachment of property. Sub-rule (2) of Rule 58 is the same as Rule 101. Sub-rule (4) of Rule 58 is the same as Rule 103. Sub-rule (5) or Rule 58 says that where a claim or objection is preferred and the Court refuses to entertain it, then the party against whom such order is made may institute a suit to establish the right which he claims to the property in dispute but subject to the result of such suit, if any an order so refusing to entertain the claim or objection shall be conclusive. This provision is Similar to old Rule 103. After amendment of Rules 97 to 103 we do not now have a similar provision. Therefore, I hold that the appeal need not be valued as if it is from a regular suit.”

    Therefore, though the issue as such did not arise in the above decision, still the line of reasoning leads to the conclusion that against an order made under Rule 58(3) Order, 21 only a Miscellaneous Appeal lies and not a Regular Appeal, since the application made under Order 21, Rule 58(1) can in no way be treated as a regular suit. In the light of these tow decisions and the different provisions of the Code referred to herein-before, we are of the firm opinion that the order made under Rule 58(3) of Order 21 of the amended Code has only the status of ‘deemed decree’ and not a ‘decree’ by itself and that such orders are not covered by the definition under Section 2(2) namely of ‘decree’ so as to attract the provisions of Section 96 of the Civil Procedure Code and therefore, only a ‘Miscellaneous appeal’ lies against such ‘order’ and not a ‘Regular appeal’.

    15. In this view of the matter that only a ‘Miscellaneous appeal’ lies, there is not much of controversy over the court-fee payable on such a ‘Miscellaneous appeal’. Article 3 of Schedule 2 of Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suits Valuation Act, 1956 provides that proper court-fee payable on Memorandum of a Miscellaneous appeal of the present nature is Rs. 10/-. The submission made by the learned Government Pleader that ad valorem court-fee has to be paid is in the back ground of his contention that only a ‘Regular appeal’ lies under Section 96 of the Civil Procedure Code. In as much as the basic contention is repelled, the consequent submission based on such repelled contention deserves no consideration.

    16. In the result, we hold that the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal, as numbered, is maintainable and the court-fee paid thereon is correct.

    17. Admit the Miscellaneous Appeal.

    Order accordingly.

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    B. Nookaraju v. M.S.N Charities And Others
    (Feb 22, 1994)