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Gauri Shankar Misra v. M/S. Shiv Shanker Lal Ram Nath And Others

Allahabad High Court
May 16, 1978
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Judgment Summary — K.C. Agrawal, J. (Revisions arising from judgment dated 14 October 1977)

Factual and Procedural Background

The firm Shiv Shanker Lal Ram Nath, Bara Bazar, Bareilly (plaintiff / decree holder) filed a suit for ejectment against Gauri Shanker Mishra and two others (Tauamal Salig Ram and Mehrotra Stores). The suit was decreed on 19 February 1976. The defendants challenged that decree by a revision which was dismissed.

Execution proceedings were initiated by the decree holder on 23 February 1976. The judgment debtor, Gauri Shanker Mishra, filed an objection to the execution application alleging that the decree passed by the Judge, Small Causes could not be executed against immovable property and so the execution should be struck off. The Judge, Small Causes rejected that objection on 22 May 1977.

Gauri Shanker Mishra preferred a revision under Section 25 of the Provincial Small Cause Court Act to the District Judge. The First Additional District Judge modified the order of the Judge, Small Causes and partly accepted the objection: he held that a decree passed by the Judge, Small Causes could be executed by the Civil Court (regular side) and directed that the decree be sent for execution to a court of competent jurisdiction under Section 39 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC).

Both parties then filed revisions to the High Court. The decree holder's revision was numbered Revision No. 2580 of 1977; the judgment debtor's revision was numbered Revision No. 2455 of 1977. The High Court delivered the opinion summarized here and dismissed both revisions (with differing cost orders).

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether a decree for ejectment obtained by a Judge, Small Causes can be executed by the Judge, Small Causes itself or whether execution must be transferred to a regular civil court for execution under Section 39 CPC.
  2. Whether a decree for ejectment by a landlord against a tenant constitutes execution "against immovable property" within the meaning of Section 7(a)(iii) of the Code of Civil Procedure (which excludes certain provisions of the Code from extending to Courts constituted under the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act), thereby barring execution by the Small Causes Court.
  3. What is the meaning and scope of the phrase "of competent jurisdiction" added to subsection (3) of Section 39 CPC (by Act No. 104 of 1977): whether it requires the transferee court to have jurisdiction to try the suit (subject-matter jurisdiction) or only pecuniary competence to deal with the suit in which the decree was passed.

Arguments of the Parties

Decree Holder (Plaintiff) — submissions

  • R.N. Bhalla (for the decree holder) argued that the view of the court below (that the decree for ejectment could not be executed by the Judge, Small Causes) was erroneous and that the Judge, Small Causes could execute the decree without transferring it to the Munsif/regular side.
  • Counsel (referred to as Shri P.N. Bhalla in the opinion) contended that a decree for ejectment obtained by a landlord is not an execution against immovable property because it is based on the landlord-tenant relationship and not on title; therefore sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 CPC would not apply to such a decree. Reference was made to a Maharashtra High Court decision (Brij Mohan v. Tsttetravs, 1975 M.L.J. 97) supporting that view.

Judgment Debtor (Defendant) — submissions

  • Sri Raja Ram Agrawal (for the judgment debtor) argued that a decree for ejectment by a landlord is a decree in respect of immovable property and therefore its execution is barred by clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 CPC.
  • For the second revision, the judgment debtor relied on Section 39 CPC as amended by Act No. 104 of 1977: he submitted that the words "of competent jurisdiction" require that the transferee court be one having jurisdiction to entertain (i.e., to try) the suit; because U.P. Act No. 37 of 1972 made suits for eviction by lessors against lessees cognizable by the Judge, Small Causes, a regular civil court would not have jurisdiction to try the suit and thus the transfer under Section 39 would be ineffective and invalid.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Brij Mohan v. Tsttetravs (1975 M.L.J. 97, Maharashtra HC) Support for the proposition that a landlord's decree for ejectment is not execution against immovable property and thus may not fall under sub-clause (iii) of Section 7(a) CPC. The decision was noted as supporting the decree-holder's contention, but the court did not follow it because a Division Bench of the local High Court had taken a contrary view which the court considered binding.
Sarju Prasad v. District Judge, Kanpur (A.I.R. 1976 All. 13) Held that a decree obtained by a landlord against a tenant is one to which sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 CPC applies. The court considered itself bound by this Division Bench decision and adopted its view, rejecting the decree-holder's contrary argument.
Fira Ganesh Das v. Amuluk Chand (A.I.R. 1940 Cal. 161 D.B.) Represents the view that a decree cannot be transferred under Section 39(1) if the amount/value of the decree exceeds the pecuniary jurisdiction of the transferee court. Used to illustrate one side of earlier conflicting views on the meaning of Section 39 prior to the amendment; cited as part of the historical debate.
Durga Charab v. Uma Tara (I.D.B. 16 Cal. 465 D.B.) Another authority reflecting the view that transfer under Section 39 is limited by the pecuniary jurisdiction of the transferee court. Cited alongside Fira Ganesh Das to demonstrate the earlier line of authority resolved by amendment.
Abdulla Saheb v. Ahmed Husain Saheb (A.I.R. 1914 Mad. 206) Madras High Court view contrary to the Calcutta decisions; suggested broader scope for transfer under Section 39. Cited as the contrary view in the pre-amendment conflict over Section 39.
Shansi Lal v. Nammi Kuer (1940 All. 318-331 D.B.) Presented a different view that decretal amount determines pecuniary jurisdiction. Noted by the Court as representing an alternative pre-amendment approach to pecuniary competence under Section 39.
Rumana v. Mallaparaju (A.I.R. 1956 S.C. 87) Discussed Section 39 and related jurisdictional questions in the Supreme Court. Referred to in the opinion as part of the body of authority discussing Section 39 and jurisdictional issues.
Udayan Chinubhai v. R.C. Bali (1977 4 SCC 309) Supreme Court considered a similar issue of statutory interpretation where a Law Commission recommendation was relevant to clarify an added explanation; supported looking to background when language ambiguous. Relied upon by the Court to justify considering the Law Commission's recommendations and legislative history in construing the phrase "of competent jurisdiction" in Section 39 CPC.
Subhash Ganpatrao Buty v. Maroti Krishnaji Dorlikar (A.I.R. 1975 Bom. 254) Bombay High Court refused to consider the Law Commission's report in interpreting a statutory explanation; Court of appeal later overruled that approach. Cited as an instance where a High Court declined to look at the Law Commission's recommendation; the Supreme Court later overruled that refusal (cited to support the current court's willingness to consult the Law Commission's report).
Union of India v. Sankalchand (1977 4 SCC 193) General principles of statutory interpretation: words used by the legislature are generally a safe guide to intention, but ambiguous words may require interpretation to make the provision purposeful. Quoted to explain when courts may look beyond plain language and to support harmonious construction where words could bear more than one meaning.
Westminister Bank Ltd. v. Zang (1966 A.C. 182) Authority quoted for the proposition that intention of the legislature is deduced from the words used in the statute (rule of interpretation). Used by the Court when discussing principles of statutory construction and how clear words normally settle meaning, but ambiguity justifies reference to background materials.
S. Narayanswami v. G. Panneerselvam (1972 3 SCC 717) Support for the rule that where a statute's meaning is clear and explicit, courts should not interpolate additional meanings. Quoted to show the general interpretive rule while distinguishing it from cases where the legislative history and ambiguity permit examination of external materials such as Law Commission reports.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court proceeded in two connected stages, corresponding to the two revisions before it.

First, the court examined provisions of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act (particularly Sections 15(1) and 16 and the effect of U.P. Civil Laws Amendment Act 37 of 1972) and the Code of Civil Procedure (particularly Section 7(a)(iii), and Sections 38, 39 and 42 dealing with transfer and execution of decrees). Section 7(a)(iii) excludes certain provisions of the CPC (including execution of decrees against immovable property) from applying to Courts constituted under the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act.

The court considered the competing submissions on whether a landlord's ejectment decree is an execution "against immovable property":

  • The decree-holder's counsel argued such an ejectment decree is not execution against immovable property because it rests on the landlord-tenant relationship (not title).
  • The judgment debtor's counsel argued that ejectment decrees are decrees in respect of immovable property and thus excluded by Section 7(a)(iii).

The court noted that a Division Bench of the same High Court (Sarju Prasad v. District Judge, Kanpur) had taken the view that a landlord's decree against a tenant falls within sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 CPC. The court stated it was bound by that Division Bench decision and therefore rejected the decree-holder's argument. This concluded the court's decision in Civil Revision No. 2580 of 1977 against the plaintiff.

Second, the court considered the judgment debtor's contention (in Revision No. 2455 of 1977) that the addition of the words "of competent jurisdiction" to Section 39(3) CPC (by Act No. 104 of 1977) meant that a decree for ejectment could not be transferred for execution to a regular civil court because that transferee court would lack jurisdiction to try the suit (the subject-matter jurisdiction) after U.P. Act No. 37 of 1972 had made such suits cognizable by Judge, Small Causes.

The court analysed the legislative history and the reason for the amendment to Section 39: prior to amendment there were conflicting decisions about whether the transferee court needed pecuniary competence and whether that competence should be judged by reference to the decree or the suit. The Law Commission recommended clarification. The amended words "of competent jurisdiction" and the new sub-section (3) were intended, the court held, to clarify that the transferee court must have pecuniary competence to deal with the suit in which the decree was passed, and that the amount of the decretal relief is immaterial for this purpose.

The court rejected the judgment debtor's wider construction that "of competent jurisdiction" meant the transferee must have jurisdiction over the subject-matter (i.e., power to try the suit). The court relied on the Law Commission's reports and relevant Supreme Court authority (including Udayan Chinubhai v. R.C. Bali and Union of India v. Sankalchand) to support looking at legislative history where language is ambiguous. It concluded that the words must be read in context and confined to pecuniary jurisdiction rather than jurisdiction over the subject-matter.

The court expressly stated it was not adding to or mending Section 39 but was construing the phrase "of competent jurisdiction" in light of the legislative background and the object of the amendment (to resolve conflicts about pecuniary competence).

Holding and Implications

Holding: Both revisions are dismissed.

Direct consequences for the parties (as expressly ordered by the court):

  • Revision No. 2455 of 1977 (filed by the judgment debtor) is dismissed with costs.
  • Revision No. 2580 of 1977 (filed by the decree holder) is dismissed; the parties shall bear their own costs in that revision.

Legal implications as derived from the opinion (limited to what the court stated):

  • The court applied and confirmed the Division Bench authority (Sarju Prasad v. District Judge, Kanpur) that a decree obtained by a landlord against a tenant is one to which sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 CPC applies (i.e., it involves execution in respect of immovable property for the purpose of Section 7(a)(iii)).
  • The court interpreted the phrase "of competent jurisdiction" (added to Section 39 CPC) as relating to the pecuniary competence of the transferee court to deal with the suit in which the decree was passed, and not as requiring transferee courts to have jurisdiction over the subject-matter so as to try the suit itself.
  • No novel principle beyond the interpretive conclusions above was announced; the court relied on existing Division Bench and Supreme Court authority and the Law Commission's background to resolve the contested statutory meaning.

This summary has been prepared strictly from the contents of the provided opinion. No information has been added beyond what the opinion itself contains.

Show all summary ...

K.C Agrawal, J.:— These two connected revisions arise from a judgment dated October 14, 1977. The relevant facts are that the firm Shiv Shanker Lal Ram Nath, Bara Bazar, Bareilly, filed a suit for ejectment against Gauri Shanker Mishra and two others. These two others were Tauamal Salig Ram and Mehrotra Stores. The suit was decreed on February 19, 1976. The defendants preferred a revision against the said decree of the Judge Small Causes. The revision was also dismissed. In the meantime the execution, which was started by the decree holder by means of an application before the Judge, Small Cause Court on February 23, 1976, was taken up. The judgment debtor Gauri Shanker filed an objection to the execution application. As the revision was pressed only on one ground, I need not mention the various grounds which had been raised in the objection. In the objection, the judgment debtor alleged that as the decree passed by the Judge, Small Causes was one which could not be executed against an immovable property, the execution was liable to be struck off. The Judge, Small Causes rejected the objection on May 22, 1977. Against the aforesaid order, a revision was preferred under Section 25 of the Provincial Small Cause Court Act by Gauri Shanker Mishra to the Court of the District Judge. In the revision, the order of the Judge, Small Causes was modified, and the objection filed by the judgment debtor was accepted partly. By the said order, the learned First Additional District Judge although held that a decree passed by the Judge, Small Causes could be executed by the Civil Court in the regular side, and directed the same to be sent to a court of competent jurisdiction under Section 39 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Aggrieved by the aforesaid judgment, both the parties filed revisions in this Court. The revision filed by the decree holder was Revision No. 2580 of 1977, whereas the one which was filed by Gauri Shanker Mishra, the judgment debtor, was numbered as Revision No. 2455 of 1977.

2. In Revision No. 2580 of 1977, Sri R.N Bhalla, appearing for the decree holder, urged that the view of the court below that the decree for ejectment could not be executed by the Judge, Small Causes was erroneous. He contended that the decree could be executed by the Judge, Small Causes and that there was no necessity to transfer the same for execution to the court of Munsif in the regular side. At this stage, it appears relevant to discuss in brief some of the provisions of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act and that the Code of Civil Procedure which will have bearing on the controversy involved in the present revisions. The Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887, was connected with a view to provide a speedy and cheap justice to the litigants. Section 15(1) of the said Act lays down that a Court of Small Causes shall not take cognizance of the suits specified in the Second Schedule as suits expected from the cognizance of a Court of Small Causes by which the suit is triable. The Second Schedule of the Act specifies the suits except from the cognizance of the Court of Small Causes. By U.P Civil Laws Amendment Act 37 of 1972, the Legislature made a provision for a suit for the possession of immovable property or for the recovery of an interest in such property, but not including a suit of a lessor for the eviction of a lessee from a building after the determination of his lease. As a result of this amendment made by the aforesaid Civil Laws Amendment Act, suits for eviction by a lessor against a lessee became cognizable by the Judge Small Causes. Section 16 of the Provincial Small Cause Court Act provides for the exclusive jurisdiction of the Small Cause Courts in the matters excepted.

3. So far as the question of executing a decree obtained from a Judge Small Causes is concerned, resort will have to be made to the Code of Civil Procedure. Section 7 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides that the following provisions shall not extend to Courts constituted under the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1867:

(a) so much of the body of the Code as relates to:

(i) suits excepted from the cognizance of a Court of Small Causes,

(ii) the execution of decrees in such suits;

(iii) the execution of decrees against immovable property; and

(b) the following sections, that is to say section …… so far as they authorise or relate to

(i) ......

(ii) ......

(iii) ......

(iv) ......

4. Section 38, however, confers the power of transfer of a decree laying down that a decree passed by a court may either be executed by itself or it may be sent for execution to another Court. Section 39 of the Code deals with the transfer of decree. The next provision is Section 42, which provides that the transferee court shall have the same powers in executing such a decree as if it has been passed by itself.

5. A review of the provisions of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act and the Code of Civil Procedure would show that Section 7(a)(iii) provides that a decree obtained from a Court of Small Causes cannot be executed against immovable property. Sri Raja Ram Agrawal, counsel appearing for the judgment debtor, contended that as a decree for ejectment of a tenant by a landlord is a decree in respect of immovable property, the execution of such a decree is barred by clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This raises a controversy whether a decree obtained from the Court of Small Causes by a landlord as against his tenant is a decree, the execution of which is sought against immovable property. Shri P.N Bhalla contended that a decree for ejectment obtained by a landlord as against his tenant is not a decree falling under sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7 inasmuch as a decree obtained by a landlord is for ejectment of a tenant which is sought to be executed through the aid of the Court. The basis of a decree in such a suit is relationship of landlord and tenant and not title. Hence, the execution of a decree by a landlord for ejectment of a tenant could not be considered as execution of decree against immovable property. Reference in this connection was made by Shri R.N Bhalla to a case of the Maharashtra High Court reported in Brij Mohan v. Tsttetravs . 1975 M.L.J 97.. It is no doubt true that the aforesaid decision supports the contention of Sri R.N Bhalla, but a Division Bench of our Court reported in Sarju Prasad v. District Judge, Kanpur . A.I.R 1976 Alld. 13., took a contrary view. In the opinion of the Division Bench, a decree obtained by a landlord as against a tenant was one to which sub-clause (iii) of Clause (a) of Section 7, C.P.C applied. I am bound by the decision of the Division Bench, and, therefore, even if it be correct that some of the aspects found in the Maharashtra case were not brought to the notice of the Division Bench deciding the case before it that does not take away the efficiency and binding character of the said decision on me. I am, therefore, not prepared to accept the argument of the learned counsel for the decree holder that the execution of a decree obtained by a landlord against a tenant is not the execution against immovable property. This concludes Civil Revision No. 2580 of 1977 against the plaintiff.

6. Now the question arises for the second revision. This revision was preferred by the judgment debtor against the direction of the Judge Small Causes that the decree ought to have been sent to the Munsif for execution. The argument advanced by the learned counsel for the judgment debtor is based on Section 39 of the Code of Civil Procedure, as amended by Act No. 104 of 1977. The relevant portion of Section 39 reads as under:—

“(1) The court which assessed the decree may on the application of the decree holder send it for execution to another Court (of competent jurisdiction).

(a) ......

(b) ......

(c) ......

(2) ......

(3) For the purposes of this section, a Court shall be deemed to be a court of competent jurisdiction, if at the time of making the application for the transfer of decree to it, such Court would have jurisdiction to try the suit in which such decree was passed.”

7. The submission of the learned counsel for the judgment debtor was that the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ point out that the Court to which the decree is sent for execution should be a court having jurisdiction to entertain the suit. It was submitted that as after U.P Act No. 37 of 1972 a suit for ejectment by a landlord against a tenant can be entertained only by a Judge, Small Causes, and the transferee could have no jurisdiction to entertain the said suit, the transfer made was ineffective and invalid.

8. The discussion made above would indicate that according to the defendant, neither was the decree executable by the Judge Small Causes nor by a regular civil court. It is the duty of a court of law to see that a decree passed by it is executed that the end result for which the plaintiff fought was achieved. A court should endeavour its most to see that a decree holder gets the fruits for which he has been fighting. It would come as a rude shock to a decree holder to find that after he gets a decree he cannot get the benefits.

9. Reverting to the argument of the learned counsel for the judgment debtor, the same was that with the addition of the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ in sub-section (3) of Section 39, C.P.C a decree for ejectment passed by a Small Causes Court could not be executed as the regular civil court has no jurisdiction to entertain a suit for ejectment against a tenant. At this place, I may refer to the reason which led to the amendment. The same was that the section, as it stood before the amendment, gave rise to two conflicting opinions as to whether: (i) the transferee court must be a court of competent pecuniary jurisdiction, and (ii) if so, whether the competence should be judged with reference to the decree on the suit. In order to resolve the conflict, the law Commission in its Fourteenth Report recommended the amendment of Section 39. This was subsequently adopted in the Twenty-seventh Report of the Law Commission. While dealing with Section 39, as it stood before the) amendment, the Law Commission observed as under:—

“(a) At present, there is a conflict of decision on the question whether (1) the transferee court must be a court of competent pecuniary jurisdiction and (ii) if so whether the competence should be judged with reference to the decree or the suit.”

10. One view, is, that provisions of this section are controlled by Section 6 and a decree cannot be transferred under sub-section (1) for execution to another court if the amount or value of the decree exceeds its pecuniary jurisdiction.

11. The contrary view was taken in a Madras case, where the decree was sent on the applications of the decree holder. Section 39(1). It was said does not contain any such limitation, though Section 39(2) does.

12. It has also been held, that the value of the suit in which the decree was passed must be within the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the court to which the decree is proposed to be sent.

13. For a different view, to the effect that decretal amount determines pecuniary jurisdiction, see Shansi Lal v. Nammi Kuer . 1940 All. 318-1940 All. 331, 334 D.B..

14. See also the discussion about the section in a recent Supreme Court case in Rumana v. Mallaparaju . A.I.R 1956, S.C 87. (Venkatarama Ayyar, J.).

15. It is considered, that the position should be made clear and that the transferee court must here pecuniary competence to deal with the suit in which the decree was passed, amount of the decree is immaterial, as pecuniary; jurisdiction of a court is ordinarily judged with reference to the nature of the claim in the suit, and not the nature of the relief decreed. Hence, the amendment.

16. In pursuance of the aforesaid report of the Law Commission that the words ‘of competent jurisdiction have been added at the end of the expression’; sent for execution to another Court’ in sub-section (1) of Section 39, C.P.C and a new sub-section (3) has been added. This amendment has clarified the position that the transferee court must have pecuniary competence to deal with the suit in which the decree was passed. At this place, I may mention the cases in which the two views contradictory not with respect to Section 39 had been taken. One view, as already observed, was that under Section 39 a decree could not be transferred for execution to another Court if the amount or value of the decreed exceeds its pecuniary are: Fira Ganesh Das v. Amuluk Chand . A.I.R 1940 Cal. 161 D.B. and Durga Charab v. Uma Tara . I.D.B 16 Cal. 465, D.B.. The contrary view taken was of the Madras High Court reported in Abdulla Saheb v. Ahmed Husain Saheb . A.I.R 1914 Mad. 206..

17. Read in the light of the recommendation of the law Commission, it would be seen that the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ have to be restricted in their operation. They do not mean that the Court executing the decree should have the jurisdiction over the subject matter and to pass decree in the suit itself. There are no reasons which could justify the taking of the view canvassed by the learned counsel for the plaintiff.

18. It was then urged that the words used in Section 39, C.P.C being clear, explicit and unambiguous, this Court has no power to look into the Report of the Law Commission and to negative the connotation of the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ suggestive of it. The general rule, as observed by Craies in his book, is:

“If the words of the Statute are themselves precise and unambiguous they no more can be necessary than to expound those words in their ordinary and natural sense. The words themselves, alone do in such a case best declare the intention of the law giver.”

19. In the instant case the position however, is different. The historical background which Ted to the amendment of Section 39 has already been noted by us above. It was to resolve the conflict amongst the various High Courts than the amendment was made. Keeping this background in view one will come to the irresistible conclusion that the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ should be given a restricted meaning. In Udayan Chinubhai v. R.C Bali. . 1977 4 SCC 309 the Supreme Court was faced with more or less a similar argument. In that case, the question arose about the meaning of the explanation added to Section 12 of the Limitation Act. By the said Explanation, the limitation for filing an appeal, any time taken by the court to prepare the decree or order before an application for a copy thereof is made was enitled to be excluded. Before the addition of this Explanation is Section 12 of the Limitation Act there was a sharp cleavage of opinion in the High Courts with regard to the expression ‘time requisite for obtaining a copy of the decree or on order’. This had come to the notice of the law Commission and after noticing the conflict, the law Commission made accommodation to add the Explanation in order to make the position absolutely clear and to avoid any further controversy in the matter. In fact, the Law Commission in its wisdom went to the extent of even suggesting the pharaseology of the expression. The argument advanced which found favour by the Bombay High Court in Subhash Ganpatrao Buty v. Maroti Krishnaji Dorlikar* . A.I.R 1975, Bom. 254. ran counter to the suggestion made by the Law Commission. The recommendation of the Law Commission was cited before the Bombay High Court. It, however, refused to look into it as in its opinion the language actually employed to determine the intention, of the legislature was clear and that did not require the looking into the Law Commission's Report. The Supreme Court overruled the decision of the Bombay High Court, referred to the recommendations of the Law Commission, and held relying upon the recommendation of the Law Commission that the time spent in taking the copy before the decree was prepared was not liable to be excluded. This case of the Supreme Court goes a longway to support my view. In fact, as stated above, the words ‘of competent jurisdiction’ could never have been added with a view to lay lown that a transferee court erecution the decree must have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the suit. Had that been the intention, the same would have been clearly provided. The words used are not such which lead to the conclusion suggested by the learned counsel for the defendant. The words have to be read in their context. Reading the same, its meaning has to be confined to the pecuniary jurisdiction and not the jurisdiction over the subject matter. At this place, it appears useful to refer to a decision of the Supreme Court in Union of India v. Sankalchand . 1977 4 SCC 193 in which the Supreme Court observed as follows:—

“The normal rule of interpretation is that the words used by the legislature are generally a safe guide to its intention. Lord Reid in West Ministers Bank Ltd. v. Zang . 1966 A.C, 182. observed that ‘no principle of interpretation of statutes is more firmly settled than the rule that ‘The court must deduce the intention of Parliament, from the words used in Act.’ Applying such a rule, this court observed in S. Narayanswami v. G. Panneerselvam . 1972 3 SCC 717 that ‘where the statute's meaning is clear and explicit, words cannot be interpolation’. What is true of the interpretation of an ordinary statute is not nonetheless true in the case of a constitutional provision, and the same rule applies equally to both. But if the words of an instrument are ambiguous in the sense that they can reasonably bear more than one meaning, that is to say, if the words are semantically ambiguous, or if a imcompatible without other provision, if read literally is patently of that instrument, the court would be justified in construing the words in a manner which will make the particular provision purposeful. That, in essence is the rule of harmonious construction.”

20. Learned counsel for the defendant refer to certain decisions of the Supreme Court and our High Court with regard to the rule of interpretation which should be applied to the present case. All these cases are distinguishable and are not applicable. I do not consider it necessary to refer to those cases and to deal with each one of them separately. In most of the cases cited, the view taken, was that the Court cannot aid the legislature's defective phrasing of the Act. The Court cannot add and mend, and by construction make up the deficiencies. If arguing at the decision mentioned above. I have neither added anything to Section 39, C.P.C nor mended it for coming to the conclusion to which I have reached.

21. In the result, both the revisions fail and are dismissed. Revision No. 2455 of 1977 is dismissed with costs, whereas the parties shall bear their own costs, in Revision No. 2580 of 1977.