Krishna, S/O. Shrinivas Deshpande, v. Sangeeta, W/O. Rajshekar Lakamanhalli
Partition suit – preliminary decree – non-compliance with Order 20 Rule 5 CPC
Case brief
What is this about?
Remand for want of a speaking judgment: Karnataka High Court (Dharwad Bench, Ashok S. Kinagi, J., 03.09.2025) allowed RFA No.100056/2017 and cross-objection RFA CROB No.100004/2019 and set aside the judgment and preliminary decree dated 02.04.2016 in O.S.No.190/2014 (partition and separate possession; Hindu joint family; occupancy rights via Form No.7/Land Tribunal; sale deed dated 15.06.2009 by defendant No.1 to defendant Nos.3 and 4) because the trial court considered only P.W.1's evidence, ignored D.Ws.1-2 and Exs.D1-D8, and gave no reasons for answering the issues affirmatively, contrary to Order 20 Rule 5 CPC. Suit restored; trial court to pass fresh reasoned judgment; merits left open. Search terms: Order 20 Rule 5 CPC non-compliance; judgment set aside; remand; preliminary decree partition; speaking judgment reasons; evidence not considered.
What did the court decide?
Both the Regular First Appeal (RFA No.100056/2017) and the Cross Objection (RFA CROB No.100004/2019) allowed; judgment and decree dated 02.04.2016 in O.S.No.190/2014 set aside and the suit restored to the trial court's original file; trial court directed to hear the parties and pass a fresh judgment in conformity with Order 20 Rule 5 CPC with detailed reasons; no adjudication on the merits, all contentions kept open; parties directed to appear before the trial court on 27.10.2025 without further notice; trial court records to be returned forthwith; pending IAs disposed of as not surviving.