Allowed

Kunhathu v. Abdul Kareem

Kerala HC28 Sept 2021FAO/64/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This appeal challenged orders condoning delay to set aside an ex parte decree. The High Court of Kerala allowed the applications for condoning delay and setting aside the ex parte decree conditionally upon payment of Rs.25,000/- as undertaking, holding that laches does not defeat substantive rights absent negligence outweighing the suit's benefit.

What did the court decide?

Application I.A.Nos.1009/2010 and 1010/2010 allowed conditionally on deposit of Rs.25,000/-; ex parte decree set aside; appeal allowed.

Kunhathu Vs Abdul Kareem — Execution and Attachment | Kerala HC (2021)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.SOMARAJAN

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TUESDAY, THE 28^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2021 / 6TH ASWINA, 1943

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 19.01.2018 IN AS 5/1995 OF ADDITIONAL DISTRICT COURT & SESSIONS COURT - III, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS:

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1 KUNHATHU PERINTHALMANNA AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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2 KADEEJA PERINTHALMANNA AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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3 KADEEJA W/O LATE. SAIDALI, KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM,CHERAMBU DESOM, PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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4 SUBAIDA KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM, CHERAMBU DESOM,PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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5 JAMEELA KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM, CHERAMBU DESOM,PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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6 MOHAMMED YAHIYA MEERAN KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM, CHERAMBU DESOM,PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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7 MOHAMMED ASHRAF KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM, CHERAMBU DESOM,PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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8 NOUFAL IBRAHIM KARUVARAKUNDU AMSOM, CHERAMBU DESOM,PUTHANAZHI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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9 SHEREENA RAMLATH P MULLIAMKURSSI AMSOM, PATTIKKAD DESOM,PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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10 SHAMEEMA

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MULLIAMKURSSI AMSOM, PATIKKAD DESOM,PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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11 SHAMNA SHERIN P MULLIAMKURSSI AMSOM, PATIKKAD DESOM,PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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12 SHIFANATH P MULLIAMKURSSI AMSOM, PATIKKAD DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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13 MOHAMMED SHAHID IBRAHIM (MINOR) MULLIAMKURSSI AMSOM, PATIKKAD DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.

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BY ADVS. SRI.T.SETHUMADHAVAN (SR.) SMT.DEEPA NARAYANAN SRI.K.JAYESH MOHANKUMAR

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SMT.PREETHI. P.V. SMT.VANDANA MENON SMT. KODOTH PUSHPARAJAN

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RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS :

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1 ABDUL KAREEM KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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2 ABDUL MAJEED

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S/O LATE. ALIYAMU, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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3 SAKEER HUSSAIN S/O LATE. ALIYAMU, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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4 MUHAMMED HAREES BY NEXT FRIEND SAINABA, VETTATHUR AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-PIN-679326.

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5 RUKHIYA

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D/O LATE. ALIYAMU, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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6 PATHANGODAN SULAIKA W/O LATE. UMMER, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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7 HASEENA D/O SULAIKHA, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

8 ASKAR

S/O SULAIKHA,KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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9 NISSAR

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S/O SULAIKHA, KARYAVATTAM AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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10 CHITHAMMU W/O. LATE MOOSSA, MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- PIN-679325.

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11 USMAN

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MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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12 HITLAR MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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13 ABDUL NAZAR MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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14 ABDURAHIMAN MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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15 PATHUTTY MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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16 KADEEJA MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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17 NAHILA MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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18 ABOOBACKER SIDHIQ MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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19 T.K PATHUMMA D/O. ALIYAMU, MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

20 ALIYAMU

S/O. LATE MOOSA, MALABARI AZIZIYATH WATER SUPPLY,OLD AIRPORT, JEDDAH-21577.

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21 ASYA W/O. K.T KUNHIMUHAMMED, MULLIAKURSSI AMSOM, MANNARMALA DESOM,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679325.

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22 SULAIKA W/O. BAPPUTTY, CHEMMANIYODE AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT679322.

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23 MYMOONA S/O. P.K MUHAMMED MUSTHAFA, VETTATHOOR AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679326.

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24 SAINABA

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W/O. ABDUL AZEEZ, PANDIKKAD AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. 676521.

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25 ABDUL GAFOOR PANDIKKAD AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.676521.

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26 ABDUL AZEEZ PANDIKKAD AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.676521.

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27 YUSUF PANDIKKAD AMSOM DESOM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.676521.

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28 RAJEENA W/O. MUJEEB RAHMAN, MANKADA AMSOM KOOTIL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. 679324.

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29 SAJNA

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W/O. SULFEEKKARALI, PARAKKAL HOUSE, VATTAMANNAPURAM,MANNARKKAD TALUK, PALGHAT DISTRICT. 678601.

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30 RAMLATH W/O. FIROZ BABU, THORAKKATTIL HOUSE, VAZHENKADA AMSOM,OTTAPPALAM TALUK, PALAGHAT DISTRICT-679357.

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31 AMINA

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W/O. LATE HAMSA, ALANALLUR

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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KARKKIDAMKUNNU,KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA, PALAKKAT DISTRICT.676522.

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32 FATHIMATH LAILA ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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33 HAJARUMMA ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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34 RAMLA ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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35 MOHAMMED NIYAS ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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36 DR. ALIYAMMU ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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37 UMMER FAROOK ALANALLUR KARKKIDAMKUNNU, KADAMBOTTIL, KOLAPPARAMBA,PALAKKAD DISTRICT-676522.

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38 PULIYAKUTH AYISHAKUTTY W/O. LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHAATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322. (DIED)

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RESPONDENT NO.38 IS DIED AND RESPONDENT NO.39 TO 44 ARE RECORDED AS HER LEGAL HEIRS AS PER ORDER DATED 29.11.2009 VIDE MEMO DATED 23.11.2019

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39 PULIYAKUTH FATHIMA D/O. LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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40 PULIYAKUTH BEEVI D/O. LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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41 ABDULLAKUTTY S/O. LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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42 PULIYAKUTH ALI S/O LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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43 PULIYAKUTH HANEEFA S/O LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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44 PULIYAKUTH MAJEED S/O LATE. MOHAMMED@KUNHANI, PULIYAKUTH VEEDU, KEEZHATTUR AMSOM DESOM, PERINTHALMANNA TALUK,MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679322.

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45 SAINABA

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D/O LATE PATHUMMA, W/O ABOOBACKER HAJI, PUTHANGODE, VADAKKEVEETTIL HOUSE, VETTATHUR AMSOM DESOM,PERINTHALMANNA TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. 679326.

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R1–R3,R6, R7, R10, R12 -R20,

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R 31 TO R 37 & R45 BY ADVS.

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SRI.R.SREEHARI SRI.SACHIN VYAS

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THIS FIRST APPEAL FROM ORDERS HAVING COME UP FOR HEARING ON 28.09.2021, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

JUDGMENT

Two orders passed by the First Appellate

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court in I.A.Nos. 1009/2010 and 1010/2010 are under challenge. The first one is for condoning the delay of 5 years 7 months 19 days in preferring the second application for setting aside the ex parte decree. The ex parte decree was passed, on 25.01.2005, on an appeal instituted in the year 1995 in A.S.No.5/1995. The counsel who appeared on behalf of the defendants reported no instruction on 08.12.2004 without intimating the parties concerned. Thereon the Appellate Court taken up the matter and pronounced an ex parte judgment on 25.01.2005. It is a suit for redemption of mortgage, which was dismissed by the trial court. It was reversed by the First Appellate Court under the ex parte decree, which was sought to be set aside

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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by preferring the above said two applications. The reasons advanced in the applications are that, no instruction reported by the counsel without notice of the appellants and the counsel passed away on 05.05.2006. It is not stated whether the death of the counsel had come to their notice at proper time and why they have not enquired about the suit entrusted with the said counsel. This would show some sort of negligence on the part of the appellants. The applications are strongly objected by Adv. Sri.Sreehari, counsel appearing for the respondents.

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But, it is now settled that, the laches on the part of parties shall not be a ground to deny the valuable rights to proceed with the suit or to defend the same, unless the laches is of the nature which would out-weigh the benefit that can be obtained by the

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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parties under the suit. It is permissible to take a liberal view so as to advance justice and not to defeat, bearing the above said principles. Hence, I am of the view that the laches on the part of the appellants can be condoned in terms of money, for which, the learned counsel for the appellants fairly suggested an amount of Rs.25,000/-. Hence, both the applications can be allowed conditionally on payment of Rs.25,000/- as suggested by the learned counsel for the appellants, I do so.

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There will be a direction to the appellants to pay or deposit an amount of Rs.25,000/-(Rupees twenty five thousand only) with the First Appellate Court on or before 20.10.2021 and on such deposit of amount, the application in I.A.Nos.1009/2010 and 1010/2010 will stand allowed by condoning the delay and

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FAO NO. 64 OF 2018

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also by setting aside the ex parte decree and thereon the First Appellate Court shall proceed with the appeal in accordance with the law in force. Needless to say, in the event of failure to pay or deposit the amount within that time, it will virtually defeat the right of the appellants and both the applications will stand dismissed. The parties shall appear before the First Appellate Court on 12.10.2021.

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The appeal is allowed conditionally as above. No costs.

Sd/-

P.SOMARAJAN

JUDGE

SPV

Kunhathu v. Abdul Kareem

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Kunhathu v. Abdul Kareem

Case brief

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