REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO.6921 OF 2009.

(Arising out of SLP (c) No.1552 OF 2007)

Revajeetu Builders & Developers ….. Appellant

Versus

Narayanaswamy & Sons & Others ….. Respondents

J U D G M E N T

Dalveer Bhandari, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment and

order dated 16.9.2006 passed by the High Court of Karnataka

at Bangalore in Writ Petition No.36550 of 2003.

3. Brief facts in nutshell are as under:

The appellant (original plaintiff) filed an Original Suit

no. 2265 of 1996 before the XXXI Additional City Civil

Judge, Bangalore against the respondents (defendant nos. 1

to 10) for recovery of Rs.52,97,111/- with interest at the

rate of 18% per annum from the date of filing of suit till

payment. The appellant alternatively had taken the plea

that if the court for any reason comes to the conclusion

that a decree for a sum of Rs.52,97,111/- cannot be passed

as prayed by the appellant against respondents (original

defendant nos. 1 and 2), then the court may at least pass a

decree for Rs.19,12,500/- with interest at the rate of 18%

from the date of suit till the date of realization against

the respondents.

4. The appellant also claimed that it be declared

absolute owner of the scheduled property on the basis of

the sale deed dated 30.9.1987. The sale deed was executed

by the respondents in favour of the appellant after

obtaining permission from the State of Karnataka under the

provisions of the Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act,

1976.

5. A petition in public interest was filed by one S.

Vasudeva which ultimately came up before this Court in

Civil Appeal Nos.1454-56 of 1993 challenging the

aforementioned transfer of land. This court in those

proceedings held that the sale deed executed by the

respondent in favour of the appellant on 30.9.1987 is held

to be invalid and inoperative. It may be pertinent to

mention that after the institution of the suit, the Urban

Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 has been repealed.

6. After the Act has been repealed, the appellant filed

an application under Order VI Rule 17 of the Code of Civil

Procedure, 1908 (for short ‘CPC’) seeking leave of the

trial court to add two additional paragraphs as 2(A) and

(B) and few prayers and to delete certain paragraphs in the

plaint and also to delete the prayer (a), (b) and (c).

Paragraphs 2(A) and (B) are set out as under:

“2(A). With the enactment of the

Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act,

1976, the first defendant firm was

prohibited from holding vacant land in

excess of ceiling limits. As provided by

the said Act, such vacant land, in excess

of ceiling limits, was liable to be

acquired by the State Government.

Therefore, the first defendant firm applied

to the State Government for exemption,

under section 20(1) of the said Act, and

sought permission to hold excess vacant

land to an extent admeasuring 16194 square

metres. Vide Government Order dated

17.07.85, in exercise of its power under

section 20(1) of the said Act, the state

government permitted the first defendant

firm to hold the excess vacant land.

Subsequently, as stated in para 4

hereinafter, the first defendant firm made

another application to the state government

to exempt the balance excess vacant land

admeasuring 3444 square metres and the same

was permitted by the state government vide

its order dated 18.04.87. Thus, the entire

extent of vacant land in excess of ceiling

limits admeasuring a total aggregate extent

of 19638 square metres was exempted, by the

state government, under section 20(1) of

the said Act.

2(B). Thereafter, the defendant firm

approached the plaintiff and offered to sell, to

the plaintiff, an extent of 5 acres 24 guntas in

survey nos.6/1 and 6/2, Dasarahalli, VI Block,

Jayanagar, Bangalore, together with building

thereon. This extent of 5 acres 24 guntas

comprised of 19638 square feet of excess vacant

land, in addition to the land with buildings and

vacant land within ceiling limits. The first

defendant firm, therefore, obtained permission

from the state government under orders dated

06.03.87 and 18.04.87 to sell to the plaintiffs,

the excess vacant land admeasuring 19638 square

metres, as set out in paras 3 and 4 hereinafter.

Pursuant thereto, the first defendant firm

executed a registered Sale Deed dated 30.09.87 in

respect of the total aggregate extent of 5 acres

24 guntas i.e. including the excess vacant land

admeasuring 19638 square metres as aforesaid

(19638 sq. metres).”

7. The appellant sought to add the following prayers in

the plaint by an amendment in the plaint:-

(a) to declare that from 1.4.1988, the

defendants are trespassers and or in

unauthorized occupation of the building

which they were permitted, under the Sale

Deed dated 30.9.1987 to use as a licensee

till 31.3.1988;

(b) to issue a mandatory injunction

directing the defendants to vacate and

deliver to the plaintiff, vacant and

peaceful possession of the building within

30 days; and

(c) to issue a permanent injunction

restraining the defendants or any of them,

or their agents, representatives, servants

or any other persons claiming through,

under or on behalf of any of them from

interfering with or in any manner

disturbing, hindering, obstructing, the

plaintiff’s enjoyment and possession of the

entire suit schedule property including the

building portion ordered to be evicted in

terms of prayer (b) hereinabove.

8. The trial court vide order dated 5.4.2003 allowed

application for amendment filed under Order VI Rule 17 CPC.

The respondents aggrieved by the said order of the trial

court preferred a writ petition No.36550 of 2003 under

Article 227 of the Constitution before the High Court of

Karnataka on the ground that the amendment as sought and

granted has changed the entire nature of the suit and cause

of action. The respondents also submitted that the fact of

allowing amendment would be taking away admissions in the

plaint by the appellant and such an amendment cannot be

permitted by any court of law. It was further submitted by

the respondents that by the order of the trial court the

rights accrued to the respondents have been taken away.

9. The respondents submitted that the original suit was

instituted for recovery of Rs.52,97,111/-. Alternatively,

the appellant requested the court to declare it as the

absolute owner based on the basis of sale deed dated

30.9.1987 and direct the respondents to deliver vacant

possession of the plaint schedule property. The

respondents also submitted that the appellant relying upon

the sale deed dated 30.9.1987 requested the court to

declare it as the absolute owner and since it sought

possession of the property from the respondents meaning

thereby that the respondents are in possession of the

entire suit property. If the appellant are in possession

of only a portion of the suit property, the same ought to

have been mentioned in the plaint and the prayer in respect

of the same would be limited and not seeking relief of

possession in respect of the entire suit property. Now by

virtue of the amendment, the appellant is trying to contend

that the respondents are to be treated as trespassers and

unauthorized occupants of the building in question.

10. The learned counsel for the respondents submitted

that when the appellant had originally sought possession of

the entire property from the respondents, by giving up such

a claim, now the appellant is trying to introduce a new

case which would certainly affect the rights of the

respondents when the appellant had earlier requested the

court to pass a decree for possession of the entire

property. Learned counsel for the appellant also submitted

that the trial court without considering or properly

comprehending implications of all these aspects has allowed

the amendment application.

11. In the impugned judgment, the High Court after

considering the rival contentions came to the definite

conclusion that the appellant while seeking permission to

amend the plaint is trying to introduce a new case which

was not his case in the original plaint and proposed

amendment if allowed would certainly affect the rights of

the respondents adversely. In the impugned judgment,

the High Court also held that the appellant cannot be

permitted to withdraw the admissions made in the plaint as

it would affect the rights of the respondents.

12. The High Court in the impugned judgment also held

that any such amendment which changes the entire character

of the plaint cannot be permitted and that too after a

lapse of four years after the institution of the suit. The

High Court has set aside the order of the trial court which

allowed the amendment under Order VI Rule 17 CPC.

13. Being aggrieved by the impugned judgment, the

appellant has preferred this appeal.

14. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties

and have also perused the written submissions filed by the

parties.

15. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the

appellant that the suit, as originally framed, was only for

refund of sale consideration and alternatively for

possession. The appellant also submitted that the relief

for possession was always there, although it was in respect

of the entire land which is sought to be amended and

reduced to the licensed area only. According to the

appellant, the amendment under Order VI Rule 17 is

consequent to the subsequent Urban Land (Ceiling &

Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 which validated all exemption

orders notwithstanding any court orders, judgments or

decrees to the contrary. The appellant also submitted that

the amendment is necessary to elucidate the real points in

controversy. It was also submitted by the appellant that

the amendment will not cause any prejudice to the

respondents. It was also submitted that the stand taken up

by the respondents is totally dishonest, wrong and not bona

fide. The appellant submitted that the court should be

liberal in allowing amendments and the respondents be

compensated by costs.

16. The learned counsel for the respondents submitted

that in the original plaint, the appellant rightly sought

only for recovery of sale price relying on section 65 of

the Contract Act. Section 65 of the Contract Act is as

follows:-

“When an agreement is discovered to be void, or

when a contract becomes void, any person who

has received any advantage under such agreement

or contract is bound to restore it, or to make

compensation for it, to the person from whom he

received it.”

17. The original plaint expressly so avers and relies on

section 65 of the Contract Act clearly admitting that the

sale deed has become void. This admission is now sought to

be got rid off and the sale deed is sought to be asserted

as valid. It was submitted that the appellant cannot,

therefore, seek any amendment of the plaint relying on the

circumstances as to the earlier decision having been

overruled by seeking amendment of the plaint. This has

the effect of changing the character of the suit and also

omitting an admission made.

18. Respondents (Defendant nos.1, 2, 4 and 7) filed

written statement to the original plaint. They prayed the

court to pass a decree in favour of the appellant for a sum

of Rs.27,30,339.45/. This is an admission of the

respondents in favour of the appellant to an extent of

Rs.27,30,339.45/-. The appellant now cannot be permitted

to take a complete somersault.

19. The respondents also submitted that the appellant

cannot now seek recovery of possession of the property. To

grant amendment at this stage would not only have the

effect of appellant getting rid of the admissions made in

the original plaint but defeating the provisions of Order

XII Rule 6 of the CPC by changing the cause of action and

entire character of the suit and causing serious prejudice

to the respondents. The respondents relied on the decision

of this court in Usha Balashaheb Swami & Others v. Kiran

Appaso Swami & Others

1

wherein the court has held that by

way of amendment, admission made in pleadings and

particularly in the plaint cannot be sought to be omitted

or got rid of. The Court further observed that a prayer

for amendment of the plaint stand on different footing.

The relevant observations of the Court are set out as

under:

“19. ..a prayer for amendment of the plaint and

a prayer for amendment of the written statement

stand on different footings. The general

principle that amendment of pleadings cannot be

allowed so as to alter materially or substitute

cause of action or the nature of claim applies to

amendments to plaint. It has no counterpart in

the principles relating to amendment of the

written statement. Therefore, addition of a new

ground of defence or substituting or altering a

defence or taking inconsistent pleas in the

written statement would not be objectionable

while adding, altering or substituting a new

cause of action in the plaint may be

objectionable.

20. Such being the settled law, we must hold

that in the case of amendment of a written

1 (2007) 5 SCC 602

statement, the courts are more liberal in

allowing an amendment than that of a plaint as a

question of prejudice would be far less in the

former than in the latter case…….”

20. The learned counsel for the respondents further

relied on the decision in Heeralal v. Kalyan Mal & Others

2

wherein the court proceeded on the basis that the earlier

admissions of the defendant cannot be allowed to be

withdrawn. The Court examined the facts and held that the

defendant cannot be permitted to withdraw any admission

already made.

21. The respondents have also relied on the decision in

Gautam Sarup v. Leela Jetley & Others

3

. In the said case,

it was held that by amendment the admission in the original

pleadings cannot be sought to be got rid off.

22. In M/s Modi Spinning & Weaving Mills Co. Ltd. &

Another v. Ladha Ram & Co.

4

, the trial court while rejecting

an application under Order VI Rule 17 said that the

repudiation of clear admission is motivated to deprive the

plaintiff of the valuable right accrued to him and it is

against law. The High Court on revision affirmed the

judgment of the trial court and held that by means of

amendment the defendant wanted to introduce an entirely

different case and if such amendments were permitted it

would prejudice the other side.

2 (1998) 1 SCC 278

3 (2008) 7 SCC 85

4 (1976) 4 SCC 320

23. In the said case, a three-Judge bench of this court

observed:

“10.It is true that inconsistent pleas can

be made in pleadings but the effect of

substitution of paragraphs 25 and 26 is not

making inconsistent and alternative

pleadings but it is seeking to displace the

plaintiff completely from the admissions

made by the defendants in the written

statement. If such amendments are allowed

the plaintiff will be irretrievably

prejudiced by being denied the opportunity

of extracting the admission from the

defendants. The High Court rightly

rejected the application for amendment and

agreed with the trial Court.”

This judgment has been referred in Usha Balashaheb Swami

(supra) and the court observed that Modi Spinning's case

(supra) was a clear authority for the proposition that once

a written statement contained an admission in favour of the

plaintiff, by amendment such an admission of the defendant,

cannot be withdrawn and if allowed, it would amount to

totally displacing the case of the plaintiff.

24. In the same judgment of Usha Balashaheb

Swami (supra), the Court dealt with a number of judgments

of this Court and laid down that the prayer for amendment

of the plaint and a prayer for amendment of the written

statement stand on different footings. The general

principle that amendment of pleadings cannot be allowed so

as to alter materially or substitute the cause of action or

the nature of claim applies to amendments to plaint. It

has no counterpart in the principles relating to amendment

of the written statement. Therefore, addition of a new

ground of defence or substituting or altering a defence or

taking inconsistent pleas in the written statement would

not be objectionable while adding, altering or substituting

a new cause of action in the plaint may be objectionable.

25. If we carefully examine all the cases, the statement

of law declared by the Privy Council in Ma Shwe Mya v.

Maung Mo Hnaung

5

has been consistently accepted by the

courts till date as correct statement of law. The Privy

Council observed:

“All rules of court are nothing but provisions

intended to secure the proper administration of

justice, and it is therefore essential that they

should be made to serve and be subordinate to

that purpose, so that full powers of amendment

must be enjoyed and should always be liberally

exercised, but nonetheless no power has yet been

given to enable one distinct cause of action to

be substituted for another, nor to change, by

means of amendment, the subject-matter of the

suit.”

26. When we apply the principle laid down by the above

judgments, the conclusion becomes irresistible that the

view taken by the High Court in the impugned judgment

cannot be said to be unjustified.

27. We are tracing the legislative history, objects and

reasons for incorporating Order VI Rule 17 not because it

is necessary to dispose of this case, but a large number of

applications under Order VI Rule 17 are filed and our

5 AIR 1922 PC 249

courts are flooded with such cases. Indiscriminate filing

of applications of amendments is one of the main causes of

delay in disposal of civil cases. In our view, clear

guideline may help disposing off these applications

satisfactorily.

28. We deem it appropriate to give historical background

of Rule 17 of Order VI corresponds to section 53 of the Old

Code of 1882. It is similar to Order 21 Rule 8 of the

English Law. Order VI Rule 17 CPC reads as under:

“Amendment of Pleadings.— The Court may at any

stage of the proceedings allow either party to

alter or amend his pleadings in such manner and on

such terms as may be just, and all such amendments

shall be made as may be necessary for the purpose

of determining the real questions in controversy

between the parties:

Provided that no application for amendment

shall be allowed after the trial has commenced,

unless the Court comes to the conclusion that in

spite of due diligence, the party could not have

raised the matter before the commencement of

trial.”

29. In our considered view, Order VI Rule 17 is one of

the important provisions of the CPC, but we have no

hesitation in also observing that this is one of the most

misused provision of the Code for dragging the proceedings

indefinitely, particularly in the Indian courts which are

otherwise heavily overburdened with the pending cases. All

Civil Courts ordinarily have a long list of cases,

therefore, the Courts are compelled to grant long dates

which causes delay in disposal of the cases. The

applications for amendment lead to further delay in

disposal of the cases.

30. It may be pertinent to mention that with a view to

avoid delay and to ensure expeditious disposal of suits,

Rule 17 was deleted on the recommendation of Justice

Malimath Committee by the Code of Civil Procedure

(Amendment) Act, 1999 but because of public uproar, it was

revived. Justice C.K. Thakker, an eminent former Judge of

this Court in his book on Code of Civil Procedure (2005

Edition) incorporated this information while dealing with

the object of amendment.

31. In a recently published unique, unusual and

extremely informative book “Justice, Courts and Delays”,

the author Arun Mohan, a Senior Advocate of the High Court

of Delhi and of this Court, from his vast experience as a

Civil Lawyer observed that 80% applications under Rule VI

Order 17 are filed with the sole objective of delaying the

proceedings, whereas 15% application are filed because of

lackadaisical approach in the first instance, and 5%

applications are those where there is actual need of

amendment. His experience further revealed that out of

these 100 applications, 95 applications are allowed and

only 5 (even may be less) are rejected. According to him,

a need for amendment of pleading should arise in a few

cases, and if proper rules with regard to pleadings are put

into place, it would be only in rare cases. Therefore, for

allowing amendment, it is not just costs, but the delays

caused thereby, benefit of such delays, the additional

costs which had to be incurred by the victim of the

amendment. The Court must scientifically evaluate the

reasons, purpose and effect of the amendment and all these

factors must be taken into consideration while awarding the

costs.

32. To curtail delay in disposal of cases, in 1999 the

Legislation altogether deleted Rule 17 which meant that

amendment of pleading would no longer have been

permissible. But immediately after the deletion there was

widespread uproar and in 2002 Rule 17 was restored, but

added a proviso. That proviso applies only after the trial

has commenced. Prior to that stage, the situation remains

as it was. According to the view of the learned author

Arun Mohan as observed in his book, although the proviso

has improved the position, the fact remains that amendments

should be permissible, but only if a sufficient ground

therefore is made out, and further, only on stringent

terms. To that end, the rule needs to be further

tightened.

33. The general principle is that courts at any stage of

the proceedings may allow either party to alter or amend

the pleadings in such manner and on such terms as may be

just and all those amendments must be allowed which are

imperative for determining the real question in controversy

between the parties. The basic principles of grant or

refusal of amendment articulated almost 125 years ago are

still considered to be correct statement of law and our

courts have been following the basic principles laid down

in those cases.

34. In the leading English case of Cropper v. Smith

6

,

the object underlying amendment of pleadings has been laid

down by Browen, L.J. in the following words:

“It is a well established principle that the

object of the courts is to decide the rights of

the parties and not punish them for mistakes they

make in the conduct in their cases by deciding

otherwise than in accordance with their rights

... I know of no kind of error or mistake which,

if not fraudulent or intended to overreach, the

court ought not to correct if it can be done

without injustice to the other party. Courts do

not exist for the sake of discipline but for the

sake of deciding matters in controversy, and I do

not regard such amendment as a matter of favour

or grace ... it seems to me that as soon as it

appears that the way in which a party has framed

his case will not lead to a decision of the real

matter in controversy, it is as much a matter of

right on his part to have it corrected if it can

be done without injustice, as anything else in

the case is a matter of right ."

35. In Tildersley v. Harper

7

which was decided by the

English Court even earlier than the Cropper’s case (supra),

in an action against a lessee for setting aside a lease, in

the statement of claim it was alleged that the power of

attorney of donee had received specified sum as a bribe.

In the statement of defence, each circumstance was denied

but there was no general denial of a bribe having been

6 (1884) 29 Ch D 700

7 (1878) 10 Ch. D 393

given. A prayer for amendment of the defence statement was

refused.

36. The Court of Appeal held that the amendment ought to

have been allowed. Bramwell, L.J. made the following

pertinent observations:

“I have had much to do in Chambers with

applications for leave to amend, and I may

perhaps be allowed to say that this humble branch

of learning is very familiar to me. My practice

has always been to give leave to amend unless I

have been satisfied that the party applying was

acting mala fide, or that, by his blunder he had

done some injury to his opponent which could not

be compensated for by costs or otherwise.”

(Emphasis added)

37. In another leading English case Weldon v. Neal

8

, A

filed a suit against B for damages for slander. A

thereafter applied for leave to amend the plaint by adding

fresh claims in respect of assault and false imprisonment.

On the date of the application, those claims were barred by

limitation though they were within the period of limitation

on the date of filing the suit. The amendment was refused

since the effect of granting it would be to take away from

B the legal right (the defence under the law of limitation)

and thus would cause prejudice to him.

38. The rule, however, is not a universal one and under

certain circumstances, such an amendment may be allowed by

the court notwithstanding the law of limitation. The fact

that the claim is barred by law of limitation is but one of

8 (1880) 19 QBD 394: 56 LJ QB 621

the factors to be taken into account by the court in

exercising the discretion as to whether the amendment

should be allowed or refused, but it does not affect the

power of the court if the amendment is required in the

interests of justice.

9

39. In Steward v. North Metropolitan Tramways Co.

10

, the

plaintiff filed a suit for damages against the tramways

Company for negligence of the company in allowing the

tramways to be in a defective condition. The company

denied the allegation of negligence. It was not even

contended that the company was not the proper party to be

sued. More than six months after the written statement was

filed, the company applied for leave to amend the defence

by adding the plea that under the contract entered into

between the company and the local authority the liability

to maintain tramways in proper condition was of the latter

and, therefore, the company was not liable. On the date of

the amendment application, the plaintiff’s remedy against

the local authority was time barred. Had the agreement

been pleaded earlier, the plaintiff could have filed a suit

even against the local authority. Under the circumstances,

the amendment was refused.

40. In the said case, Pollock, J. quoting with approval

the observation of Bremwell, LJ. rightly observed: “The

test as to whether the amendment should be allowed is,

9 Ganga Bai v. Vijai Kumar (1974) 2 SCC 393; Arundhati Mishra v. Sri Ram Charitra Pandey (1994) 2 SCC 29.

10 (1886) 16 QB 178

whether or not the defendants can amend without placing the

plaintiff in such a position that he cannot be recouped, as

it were, by any allowance of costs, or otherwise.

According to him such an amendment ought not be allowed.”

41. Kisandas v. Rachappa Vithoba

11

is probably the first

leading case decided by the High Court of Bombay under the

present Code of 1908. There, A, plaintiff, averred that in

pursuance of a partnership agreement, he delivered Rs.4001

worth of cloth to B, defendant, and sued for dissolution of

partnership and accounts. The trial court found that A

delivered the cloth worth Rs.4001 but held that there was

no partnership and the suit was not maintainable. In

appeal, A sought amendment of adding a prayer for the

recovery of Rs.4001. On that day, claim for recovery of

money was barred by limitation. The amendment was allowed

by the appellate court and the suit was decreed. B

challenged the decree. The High Court upheld the order and

dismissed the appeal. Referring to leading English

decisions on the point, Batchelor, J. stated:

“From the imperative character of the last

sentence of the rule it seems to me clear that, at

any stage of the proceedings, all amendments ought

to be allowed which satisfy the two conditions (a)

of not working in justice to the other side, and

(b) of being necessary for the purpose of

determining the real questions in controversy

between the parties.”

42. In a concurring judgment, Beaman, J. observed that

“the practice is to allow all amendments, whether

11 (1909) 33 Bom 644

introducing fresh claims or not, so long as they do not put

the other party at a disadvantage for which he cannot be

compensated by costs.”

His Lordship proceeded to state:

“In my opinion two simple tests, and two only,

need to be applied, in order to ascertain whether

a given case is within the principle. First,

could the party asking to amend obtain the same

quantity of relief without the amendment? If not,

then it follows necessarily that the proposed

amendment places the other party at a

disadvantage, it allows his opponent to obtain

more from him than he would have been able to

obtain but for the amendment. Second, in those

circumstances, can the party thus placed at a

disadvantage be compensated for it by costs? If

not, then the amendment ought not, unless the

case is so peculiar as to be taken out of the

scope of the rule, to be allowed.”

43. In Amulakchand Mewaram & Others v. Babulal Kanalal

Taliwala

12

, the Bombay High Court again had an occasion to

decide a case under Order VI Rule 17. In that case, the

Court approved the following observations of Beaumont, C.J.

and observed:

“... the question whether there should be an

amendment or not really turns upon whether the

name in which the suit is brought in the name of

a non-existent person or whether it is merely a

misdescription of existing persons. If the

former is the case, the suit is a nullity and no

amendment can cure it. If the latter is the

case, prima facie, there ought to be an

amendment because the general rule, subject no

doubt to certain exceptions, is that the Court

should always allow an amendment where any loss

to the opposing party can be compensated for by

costs.”

12 (1933) 35 Bom. L.R. 569

44. In L.J. Leach & Co. Ltd. & Another v. Jardine,

Skinner & Co.

13

, a suit for damages for ‘conversion of

goods’ filed by the plaintiff was decreed by the trial

court but the decree was set aside by the High Court. In

an appeal before this Court, the plaintiff applied for

amendment of the plaint by raising an alternative claim for

damages for breach of contract for ‘non-delivery of goods’.

The amendment was resisted by the defendant contending that

it sought to introduce a new cause of action which was

barred by limitation on the day the amendment was sought

and, hence, it would seriously prejudice the defendant.

45. Though the Court noticed ‘considerable force’ in the

objection, keeping in view the prayer in the amendment

which was not ‘foreign to the scope of the suit’ and all

necessary facts were on record, it allowed the amendment.

46. In P.H. Patil v. K.S. Patil

14

, A obtained a decree

for possession against B. He was, however, obstructed in

obtaining possession by C in execution. A then filed a

substantive suit against B and C. In the plaint, except

saying that he had obtained a decree against B, nothing

more was stated by A. Hence, he filed an application for

amendment which was rejected by the trial court but allowed

by the High Court. C approached this Court.

47. Dismissing the appeal and confirming the order of

13 AIR 1957 SC 357

14 AIR 1957 SC 363

the High Court, this Court observed that the discretionary

power of amendment was not exercised by the High Court on

wrong principles. There was merely a defect in the

pleading which was removed by the amendment. The quality

and quantity of the reliefs sought remained the same.

Since the amendment did not introduce a new case, the

defendant was not taken by surprise.

48. In Pursuhottam Umedbhai & Co. v. Manilal & Sons

15

a

suit was instituted in the name of the firm by the partners

doing business outside India. It was held that there was

only mis-description of the plaintiff. The plaint in the

name of the firm was not a nullity and could be amended by

substituting the names of partners.

49. In similar circumstances, in a subsequent case

Ganesh Trading Co. v. Moji Ram

16

, this Court reiterated the

law laid down in Purushottam Umedbhai & Co. (supra). The

Court observed:

“It is true that, if a plaintiff seeks to alter

the cause of action itself and to introduce

indirectly, through an amendment of his

pleadings, an entirely new or inconsistent cause

of action, amounting virtually to the

substitution of a new plaint or a new cause of

action in place of what was originally there, the

Court will refuse to permit it if it amounts to

depriving the party against which a suit is

pending of any right which may have accrued in

its favour due to lapse of time. But, mere

failure to set out even an essential fact does

not, by itself, constitute a new cause of action.

A cause of action is constituted by the whole

bundle of essential facts which the plaintiff

15 AIR 1961 SC 325

16 (1978) 2 SCC 91

must prove before he can succeed in his suit. It

must be antecedent to the institution of the

suit. If any essential fact is lacking from

averments in the plaint the cause of action will

be defective. In that case, an attempt to supply

the omission has been and could sometime be

viewed as equivalent to an introduction of a new

cause of action which, cured of its shortcomings,

has really become a good cause of action. This,

however, is not the only possible interpretation;

to be put on every defective state of pleadings.

Defective pleadings are generally curable, if the

cause of action sought to be brought out was not

ab initio completely absent. Even very defective

pleadings may be permitted to be cured, so as to

constitute cause of action where there was none,

provided necessary conditions, such as payment of

either any additional court fees, which may be

payable, or, of costs of the other side are

complied with. It is only if lapse of time has

barred the remedy on a newly constituted cause of

action that the Courts should, ordinarily, refuse

prayers for amendment of pleadings.”

50. In Laxmidas Dayabhai Kabrawala v. Nanabhai Chunilal

Kabrawala & Others

17

, the defendant’s prayer for amendment

by treating a counter claim as cross-suit was objected to

by the plaintiff inter alia on the ground of limitation.

The amendment, however, was allowed.

51. When the matter reached this Court, while affirming

the order of the High Court, the majority stated:

“…..It is, no doubt, true that, save in

exceptional cases, leave to amend under O. 6, r.

17 of the Code will ordinarily be refused when the

effect of the amendment would be to take away from

a party a legal right which had accrued to him by

lapse of time. But this rule can apply only when

either fresh allegations are added or fresh

reliefs sought by way of amendment. Where, for

instance, an amendment is sought which merely

clarifies an existing pleading and does not in

substance add to or alter it, it has never been

held that the question of a bar of limitation is

17 AIR 1964 SC 11

one of the questions to be considered in allowing

such clarification of a matter already contained

in the original pleading.”

52. The Court further observed that since there was no

addition to the averments or relief, it was not possible to

uphold the contention of the plaintiff that by conversion

of written statement into a plaint in a cross-suit, a fresh

claim was made or a new relief was sought. To the facts of

the present case, therefore, the decisions holding that

amendments could not ordinarily be allowed beyond the

period of limitation and the limited exceptions to that

rule have no application.

53. In Jai Jai Ram Manohar Lal v. National Building

Material Supply

18

, A sued B in his individual name but

afterward soughts leave to amend the plaint to sue as the

proprietor of a Hindu Joint Family business. The amendment

was granted and the suit was decreed. The High Court,

however, reversed the decree observing that the action was

brought by a ‘non-existing person’.

54. Reversing the order of the High Court, this Court

(per Shah, J., as he then was) made the following oft-

quoted observations:

18 (1969) 1 SCC 869

“Rules of procedure are intended to be a handmaid

to the administration of justice. A party cannot

be refused just relief merely because of some

mistake, negligence, inadvertence or even

infraction of the rules of procedure. The Court

always gives leave to amend the pleading of a

party, unless it is satisfied that the party

Applying, was acting mala fide, or that by his

blunder, he had caused injury to his opponent

which may not be compensated for by an order of

costs. However negligent or careless may have

been the first omission, and, however late the

proposed amendment, the amendment may be allowed

if it can be made without injustice to the other

side.” (Emphasis

Added)

55. In Ganga Bai v. Vijay Kumar

19

, an appeal was filed

against a mere finding recorded by the trial court. After

a lapse of more than seven years, amendment was sought by

which a preliminary decree was challenged which was granted

by the High Court by a laconic order.

56. Setting aside the order of the High Court, this

Court stated:

“The preliminary decree had remained unchallenged

since September 1958 and by lapse of time a

valuable right had accrued in favour of the

decree-holder. The power to allow an amendment is

undoubtedly wide and may at any stage be

appropriately exercised in the interest of

justice, the law of limitation notwithstanding.

But the exercise of such far-reaching

discretionary powers is governed by judicial

considerations and wider the discretion, greater

ought to be the care and circumspection on the

part of the court.”

57. In Haridas Aildas Thadani & Others v. Godraj Rustom

Kermani

20

this Court said that “It is well settled that the

19 (1974) 2 SCC 393

20 (1984) 1 SCC 668

court should be extremely liberal in granting prayer for

amendment of pleading unless serious injustice or

irreparable loss is caused to the other side. It is also

clear that a revisional court ought not to lightly

interfere with a discretion exercised in allowing amendment

in absence of cogent reasons or compelling circumstances.

58. In B. K. Narayana Pillai v. Parameshwaram Pillai &

Another

21

, a suit was filed by A for recovery of possession

from B alleging that B was a licensee. In the written

statement B contended that he was a lessee. After the

trial began, he applied for amendment of the written

statement by adding an alternative plea that in case B is

held to be a licensee, the licence was irrevocable. The

amendment was refused.

59. Setting aside the orders refusing amendment, this

Court stated:

“The purpose and object of Order 6 Rule 17 CPC

is to allow either party to alter or amend his

pleadings in such manner and on such terms as

may be just. The power to allow the amendment is

wide and can be exercised at any stage of the

proceedings in the interests of justice on the

basis of guidelines laid down by various High

Courts and the Supreme Court. It is true that

the amendment cannot be claimed as a matter of

right and under all circumstances. But it is

equally true that the courts while deciding such

prayers should not adopt hypertechnical

approach. Liberal approach should be the general

rule particularly in cases where the other side

can be compensated with the costs.

Technicalities of law should not be permitted to

hamper the courts in, the administration of

justice between the parties. Amendments are

21 (2000) 1 SCC 712

allowed in the pleadings to avoid uncalled for

multiplicity of litigation.”

60. In Suraj Prakash Bhasin v. Raj Rani Bhasin &

Others

22

, this Court held that liberal principles which

guide the exercise of discretion in allowing amendment are

that multiplicity of proceedings should be avoided, that

amendments which do not totally alter the character of an

action should be readily granted while care should be taken

to see that injustice and prejudice of an irremediable

character are not inflicted on the opposite party under

pretence of amendment, that one distinct cause of action

should not be substituted for anther and that the subject-

matter of the suit should not be changed by amendment.

WHETHER AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY TO DECIDE REAL CONTROVERSY:

61. The first condition which must be satisfied before

the amendment can be allowed by the court is whether such

amendment is necessary for the determination of the real

question in controversy. If that condition is not

satisfied, the amendment cannot be allowed. This is the

basic test which should govern the courts’ discretion in

grant or refusal of the amendment .

NO PREJUDICE OR INJUSTICE TO OTHER PARTY :

62. The other important condition which should govern

the discretion of the Court is the potentiality of

prejudice or injustice which is likely to be caused to

22 (1981) 3 SCC 652

other side. Ordinarily, if other side is compensated by

costs, then there is no injustice but in practice hardly

any court grants actual costs to the opposite side.

63. The Courts have very wide discretion in the matter

of amendment of pleadings but court’s powers must be

exercised judiciously and with great care.

64. In Ganga Bai’s case (supra), this Court has rightly

observed:

“The power to allow an amendment is undoubtedly

wide and may at any stage be appropriately

exercised in the interest of justice, the law of

limitation notwithstanding. But the exercise of

such far-reaching discretionary powers is

governed by judicial considerations and wider the

discretion, greater ought to be the care and

circumspection on the part of the court .”

COSTS:

65. The Courts have consistently laid down that for

unnecessary delay and inconvenience, the opposite party

must be compensated with costs. The imposition of costs is

an important judicial exercise particularly when the courts

deal with the cases of amendment. The costs cannot and

should not be imposed arbitrarily. In our view, the

following parameters must be taken into consideration while

imposing the costs. These factors are illustrative in

nature and not exhaustive.

(i)At what stage the amendment was sought?

(ii)While imposing the costs, it should be

taken into consideration whether the

amendment has been sought at a pre-trial

or post-trial stage;

(iii)The financial benefit derived by one par-

ty at the cost of other party should be

properly calculated in terms of money and

the costs be awarded accordingly.

(iv)The imposition of costs should not be

symbolic but realistic;

(v)The delay and inconvenience caused to the

opposite side must be clearly evaluated

in terms of additional and extra court

hearings compelling the opposite party to

bear the extra costs.

(vi)In case of appeal to higher courts, the

victim of amendment is compelled to bear

considerable additional costs.

All these aspects must be carefully taken into considera-

tion while awarding the costs.

66. The purpose of imposing costs is to:

a) Discourage malafide amendments designed

to delay the legal proceedings;

b) Compensate the other party for the de-

lay and the inconvenience caused;

c) Compensate the other party for avoid-

able expenses on the litigation which

had to be incurred by opposite party

for opposing the amendment; and

d) To send a clear message that the par-

ties have to be careful while drafting

the original pleadings.

FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHILE DEALING WITH

APPLICATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS :

67. On critically analyzing both the English and Indian

cases, some basic principles emerge which ought to be taken

into consideration while allowing or rejecting the

application for amendment.

(1)Whether the amendment sought is im-

perative for proper and effective

adjudication of the case?

(2)Whether the application for amend-

ment is bona fide or mala fide?

(3)The amendment should not cause such

prejudice to the other side which

cannot be compensated adequately in

terms of money;

(4)Refusing amendment would in fact

lead to injustice or lead to multi-

ple litigation;

(5)Whether the proposed amendment con-

stitutionally or fundamentally

changes the nature and character of

the case? and

(6)As a general rule, the court should

decline amendments if a fresh suit

on the amended claims would be

barred by limitation on the date of

application.

68. These are some of the important factors which may be

kept in mind while dealing with application filed under

Order VI Rule 17. These are only illustrative and not

exhaustive.

69. The decision on an application made under Order VI

Rule 17 is a very serious judicial exercise and the said

exercise should never be undertaken in a casual manner.

70. We can conclude our discussion by observing that

while deciding applications for amendments the courts must

not refuse bona fide, legitimate, honest and necessary

amendments and should never permit mala fide, worthless

and/or dishonest amendments.

71. When we apply these parameters to the present case,

then the application for amendment deserves to be dismissed

with costs of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) because the

respondents were compelled to oppose the amendment

application before different Courts. This appeal being

devoid of any merit is accordingly dismissed with costs.

…….…….……………………..J.

(Dalveer Bhandari)

………….……………………..J.

(Harjit Singh Bedi)

New Delhi,

October 9, 2009.