Supreme Court - Daily Orders
The Methodist Church In India vs Bishop N.L. Karkare on 1 September, 2025
1
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. /2025
[@ SLP [C] NO.14696/2025]
THE METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA & ORS. Appellant(s)
VERSUS
BISHOP N.L. KARKARE & ORS. Respondent(s)
O R D E R
Leave granted.
The issue before us is with respect to the interpretation of the relevant rules and regulations contained in the Book of Discipline (BoD) governing the decision of the General Conference as against the Judicial Council.
We have perused the relevant rules and regulations vis-a-vis the relevant documents.
In our considered view, the High Court ought not to have passed the impugned order. Para 52 of Article II of the Book of Discipline (BoD), which deals with the Election of the Bishop read with Para 387 of Article II which deals with the retirement of a Bishop, clearly non-suits the respondent(s). Signature Not Verified
Admittedly, the aforesaid provisions have not Digitally signed by ASHA SUNDRIYAL Date: 2025.09.12 16:54:32 IST Reason: been taken note of by the High Court. While dealing with an application filed invoking Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, one of 2 the parameters which is required to be considered is irreparable loss. Thus, looking at it from any perspective and, particularly, by taking into consideration the subsequent developments, we are inclined to set aside the impugned order. Accordingly, the impugned order stands set aside and the appeal stands allowed. However, our observations being prima facie in nature, will have no bearing on the appeal pending before the High Court.
We request the High Court to expedite the hearing of the appeal.
Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
...........................J. [M.M. SUNDRESH] ...........................J. [NONGMEIKAPAM KOTISWAR SINGH] NEW DELHI;
SEPTEMBER 01, 2025.
3
ITEM NO.21 COURT NO.6 SECTION IX
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 14696/2025
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 05-05-2025 in IA No. 7871/2025 in Appeal from Order No.268/2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay] THE METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA & ORS. Petitioner(s) VERSUS BISHOP N.L. KARKARE & ORS. Respondent(s) [ONLY IA NO. 190510/2025 IS LISTED UNDER THIS ITEM] IA No. 190510/2025 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS Date : 01-09-2025 This matter was called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.M. SUNDRESH HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NONGMEIKAPAM KOTISWAR SINGH For Petitioner(s) Mr. Kapil Sibal, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Joshua Samuel, Adv.
Mr. Sahil Tagotra, AOR Mr. Niranjan Singh, Adv.
Ms. Shreya Kasera, Adv.
Ms. Manisha Singh, Adv.
For Respondent(s) Mr. Ranjit Kumar, Sr. Adv.
Mrs. Lakshmy Iyengar, Sr. Adv. Mr. Anand Sukumar, AOR Mr. S Sukumaran, Adv.
Mr. Bhupesh Pathak, Adv.
Mrs. Ruche Anand, Adv.
Mr. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Sr. Adv. Mr. Shivam Batra, AOR Mr. Tushar Shrivastava, Adv.
Mr. Sandiv Kalia, Adv.
UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R Leave granted.
4The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
(ASHA SUNDRIYAL) (POONAM VAID) DY. REGISTRAR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (Signed order is placed on the file)