[13]. The principal issue that arises for consideration and which emanates
from the preliminary objection taken by the respondent is whether the winding-up
petition filed by the petitioner is barred by limitation?
[14]. According to the respondent Articles 14 and 15 of the Schedule to
the Limitation Act, 1963 are relevant to determine whether or not the winding up
petition has been filed within limitation as it could be instituted within the period
of three years prescribed for filing of civil-suit for the recovery of price of goods,
sold and delivered with or without fixed period of credit, under both the Articles.
In the instant case, the goods were delivered on 10.09.1996 and the three
years' period expired on 09.09.1999. As regard to the letters dated 11.08.1998
and 31.08.1998 [Annexures P-7 and P-8], it was maintained that even if these
letters were taken as the acknowledgment of debt, yet the limitation period of
three years expired on 30.08.2001, whereas the winding-up petition was filed on
28.02.2002 and that too in a defective format which was finally removed on
09.05.2002 when the petition was re-filed. Reliance is placed on Bhakti Hari
Nayak and Ors. Vs. Vidyawati Gupta, S.C.Agarwala [HUF] & Ors., AIR 2005
Calcutta, 145.
13. In the decision reported in Vidyawati Gupta v.Bhakti
Hari Nayak (AIR 2006 SC 1194), it has been held that the
amended provisions of Order 6 Rule 15 Code of Civil Procedure
would be attracted to the proceedings of the High Court on the
original side. However non compliance thereof would not render
the suit non est. It has been further explained the purpose of
introducing section 26(2) and Order 6 Rule 15(4) by Amendment
Act, 2002 that they were aimed at eliminating the procedural
delays in the disposal of civil matters but being procedural in
nature, they are directory in nature and non-compliance hereof
would not automatically render the plaint non est. The Supreme
Court by this judgment reversed the judgment of the High Court
of Calcutta reported in Bhakti Hari Nayak v. Vidyawati Gupta
(AIR 2005 Calcutta 145) wherein it has been observed that non
compliance of Order 6 Rule 15 as amended by the Amendment
Act of 2002 will render the plaint non est in the eye of law.
Learned counsel further relied upon Bhakti Hari Nayak
and others Vs. Vidyawati Gupta and others, AIR 2005
Calcutta 145 and contended that a plaint in terms of Order 4
Rule 1(3) CPC shall not be deemed to be duly instituted unless
it complied with the requirement specified in Sub Rules (1) and
(2). Sub Rule (2) requires compliance with Order 4 and Order 6
which contain the requirement of supporting the plaint by an
affidavit. The cogent reading of these provisions makes it clear
that the plaint which has been filed without compliance with the
requirement of Order 6 shall not be deemed to be duly instituted
6 of 9
::: Downloaded on - 20-05-2018 04:55:20 ::: CR No.5864 of 2016 7
a suit. The consideration of deeming clause would create a legal
fiction.
6. The counsel in support of his argument relied
upon the judgment reported in AIR 2005 CALCUTTA 145
in the case of BHAKTI HARI NAYAK AND OTHER vs
VIDYAWATI GUPTA AND OTHERS wherein it is held that
amendment should not be conflict with the earlier pleading
and also contended that Order VI contains requirement of
supporting plaint by an affidavit and plaint which has been
filed without compliance with requirement of the Order VI
shall not be deemed to be duly instituted in view of
deeming clause in Order In view of the discussions made
above, I pass the following Rule 1(3), moment error is
rectified, plaint shall be deemed to be properly instituted
and rectification cannot relate back to period when, in view
of deeming clause, there was no due institution of plaint.
The counsel brought to notice of this Court paragraphs 6, 7,
8 wherein discussed with regard to that sub-section (2) has
been added to Section 26 of the Code and also discussed
about Order IV in paragraph 8 and also brought to notice of
10
this Court paragraph 22 wherein discussed with regard to
the legislative intent.
Mr. Basu submitted that the principle decided by this court
in the aforesaid case of Bhakti Hari Nayak & Ors. (Supra) is very
much applicable to the facts of the present case since the
petitioners inspite of having specific knowledge about the order
passed earlier by the learned Single Judge on April 9, 1991
appeared at the written test and thus, the said petitioners
relinquished their right by conduct which amounts to waiver of the
right. It has also been submitted on behalf of the alleged
contemnors that the statutory Recruitment Rules of 1991 was
undisputedly in force at the relevant time i.e. in the year 1999
which specifically provided for preparation of panel amongst the
sponsored candidates on the basis of their qualification and
performance in the written test/interview. In the aforesaid
5
Recruitment Rules it has also been made clear that the
appointments are to be made by the Council only from the panel
approved by the Director of School Education and not otherwise.
The alleged contemnor being the Chairman of the council in
the year 1999 was very much aware of the aforesaid provision of
law and considering the aforesaid provision of the Recruitment
Rules, 1991 called upon the petitioners to appear at the written
test for the purpose of preparation of the next panel and the
petitioners herein duly appeared at the written test without any
reservation.