KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARDversusK. A. NAGAMANI
- Citation
- 2019 INSC 631
- Decided
- 6 May 2019
- Disposal
- Disposed off
- Bench
- UDAY UMESH LALIT
Holding
A revision petition under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is not maintainable before the National Commission against an order of the State Commission passed in execution proceedings, as execution proceedings are separate from the consumer dispute.
Summary
The Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) allotted a flat to K.A. Nagamani, who later sought a refund of the amount deposited after the Board demanded a higher price. A consumer complaint was filed and the District Forum awarded interest and compensation, which was upheld by the State Commission and later set aside by the Supreme Court, directing KHB to pay interest at 18% and refund a deducted amount. KHB filed a revision petition under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 before the National Commission challenging an order of the State Commission made in execution proceedings. The National Commission entertained the petition and modified the decree, leading to a double interest award. The Supreme Court held that execution proceedings are separate from the original consumer dispute and that Section 21(b) does not permit a revision petition against an execution order, rendering the National Commission's jurisdictional act erroneous. Consequently, the Court affirmed the Delhi High Court’s decision setting aside the National Commission’s order and disposed of the appeal.
Issues considered
- The maintainability of a revision petition under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 before the National Commission against an order of the State Commission passed in execution proceedings.
- Whether execution proceedings constitute a continuation of the original consumer dispute for purposes of the National Commission's revisional jurisdiction.
- The applicability of CPC Order 45 Rule 16 limiting revision in execution appeals.
Legislation cited
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. Order 45 Rule 16
- Consumer Protection Act, 1986s. 21(b), s. 2(1)(c), s. 2(1)(e), s. 25
Subjects
Judgment
218 [2019]
SUPREME COURT 7 S.C.R. 218
REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD
v.
K. A. NAGAMANI
(Civil Appeal No. 4631 of 2019)
MAY 6, 2019
B
[UDAY UMESH LALIT AND INDU MALHOTRA, JJ.]
Consumer Protection Act, 1986: s. 21(b) – Jurisdiction of the
National Commission – Appeal arising out of execution proceedings
– Order passed by the State Commission –Maintainability of Revision
Petition before the National Commission u/s. 21(b) – Held: Revision
C Petition before the National Commission was not maintainable
against the order passed by the State Commission in an appeal
arising out of execution proceedings – Execution petition cannot
be termed as a continuation of the ‘consumer dispute’ – Orders
passed for enforcement of the final order in the consumer dispute,
D cannot be construed to be orders passed in the ‘consumer dispute’
– Revisional jurisdiction conferred on the National Commission u/
s. 21(b) is with respect to a pending or disposed of ‘consumer
dispute’ before the State Commission – Thus, the National
Commission committed a jurisdictional error by entertaining the
Revision Petition.
E
Disposing of the appeal, the Court
HELD: 1.1 The National Commission cannot go beyond
the limitation placed by the CPC. Order 45, Rule 16 of CPC bars
revision in execution appeals. An execution petition cannot be
F termed as a continuation of the ‘consumer dispute’. The definition
of a ‘complaint’ and a ‘consumer dispute’ u/S. 2(1)(c) and (e) of
the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 respectively, cannot be given
a wide interpretation to encompass execution proceedings. An
Order in execution proceedings is not an Order in a “consumer
dispute” pending before the State Commission. The “consumer
G dispute” filed by the Respondent-Complainant was finally
adjudicated by this Court vide Judgment and Order dated
19.09.2012. In an execution proceeding, the executing forum only
has the jurisdiction ‘to execute’ the order in accordance with
Order XXI CPC. [Para 4.3-4.6] [227-D-F]
H
218
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 219
1.2 The National Commission has original jurisdiction to A
entertain complaints where the value of goods or services
exceeds rupees one crore; jurisdiction to entertain appeals
against Orders of any State Commission; and supervisory
jurisdiction over any State Commission in any “consumer
dispute” pending or decided by a State Commission, which is
B
challenged on the ground of lack or excess of jurisdiction. The
exercise of revisional jurisdiction u/s. 21(b) by the National
Commission is limited to a consumer dispute which has been
filed before the State Commission. The jurisdiction u/s. 21(b) of
the 1986 Act can be exercised by the National Commission only
in case of a “consumer dispute” filed before the State C
Commission. The National Commission in exercise of its
supervisory jurisdiction u/s. 21(b) is concerned about the
correctness or otherwise of the orders passed by the State
Commission in a “consumer dispute”. [Para 6.1, 6.2] [228-F-H;
229-A-B]
D
Galada Power and Telecommunication Ltd. v. United
India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors. (2016) 14 SCC 161 -
referred to.
1.3 A Revision Petition has a narrower scope than an
‘appeal’. Ordinarily, the power of revision can be exercised only
when illegality, irrationality, or impropriety is found in the decision E
making process of the fora below. [Para 6.3, 6.5] [229-C; 230-F]
P.S. Sathappan (Dead) by Lrs. v. Andhra Bank Ltd. and
Ors.(2004) 11 SCC 672 : [2004] 5 Suppl. SCR 188 ;
Dattonpant Gopalvarao Devakate v. Vithalrao
Maruthirao Janagaval (1975) 2 SCC 246 : [1975] F
Suppl. SCR 67 ; Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
v. Dilbahar Singh (2014) 9 SCC 78 - referred to.
1.4 The revisional jurisdiction conferred on the National
Commission u/s. 21(b) is with respect to a pending or disposed
of ‘consumer dispute’ before the State Commission. The G
consumer dispute, in the instant case, had already been finally
adjudicated by this Court vide Judgment and Order dated
19.09.2012. The second round of litigation emanated from the
execution of the final order passed by this Court. [Para 7, 7.1]
[230-G-H; 231-A]
H
220 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A 1.5 Section 25 of the 1986 Act, provides for the enforcement
of Orders passed by the District Forum, State Commission or
National Commission. An Order passed for enforcement, would
not be an order in the ‘consumer dispute’ since it stands finally
decided by the appellate forum, which has conclusively
determined the rights and obligations of the parties. [Para 7.2]
B
[231-B; E]
1.6 The nature of execution proceedings is materially
different from the nature of proceedings for adjudication of a
consumer complaint. Execution proceedings are independent
proceedings. Orders passed for enforcement of the final order in
C the Consumer dispute, cannot be construed to be orders passed
in the ‘consumer dispute’. [Para 7.3] [231-F]
1.7 Execution proceedings even though they are
proceedings in a suit, cannot be considered to be a continuation
of the original suit. Execution proceedings are separate and
D independent proceedings for execution of the decree. The merits
of the claim or dispute, cannot be considered during execution
proceedings. [Para 7.7] [232-E-F]
Guntupalli Rama Subbayya v. Guntupalli Rajamma AIR
1988 AP 226 ; Masomat Narmada Devi & Anr. v.
E Nandan Singh & Ors. AIR 1987 Pat 33 - approved.
Dokku Bhushayya v. Katragadda Ramakrishnayya &
Ors. [1963] 2 SCR 499 ; Satguru Construction Co. Pvt.
Ltd. & Ors. v. Greater Bombay Co-operative Bank Ltd.
2007 (3) MhLJ 843 ; Raghunath R. Shingate v. Jayant
F Gajanan Pathak & Ors. 2011 (6) MhLJ 799 ; M/s.
Parshava Properties Ltd. v. A.K. Bose AIR 1979 Pat
308 - referred to.
1.8 There is no remedy provided under Section 21 to file a
Revision Petition against an Order passed in appeal by the State
G Commission in execution proceedings. Section 21(b) does not
provide for filing of a Revision Petition before the National
Commission against an Order passed by the State Commission
in execution proceedings. [Para 7.8] [232-F-G; 233-A]
H
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 221
1.9 The National Commission committed a jurisdictional A
error by entertaining the Revision Petition u/S. 21(b) filed by the
Appellant-Board against an appeal filed before the State
Commission, in Execution proceedings. Furthermore, the
National Commission modified the decree passed by this Court
vide Order dated 19.11.2012 wherein this Court had directed the
B
Board to pay Interest @ 18% p.a. on the principal amount of
Rs. 2,67,750/- (which included an amount of Rs. 3,937 which had
been initially deducted by the Board). The National Commission
has awarded Interest on the amount of Rs. 3,937/- twice, by first
including it in the principal amount of Rs. 2,67,750/-;
and thereafter awarding Interest @ 18% on the same amount C
of Rs. 3,937/-, which would amount to a double payment.
[Para 7.9, 8] [233-B-D]
1.10 The judgment of the High Court is upheld, which rightly
set aside the order passed by the National Commission on the
ground that a Revision Petition was not maintainable against the D
Order passed by the State Commission in an appeal arising out
of execution proceedings. [Para 9] [233-D-E]
Case Law Reference
[1963] 2 SCR 499 referred to Para 3.4
E
[2004] 5 Suppl. SCR188 referred to Para 6.1
(2016) 14 SCC 161 referred to Para 6.2
[1975] Suppl. SCR 67 referred to Para 6.3
(2014) 9 SCC 78 referred to Para 6.4
2007 (3) MhLJ 843 referred to Para 7.4 F
2011 (6) MhLJ 799 referred to Para 7.4
AIR 1979 Pat 308 referred to Para 7.4
AIR 1988 AP 226 approved Para 7.7
AIR 1987 Pat 33 approved Para 7.7 G
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 4631
of 2019.
From the Judgment and Order dated 13.11.2018 of the High Court
of Delhi at New Delhi in W.P.(C) No. 1746 of 2018.
H
222 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A Shailesh Madiyal, Mrigank Prabhakar, Sudhanshu Prakash, Advs.
for the Appellant.
Respondent-in-person.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
B INDU MALHOTRA, J. Leave granted.
1 The present Civil Appeal arises out of execution proceedings
initiated by the Respondent – Complainant from an Order passed by the
State Commission in a consumer dispute. The issue which has arisen for
consideration is whether a Revision Petition under Section 21(b) of the
C Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (herein after referred to as “the 1986
Act”) is maintainable before the National Commission Dispute Redressal
Commission (herein after referred to as “National Commission”) against
an Order passed by the State Commission in an execution proceeding.
2. The factual matrix in which the present jurisdictional issue has
D been raised, is as follows:
2.1. The Respondent – Complainant applied for allotment of a
HIG-B Flat under the Self-Financing Housing Scheme at
Kengeri, Bangalore. The Appellant – Karnataka Housing
Board (hereinafter referred to as “the Board”) vide letter
dated 25.03.1992 allotted Flat No. 116, Type B on the First
E
Floor to the Respondent – Complainant. The Board issued
a Provisional Allotment letter dated 23.04.1992 informing
the Respondent – Complainant that the cost of the flat was
Rs. 3,15,000 which was to be paid in the instalments as
specified.
F
It is an admitted position that the Respondent -
Complainant deposited a total amount of Rs. 2,67,750 in four
instalments.
2.2. The Board issued letter dated 24.06.1995 whereby the
Respondent – Complainant was allotted another flat, in lieu
G of the earlier flat for which the provisional allotment hadbeen
made. The Respondent – Complainant was informed
that the cost of the flat was Rs. 5,90,000. Since the
Respondent – Complainant was not willing to pay the final
cost demanded by the Board, she sought a refund of the
H amount deposited by her.
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 223
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
2.3. The Board refunded the amount of Rs. 2,63,813 after A
deducting Rs. 3,937 deposited by the Respondent –
Complainant.
2.4. The Respondent – Complainant made a representation to
the Board demanding refund of the amount deducted, and
also Interest @ 27% p.a. on the entire amount deposited B
from the date of payment of each instalment, till the date of
refund.
The Board however refused to accept the demand of
the Respondent – Complainant.
2.5. The Respondent – Complainant filed a Consumer Complaint C
alleging deficiency of service under Section 2(1)(c)(iii) of
the 1986 Act before the District Consumer Disputes
Redressal Forum, Bangalore, and prayed for compensation.
The District Forum vide Order dated 21.12.2006 allowed
the Complaint, and directed payment of Interest @ 12% D
p.a. on the amount deposited being Rs. 2,67,750 from the
date of deposit of the respective instalments, till the date of
realization. The Board was also directed to refund the
amount of Rs. 3,937 to the Respondent – Complainant. It
was directed that the amounts be paid within 45 days from E
the date of the Order.
2.6. Being dissatisfied with the compensation awarded by the
District Forum vide Order dated 21.12.2006, the Respondent
– Complainant preferred Appeal No. 166 of 2007 before
the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal F
Commission, Bangalore.
The State Commission vide Order dated 06.02.2007
dismissed the Appeal of the Respondent – Complainant.
2.7. The Respondent – Complainant filed Revision Petition No.
1839 of 2007 before the National Commission. G
The National Commission vide Order dated 04.08.2011
dismissed the Revision Petition and affirmed the Order
passed by the District Forum.
H
224 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A 2.8. The Respondent – Complainant filed SLP (Civil)
No. 35226 – 35227 of 2011 before this Court, which was
allowed, and the Order passed by the National Commission
was set aside. This Court vide Judgment and Order dated
19.09.2012 directed the Appellant – Board to pay Interest
@ 18% p.a. on the amount deposited being Rs. 2,67,750
B
from the date of deposit till the date of realization; refund
the amount of Rs. 3,937 which had been deducted by the
Board; pay Rs. 50,000 towards compensation for deficiency
in service, and Rs. 20,000 towards Costs of litigation to the
Respondent – Complainant. The operative part of the Order
C is set-out herein below for ready reference :
“For the reasons aforesaid, we allow the appeals
and pass the following order:-
(i) The respondent is directed to pay the appellant-
complainant interest at the rate of 18% per annum
D on Rs.2,67,750/- from date of its respective deposit
till the date of realization with further direction to
refund the amount of Rs. 3,937/- to her, as directed
by the Consumer Forum.
(ii) The respondent is directed to pay the appellant-
E complainant further sum of Rs.50,000/- as
compensation for deficiency in service on their part.
(iii) The respondent is also directed to pay the
appellant-complainant a sum of Rs.20,000/- towards
cost of the litigation incurred by her.”
F
The ‘consumer dispute’ stood finally adjudicated by this Court
vide Judgment and Order dated 19.09.2012 which
conclusively determined the rights and obligations of the
parties.
2.9. The Respondent – Complainant filed Execution Application
G
No. 2 of 2014 before the District Forum. The Respondent –
Complainant claimed payment of an amount of Rs. 3,58,749
towards execution of the Order dated 19.09.2012 passed
by this Court. Both parties submitted their Memo of
calculation before the District Forum. The District Forum
H vide Order dated 16.08.2014 held that the Memo of
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 225
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
calculation filed by the Respondent – Complainant was partly A
correct, and directed the Appellant – Board to make an
additional payment of Rs. 1,07,057.
The Board satisfied the Decree by payment of the sum
of Rs. 1,07,057 vide Demand Draft dated 09.09.2014.
2.10. On 22.09.2014, the Respondent – Complainant filed B
Execution Appeal No. 1238 of 2014 under Section 15 of the
1986 Act, challenging the Order dated 16.08.2014 before
the State Commission.
The State Commission vide Order dated 01.03.2016
allowed the Appeal filed by the Respondent – Complainant, C
and set aside the Order dated 16.08.2014 passed by the
District Forum in E.P. No. 2 of 2014. It was directed that
the amount of Rs. 2,67,750 already paid by the Board, would
be appropriated first towards the Interest component and
then towards the principal amount. The State Commission D
remitted the matter to the District Forum for fresh
computation in compliance with the Order.
2.11. Aggrieved by the Order of the State Commission, the
Appellant – Board preferred a Revision Petition u/S. 21(b)
of the 1986 Act before the National Commission being R.P. E
No. 1362 of 2016.
The Respondent – Complainant filed I.A. No. 299 of
2017 to challenge the maintainability of the Revision Petition
filed by the Appellant – Board.
The Revision Petition filed by the Board was allowed F
vide Order dated 10.02.2017. The stand taken by the
Respondent – Complainant was rejected as being devoid of
merit.
2.12. The Respondent – Complainant thereafter preferred M.A.
No. 281 of 2017 for referring I.A. No. 299 of 2017 to a G
larger bench; and filed M.A. No. 282 of 2017 for declaring
the Order dated 10.02.2017 to be a nullity.
The National Commission vide Order dated 02.02.2018
rejected the applications filed by the Respondent –
Complainant. H
226 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A 2.13. Being aggrieved by the Orders dated 10.02.2017 and
02.02.2018 passed by the National Commission, the
Respondent – Complainant filed W.P. (Civil) No. 1746 of
2018 before the Delhi High Court.
The Delhi High Court vide the Impugned Judgment
B dated 13.11.2018, set aside the Orders passed by the
National Commission, and held that the National Commission
had no jurisdiction to entertain a Revision Petition against
the Order passed in Execution Proceedings by the State
Commission. It was held that the nature of enforcement
proceedings is materially different from the proceedings for
C adjudication of the consumer dispute. The Order passed in
an Execution Petition was not amenable to a challenge before
the National Commission in exercise of its Revisional
Jurisdiction.
2.14. Aggrieved by the Order dated 13.11.2018 passed by the
D Delhi High Court, the Appellant filed the present Appeal.
3. The learned Counsel for the Appellant submitted that:
3.1. A Revision Petition is maintainable before the National
Commission under Section 21(b) of the 1986 Act. The
E revisional jurisdiction exercised by the National Commission
is wide, and intended to encompass all proceedings before
the State Commissions.
3.2. The intent of Section 21(b) is clearly to provide revisional
jurisdiction to the National Commission, over the State
F Commission. The reference under Section 21(b) is
specifically to orders passed in any consumer dispute which
is pending before, or has been decided by any State
Commission.
3.3. The phrase “consumer dispute” under Section 21(b) of the
1986 Act must be understood to mean any dispute which
G
arises under the 1986 Act.
3.4. Execution proceedings are a continuation of the original
proceedings i.e. the Consumer Complaint.
H
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 227
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
Reliance in this regard was placed on the judgment of A
this Court in Dokku Bhushayya v. Katragadda
Ramakrishnayya & Ors. 1
4. On the other hand, the Respondent who appeared in person,
inter alia contended that :
4.1. A Revision Petition is not maintainable under Section 21(b) B
of the 1986 Act, against an order of the State Commission
passed in execution proceedings.
4.2. The impugned judgment does not merit interference.
4.3. Section 3 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides C
that the provisions of the Act shall be in addition to, and not
in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time
being in force. Therefore, the National Commission cannot
go beyond the limitation placed by the CPC. Order 45, Rule
16 of CPC bars revision in execution appeals.
D
4.4. An execution petition cannot be termed as a continuation of
the ‘consumer dispute’. The definition of a ‘complaint’ and
a ‘consumer dispute’ u/S. 2(1)(c) and (e) respectively, cannot
be given a wide interpretation to encompass execution
proceedings.
E
4.5. An Order in execution proceedings is not an Order in a
“consumer dispute” pending before the State Commission.
The “consumer dispute” filed by the Respondent –
Complainant was finally adjudicated by this Court vide
Judgment and Order dated 19.09.2012.
F
4.6. In an execution proceeding, the executing forum only has
the jurisdiction ‘to execute’ the order in accordance with
Order XXI CPC.
5. We have heard both the parties and perused the pleadings and
written submissions filed.
G
6. The issue which arises for our consideration in the present
Appeal is whether a Revision Petition is maintainable before the National
Commission u/S. 21(b) of the 1986 Act against an Order passed by the
State Commission in an appeal arising out of execution proceedings.
1
(1963) 2 SCR 499. H
228 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A 6.1. The right to file a Revision Petition, like an appeal, is a right
conferred by statute. 2 In the absence of a statutory
conferment, there is no inherent right to file a revision.
Section 21 sets out the jurisdiction of the National
Commission which is reproduced hereunder:
B “21. Jurisdiction of the National Commission. —
Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the
National Commission shall have jurisdiction—
(a) to entertain—
C (i) complaints where the value of the goods or
services and compensation, if any, claimed
exceeds rupees one crore; and
(ii) appeals against the orders of any State
Commission; and
D (b) to call for the records and pass appropriate orders
in any con-sumer dispute which is pending before
or has been decided by any State Commission where
it appears to the National Commission that such State
Commission has exercised a jurisdiction not vested
in it by law, or has failed to exercise a jurisdiction
E
so vested, or has acted in the exercise of its
jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity.”
(emphasis supplied)
The National Commission has :
F (i) original jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the
value of goods or services exceeds rupees one crore;
(ii) jurisdiction to entertain appeals against Orders of any
State Commission; and
G (iii) supervisory jurisdiction over any State Commission in
any “consumer dispute” pending or decided by a State
Commission, which is challenged on the ground of lack or
excess of jurisdiction.
2
P.S. Sathappan (Dead) by Lrs. v. Andhra Bank Ltd. and Ors. (2004) 11 SCC 672.
H
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 229
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
6.2. The exercise of revisional jurisdiction u/S. 21(b) by the A
National Commission is limited to a consumer dispute which
has been filed before the State Commission3. The jurisdiction
u/S. 21(b) of the 1986 Act can be exercised by the National
Commission only in case of a “consumer dispute” filed before
the State Commission. The National Commission in exercise
B
of its supervisory jurisdiction u/S. 21(b) is concerned about
the correctness or otherwise of the orders passed by the
State Commission in a “consumer dispute”.
6.3. A Revision Petition has a narrower scope than an ‘appeal’.
In Dattonpant Gopalvarao Devakate v. Vithalrao C
Maruthirao Janagaval,4 this Court discussed the distinction
between “appellate jurisdiction” and “revisional jurisdiction”
as follows:
“2. ‘Appeal’ and ‘revision’ are expressions of common
usage in Indian statute and the distinction between D
‘appellate jurisdiction’ and ‘revisional jurisdiction’
is well known though not well defined. Ordinarily,
appellate jurisdiction involves a rehearing, as it
were, on law as well as fact and is invoked by an
aggrieved person. Such jurisdiction may, however,
be limited in some way as, for instance has been done E
in the case of second appeal under the Code of Civil
Procedure, and under some Rent Acts in some States.
Ordinarily, again, revisional jurisdiction is
analogous to a power of superintendence and may
sometimes be exercised even without its being F
invoked by a party. The extent of revisional
jurisdiction is defined by the statute conferring such
jurisdiction. The conferment of revisional jurisdiction
is generally for the purpose of keeping tribunals
subordinate to the revising Tribunal within the
bounds of their authority to make them act according G
to law, according to the procedure established by
3
Galada Power and Telecommunication Ltd. v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors.
(2016) 14 SCC 161.
4
(1975) 2 SCC 246. H
230 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A law and according to well defined principles of
justice.”
(emphasis supplied)
6.4. Reference must also be made to the judgment of this Court
in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. Dilbahar
B Singh,5 wherein it was held that :
“…Conceptually, revisional jurisdiction is a part of
appellate jurisdiction but it is not vice-versa. Both,
appellate jurisdiction and revisional jurisdiction are
creatures of statutes. No party to the proceeding has
C an inherent right of appeal or revision. An appeal is
continuation of suit or original proceeding, as the
case may be. The power of the appellate court is co-
extensive with that of the trial court. Ordinarily,
appellate jurisdiction involves re-hearing on facts
D and law but such jurisdiction may be limited by the
statute itself that provides for appellate jurisdiction.
On the other hand, revisional jurisdiction, though,
is a part of appellate jurisdiction but ordinarily it
cannot be equated with that of a full-fledged appeal.
In other words, revision is not continuation of suit
E or of original proceeding. When the aid of revisional
court is invoked on the revisional side, it can interfere
within the permissible parameters provided in the
statute.”
(emphasis supplied)
F
6.5. Ordinarily, the power of revision can be exercised only
whenillegality, irrationality, or impropriety is found in the
decision making process of the fora below.
7. The revisional jurisdiction conferred on the National Commission
u/S. 21(b) is with respect to a pending or disposed of ‘consumer dispute’
G
before the State Commission.
7.1. The consumer dispute, in the present case, had already been
finally adjudicated by this Court vide Judgment and Order
5
H (2014) 9 SCC 78
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 231
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
dated 19.09.2012. The second round of litigation emanated A
from the execution of the final order passed by this Court.
7.2. Section 25 of the 1986 Act, provides for the enforcement of
Orders passed by the District Forum, State Commission or
National Commission.
Section 25(3) states : B
25. Enforcement of orders of the District Forum, the
State Commission or the National Commission.
(3) Where any amount is due from any person under an
order made by a District Forum, State Commission or C
the National Commission, as the case may be, the person
entitled to the amount may make an application to the
District Forum, the State Commission or the National
Commission, as the case may be, and such District Forum
or the State Commission or the National Commission
may issue a certificate for the said amount to the D
Collector of the district (by whatever name called) and
the Collector shall proceed to recover the amount in
the same manner as arrears of land revenue.
An Order passed for enforcement, would not be an order
in the ‘consumer dispute’ since it stands finally decided by E
the appellate forum, which has conclusively determined the
rights and obligations of the parties.
7.3. The nature of execution proceedings is materially different
from the nature of proceedings for adjudication of a consumer
complaint. Execution proceedings are independent F
proceedings. Orders passed for enforcement of the final
order in the Consumer dispute, cannot be construed to be
orders passed in the ‘consumer dispute’.
7.4. During the course of the hearing, learned Counsel for the
Appellant raised a contention that execution proceedings are G
a continuation of the ‘appeal’, and must therefore be
considered to be a continuation of the ‘consumer dispute’.
Reliance in this regard was placed on the decision of
the Bombay High Court in Satguru Construction Co. Pvt.
H
232 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2019] 7 S.C.R.
A Ltd. & Ors. v. Greater Bombay Co-operative Bank Ltd.,6
and Raghunath R. Shingate v. Jayant Gajanan Pathak
& Ors.,7 as well as the Patna High Court in M/s. Parshava
Properties Ltd. v. A.K. Bose,8 wherein it was held that
execution proceedings are a continuation of the Suit.
B 7.5. On the other hand, the Respondent – Complainant has placed
reliance on a Full Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court
in Guntupalli Rama Subbayya v. Guntupalli Rajamma,9
wherein it was held that :
“Execution Proceedings, in our view, cannot be regarded
C as continuation of the suit in the sense in which the
proceedings in appeal are treated.”
(emphasis supplied)
7.6. A Full Bench of the Patna High Court in Masomat Narmada
Devi & Anr. v. Nandan Singh & Ors.,10 has similarly held
D that execution proceedings cannot be regarded as a
continuation of the Suit.
7.7. We affirm the view taken by the Full Bench of the Andhra
Pradesh High Court and Patna High Court. Execution
proceedings even though they are proceedings in a suit,
E cannot be considered to be a continuation of the original
suit. Execution proceedings are separate and independent
proceedings for execution of the decree. The merits of the
claim or dispute, cannot be considered during execution
proceedings. They are independent proceedings initiated by
F the decree holder to enforce the decree passed in the
substantive dispute.
7.8. There is no remedy provided under Section 21 to file a
Revision Petition against an Order passed in appeal by the
State Commission in execution proceedings.
G
6
2007 (3) MhLJ 843
7
2011 (6) MhLJ 799
8
AIR 1979 Pat 308
9
AIR 1988 AP 226
10
AIR 1987 Pat 33.
H
KARNATAKA HOUSING BOARD v. K. A. NAGAMANI 233
[INDU MALHOTRA, J.]
Section 21(b) does not provide for filing of a Revision A
Petition before the National Commission against an Order
passed by the State Commission in execution proceedings.
7.9. In the present case, the National Commission committed a
jurisdictional error by entertaining the Revision Petition u/S.
21(b) filed by the Appellant – Board against an appeal filed B
before the State Commission, in Execution proceedings.
8. The National Commission erroneously allowed the Revision
Petition u/S. 21(b) which was not maintainable. Furthermore, the National
Commission modified the decree passed by this Court vide Order dated
19.11.2012 wherein this Court had directed the Board to pay Interest @ C
18% p.a. on the principal amount of Rs. 2,67,750/- (which included an
amount of Rs. 3,937 which had been initially deducted by the Board).
The National Commission has awarded Interest on the amount of
Rs. 3,937/- twice, by first including it in the principal amount of Rs.
2,67,750/-; and thereafter awarding Interest @ 18% on the same amount
of Rs. 3,937/-, which would amount to a double payment. D
9. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we affirm the judgment of
the Delhi High Court, which has rightly set aside the Order passed by
the National Commission on the ground that a Revision Petition was not
maintainable against the Order passed by the State Commission in an
appeal arising out of execution proceedings. E
The Appeal is accordingly disposed of.
Nidhi Jain Appeal disposed of.
F
G
H
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