Krishnan Somayajipad vs Vatavatti Raman Nair and Others

The plaintiffs have filed this suit for the recovery of what is described as water cess from the defendants. They have based their claim on contract and usage and on both the points the findings of the lower Courts are against them. Their learned advocate, while conceding that he is not now in a position to dispute the correctness of these findings, desires to argue his case on the footing that, under the general law, he is entitled to the relief he claims. The defendants answer that this may necessitate their raising new points and we think, on the facts of this case, the plaintiffs cannot at this stage be allowed to set up a new case. The plaintiff''s advocate realizing his position, applies for permission to withdraw the suit under Order 23, Rule 1, Civil P.C. In Kamayya, v. Papayya [1917] 40 Mad. 259 Full Bench, it has been held that such permission can be granted even by an appellate Court. In Chidambara Mudali v. Kozhandavelu Mudali [1912] M.W.N. 1003 permission was granted in similar circumstances by Sundara Aiyar and Sadasiva Iyer, JJ. Though the suit is for the recovery of water cess or cost of water for certain particular faslis only, the case raises questions of great importance affecting the right of the plaintiffs as well as several proprietors through whose land, the chal or channel passes. We shall be exercising our discretion best by acceding to the request of the plaintiffs and we grant them permission to withdraw the suit with liberty to institute a fresh suit with respect to the subject-matter of this suit, on condition, that they pay defendant 1 or deposit in six weeks from this date, Rs. 250 which sum is fixed as representing defendant 1''s costs of this litigation incurred up to date and we want to make it clear that this amount is exclusive of any costs the plaintiffs may have already paid or may be liable to pay under the decree of the lower Court passed in favour of the defendants. If the amount is not paid within the time limited, the second appeal shall stand dismissed with costs.