High CourtsDivision Bench(1925) 04 MAD CK 0034

Srambikkal Maliakkal Moideen Koya and Another vs Kattuparambath Moideen Kutti Haji and Another

Madras High Court · Decided on 14 April 1925 · Citation: AIR 1925 Mad 1229 : 90 Ind. Cas. 968 : (1925) 49 MLJ 354

HON’BLE JUDGES
Srinivasa Aiyangar, J

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Judgment

19 paragraphs · 494 words

Srinivasa Aiyangar, J.—The judgment of the Lower Court in this Small Cause case is an extremely unsatisfactory one. The learned District

Munsif says that he finds all the issues for the plaintiffs. My attention has been drawn to the terms of Order 20, Rule 4 and the decision of this

Court reported in K.M. Koppa Kurup Vs. Velayichettichiar and Another, . In that case Spencer and Krishnan, JJ. laid down that it was enough

for a Small Cause Judge to follow the provisions of Order 2O, Rule 4, Clause (1), and the learned Judges further proceeded to observe that they

are unable to follow the line taken by Seshagiri Aiyar, J. in Kandaswami Chetti v. Raualinga Chetti (1920) 12 LW 285. I should have been

disinclined to interfere in this ease if at any rate the District Munsif had, while setting out the points for determination according to him, at least

stated his decision with regard to each separately. But when I find that he has clubbed them all together and made a statement merely to the effect

that he finds all the issues in favour of the plaintiffs, 1 cannot regard it as a compliance even with the provisions of Order 20, Rule 4. Taking one of

the points for determination, namely, ""Did the defendant commit breach of contract as alleged by the plaintiffs,"" and taking the words of the District

Munsif, the finding should be deemed to be that the defendants did commit breach of contract. It is not at all clear how the District Munsif found

that the breach came to be committed by the defendants. This was not a case in which any time was fixed for the performance of the contract and

the defend-ant, in his written statement, setout that he was not only ready and willing to deliver to the plaintiffs the balance of the cocoanuts but that

the plaintiffs refused to accept delivery of the same. No doubt if the defendant was bound to perform the contract within a reasonable time and

failed to do so he would have been guilty of breach of contract. But that would undoubtedly be a point for determination and I see no indication

whatever in the judgment that the, attention of the learned District Munsif was at all drawn to this feature of the case or that he came to any

conclusion or decision with regard thereto. On the whole, I am satisfied that the judgment before me does not comply with the provisions of law

and is also otherwise very unsatisfactory. I, therefore, set it aside and direct that the case be remanded to the Lower Court for being disposed of

according to law. If the parties desire they would be at liberty to adduce such evidence or fresh evidence as may be deemed fit. Costs in this Court

will be reserved and be dealt with and disposed of by the Lower Court as part of its order for costs.