# The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur v. Union of India & Anr

- **Citation:** (2022) 5 ILRA 1344
- **Court:** High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
- **Decided:** 2022-04-13
- **Bench:** Neeraj Tiwari
- **Source:** https://unisonlegal.in/judgment/allahabad-high-court/the-straw-board-manufacturing-company-ltd-saharanpur-v-union-of-india-anr-48500
- **Pages:** 10

## Headnote

A. Civil Law - Civil Procedure Code,
1908 - Order XXVII Rule 1 - Only the
officers appointed by Government under
Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908 can
sign and verify the papers in legal
proceeding on behalf of Government
and this power cannot be delegated to
any other officers, not appointed by the
Government.

Any
authorization
or
delegation made to some other officer
not appointed by Government then it
would be contrary to Order XXVII Rule 1
CPC, 1908 and nullity in the eye of law.
Petition allowed.
Petition allowed. (E-12)

List of Cases cited:-
5 All. The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur Vs. Union of India & Anr.
1345

## Text

1344 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
these 21 persons have completed their
sentence in 2007, 2008 and 2009, but their
nationality has not been confirmed by the
Pakistan High Commission though it
appears that the consular access with
regard to them was provided a few months
before the completion of their sentence. It is
indeed unfortunate that these 37 Pakistani
prisoners who have served out their
sentence and are not required under the
Indian laws have been kept in jail because
their nationality has not been confirmed.
Whatever may be the reason for delay in
confirmation of their nationality, we have
not
even
slightest
doubt
that
their
continued imprisonment is uncalled for. In
no way, can these 37 Pakistani prisoners be
treated as prisoners once they have served
out their sentence. It is true that unless
their nationality is confirmed, they cannot
be repatriated and have to be kept in India
but until then, they cannot be confined to
prison and deprived of basic human rights
and human dignity."

24. Hence in the present matter
admittedly
the
convict/respondent
has
served out the sentence awarded to him in
the matter under appeal as well as under
another case which was registered against
him on the date when he completed the
sentence awarded in the present case. Now
he cannot be kept in jail and his confinement
in jail is uncalled for.

24. Hence in light of the above
discussion, we are of the considered view that
since convict/respondent has already served
out the sentence awarded to him and he is a
foreign national without any passport or visa,
therefore he must be deported to his own
country. The Union of India/respondent No.3
and respondent No.4 are directed to deport
him to his own country in accordance with
law, unless required in any other case.

25. The above appeal is dismissed and
writ petition is disposed of accordingly.

26. The learned A.G.A., as well as
Senior Registrar of this Court are directed to
send the copy of this judgment to the
concerned authorities/departments at the
earliest.
----------
(2022)05ILR A1344
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
CIVIL SIDE
DATED: ALLAHABAD 13.04.2022

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE NEERAJ TIWARI, J.

Matters U/A 227 No. 269 of 2022 (Civil)

The Straw Board Manufacturing Company
Ltd., Saharanpur ...Petitioner
Versus
Union of India & Anr. ...Respondents

Counsel for the Petitioner:
Sri Ashish Kumar Singh, Sri Ajay Kumar
Singh

Counsel for the Respondents:
A.S.G.I., Sri Rajnish Kumar Rai

A. Civil Law - Civil Procedure Code,
1908 - Order XXVII Rule 1 - Only the
officers appointed by Government under
Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908 can
sign and verify the papers in legal
proceeding on behalf of Government
and this power cannot be delegated to
any other officers, not appointed by the
Government.

Any
authorization
or
delegation made to some other officer
not appointed by Government then it
would be contrary to Order XXVII Rule 1
CPC, 1908 and nullity in the eye of law.
Petition allowed.
Petition allowed. (E-12)

List of Cases cited:-
5 All. The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur Vs. Union of India & Anr.
1345
1. M/S C. Lyall and Co. Vs U.O.I. & ors., ILR
1973 Delhi 905

2. St. of J.& K. & anr. Vs Gh. Nabi Bhat & ors.,
AIR 2003 NOC 555 (J.&K.).
(Delivered by Hon'ble Neeraj Tiwari, J.)

1. Heard Sri Ashish Kumar Singh,
learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri
Rajnish Kumar Rai, learned counsel for the
respondents.

2. Present petition has been filed for
quashing the order dated 12.11.2021 passed
by Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division)
IIIrd, Court No. 30, Saharanpur whereby
application Paper no. 44-C-2 filed by
petitioner in Misc. Case No. 72 of 2020
arising out of Original Suit No. 141 of 1982
has been rejected.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner
submitted that petitioner is a Company duly
registered
under
the
provision
of
Companies Act, 1956. The said Company
earlier filed Original Suit No. 141 of 1982
against the Union of India/Railways for
permanent prohibitory injunction in which
written statement has also been filed. The
Trial Court decreed the aforesaid suit vide
exparte
judgment
and
decree
dated
21.04.1987. He further submitted that after
gap of 33 years, recall application was filed
by respondents on 27.10.2020 in which
petitioner has also filed objection. One
separate application 44-C-2 has also been
filed raising objection under Order XXVII
Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908 and has taken specific
plea that in light of Order XXVII Rule 1
C.P.C., 1908, only persons appointed by
Central Government can file application
alongwith Vakalatnama and affidavit. The
said
application
was
rejected
vide
impugned order dated 12.11.2021. He
further submitted that Order XXVII Rule 1
C.P.C., 1908 clearly states that in any suit
by or against the Government, the plaint or
written statement shall be signed by such
person as the Government may, by general
or special Order, appoint in this behalf. It is
also stated that it shall be verified by any
person, whom the Government may so
appoint and who is acquainted with the
facts of the case. He next submitted that
persons appointed can sign the plaint and
verify the same. He next submitted that
respondents have also filed Notification
dated 04.06.1992 issued by Railway Board,
which was earlier filed in objection Paper
No. 42-C-2, by which at serial No. 30 of
the Schedule, has appointed the Senior
Divisional Engineer to represent the
Railway Administration to sign the papers
and also verify the same on its behalf. In
the present case, only Vakalatnama was
signed by Senior Divisional Engineer,
whereas application was filed under the
signature of Assistant Divisional Engineer
and also verified by Senior Section
Engineer,
therefore,
such
application
cannot be entertained. He next submitted
that without considering the provisions of
Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908, the
application has been rejected.

4. In support of his contention,
learned counsel for the petitioner has
placed reliance upon judgment of Delhi
High Court in the case of M/S C. Lyall and
Company Vs. Union of India and others,
ILR 1973 Delhi 905 which deals with
similar issue, where it was clarified that
person/persons
appointed
can
only
represent
the
Government
in
all
proceedings of the case. He also placed
reliance upon a judgment of J. & K. High
Court in the case of State of J.& K. and
another Vs. Gh. Nabi Bhat and others, AIR
2003 NOC 555 (J.&K.). In this matter,
again issue was as to whether Under
1346 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
Secretary can represent the Government or
not and relying upon the notification dated
04.06.1992, the Court held that he can also
file the case as Under Secretary is also
notified in notification dated 04.06.1992.

5. Lastly, he submitted that in the
present
case,
vide
notification
dated
04.06.1992 appointment is given to Senior
Divisional Engineer, no other officers can
file the application or verify the papers.
Therefore, the impugned order dated
12.11.2021 is bad in law and liable to be set
aside.

6. Per contra, learned counsel for the
respondents submitted that once the Senior
Divisional
Engineer
is
appointed
by
Railway Board, which is Government in
light of Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908,
he can delegate the power to some other
officers also to verify the facts of the case.
In the present case, notification was issued
for all over India, therefore, for practical
purpose, Senior Divisional Engineer is
authorized to delegate the power to all the
officers to file application alongwith
signature and verify the same. Accordingly,
Senior Divisional Engineer vide letter dated
21.02.2018 has authorized the Assistant
Divisional Engineer, Saharanpur to sign the
application and also verify the same. He
next submitted that the officer posted at
Saharanpur is well acquainted with the
facts of the case, who has been authorized
to sign the application and verify the same.
He lastly submitted that even in case, he is
not authorized to sign and verify the
application, Railway Board may be given
liberty to file fresh application for recall of
the order in accordance with law.

7. I have considered the submissions
made by learned counsels for the parties
and perused the record as well as
provisions of Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C.,
1908 For ready reference, Order XXVII
Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908 is quoted below:-

"1.
Suits
by
or
against
Government.- In any suit by or against the
Government the plaint or written statement
shall be signed by such person as the
Government may, by general or special
Order, appoint in this behalf, and shall be
verified
by
any
person
whom
the
Government may so appoint and who is
acquainted with the facts of the case.

STATE AMENDMENT

Uttar Pradesh.-In its application
to the State of Uttar Pradesh, in the
marginal heading, after the words 'official
capacity', insert the words 'or Statutory
Authorities, etc.' [Vide U.P. Act 57 of 1976
S. 11 (1-11977)]."

8. From perusal of the Order XXVII
Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908, it is very much clear
that only the person, who is appointed by
the Government can sign the plaint
alongwith signature and also verify the
same. In the present case, there is no
dispute
that
Railway
Board
is
an
appropriate authority to appoint the person
under Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908
and further as per Notification dated
04.06.1992 Railway Board has appointed
the persons for compliance of Order XXVII
Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908 alongwith Schedule
having particular of officers. Notification
dated 04.06.1992 alongwith schedule is
quoted below:-

 R.B.E. No. 91/92

No.
E(G)82LL2-2(A), dated 4.6.1992

 ORDER

S.O.........In
exercise
of
the
powers conferred by Rule 1 of Order XXVII
of the First Schedule to the Code of Civil
5 All. The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur Vs. Union of India & Anr.
1347
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) and in
supersession of the notification of the
Government of India in the Ministry of
Railways (Railways Board) number GSR
198, dated the 21st February, 1983, except
as respects things done or omitted to be
done before such supersession, the Central
Government hereby appoints.

(I) the officers mentioned in the
Schedule annexed hereto as persons by
whom plaints and written statements in
suits in any court of civil jurisdiction by or
against the Central Government respect of
the Railway Administration shall be signed;

(II) those of the officers referred
to in clause (I) who are acquainted with the
facts of the case, as persons by whom such
plaints and written statements shall be
verified.

S C H E D U L E

1. Ministry of Railways (Railways
Board):

1. Secretary

2. Joint Secretary

3. Deputy Secretary

4. Under Secretary

5. Executive Director

6. Director

7. Joint Director

8. Deputy Director
II. In all establishments of the Railways
including
Metro
Railway,
Chittranjan
Locomotive Works, Integral Coach Factory,
Wheel and Axle Plant, Diesel Component
Works,
Metropolitan
Transport
Project,
Railway Electrification, Central Organisation
for Modernisation of Workshops, Rail Coach
Factory,
Kapurthala
and
Central
Organisation for the operations information
system of Indian Railways, except the
Research
Design
and
Standards
Organisation, Training Institute and the
Railway
Liaison
Office:

1. General Manager.

2. Chief Administrative Officer

3. Additional General Manager

4. Deputy General Manager

5. Chief Vigilance Officer

6. Deputy Vigilance Officer

7. Vigilance Officer

8. Enquiry Officer

9. Chief Planning Officer

10. Chief Project Officer

11.
Deputy
Chief
Planning
Officer

12.
Chief
Public
Relation
Officer

13. Senior Public Relations
Officer

14. Divisional Railway Manager

15.
Additional
Divisional
Railway Manager

16. Chief Personnel Officer

17. Deputy Chief Personnel
Officer

18. Senior Divisional Personnel
Officer

19. Divisional Personnel Officer

20.
Chief
Security
Commissioner

21. Additional Chief Security
Commissioner

22.
Divisional
Security
Commissioner/Commanding Officer

23. Chief Engineer

24. Chief Bridge Engineer

25. Chief Project Engineer

26. Chief Track Engineer

27. Chief General Engineer

28. Chief Planning and Design
Engineer

29. Deputy Chief Engineer

30. Senior Divisional Engineer

31. Senior Executive Engineer

32.
Divisional
Executive
Engineer

33.
Chief
Commercial
Superintendent

34.
Chief
Marketing
Superintendent
1348 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES

35. Chief Claims Officer

36.
Chief
Passenger
Traffic
Superintendent

37.
Chief
Traffic
Safety
Superintendent

38.
Chief
Traffic
Planning
Superintendent

39. Area Superintendent

40.
Deputy
Chief
Operating
Superintendent

41. Deputy Chief Commercial
Superintendent

42. Deputy Chief Claims Officer

43.
Senior
Divisional
Commercial Superintendent

44.
Senior
Divisional
Operating/Commercial Superintendent

45. Tank Wagon Superintendent

46. Chief Mechanical Engineer

47. Chief Workshop Engineer

48.
Chief
Freight
Traffic
Superintendent

49. Chief Rolling Stock Engineer

50. Chief Motive Power Engineer
(R/L)/Diesel)

51. Deputy Chief Mechanical
Engineer.

52. Senior Divisional Mechanical
Engineer

53. Works Manager/Divisional
Mechanical Engineer/Senior Mechanical
Engineer

54.
Chief
Signal
and
Telecommunication Engineer

55.
Chief
Communication
Engineer

56. Deputy Chief Signal and
Telecommunication Engineer

57.
Divisional
Signal
and
Telecommunication Engineer/Senior Signal
and Telecommunication Engineer

58. Chief Electrical Engineer

59.
Chief
Electrical
Service
Engineer

60. Chief Electrical Distribution
Engineer

61. Chief Electrical Construction
Engineer

62.
Chief
Electrical
Loco
Engineer

63.
Chief
Electrical
Project
Engineer

64.
Deputy
Chief
Electrical
Engineer

65.
Divisional
Electrical
Engineer/Senior Electrical Engineer

66. Controller of Stores

67. Deputy Controller of Stores

68. Chief Material Manager

69.
Divisional
Controller
of
Stores/Senior Stores Officers

70. Superintendent Printing and
Stationary

71. Chief Medical Officer

72. Chief Hospital Superintendent
/Chief Surgeon/Chief Physician

73. Medical Superintendent

74. Senior Divisional Medical
Officer

75. Divisional Medical Officer

76. Financial Adviser and Chief
Accounts Officer

77.
Deputy
Chief
Accounts
Officer

78. Senior Accounts Officer

79. Deputy Manager (MIS), Rail
Coach Factory, Kapurthala

80. Administrative Officer-cumPublic Relations Officer, Rail Coach
Factory, Kapurthala

81. Officer on Special duty, Rail
Coach Factory, Kapurthala

82. Chief Project Administrator,
Operations Information System of Indian
Railways

83. Chief Operation Manager,
Operations Information System of Indian
Railways
5 All. The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur Vs. Union of India & Anr.
1349

84.
Chief
Telecommunication
Manager, Operations Information System
of Indian Railways

85. System Manager, Operations
Information System of Indian Railways

86. Officer on Special Duty,
Telecom, Operations Information System of
Indian Railways

87.
Chief
Telecommunication
Manager, Operations Information System
of Indian Railways.

88. Senior Personnel Officer

89.
Divisional
Commercial
Manager

90. Senior Commercial Manager

9. Undoubtedly, the said Schedule is
having
the
appointment
of
Senior
Divisional Engineer at Serial No. 30, but
the
said
Schedule
is
not
having
appointment
of
Assistant
Divisional
Engineer or Senior Section Engineer. From
perusal of the Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C.,
1908
as
well
as
Notification dated
04.06.1992, it is apparent that there is no
provision for delegation of power to the
officer other than that mentioned in
Schedule.

10. In the case of M/S C. Lyall and
Company (supra), High Court of Delhi, in
similar situation, has taken the view that
person/persons
appointed,
only
can
represent
the
Government
in
all
proceedings
of
the
case.
Relevant
paragraphs of the judgment are quoted
below:-

"11. The first contention urged on
behalf of the Union of India is that the
notice of the filing of the award received in
the office of the Executive Engineer on 26th
April, 1971, could not constitute notice of
the filing of the award by the Union of
India as neither the person who received
the notice nor the Executive Engineer was
competent to accept notice on behalf oF the
Union of India or otherwise bind the Union
of India in relation to any proceedings. Mr.
Daphtry who appears for the petitioner,
however, relies on a notification being S. R.
O. 351 dated January 25, 1958, issued in
exercise of powers conferred by Rule 1 of
Order XXVII of the first schedule to the
Code of Civil Procedure, whereby the
Central Government appointed certain
officers specified in the schedule to the
notification who may sign plaints and
written statements in suit in any Court of
Civil jurisdiction by or against the Central
Government and points out that the
schedule to the notification specifically
included under the head C. W. P. D., the
Superintending Engineers and Executive
Engineers
which
would
include
the
Executive Engineer in question. He further
contends that by virtue of the power
conferred on the Executive Engineer by this
notification to sign the pleadings in any suit
by or against the Central Government the
said Executive Engineer would be deemed
to have been fully authorised to accept
notice in respect of the proceedings in
relation to which he could sign and verify
the pleadings. He further contends that the
Executive Engineer in question in whose
office the notice had been received was the
officer who was concerned with the
execution of the contract out of which
disputes arose and had been pursuing the
proceedings before the Arbitrator on behalf
of the Union of India.

(12) This contention of the Union of India
must prevail. Order XXVII of the Code of
Civil Procedure provides for suits by or
against the Government or public officers
in their official capacity. Rule 2 A of this
order provides that persons being ex-officio
or otherwise authorised to act for the
1350 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
Government in respect of any judicial
proceedings shall be deemed to be the
recognised agents by whom appearances,
acts and applications under this Code may
be made or done on behalf of the
Government. Rule 3 provides that in suits
by or against the Government instead of
inserting in the plaint the name and
description and place of residence; of the
plaintiff or defendant, it shall be sufficient
to insert the appropriate name as provided
in section 79 of the Code. Section 79
provides that in suit by or against the
Government, the authority to be named as
plaintiff or defendant, in the case of a suit
by or against the Central Government shall
be the Union of India. Rule 4 of the Order
XXVII provides that the Government
pleader in any Court shall be the agent of
the Government for the purpose of
receiving
processes
against
the
Government issued by such Court. Rule
2(B) of the said order defines the term
"Government pleader" in relation to any
suit by or against the Central Government
as the pleader as Government may appoint
whether generally or specially for the
purposes of the said order. Section 80 of the
Code provides that no suit shall be
instituted against the Government or
against the public servant in respect of any
act purporting to be done by such public
officer in his official capacity until the
expiration of two months next after notice
in writing has been delivered or left at the
office of, in the case of a suit against the
Central Government, the Secretary to that
Government.

(13) It, therefore, follows that a
notice of any proceeding to the Central
Government would be valid only if it was
either sent to the Sec- retary to the
Government or to any other officer who
may
be
authorised
to
act
for
the
Government
in
respect
of
judicial
proceedings or to the pleader as defined in
Rule 8(B) of the said Order. It is difficult to
hold that any public servant who dealt with
any proceedings which may have led to the
institution of the suit against the Union of
India would be competent to accept notice
on behalf of the Union of India. It is
equally difficult to hold that Union of India
would be bound by notice received by
various officers at different levels. In any
event, in the absence of any provision of
law or any rule of business or any statutory
rule to the contrary it is not possible to
hold that the Executive Engineer was
empowered to accept notice on behalf of
the Union of India and that the receipt of
notice in his office constituted sufficient
notice to the Union of India of the filing of
the award in the present case."

11. Similar matter again came up for
consideration before the High Court of
Jammu and Kashmir in the matter of State
of J.& K. and another (supra), where the
issue was as to whether under Secretary of
the Government can file application or not.
The Court after going through notification
came to conclusion that under Secretary
may also file application as it is also
notified.
Relevant
paragraphs
of
the
judgment are quoted below:-

"2. We have heard Ld. Counsel
for the parties and perused the record, Ld,
Counsel for the respondents Mr. M.A.
Qayoom has strenuously argued that
appeal can only be filed by the person who
is aggrieved of the judgment and only such
person can either himself sign the memo of
appeal/and the application or he can
authorise any other competent person to do
so on his behalf. According to him, in the
writ petition, the judgment which is sought
to be appealed against, state through Chief
Secretary and Commissioner Secretary
5 All. The Straw Board Manufacturing Company Ltd., Saharanpur Vs. Union of India & Anr.
1351
General Department were respondents and
therefore they alone can be said to be
aggrieved persons. So according to him,
the application as well as the power of
attorney
filed
with
the
application
appointing the counsel for prosecution of
the application could only be signed by
them. According to him in the present case,
the application and the power of attorney
appointing the counsel for prosecution of
application has been signed by Under
Secretary
to
Government
General
Department who is not legally competent to
do so. In support he relies upon case
reported in 1998 SLJ Page 46 and 1998
SLJ page 50.

3. Mr. Hussain Ld. Counsel
appearing for the applicants submitted that
for considering the sufficiency of the cause
shown for seeking condonation of delay,
liberal approach should be adopted and a
meritorious case should not be declined to
be heard simply because there is some
delay as reported in 2000 SLJ page 335. He
further contended that Under Secretary is a
competent
person
under
law
duly
authorised on behalf of the state to make an
appeal and sign the same on behalf of the
State as well as to make and sign the
application for condonation of delay.
According to Ld, Counsel the State has
empowered the Under Secretary in this
behalf by Issuance of SRO 413 dated 18th
of August 1973, he relies in support on the
case reported in 1974 KLJ page 745.

4.
We
have
considered
the
respective contentions of the parties raised
at the bar and are of the opinion that
application seeking condonation of delay
has been filed by the competent person for
the following reasons:-

State being not a real person,
always acts through its officers provision in
this regard has been made in order XXVII
of the Code of Civil Procedure. It is
beneficial to refer to Rules 1 and 2 of Order
XXVII in this behalf which are reproduced
as under:-

1. Suits by or against Govt. In
(the Government) the plaint or written
statement shall be signed by such person as
the Govt. may, by general or special order,
appoint in this behalf and shall be verified
by any person whom the Government may
so appoint and who is acquainted with the
facts of the case.

2. Persons authorised to act for
Government -- Persons being ex officio or
otherwise to act for the Government in
respect of any judicial proceedings shall be
deemed to be the recognized agents by
whom appearances, acts and applications
under this code may be made or done on
behalf of the Government."

5. From the bare perused of these
rules it is manifestly clear that Government
can authorise any person to act on its
behalf. Now it is to be seen whether Under
Secretary of Administrative department was
authorized to act on behalf of the
Government. The Government of J & K has
issued SRO 413 dated 18th of August 1973
which is as follows.

"Notification
SRO
413
dt.
18.8.73; "SRO-413- For purposes of the
provisions of Rules 1 and 2 of Order XXVII
and Section 2(7) of the Code of Civil
Procedure, Svt. 1977, and in modification
of paras 38 and 44 of the Revised Law
Department Manual, 1935, the Government
is pleased to make the following order:-

1. In suits by or against the
Government, the plaint or written statement
shall be signed by the Secretary/ Head of
the concerned Department and shall be
verified by either of them or by any other
gazetted officer of the Department who is
acquainted with the facts of the cases.

2. The Secretary Head of the
concerned Department and the Secretary
1352 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES
to Government Law Department are exofficio
authorised
to
act
for
the
government in respect of all judicial
proceedings.

Explanation:- for purposes of
paras 1 and 2 above secretary shall include
the Additional Secretary, the Special
Secretary, the Deputy Secretary and the
Under Secretary.

3. The Secretary to Govt., Law
Department, the Deputy Secretary and the
Under Secretary in that Department shall
be Government pleaders for the purposes
of performing all the function of the
Government Pleader under the Code of
Civil Procedure within the meaning of
Section 2(7) of the said code.

6. As the present case pertains to
General Department, as such the Under
Secretary to General Department in view of
the explanation appended to SRO 413 can
be deemed to have been authorized to act
on behalf of the Government. So there is no
lack of competence on the part of Under
Secretary in signing the application and the
appeal on behalf of the State and for
appointing the counsel for prosecution of
the same. Authorities relied upon by the Ld.
Counsel for the non applicants are
distinguishable and don't deal with the
question like in hand."

12. From perusal of Order XXVII
Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908, it is apparently clear
that
only
the
person
appointed
by
Government by general or special order,
shall sign and verify the plaint or written
statement. There is no provision of
delegation power to any other officer.
Therefore, this cannot be interpreted in any
other way except as provided in the
language of Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C.,
1908. Only those officer/officers, who are
appointed by Government, shall sign and
verify
the
papers,
affidavits
and
Vakalatnama in legal proceeding. He can
not authorize any other officer on his behalf
as it would be De hors the provision of
Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C., 1908.

13. This Court is having respectful
agreement with the view taken by High
Court of Delhi as well as High Court of
Jammu and Kashmir in the matters of M/S
C. Lyall and Company and State of J.&
K. and another (supra) and holds that
only
the
officers
appointed
by
Government under Order XXVII Rule 1
C.P.C., 1908 can sign and verify the
papers in legal proceeding on behalf of
Government and this power cannot be
delegated to any other officers, not
appointed by the Government.

14. In the present case, Railway
Board exercising its power conferred under
Order XXVII Rule 1 C.P.C, 1908 has
appointed many officers to sign and verify
the plaint, written statement etc. on behalf
of Railway Board and certainly the said
appointment is not having appointment of
Assistant Divisional Engineer and Senior
Section Engineer, therefore, they cannot
sign or verify the application. Any
authorization made to such officers would
be contrary to the Order XXVII Rule 1
C.P.C., 1908 and nullity in the eye of law.

15. There is no dispute on the point
that Assistant Divisional Engineer and
Senior
Section
Engineer
are
given
authorization and their appointment is not
found place in the notification dated
04.06.1992. Therefore, they cannot file and
verify the application on behalf of Railway
Board in light of the Order XXVII Rule 1
C.P.C., 1908 as well discussion made
hereinabove. Therefore, such documents
cannot be accepted and no order can be
passed upon that.
5 All. Aqama Builders & Developers Ltd. Lucknow Vs. Civil Judge, Senior Division , Malihabad,
 Lucknow & Ors.
1353

16. Accordingly, this petition is
allowed. The order dated 12.11.2021
passed by Additional Civil Judge (Junior
Division) IIIrd, Court No. 30, Saharanpur is
hereby quashed.

17. No order as to costs.

18. So far as second prayer for
permission to file fresh application is
concerned, needless to say that it is always
open
for
the
respondents
to
move
applications in accordance with law and for
that, no permission is required. It is also
obvious that if any such application is filed,
same shall be considered and decided in
accordance with law.
----------
(2022)05ILR A1353
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
CIVIL SIDE
DATED: LUCKNOW 07.05.2022

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MRS. SANGEETA CHANDRA, J.

Matters U/A 227 No. 1388 of 2022

Aqama Builders & Develpers Ltd. Lucknow
 ...Petitioner
Versus
Civil Judge, Senior Division, Malihabad,
Lucknow & Ors. ...Respondents

Counsel for the Petitioner:
Nirmit Srivastava

Counsel for the Respondents:
Amrendra Nath Tripathi, Anand Pratap
Singh

A. Civil Law - Civil Procedure Code, 1908 -
ORDER 39 RULE 1 & 2 - Wherever the
proceedings are under the Code of Civil
Procedure and the forum is the civil court, the
availability of a remedy under the CPC, will
deter the High Court, not merely as a measure
of self-imposed restriction, but as a matter of
discipline and prudence, from exercising its
power
of
superintendence
under
the
Constitution. Hence, the High Court ought not
to have entertained the revision under Article
227 especially in a case where a specific remedy
of appeal is provided under the Code of Civil
Procedure itself.

B. The judgment can be a precedent only for
that its actually held therein and not for that
which can be inferred therefrom. A Judgment
cannot be read as Statute and interpreted.
Petition Dismissed. (E-12)

List of Cases cited:-

1. Radhey Shyam & anr. Vs Chhabi Nath & ors.
(2015) 5 SCC 423

2. Surya Dev Rai Vs Ram Chand Rai (2003) 6
SCC 675 (overruled)

3. Naresh Shridhan Mirajkar Vs St. of Mah. AIR
1967 SC 1

4. Bhavnagar University Vs Palilana Sugar Mills
(2003) 2 SCC 111,

5.
Virudhunagar
Hindu
Nadargal
Dharma
Paribalana
Sabai
Vs
Tuticorin
Educational
Society & ors. (2019) 9 SCC 538

6. A. Venkatasubbiah Naidu Vs S. Chellappan
(2000) 7 SCC 695
(Delivered by Hon'ble Mrs. Sangeeta
Chandra, J.)

1. Heard Sri Prashant Chandra,
learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri
Nirmit Srivastava, and Ms. Radhika Singh,
learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri
Amrendra Nath Tripathi, learned counsel
for the respondent no.2 alongwith Sri
Anand Pratap Singh, Advocate.

2. This petition has been filed under
Article 227 of the Constitution of India