SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Before:- U.C. Banerjee and Y.K. Sabharwal, JJ.

Civil Appeal No. 3882/1999. D/d. 10.1.2002.

D. Puttaswamy - Appellant

Versus

K. Venkataramanaegowda & Anr - Respondent

Constitution of India, 1950, Article 142 - Extension of time- Civil Judge failed to dispose of suit within a year despite of Supreme Court order - Howevers letters were sent requesting for extension of time - Extension granted in the interest of justice.

[Para 2]

JUDGMENT

U.C. Banerjee, J. - This Court by its Order dated 20th July, 1999, directed the Principal Civil Judge's Court at Srirangapatna to dispose of the suit within a year from the date of this Court's Order.

2. Subsequently, however, records depict that the Principal Civil Judge has sent letters dated 16th August, 2000, 21st December, 2000 and 23rd July, 2001 for extensions of time so as to enable him to dispose of the suit. The Principal Civil Judge has again sent a letter dated 8th November, 2001, requesting extension of time for disposal of the suit till April, 2002. We are at a loss to appreciate the further extension of time in the matter. Be that as it may and since the Principal Civil Judge has prayed for further extension of time, we deem it fit to grant extension in the interest of justice till June, 2002. This would, however, be the last extension and the parties are directed to render all possible co-operation and assistance for expeditious disposal of the matter before the learned Judge.

3. The Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court is, however, directed to keep a track of the matter and intimate to the Registry of this Court due compliance of this Order.

4. The Registry is directed to send a copy of this Order to the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court. The office report dated 5th December, 2001 stands disposed of as above.

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