Interpretation of Order 7 Rule 11 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

 Interpretation of Order 7 Rule 11 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

Order 7 Rule 11 uses the words "shall" ; it deals with rejection of plaint. 

Order R. 11 (d) deals with situation when suit appears to be barred by any law. In Raghwendra Sharan Singh v. Ram Prasanna Singh [2019] GCtR 2028 (SC), dealing with a case of property, it was held that action of Trial Court in not rejecting plaint was not sound. It was noted that "by clever drafting the   plaintiff   has   tried   to   bring   the   suit   within   the   period   of limitation   which,   otherwise,   is   barred   by law of limitation. Suit is clearly barred by law of limitation, the plaint is required to be rejected in exercise of powers under Order 7 Rule 11."

Order 7 R. 11 (a) deals with situation when cause of action is not disclosed. In case of A.B.C.   Laminart   Pvt.   Ltd.   v.   A.P. Agencies [1989] GCtR 1412 (SC), a suit for recovery was filed. Dismissing the appeal, it was held that a cause of action means every fact, which if traversed, it would be necessary for the plaintiff to prove in order to support his right to a judgment of the  court. In other words, it is  a bundle  of facts which taken with the law applicable to them gives the plaintiff   a   right   to   relief   against   the   defendant.   It must include some act done by the defendant since in the absence of such an act no cause of action can possibly   accrue.   It   is   not   limited   to   the   actual infringement of the right sued on but includes all the material facts on which it is founded. It does not comprise evidence necessary to prove such facts, but every   fact   necessary   for   the   plaintiff   to   prove   to enable him to obtain a decree. Everything which if not  proved   would   give   the   defendant   a   right   to immediate judgment must be part of the cause of action. But it has no relation whatever to the defence which may be set up by the defendant nor does it depend upon the character of the relief prayed for by the plaintiff.

Allowing the appeal, it was held in Madanuri Sri Rama Chandra Murthy v Syed Jalal [2017] GCtR 6321 (SC) that "the plaint can be rejected under Order VII Rule 11 if conditions enumerated in the said provision are fulfilled. It is needless to observe that the power under Order VII Rule 11 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 can be exercised by the Court at any stage of the suit. The relevant facts which need to be looked into for deciding the application are the averments of the plaint only. It is needless to observe that the question as to whether the suit is barred by any law, would always depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case." Here, case was related to property and it was held that plaint does not disclose any cause of action.