Full Order Text
Final Order 1 · 20 Jul 2023 · CNR MHCC010018832018
Order Details: Ex-parte Judgement Pdf Text: MHCC010018832018 Presented on 03-02-2018 Registered on 12-09-2018 Decided on 20-07-2023 Duration 05Y : 05M: 17D Exhibit 10 IN THE BOMBAY CITY CIVIL COURT AT BOMBAY SUMMARY SUIT NO. 149 OF 2021 Mr. Champalal Chhogalal Sanghvi ] An adult, aged about 60 years ] Proprietor of M/s. Jaydeep Metals ] having its office, At Taldhwaj Bhawan,] 1st floor, 3rd Panjarapole Lane, ] Mumbai-400 004. ] Through his Constituted Attorney ] Mr. Prateek Champalal Sanghvi ]...Plaintiff Versus Mr. Bharat Patel ] (full name not known) ] An adult, aged about 60 years ] Proprietor of M/s. Apex Engg. Co. ] Having address At ] Plot No.408, GIDC, Near Dediyasan ] Near Moon Agro, Mahesana- 384 001 ] Gujarat. ]...Defendant -- 1 of 7 -- 2 Sum Suit No.149/2021 Appearance : Ld. Advocate Mr. Sujeet R. Maurya for plaintiff. None for defendant (Ex-parte). CORAM : HHJ SHRI K. P. SHRIKHANDE C. R. NO. : 61 DATE : 20-07-2023 JUDGMENT ( Dictated and pronounced in open Court) 1. This is the suit filed under Rule 2 of Order XXXVII of Code of Civil procedure, 1908 (CPC) for recovery of amount of Rs.9,67,584/-. Brief facts of the plaintiff’s case may be summarized as under: 2. The plaintiff is proprietor of M/s. Jaydeep Metals carrying on business as a Stockist and Dealer of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals & Steel Merchant. The defendant is proprietor of M/s. Apex Engg.Co. According to the plaintiff, in the regular course of business, the defendant placed verbal purchase order of ‘S.S.Coils’ (hereinafter referred to as the “materials”). The plaintiff sold and delivered the said materials to the defendants for the sum of Rs.5,97,618/-, for which Tax Invoice No.138 dated 06-02-2015 was raised on the the defendant. The said materials were dispatched to the defendant through Lalji Mulji Transport. The said materials were duly accepted, acknowledged and consumed by the defendants without raising any dispute of quality, quantity and/or rates. 3. According to the plaintiff, though the payment terms was on 15 days credit basis, but after receiving the materials, the defendant ignored and neglected the said terms and conditions on one pretext or -- 2 of 7 -- 3 Sum Suit No.149/2021 the other. The defendant, towards part payment of plaintiff aforesaid outstanding principle sum, signed and issued a Cheque bearing No.000872 for the sum of Rs.2,00,000/- which was dishonoured on its presentation for encashment and therefore, the plaintiff initiated a Criminal Proceeding against the defendant u/s. 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which is still pending. 4. According to the plaintiff, when the defendant for a long time did not pay any sum, the plaintiff issued a demand notice dated 10-01-2018 through advocate. But the defendant failed and neglected to pay the outstanding principal amount of Rs.5,97,618/- alongwith interest. Hence, the present suit. 5. The defendant was served with the writ of summons. The plaintiff has filed affidavit of service at Exh.6. Despite service, the defendant has not caused his appearance and therefore, the suit proceeded ex-parte against him by the order dated 05-02-2020. 6. In support of claim, the plaintiff filed its affidavit of claim at Exh.7 and reiterated its contention for recovery of Rs.9,67,584/- along with interest at the rate of 21% p.a. The plaintiff has filed and relied upon the following documents. Sr. No. Exhibit No. Particulars 1 Exh.9 Office copy of Invoice No. 138 dated 06-02-2015 2 Exh.10(colly.) Demand Notice dated 10-01-2018 alongwith copy of postal receipt and Track report. 7. To decide the present suit, following points arose for my consideration to which my findings are recorded against each of them -- 3 of 7 -- 4 Sum Suit No.149/2021 for the reasons given below: Sr. No. Points Findings 1. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover amount of Rs.9,67,584/- from the defendant? If yes, at what rate interest? Partly yes. Entitled to Rs.5,97,618 and interest @ Rs.9% p.a. from 11-01-2018. 2. What order and decree? As per final order. R E A S O N S AS TO POINTS NO. 1 & 2: 8. The plaintiff has filed his claim affidavit in support of the case set out in the plaint at Exh.7 and also placed on record some documents as referred to above. Evidence on affidavit placed on record by the plaintiff supports to his case that the defendant had placed an order with the plaintiff for purchasing the materials, and in accordance with the said order, the plaintiff supplied the goods on credit to the defendant and had raised the invoice No.138 dated 06-02-2015 for Rs.5,97,618/-. According to the plaintiff, payment was to be made within 15 days, but not made. It is also found that the plaintiff had issued the legal notice dated 10-01-2018 through the advocate and it is duly served on the defendant. Despite service of the said notice and calling upon the defendant to clear off the outstanding dues, the defendant neither the paid amount nor replied the said notice. Evidence of the plaintiff remained unrebutted and unchallenged. Therefore, there is no reason to disbelieve the evidence of the plaintiff particularly when it is supported by the documents. Therefore, I hold that the plaintiff has proved that he is entitled to -- 4 of 7 -- 5 Sum Suit No.149/2021 recover the amount of Rs. 5,97,618/- 9. It may be seen that the plaintiff has claimed the interest Rs.3,69,966/- at the rate of Rs.21% p.a. on the principal amount i.e. on the amount of Rs.5,97,618/- from 22-02-2015, the date of after 15 days of issuance of invoice, till the date of filing of the suit. Thus, according to the plaintiff, he is entitled to total amount of Rs.9,67,584/-. However, it is important to note that there appears no agreement to pay the interest on the outstanding amount mere recited in the invoice about taxing interest at the rate of Rs.21% p.a. cannot be considered to be agreed rate of interest. However, transaction between the plaintiff and the defendant was of the commercial in nature and therefore, because of making default by the defendant despite of calling upon to pay the outstanding amount, I am of the view that plaintiff is entitled to the interest. However, the interest claimed by the plaintiff appears to be excessive and therefore, I hold that the plaintiff is entitled to the sum of Rs.5,97,618/- alongwith the interest at the rate of Rs.9% p.a. till its full realization from 11-01- 2018, the date of serving the demand notice at the rate of Rs.9% p.a. on principal amount of Rs.5,97,618/- and accordingly, I answer point No.1. In the result, in an answer to point No.2, I proceed to pass the following order. O R D E R 1] The Summary suit No. 149 of 2021 is partly decreed with costs. 2] The defendant shall pay the amount of Rs.5,97,618/- (Rupees Five Lakhs Ninety Seven Thousand Six Hundred and Eighteen only) to the plaintiff along with interest at the rate of Rs.9% p.a. from 11-01-2018 till its full realization. -- 5 of 7 -- 6 Sum Suit No.149/2021 3] The plaintiff is entitled to get refund 2/3rd of the court fees paid by him. 4] Decree shall be drawn accordingly. ( K. P. Shrikhande ) Mumbai Judge, City Civil Court, Gr. Mumbai. Date- 20-07-2023 Court Room No.61 Dictated on : 20-07-2023 Corrected & signed on : 21-07-2023 -- 6 of 7 -- 7 Sum Suit No.149/2021 “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER” UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER 21-07-2023 at 3.00p.m. Mrs. V. V. Malgaonkar Name of the Judge (with Court Room No.) Shri K. P. Shrikhande C.R. No.61 Date of Pronouncement of JUDGMENT/ ORDER 20-07-2023 JUDGMENT/ORDER signed by P. O. on 21-07-2023 JUDGMENT/ORDER uploaded on 21-07-2023 -- 7 of 7 --
