Authority: High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh
Order Date: 15 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Plaintiff‑Appellant – Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (through its Managing Director); Respondent – Satpal Singh (deceased).
- Appeal: Regular Second Appeal (RSA No. 3155 of 2000 (O&M)) challenging judgments and decrees dated 04‑06‑1997 and 29‑02‑2000 that dismissed a suit for recovery of Rs. 1 lakh filed by the plaintiff.
- Prior Proceedings: The trial court and the appellate court had affirmed dismissal of the suit; the appellant sought reversal.
- Respondent’s Status: Registry reports that the sole respondent, Satpal Singh, died. No legal heirs were identified.
- Court Orders Prior to Decision:
- 21‑04‑2026: Notice to respondent issued; court adjourned to 05‑05‑2026 after learning of respondent’s death.
- 05‑05‑2026: Appellant counsel requested time to implead legal representatives of the deceased; adjourned to 15‑07‑2026 and placed on urgent list.
- Evidence of Respondent’s Employment Record: Email dated 01‑07‑2026 from the appellant‑Corporation (HR Division, PAIC) quoted an email of 03‑06‑2026 stating that Satpal Singh’s service record was “weeded out/disposed of in the year 2020” per Punjab Government instructions, he was dismissed from service, and no record of his legal heirs exists.
- Court’s Observation: Despite two opportunities, the appellant failed to make sincere efforts to implead the legal representatives of the deceased respondent, indicating a lack of seriousness in prosecuting the appeal.
Final Outcome
- The appeal is dismissed for non‑prosecution.
- The appellant is at liberty to seek revival of the appeal by filing an appropriate application if circumstances change.
- Any pending miscellaneous applications, if any, are also disposed.
Topics: Court Order, Civil Litigation, Non‑Prosecution