Section 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure

 

Section 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) in India deals with the jurisdiction of Civil Courts. The section states that:

“Subject to the other provisions contained in this Code and to any other law for the time being in force, the jurisdiction of the Civil Courts in a suit shall be determined as follows:

(a) where the suit is instituted, the Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the defendant, whether he resides or carries on business or personally works for gain, or

(b) where the defendant resides, or carries on business, or personally works for gain, the Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the defendant resides, or carries on business, or personally works for gain, or

(c) where the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises.

Provided that in the case of any suit for the recovery of immovable property with or without rent or profits, the suit may be instituted in the Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the property is situate.”

This section essentially lays out the rules for determining the jurisdiction of a civil court in a case. It states that the jurisdiction of a court is determined based on the location of the defendant, the location where the cause of action arises, or the location of the immovable property in question.

भारत में सिविल प्रक्रिया संहिता (सीपीसी) की धारा 3 सिविल न्यायालयों के अधिकार क्षेत्र से संबंधित है। अनुभाग कहता है कि:

 

“इस संहिता में निहित अन्य प्रावधानों और उस समय लागू किसी भी अन्य कानून के अधीन, किसी मुकदमे में सिविल न्यायालयों का क्षेत्राधिकार निम्नानुसार निर्धारित किया जाएगा:

(ए) जहां मुकदमा संस्थित किया जाता है, वह न्यायालय जिसके अधिकार क्षेत्र की स्थानीय सीमा के भीतर प्रतिवादी, चाहे वह निवास करता हो या व्यवसाय करता हो या व्यक्तिगत रूप से लाभ के लिए काम करता हो, या

(बी) जहां प्रतिवादी निवास करता है, या व्यवसाय करता है, या व्यक्तिगत रूप से लाभ के लिए काम करता है, वह न्यायालय जिसके अधिकार क्षेत्र की स्थानीय सीमा के भीतर प्रतिवादी निवास करता है, या व्यवसाय करता है, या व्यक्तिगत रूप से लाभ के लिए काम करता है, या

(सी) जहां कार्रवाई का कारण, पूर्णतः या आंशिक रूप से उत्पन्न होता है।

बशर्ते कि किराए या मुनाफे के साथ या बिना अचल संपत्ति की वसूली के लिए किसी भी मुकदमे के मामले में, मुकदमा उस न्यायालय में स्थापित किया जा सकता है जिसके अधिकार क्षेत्र की स्थानीय सीमा के भीतर संपत्ति स्थित है।

यह धारा अनिवार्य रूप से किसी मामले में सिविल कोर्ट के क्षेत्राधिकार का निर्धारण करने के लिए नियम बताती है। इसमें कहा गया है कि अदालत का क्षेत्राधिकार प्रतिवादी के स्थान, वह स्थान जहां कार्रवाई का कारण उत्पन्न होता है, या विचाराधीन अचल संपत्ति के स्थान के आधार पर निर्धारित किया जाता है।

Case law of CPC section 3

One example of a case law involving Section 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) in India is the case of Union of India v. Rajeshwar Singh (2010) 2 SCC 717. In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that the jurisdiction of a court to try a suit is determined by the location of the defendant at the time the suit is instituted. The court held that the defendant’s subsequent change of residence or place of business does not affect the jurisdiction of the court once the suit has been instituted.

Another example is the case of M/s. P.K. Bhujle & Co. v. M/s. J.M. Baxi & Co. (2010) 9 SCC 586. In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that the jurisdiction of a court is determined by the location of the cause of action, and not the location of the defendant. The court held that the place where the cause of action arises is the proper forum for the suit, even if the defendant is located in a different place.

faqs cpc section 3

• What is the jurisdiction of a Civil Court according to Section 3 of the CPC?

The jurisdiction of a Civil Court in a suit is determined by the location of the defendant, the location where the cause of action arises, or the location of the immovable property in question.

 

• Can a court’s jurisdiction change once a suit has been instituted?

No, once a suit has been instituted, the court’s jurisdiction is determined by the location of the defendant at the time the suit was instituted, and it does not change.

 

• Does the location of the defendant determine the court’s jurisdiction in all cases?

No, the location of the defendant is only one of the factors that determine the court’s jurisdiction. The location of the cause of action or the immovable property in question also play a role in determining jurisdiction.

 

• Can a suit for recovery of immovable property be instituted in any court?

No, a suit for recovery of immovable property can only be instituted in the court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the property is situated.

 

• What is the importance of determining jurisdiction in a civil case?

Determining jurisdiction is important as it ensures that the case is heard in the correct court and by the correct judge. It also ensures that the parties are not required to travel long distances to attend court proceedings.