How to Execute an Injunction Decree

Saji Koduvath, Advocate, Kottayam.

Abstract – Methods of Execution of Injunction Decree

  • detention in civil prison
  • attachment of property
  • compensation
  • act to be done, be done by the decree-holder
  • or be done by some other person appointed by the court.

Order XXI rule 32, CPC is the Relevant Provision

It reads as under:

  • 32. Decree for specific performance for restitution of conjugal rights, or for an injunction.
  • (1) Where the party against whom a decree for the specific performance of a contract, or for restitution of conjugal rights, or for an injunction, has been passed, has had an opportunity of obeying the decree and has wilfully failed to obey it,
  • the decree may be enforced
    • in the case of a decree for restitution of conjugal rights 
      • by the attachment of his property or,
      • in the case of a decree for the specific performance of a contract or
    • for an injunction  
      • by his detention in the civil prison, or
      • by the attachment of his property, or by both.
  • (2) ….. …..
  • (3) Where any attachment under sub-rule (1) or sub- rule (2) has remained in force for six months if the judgment-debtor has not obeyed the decree and the decree-holder has applied to have the attached property sold, such property may be sold; and
    • out of the proceeds the Court may award to the decree-holder such compensation as it thinks fit, and
    • shall pay the balance (if any) to the judgment- debtor on his application.
  • (4) Where the judgment-debtor has obeyed the decree and paid all costs of executing the same which he is bound to pay, or where, at the end of six months from the date of attachment, no application to have the property sold has been made, or if made has been refused, the attachment shall cease.
  • (5) Where a decree for the specific performance of a contract or for an injunction has not been obeyed, the Court may, in lieu of or in addition to all or any of the processes aforesaid,
  • direct that the act required to be done may be done
    • so far as practicable
  • by the decree-holder or
  • some other person  appointed by the Court,
    • at the cost of the judgment-debtor, and
  • upon the act being done the expenses incurred may be ascertained in such manner as the Court may direct and may be recovered as if they were included in the decree.
  • Explanation:- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the expression “the act required to be done” covers prohibitory as well as mandatory injunctions.”

Execution Petition – Form

Order XXI rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides the form for the Execution Petition (See End Notes) . Civil Rules of Practice of various States may also provide for Forms thereof. In all forms, for execution of the Decree for Injunction, the Decree Holder has to specifically seek one or more of the following methods; viz. –

  • detention of the Judgment Debtor in civil prison
  • attachment of his property
  • realisation of compensation
  • if any act to be (got) done, be done by the decree-holder
  • or be done by some other person appointed by the court.

Important Rulings

Not by Contempt Proceedings

1. Kanwar Singh Saini v. High Court of Delhi, 2011(4) KHC SN I

  • If violation of permanent injunction, it can be set right in executing the proceedings and not the contempt proceedings.

Police Protection invoking inherent powers

2. Sujit Pal v. Prabir Kumar Sun, AIR 1986 Cal 220

  • No technicality can prevent justice in exercise of its inherent powers (Police Protection).  (Referred in: Johnson Kuriakose v. Fr.  Thomas Paul Ramban, 2019 1 ILR(Ker) 174; 2019 1 KLT 6).

In Raja Venkateswarlu v. Mada Venkata Subbaiah, 2017-15 SCC 659, it is observed as under:

  • But merely because an application for police protection was filed only under Section 151 CPC invoking the inherent jurisdiction, it cannot be a reason for the High Court to reject it and hold that the application should have been filed under Order XXI, Rule 32 CPC. The crucial question is whether the Execution Court has jurisdiction. That is not disputed.
  • The only thing is that an exact provision was not invoked. That by itself shall not be a reason for rejecting the application (See: Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad v. Ben Hiraben Manilal, (1983) 2 SCC 422 and T. Nagappa v. Y.R. Muralidhar, (2008) 5 SCC 633). 

Awarding Compensation – reasonable and pragmatic (Not Arrest)

3. Gopinathan Pillai v. Rajappan, (2011(1) KLT 59)

  • O21 r. 32 (3) and (5) expressly authorizes courts to award compensation. Hence, before ordering arrest,  an opportunity to compensate the decree holder, and obey the decree be done, by the court in a more reasonable and pragmatic way. (Referred in: Valsamma v. Abraham, 2013 1 ILR(Ker) 278; 2013 1 KHC 139; 2013 1 KLT 228)

Consequence Would Be Grave

4. Gopinathan Pillai v. Rajappan, (2011(1) KLT 59)

  • Even if the violation is not so grave, the consequence would be grave, since the court would be bound to sell the property after six months in such a case as the judgment debtor would be incapable of undoing the mischief which was done already. (Referred in: Valsamma v. Abraham, 2013 1 ILR(Ker) 278; 2013 1 KHC 139; 2013 1 KLT 228)

End Notes:

Order XXI rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure reads as under:

  • 1. Oral application.-
  • (1) Where a decree is for the payment of money the court may, on the oral application of the decree holder at the time of the passing of the decree, order immediate execution thereof by the arrest of the judgment debtor, prior to the preparation of a warrant if he is within the precincts of the court.
  • (2) Written application—
  • Save as otherwise provided by sub-rule (1), every application for the execution of a decree shall be in writing, signed and verified by the applicant or by some other person proved to the satisfaction of the court to be acquainted with the facts of the case, and shall contain in a tabular form the following particulars, namely:—
  • (a) the number of the suit;
  • (b) the names of the parties;
  • (c) the date of the decree;
  • (d) whether any appeal has been preferred from the decree;
  • (e) whether any, and (if any) what, payment or other adjustment of the matter in controversy has been made between the parties subsequently to the decree;
  • (f) whether any, and (if any) what, previous applications have been made for the execution of the decree, the dates of such applications and their results;
  • (g) the amount with interest (if any) due upon the decree, or other relief granted thereby, together with particulars of any cross decree, whether passed before or after the date of the decree sought to be executed;
  • (h) the amount of the costs (if any) awarded;
  • (i) the name of the person against whom execution of the decree is sought; and the mode in which the assistance of the court is required, whether—
  • (i) by the delivery of any property specifically decreed;
  • (ii) by the attachment, or by the attachment and sale, or by the sale without attachment, of any property;
  • (iii) by the arrest and detention in prison of any person;
  • (iv) by the appointment of a receiver;
  • (v) .otherwise, as the nature of the relief granted may require.
  • (3) The court to which an application is made under sub-rule (2) may require the applicant to produce a certified copy of the decree.
  • HIGH COURT AMENDMENTS
  • Allahabad.- (1) For clause (f) of sub-rule (2), substitute the following:
  • “(f) The date of the last application if any.”
  • (2) Add the following proviso to sub-rule (2):
  • “Provided that when the application files with his application a certified copy of the decree, the particulars specified in clauses (b), (c) and (h), need not be given in the application.” (24.7.1926).
  • (3) Add the following as sub-rule (4);
  • “(4) Where a decree for money is sought to be executed under sub-rule (2) by the arrest and detention in prison of the judgment-debtor, the application shall also state on which of the grounds mentioned in the proviso to Section 51, detention is claimed,” (19.5,1956).
  • Andhra Pradesh.- Same as in Madras.
  • Karnataka.- (I) after clause (f) insert clause (ft) as in Madras with the omission of the words “original” before “decree-holder”.
  • (ii) after clause (j), (v) insert para as in Madras. (30.3.1967)
  • Kerala.- (i) after clause (f) insert clause (ff) as in Madras.
  • (ii) Clause (j) is substituted. The effect of substitution is that after sub-clause (v) a paragraph is added as in Madras. (9.6.1959).
  • Madhya Pradesh.- Add the following proviso to sub-rule (2):—
  • “Provided that, when the applicant files with his application a certified copy of the decree the particular specified in clauses (b), (c) and (h) need not be given in the application.” (16.9.1960).
  • Madras and Andhra Pradesh.- (P. Dis. No. 776 to 1929) – (a) In sub-rule (2) of rule 11 between clauses (I) and (g) insert the following new clause:-
  • ‘(ff) whether the original decree-holder has transferred any part of his interest in the decree and if so, the date of the transfer and the name and address of the parties to the transfer”.
  • (G.O Ms. No. 2084-Home of 2.9.1936) – H.G.P. Dis. No. 691 of 13.10.1936) – (b) Add the following to sub-rule (2) (j) after clause (v):
  • “In an execution petition praying for relief by way of attachment of a decree of the nature specified in sub-rule (1) of Rule 53 of this Order, there shall not be included any other relief mentioned in this clause.”
  • (c) Add the following proviso at the end of sub-rule (2);
  • “Provided that when the applicant files with his application a certified copy of the decree, the particulars specified in clauses (b), (C) and (h) need not be given in the application.”
  • Orissa.- (Amend. deleted 14.5.19841.
  • Patna.- (a) Add the following as sub-rule (1-A) to rule I
  • “(1-A) Where an order has been made under Section 39 for the transfer of a decree for the payment of money for execution to a Court within the local limit 1 r jurisdiction of which the judgment-debtor resides, such Court may, on the production by the decree-holder of a certified copy of the decree and an affidavit of non-satisfaction forthwith order immediate execution of the decree by the arrest of the judgment-debtor.”
  • (b) Substitute the words and figures “sub-rules (1) and (I-A)” for the words and figure “sub-rule (1)” in line 1 of sub-rule (2) of rule 11.
  • (c) Delete clauses (b), (c), (d), (1) and (h) of sub-rule (2). (5.4.1961).

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