Transfer of case under administrative order---Scope---Civil Court dismissed suit of the petitioners for want of evidence under O. XVII, R. 3, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which judgment and decree was maintained by the Appellate Court-

 Transfer of case under administrative order---Scope---Civil Court dismissed suit of the petitioners for want of evidence under O. XVII, R. 3, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which judgment and decree was maintained by the Appellate Court---Validity---Record (order-sheet)revealed that the case was transferred from one Court to the other Court under administrative order passed by the concerned District Judge, however, no notice 'parvee' was issued by the Transferee Court to the parties or their counsel, whereas on said date (of being transferred)the Advocates were observing strike, but the Trial Court adjourned the case by giving absolute last opportunity for evidence of the plaintiffs---Instead of passing an order of giving absolute last opportunity, the Trial Court ought to have issued notices 'parvee' to the parties, because the case was transferred under administrative order and not under S. 24-A(2) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, where the parties would have been directed to appear before the Transferee Court, failing which penal order could be passed against such party; however, in the present case, none of the requirements enunciated in the Para 6 of the Chapter XIII, Volume I of the High Court (Lahore) Rules and Orders had been adhered to because nothing was on record to suggest that the Court from which the case was transferred ever informed the parties to appear before the Transferee Court on such and such date---Thus, a penal order could not be passed without putting the petitioners/plaintiffs on caution---Impugned order/judgment and decree, dismissing the suit for want of evidence, was harsh in nature---Cases should be decided on merits and technicalities should not be allowed to hinder the administration of justice.

MUHAMMAD YAQOOB vs RAHEELA YOUSAF
2024 CLC 49