Karnataka High Court
B S Parashurama Rao vs Meenakshi P Rao on 16 March, 2026
Author: H.T. Narendra Prasad
Bench: H.T. Narendra Prasad
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:15516
WP No. 24864 of 2024
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD
WRIT PETITION NO. 24864 OF 2024 (GM-CPC)
BETWEEN:
1. B. S. PARASHURAMA RAO
AGED ABOUT 84 YEARS
S/O LATE BHARMOJI RAO
NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
2. DEEPAK P. SULAKHE
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS
S/O B. S. PARASHURAMA RAO
RESIDING AT NO.5033
BROOKVIEW DR, DALLAS,
TEXAS, UNITED STATES-75220.
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. MAHESH ARKALGUD SRIKANTH., ADVOCATE)
Digitally signed by AND:
DHANALAKSHMI
MURTHY
Location: HIGH 1. MEENAKSHI P. RAO
COURTOF AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS
KARNATAKA
W/O V. R. SHAMSUNDAR
NO.12/7, 3RD FLOOR
LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
2. SMT. SULOCHANA BAI
AGED ABOUT 90 YEARS
W/O LATE B. S. NARAYANA RAO
R/AT NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
-2-
NC: 2026:KHC:15516
WP No. 24864 of 2024
HC-KAR
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
3. SMT. SATHYA PREMA
AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS
D/O B. S. NARAYANA RAO
R/AT NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
4. SMT. GAYATHRI PATHANGE
AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS
D/O LATE B. S. NARAYANA RAO
R/AT NO.T-2, 3RD FLOOR
LOHAN'S REGENT
SUNDARAM MURTHY ROAD
COX TOWN, BENGALURU-560 005.
5. SMT. PUSHPALATHA GUJJAR
AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS
W/O SRI. RAVINDRA GUJJAR
R/AT NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
6. SMT. YASHODHA BAI
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS
W/O LATE P. S. DAYANAND
R/AT NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
7. BHAVANI D. SULAKHE
AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS
D/O LATE P. S. DAYANAND
R/AT NO.12/7, LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027.
8. M/S K. H. SHAMA RAO AND SONS
A REGISTERED PARTNERSHIP FIRM
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NC: 2026:KHC:15516
WP No. 24864 of 2024
HC-KAR
HAVING ITS OFFICE AT NO.12
LALBAGH ROAD
SHAMRAO COMPOUND
BENGALURU-560 027
REPRESENTED BY ITS
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.
9. THE BANGALORE DRESS MANUFACTURING
COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED
A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER
THE COMPANIES ACT
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE
AT NO.12, LALBAGH ROAD
BENGALURU-560 027
REPRESENTED BY ITS
AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. RAJENDRA S., ADVOCATE FOR R1;
R2 TO R9 -SERVICE OF NOTICE IS DISPENSED WITH
V/O DATED 21.10.2024)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE
IMPUGNED ORDER DTD. 04.04.2024 (ANNEXURE-E) PASSED
ON I.A.NOs.56 AND 57 BY THE HON'BLE XII ADDL. CITY CIVIL
AND SESSIONS JUDGE (CCH-27) AT BENGALURU IN O.S.NO.
8355/2017 BY ISSUING A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY
OTHER ORDER OR WRIT.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD
ORAL ORDER
This writ petition is filed by defendant Nos.1 and 2 under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, challenging the order dated 04.04.2024 passed on IA Nos.56 and 57 -4- NC: 2026:KHC:15516 WP No. 24864 of 2024 HC-KAR filed under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure and Section 5 of the Limitation Act, seeking to recall the order dated 18.05.2019, permission to file the written statement, and condonation of delay in filing the written statement, dismissing the said applications.
2. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent No.1/plaintiff has contended that the defendants are in joint possession of the property, and defendant Nos. 1 and 2 are enjoying the income from the firm and company. Therefore, they just want to drag the matter. He further contended that in the application for condonation of delay of five and a half years, no reason has been provided. Hence, the trial court has rightly rejected the application.
3. The respondent No.1/plaintiff filed a suit in O.S. No.8355/2017 for partition and separate possession. The suit was filed in the year 2017. After service of summons, defendant Nos. 1 and 2 did not file any written statement. The written statement on behalf of defendant Nos. 1 and 2 -5- NC: 2026:KHC:15516 WP No. 24864 of 2024 HC-KAR was taken as nil on 29.05.2018 and 18.06.2018, respectively. Thereafter, the issues were framed, and the parties' evidence was recorded. Defendant Nos. 1 and 2 did not cross-examine the respondent No.1/plaintiff. After a lapse of 5 years, they have filed this application for condonation of delay. Even in that application, no reason has been provided.
4. In the interest of justice, to give one more opportunity, I am of the opinion that, by fixing a time limit and imposing a cost, the application may be allowed.
5. Accordingly, the following order:
(i) The writ petition is allowed.
(ii) The impugned order dated 04.04.2024 passed on IA Nos. 56 and 57 in O.S. No. 8355/2017 by the XII Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru, is quashed, subject to the condition that the petitioners/defendant Nos. 1 and 2 shall pay Rs. 25,00,000/- (rupees -6- NC: 2026:KHC:15516 WP No. 24864 of 2024 HC-KAR twenty-five lakhs only) to respondent No. 1/plaintiff by the next date of hearing.
(iii) It is made clear that petitioner No. 2/defendant No.2 shall be permitted to examine any witness and cross-examine the plaintiff on the date to be fixed by the trial court, without seeking any adjournment. If he seeks any adjournment, the order passed by the trial court on 04.04.2024 will be confirmed.
(iv) The petitioner No.2 shall complete the cross-examination of PW1 by the end of April 2026.
(v) The parties are directed to appear before the trial court without any further notice on 26.03.2026.
(vi) The trial court is directed to dispose of the suit by the end of December 2026.
Sd/-
(H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE CM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 144