Qureshi Law Associates

Qureshi Law Associates It is page for knowledge of law , some basic information of Qureshi Law Associates ,pics of our staff members and case law (precedents )

26/04/2026

*vvip judgment against surety and death of judgment debtors*

*“مدیون کی وفات ضامن کو نہیں بچا سکتی — لاہور ہائی کورٹ کا اہم فیصلہ”*

*2025 LHC 2559*
*"سیکشن 145 سی پی سی کے تحت ضامن کی ذمہ داری کا قانونی تجزیہ"مدیون کی وفات کے بعد ضامن کے خلاف ڈگری کا نفاذ: ضابطہ دیوانی کی روشنی میں""ضامن کے خلاف ڈگری کی تعمیل: کیا سی پی سی ضامن کو مدیون کے برابر رکھتا ہے؟"*

2025 LHC 2559
فیصلہ ۔۔۔
"مدیون (قرض دار) کی وفات کے بعد بھی ضامن اپنی ذمہ داری سے سبکدوش نہیں ہوتا، جب تک ضمانت نامے میں ایسی کوئی شرط موجود نہ ہو جو اس کے برعکس ہو۔ قانون کی رو سے، محض مدیون کی وفات ضامن کو اس کے عہد سے آزاد نہیں کرتی۔

دیوانی مقدمات کے ضابطہ 1908 کے سیکشن 145 کے تحت، اگر کوئی شخص کسی ڈگری یا اس کے کسی حصے کی تکمیل، کسی جائیداد کی واپسی، یا عدالتی حکم کے تحت کسی رقم کی ادائیگی کی ضمانت دیتا ہے، تو اس حد تک جس میں اس نے خود کو ذاتی طور پر ذمہ دار ٹھہرایا ہو، اس کے خلاف بھی ڈگری نافذ کی جا سکتی ہے۔"

مقدمہ: WP. 63942 of 2024
فریقین: رشید احمد بمقابلہ ایڈیشنل ڈسٹرکٹ جج
فیصلہ: عدالت میں علانیہ سنایا گیا – 17 مارچ 2025
ریفرنس: 2025 LHC 2559
قانونی تجزیاتی جائزہ
(مدیون کی وفات کے بعد ضامن کی ذمہ داری سے متعلق)

1. بنیادی قانونی اصول:
قانونی اصول کے مطابق، جب کوئی شخص کسی مالی یا عدالتی ذمہ داری کی ضمانت دیتا ہے، تو وہ اس حد تک اس کی ادائیگی یا تکمیل کا ذمہ دار ہوتا ہے جتنا کہ اس نے ضمانت نامہ میں قبول کیا ہو۔ اس اصول پر ضمانت (Suretyship) کا قانون قائم ہے۔

2. ضابطہ دیوانی (Code of Civil Procedure, 1908):
سیکشن 145 - ضامن کے خلاف نفاذ ڈگری:
یہ دفعہ واضح طور پر بیان کرتی ہے:

"اگر کوئی شخص کسی ڈگری یا حکم کے نفاذ کی ضمانت دیتا ہے، تو اس کے خلاف بھی وہی ڈگری نافذ ہو سکتی ہے، بشرطیکہ اس نے اس حد تک خود کو ذمہ دار بنایا ہو۔"

تجزیہ:
یہ دفعہ ضامن کو مدیون کے ساتھ برابر کا فریق تسلیم کرتی ہے اور اس کے خلاف بھی عمل درآمد ممکن ہے، خواہ مدیون وفات پا چکا ہو۔

3. قانون شہادت (Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984):
ضامن کی ذمہ داری کے تعین میں ضمانت نامے کی تحریری صورت اہمیت رکھتی ہے۔ اگر ضمانت نامے میں وفات کے بعد بری الذمہ ہونے کی کوئی شرط نہ ہو تو ضامن ذمہ دار رہے گا۔

4. عائلی قوانین (Family Laws):
اگر کیس خاندانی یا نان نفقہ سے متعلق ہو (مثلاً بیوی یا بچوں کے حقوق)، تو درج ذیل نکات لاگو ہوں گے:

مسلم فیملی لاز آرڈیننس 1961، دفعہ 9: بیوی نان نفقہ کی دعوے دار ہے۔

اگر مدیون کی وفات ہو جائے، تو بھی ضامن کی ذمہ داری برقرار رہتی ہے (بشرطیکہ وہ نفقہ یا بقایا جات کی ادائیگی کی ضمانت دے چکا ہو)۔

سی پی سی کی روشنی میں، فیملی کورٹس کا فیصلہ بھی ڈگری کے زمرے میں آتا ہے، اور اس کی تعمیل کیلئے ضامن کے خلاف کارروائی ہو سکتی ہے۔

5. آئین پاکستان، 1973:
آرٹیکل 4 - قانون کے تحت جینے کا حق:
ہر شہری کو قانون کے مطابق تحفظ حاصل ہے، جس میں عدالتی احکامات کی تعمیل بھی شامل ہے۔

آرٹیکل 9 - زندگی اور آزادی کا تحفظ:
یہ آئینی حق ضامن اور مدیون دونوں پر لاگو ہوتا ہے، لیکن قانون کے مطابق، ذمہ داریوں کی تعمیل زندگی کے اس حق کا تقاضا ہے۔

نتیجہ:
اگر ضامن نے عدالت میں ضمانت دی ہو (تحریری یا زبانی)، تو مدیون کی وفات کے باوجود وہ اپنی ذاتی ضمانت کے مطابق ذمہ دار رہے گا۔

سی پی سی کی دفعہ 145، اور قانون شہادت کی روشنی میں، جب تک ضمانت نامے میں خلاف شرط نہ ہو، ضامن بری الذمہ نہیں ہو سکتا۔

فیملی کیسز میں، اگر بیوی یا بچوں کا مالی حق متعلقہ ہے، تو ان کا حق مقدم ہے، اور ضامن سے بھی رقم کی وصولی کی جا سکتی ہے۔
*vvip judgment against surety and death of judgment debtors*
*"سیکشن 145 سی پی سی کے تحت ضامن کی ذمہ داری کا قانونی تجزیہ"مدیون کی وفات کے بعد ضامن کے خلاف ڈگری کا نفاذ: ضابطہ دیوانی کی روشنی میں""ضامن کے خلاف ڈگری کی تعمیل: کیا سی پی سی ضامن کو مدیون کے برابر رکھتا ہے؟"
2025 LHC 2559
فیصلہ ۔۔۔
"مدیون (قرض دار) کی وفات کے بعد بھی ضامن اپنی ذمہ داری سے سبکدوش نہیں ہوتا، جب تک ضمانت نامے میں ایسی کوئی شرط موجود نہ ہو جو اس کے برعکس ہو۔ قانون کی رو سے، محض مدیون کی وفات ضامن کو اس کے عہد سے آزاد نہیں کرتی۔

دیوانی مقدمات کے ضابطہ 1908 کے سیکشن 145 کے تحت، اگر کوئی شخص کسی ڈگری یا اس کے کسی حصے کی تکمیل، کسی جائیداد کی واپسی، یا عدالتی حکم کے تحت کسی رقم کی ادائیگی کی ضمانت دیتا ہے، تو اس حد تک جس میں اس نے خود کو ذاتی طور پر ذمہ دار ٹھہرایا ہو، اس کے خلاف بھی ڈگری نافذ کی جا سکتی ہے۔"

مقدمہ: WP. 63942 of 2024
فریقین: رشید احمد بمقابلہ ایڈیشنل ڈسٹرکٹ جج
فیصلہ: عدالت میں علانیہ سنایا گیا – 17 مارچ 2025
ریفرنس: 2025 LHC 2559

قانونی تجزیاتی جائزہ
2025 LHC 2559 — WP No. 63942 of 2024
رشید احمد بنام ایڈیشنل ڈسٹرکٹ جج وغیرہ
فیصلہ مؤرخہ: 17-03-2025
از Lahore High Court

اہم قانونی نکتہ
اس فیصلہ میں عدالتِ عالیہ نے یہ اصول واضح کیا کہ:

“مدیون (Judgment Debtor) کی وفات بذاتِ خود ضامن (Surety) کو اس کی ضمانتی ذمہ داری سے بری نہیں کرتی، الا یہ کہ ضمانت نامہ میں کوئی واضح شرط اس کے برعکس موجود ہو۔”

یہ اصول ضابطہ دیوانی 1908 کی دفعہ 145 CPC کی تشریح پر مبنی ہے، جو ضامن کو محدود حد تک مدیون کے برابر ذمہ دار قرار دیتی ہے۔

1۔ دفعہ 145 CPC کی قانونی حیثیت
دفعہ 145 CPC کا متن مفہومًا یہ ہے کہ:

اگر کسی شخص نے:

کسی ڈگری کی ادائیگی کی ضمانت دی ہو؛

کسی مال/جائیداد کی واپسی کی ضمانت دی ہو؛

یا کسی عدالتی حکم کے تحت رقم کی ادائیگی یا کسی فعل کی انجام دہی کی ضمانت دی ہو؛

تو اس کے خلاف بھی اسی عدالت کے ذریعے عمل درآمد ہو سکتا ہے۔

اہم قانونی اثر
یہ دفعہ ضامن کے خلاف الگ مقدمہ دائر کرنے کی ضرورت ختم کرتی ہے۔

یعنی:

Ex*****on can proceed directly against the surety.

یہی اصول عدالت نے اس کیس میں اپنایا۔

2۔ ضامن کی ذمہ داری “Co-Extensive” ہے یا محدود؟
عام اصول کے مطابق Contract of Guarantee میں ضامن کی ذمہ داری principal debtor کے ساتھ co-extensive ہوتی ہے، مگر:

پاکستانی قانون میں دفعہ 145 CPC کے تحت ذمہ داری ہمیشہ اسی حد تک ہوگی:

“to the extent to which he has rendered himself personally liable.”

یعنی:

اگر ضمانت نامہ میں رقم محدود ہو تو ذمہ داری بھی محدود ہوگی؛
اگر شرط مشروط ہو تو نفاذ بھی اسی شرط کے تابع ہوگا۔

عدالت نے یہی کہا کہ ضمانت نامہ (Surety Bond) کی زبان فیصلہ کن ہے۔

3۔ مدیون کی وفات کے بعد قانونی پوزیشن
عام طور پر مدیون کی وفات کے بعد:

اس کی جائیداد ورثاء / Legal Heirs کے ذریعے نمائندگی کرتی ہے؛

ڈگری اس کے ترکہ سے وصول کی جاتی ہے۔

لیکن جہاں ضامن موجود ہو وہاں:

قانون ضامن کو مستقل ذمہ دار مانتا ہے۔

کیونکہ ضمانت ایک independent undertaking ہے۔

لہٰذا مدیون کی وفات:

نہ ex*****on روکتی ہے؛

نہ surety کو discharge کرتی ہے؛

نہ decree-holder کو پہلے ورثاء کے خلاف جانے پر مجبور کرتی ہے۔

یہ اس فیصلہ کا بنیادی ratio decidendi ہے۔

4۔ قانونِ شہادت کا اطلاق
Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 کے تحت:

جب ضمانت نامہ تحریری ہو تو:

زبانی شہادت اس کی شرائط بدلنے کیلئے قابل قبول نہیں؛

اصل دستاویز کی wording دیکھی جائے گی۔

لہٰذا اگر surety bond میں یہ نہیں لکھا کہ:

“liability shall cease on death of judgment debtor”

تو عدالت ایسی شرط فرض نہیں کرے گی۔

5۔ عملدرآمد (Ex*****on Proceedings) میں ضامن کے حقوق
اگرچہ ضامن ذمہ دار ہے، مگر اسے یہ حقوق حاصل ہیں:

(i) اعتراضات دائر کرنے کا حق
سیکشن 47 CPC کے تحت ex*****on، discharge یا satisfaction سے متعلق سوال اٹھا سکتا ہے۔

(ii) حدِ ذمہ داری پر اعتراض
کہ:

ضمانت مخصوص رقم تک تھی؛

مخصوص مدت تک تھی؛

مشروط تھی؛

شرط پوری نہیں ہوئی۔

(iii) Fraud / Misrepresentation
اگر ضمانت دھوکہ سے لی گئی ہو۔

مگر محض یہ کہنا کہ:

“اصل مدیون فوت ہو گیا”

کافی دفاع نہیں۔

6۔ فیملی مقدمات میں اطلاق
یہ فیصلہ خاص طور پر فیملی لا پریکٹس میں اہم ہے۔

مثلاً:

اگر شوہر:

نان نفقہ؛

حق مہر؛

بچوں کے اخراجات

کی ادائیگی کیلئے ضمانت دے یا ضامن پیش کرے؛

تو decree-holder wife یا minors، ضامن کے خلاف ex*****on کر سکتے ہیں۔

یہ اصول Family Courts Act, 1964 کے تحت family decrees پر بھی لاگو ہو سکتا ہے۔

آپ کی پریکٹس میں Child Custody / Maintenance matters میں یہ نظیر بہت مؤثر ہے۔

7۔ آئینی پہلو
عدالت کے احکامات کی effective enforcement، آئینِ پاکستان 1973 کے تحت rule of law کا حصہ ہے۔

خصوصاً:

Constitution of Pakistan کا آرٹیکل 4
اور
آرٹیکل 10-A (Fair Trial)

یہ تقاضا کرتے ہیں کہ:

decree-holder کو موثر remedy ملے؛

surety کو fair hearing ملے۔

یہ فیصلہ دونوں حقوق میں توازن پیدا کرتا ہے۔

Ratio Decidendi
ضامن کے خلاف براہِ راست ex*****on maintainable ہے۔

مدیون کی وفات surety کو discharge نہیں کرتی۔

Surety bond کی شرائط فیصلہ کن ہیں۔

Separate suit کی ضرورت نہیں۔

ضامن کی liability bond کے مطابق limited یا co-extensive ہو سکتی ہے۔

قانونی اہمیت برائے وکلاء
یہ فیصلہ درج ذیل مقدمات میں cite کیا جا سکتا ہے:

Ex*****on against surety

Family maintenance decrees

Recovery suits

Stay orders کے عوض furnished securities

Bail bonds / indemnity related civil enforcement matters

موزوں قانونی عنوانات
“Death of Judgment Debtor Does Not Discharge Surety under Section 145 CPC”

“Ex*****on Against Surety after Death of Principal Debtor”

“Surety’s Liability in Ex*****on Proceedings: Scope of Section 145 CPC”

“ضامن کی ذمہ داری مدیون کی وفات سے ختم نہیں ہوتی”

“دفعہ 145 سی پی سی کے تحت ضامن کے خلاف براہ راست عملدرآمد”

12/04/2026

پنجاب بھر کے سائلین اور وکلاء متوجہ ہوں! 15 اپریل کے بعد ریونیو عدالتوں کا پرانا نظام ہمیشہ کے لیے دفن ہونے جا رہا ہے—اب انصاف صرف ڈیجیٹل ہوگا!

بورڈ آف ریونیو پنجاب نے ایک تاریخی نوٹیفکیشن جاری کرتے ہوئے "ریونیو کورٹس مینجمنٹ سسٹم" (RCMS) کو لازمی قرار دے دیا ہے۔ اب پنجاب کی تمام ریونیو عدالتوں میں نئے مقدمات کا اندراج صرف اور صرف آن لائن پورٹل کے ذریعے ہی ممکن ہوگا۔ 15 اپریل 2026 سے کوئی بھی دستی یا مینول درخواست قبول نہیں کی جائے گی اور نہ ہی اسے قانونی طور پر پروسیس کیا جائے گا۔ سب سے اہم اور سخت ہدایت یہ ہے کہ اب کوئی بھی اپیلٹ کورٹ ایسے کیس کو سرے سے سنے گی ہی نہیں جس کا فیصلہ نچلی عدالت نے RCMS کے ذریعے جنریٹ نہ کیا ہو۔ یہ فیصلہ ریونیو افسران کی من مانیوں کو روکنے اور عدالتی عمل کو مکمل شفاف بنانے کے لیے کیا گیا ہے۔ تمام کمشنرز اور ڈپٹی کمشنرز کو اس حکم پر سختی سے عملدرآمد کروانے کی ہدایات جاری کر دی گئی ہیں۔ کسی بھی قسم کی کوتاہی یا مینول کام کی صورت میں متعلقہ افسر کے خلاف سنگین تادیبی کارروائی عمل میں لائی جائے گی۔ اب آپ کے زمین کے مقدمات کا پورا ریکارڈ ایک کلک پر دستیاب ہوگا جسے کوئی غائب یا تبدیل نہیں کر سکے گا۔

سالہا سال سے ریونیو عدالتوں میں فائلیں گم ہونا اور ریکارڈ میں ٹمپرنگ کے الزامات ایک عام سی بات بن چکے تھے جس سے سائلین رل جاتے تھے۔ سائلین کو اپنے کیس کی اگلی تاریخ یا فیصلے کی نقل حاصل کرنے کے لیے کئی کئی ماہ تک سرکاری دفاتر کے چکر کاٹنے پڑتے تھے۔ اسی فرسودہ نظام اور کرپشن کو ختم کرنے کے لیے بورڈ آف ریونیو نے اب جدید ٹیکنالوجی کا سہارا لینے کا حتمی فیصلہ کیا ہے۔ اس ڈیجیٹل سسٹم کا مقصد مقدمات کے اندراج سے لے کر حتمی فیصلے تک کے تمام مراحل کو کمپیوٹرائزڈ کرنا ہے تاکہ انسانی مداخلت کم سے کم ہو۔ یہ نوٹیفکیشن ان تمام عناصر کے لیے ایک بڑی وارننگ ہے جو ریکارڈ میں ہیرا پھیری کر کے غریب سائلین کا حق مارتے تھے۔ اب پنجاب بھر کا ریونیو نظام ایک نئے، تیز رفتار اور شفاف ڈیجیٹل دور میں داخل ہو رہا ہے۔

لازمی ڈیجیٹل اندراج: 15 اپریل 2026 کے بعد تمام نئے ریونیو کیسز کا اندراج صرف RCMS کے ذریعے ہوگا۔

مینول سسٹم کا خاتمہ: ہاتھ سے لکھی درخواستوں یا پرانی فائلوں پر اب کوئی عدالتی کارروائی نہیں کی جائے گی۔

اپیل پر پابندی: اگر نچلی عدالت کا فیصلہ ڈیجیٹل سسٹم سے جاری نہیں ہوا، تو اسے کسی بھی اعلیٰ عدالت میں چیلنج نہیں کیا جا سکے گا۔

افسران کی جوابدہی: پنجاب بھر کے تمام کمشنرز اور ڈی سیز اس نئے ڈیجیٹل سسٹم پر عملدرآمد کروانے کے قانونی طور پر پابند ہوں گے۔

اس انقلابی تبدیلی سے عام شہری کو سب سے بڑا فائدہ یہ ہوگا کہ "پٹواری کلچر" اور عدالتی عملے کے غیر ضروری اثر و رسوخ میں واضح کمی آئے گی۔ آپ کا کیس اب کسی اندھیرے کمرے میں فائلوں کے ڈھیر تلے نہیں دبے گا، بلکہ آن لائن مانیٹرنگ کی وجہ سے متعلقہ افسران مقررہ وقت پر فیصلے کرنے کے پابند ہوں گے۔

نظام کی ڈیجیٹلائزیشن تو خوش آئند ہے، لیکن سوال یہ پیدا ہوتا ہے کہ کیا ہمارے دور دراز تحصیلوں میں بیٹھا عملہ اس پیچیدہ سسٹم کو چلانے کی مکمل تربیت رکھتا ہے؟ کہیں ایسا نہ ہو کہ ٹیکنالوجی کے نام پر سائلین کو نئے طریقے سے ہراساں کیا جائے؛ ڈیجیٹل سسٹم صرف اسی صورت کامیاب ہوگا جب اس کی مانیٹرنگ بھی اتنی ہی سخت ہو۔

09/04/2026

کسی بھی تحفے کو جو منگنی کے وقت دولہا کو دیا جائے، جہیز کا حصہ نہیں سمجھا جا سکتا کیونکہ وہ سامان بیوی کی ملکیت نہیں بلکہ شوہر کی ملکیت ہوتا ہے۔ جہیز صرف وہ سامان ہے جو شادی کے وقت دلہن کو دیا جاتا ہے، اور وہی سامان جہیز میں شمار ہوتا ہے جو شادی کے موقع پر دلہن کو دیا جائے نہ کہ منگنی کے وقت دولہا کو دیے جانے والے تحفے۔

🔴 PLD 2023 Lahore 669

Before Anwaar Hussain, J

MUHAMMAD AFZAL---Petitioner

Versus

ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE, LAHORE and 3 others---Respondents

Writ Petition No. 57778 of 2022, heard on 26th April, 2023.

🍀(a) Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)---🍀

----S. 5, Sched.---Suit for recovery of dowry articles---Husband's (petitioner) case was that there was no evidence that the car was given at the time of marriage as part of the dowry and that the Appellate Court had wrongly decreed the suit---Validity---Petitioner in response to the respondent's (wife) plaint had stated that the car was purchased with the cash provided by him, as such, it was also registered in his name in token of acknowledgment---Response of the petitioner, in his written statement, had exhibited an admission on part of the petitioner that the car, in fact, was purchased and transferred in the name of the petitioner, at the time of wedding, albeit with cash amount given by the petitioner---Petitioner had not proved his stance by leading any evidence---Moreover, there was no explanation as to why the petitioner remained mum and did not demand the delivery of the car, from the father of respondent for a considerable period of time, when the marriage between the parties was subsisting and the relationship was cordial, therefore, the assertion of petitioner that no such car was ever purchased or delivered to the petitioner was baseless and hence, discarded---Constitutional petitions were disposed of accordingly.

🍀(b) Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)---🍀

----S. 5, Sched.---Suit for recovery of dowry articles---Alternate price of dowry articles---Appreciation of value of dowry articles---Scope---Husband's (petitioner) case was that there was no evidence that the car was given at the time of marriage as part of the dowry and that the Appellate Court had wrongly decreed the suit---Wife's (respondent) case was that alternate price of the car had not been properly determined/ascertained by the Appellate Court and the prayer was made for award of current market value of the car and not the date on which it was given---Validity---In case of articles such as the car, while determining/ascertaining amount of money as an alternate price, the principle of appreciation should be kept in mind inasmuch as if the principle of depreciation is to be considered with respect to one set of the dowry articles such as furniture, etc., which involves depreciation of articles on account of wear and tear, the principle of appreciation must also be taken into account with respect to such other articles that involve increase in value---Failure to do so would not only by iniquitous but would also put premium on the unlawful retention of such dowry articles by the husband even after the dissolution of marriage or demand for return of the same by the wife---Wife was held entitled to recover the market value of the car as on the date of realization of the decree---Constitutional petitions were disposed of accordingly.

🍀(c) Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)---🍀

----S. 5, Sched.---Suit for recovery of dowry articles---Alternate price of dowry articles---Appreciation and depreciation of value of dowry articles---Scope---Primarily a suit for the return of dowry articles, whenever decided, is decreed by the Courts as such with the observation that in case of failure, on the part of the judgment-debtor, to return the said articles, as an alternate, the amount equivalent to the price of dowry articles is to be paid and while determining the alternate value of the dowry articles, the Courts consider the depreciation of most of the dowry articles on account of normal and natural wear and tear thereof that takes place over the passage of time since marriage of the parties---Rationale underlying the application of principle of depreciation is that the dowry articles are to be returned in their current position and if the same is not done, their price is to be paid as an alternate and since most of the value of dowry articles put to use during subsistence of marriage do undergo depreciation on account of daily use, therefore, while determining the alternate price, it is justifiable that the depreciation in value of such articles is to be taken into account---However, one cannot lose sight of the fact that there may be some articles forming part of the dowry, for instance, the gold ornaments or the vehicles or even few electrical appliances, etc., value whereof may appreciate over the years.

🍀(d) Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)---🍀

----S. 5, Sched.---Suit for recovery of dowry articles---Gold ornaments---Scope---Gold ornaments are always possessed by females unless snatching is not only alleged but also proved.

Javed Iqbal v. Additional District Judge Faisalabad and another 2017 CLC Note 25 and Muhammad Saeed v. Additional District Judge and others 2019 CLC 1008 ref.

🍀(e) Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)---🍀

----S. 5, Sched.---Suit for recovery of dowry articles---Dowry articles---Meaning---Any gift given to the groom at the time of engagement, cannot be treated as part of the dowry as the same is not the property of wife rather ownership vests with the husband---Dowry is only such articles that are given at the time of marriage to the bride and not the gifts to the bridegroom at the time of engagement.

Abdul Razzaq Younas for Petitioner.

Muhammad Younas Bhullar for Respondents Nos.3 and 4.

Date of hearing: 26th April, 2023.

🔴 JUDGMENT

ANWAAR HUSSAIN, J.---Through this single judgment, the present as well as connected constitutional petition bearing W.P. No.60517/2022 are intended to be decided by this Court. Respondent No.3, namely, Mst. Madiha Kiran has filed the connected constitutional petition. Both the petitions have laid challenge to the findings of the learned Appellate Court below, rendered in proceedings emanating from the suits instituted by respondents Nos.3 and 4 (respondents Nos.3 and 4 are hereinafter collectively referred as 'the respondents').

2. Briefly stated facts of the case are that the respondents instituted three suits. The first suit was for recovery of maintenance allowance and delivery expenses whereas the second suit was for recovery of dowry articles or in alternate prevailing market price thereof; and the third suit was instituted for dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty along with recovery of the dower. Suit to the extent of dissolution of marriage became infructuous as during the pendency of the third suit, the petitioner divorced respondent No.3. The suits were consolidated and issues were accordingly framed. After recording evidence led by the parties, the learned Trial Court decreed the suit of the respondents, vide judgment and decree dated 30.10.2021, in the following terms:

"1. The plaintiff No.1 is entitled to recover maintenance @ Rs.10,000/- per month from the date of her desertion i.e. January, 2018 from the defendant till her legal entitlement.

2. The plaintiff No.2/minor is entitled to recover maintenance @ Rs.15,000/- per month from his date of birth till his legal entitlement with 10% annual increment. It is made clear that annual increment shall be calculated from 30.10.2022. The interim maintenance paid during trial shall be adjusted accordingly.

3. Plaintiff is not entitled to recover expenses incurred on reception of Barat i.e. Rs.19,52,900/-.

4. Plaintiff is entitled to recover maternity/delivery expenses to the tune of Rs.20,000/- from the defendant.

5. Plaintiff is not entitled to recover dower amount mentioned in column No.13 of Nikahnama.

6. Plaintiff is held entitled to recover dowry articles mentioned in Annexure A to Annexure I, from the defendant except items mentioned in Annexure-A, Annexure B and items mentioned against Sr. Nos. 06 and 08 in Annexure-E in their existing condition. And, in absence of dowry articles, she is entitled to recover Rs.1700,000/- as alternate price from the defendant."

Feeling aggrieved, the respondents preferred appeal, which was partially accepted by the learned Additional District Judge, Lahore, vide judgment and decree dated 14.07.2022. The judgment and decree of the learned Trial Court has been modified and respondent No.3 has been held entitled to the recovery of Toyota Corolla GLi, Model 2017 (hereinafter referred to as 'the car') or its alternate price i.e., Rs.2,285,000/-.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instructions, submits that he is only challenging the findings of the learned Appellate Court below pertaining to the award of the car and does not lay challenge to the findings of learned Appellate Court below to the extent of maintenance, expenses incurred on birth of respondent No.4, dowry articles etc. Inter alia, avers that the car does not exist and the documents prepared in respect thereof were fictitious. Adds that the car was never delivered to the petitioner; that registration book of the car was not brought on record; that in criminal case registered in respect of the misappropriation of the car, nothing was brought on record to indicate that the petitioner was involved in any wrong doing; that respondent No.3 is not participating in the trial in respect of the criminal case registered regarding the car; and merely on the basis of registration of a criminal case, the learned Appellate Court below has upset the findings of the learned Trial Court, therefore, the said findings are not sustainable.

4. Conversely, learned counsel for the respondents submits that the petitioner is a practicing doctor and the amount awarded as maintenance does not commensurate with the sound financial position of the petitioner as well as prevailing inflation rate and therefore, in the interest of justice, amount of Rs.25,000/- per month is to be granted, as maintenance to the minor/respondent No.4. Adds that para 7 of the plaint of the second suit is self-explanatory in which claim regarding the giving of car, as well as motorcycle at the time of engagement, has been mentioned and that the learned Courts below have erred in not awarding the motorcycle inasmuch as any property given in reference to a marriage is to be considered as part of the dowry articles. Places reliance upon case reported as "Mirza Arshad Baig v. Additional District Judge, Multan and others" (2005 SCMR 1740) in support of his contentions. Further contends that the alternate value of the car has not been properly determined by the learned Appellate Court below and draws the attention of this Court to Exh.P-3 and Exh.P-6 in reference to the proof of purchase of the car as well as Exh.P-9 regarding the gold ornaments. Adds that evidence regarding expenses incurred on the birth of respondent No.4 has been misread as well. Concludes that brothers of the petitioner also acknowledged giving of car as part of the dowry. In rebuttal, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that initially, the brothers of the petitioner, who persuaded and forced the petitioner to enter into marriage with respondent No. 3, were arrayed as defendants in the suit for recovery of dowry articles but their names were later on deleted and hence, any assertion regarding giving of the car in affidavits executed by brothers of the petitioner is not of any evidentiary value.

5. Arguments heard. Record perused.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner has laid emphasis on a single point to refute claim of respondent No.3, regarding the car, in the terms that there is no evidence available that the said vehicle was given at the time of the marriage as part of the dowry and, merely, on the basis of registration of a criminal case by father of respondent No.3 against the petitioner for misappropriation, the learned Appellate Court below has decreed the suit of respondent No.3 in respect of the car, whereas in respect of the same finding, it is the claim of respondent No.3 that alternate value of the car has not been properly determined/ascertained by the learned Appellate Court below and prayer has been made for award of present market value of the car. This Court will first address this core issue. Perusal of the record reveals that in her plaint, for recovery of dowry articles, in para 7 thereof, respondent No.3 asserted the following facts:

"7. That at the time of marriage, a new Toyota Car APL4, Auto-GLi, colour white, 1299-CC, bearing Engine No.Z500924, Chassis No.NZE170R-4127111, Model 2017, purchased by the father of the plaintiff from TOYOTA JINNAH MOTORS, 23-km Ferozpur Road, Lahore against Rs.22,85,000/- along with documents was given to plaintiff in dowry but was initially deployed on rent by the defendants and then subsequently sold out without any intimation."

Responding to the said paragraph, the petitioner took the following stance in his written statement:

"6) The vehicle mentioned in this Para was purchased with the cash provided by the answering defendant. It was also registered in the name of defendant in token of acknowledgment of cash provided by the defendant."

(Emphasis supplied)

In addition to the fact that respondent No.3 brought on record the sale invoice of the car, the above quoted response of the petitioner, in his written statement, exhibits an admission on part of the petitioner that the car, in-fact, was purchased and transferred in the name of the petitioner, at the time of wedding, albeit with cash amount given by the petitioner. Even if the stance of the petitioner is accepted that the car was purchased with the cash amount given by the petitioner, the same has not been proved by the petitioner by leading any evidence. Moreover, there is no explanation as to why the petitioner remained mum for not demanding the delivery of the car, from the father of respondent No.3 for a considerable period of time, when the marriage between the parties was subsisting and the relationship was cordial, therefore, the assertions of learned counsel for the petitioner that no such car was ever purchased or delivered to the petitioner are baseless to say the least and hence, discarded. As a natural corollary, the fact that the car was not recovered during investigation in the criminal case registered by the father of respondent No.3 becomes meaningless as the petitioner accepts registration of the case in his name.

7. Adverting to the fact that whether alternate value of the car was properly ascertained by the learned Appellate Court below, perusal of the impugned judgment reveals that value of the car has been fixed as Rs.2,285,000/- that is the amount, which was paid by the father of respondent No. 3 when the car was booked from M/s Toyota Jinnah Motors, in the year 2017, when the marriage of respondent No.3 with the petitioner took place. In this regard, it is imperative to note that primarily a suit for the return of dowry articles, whenever decided, is decreed by the Courts as such with the observation that in case of failure, on part of the judgment-debtor, to return the said articles, as an alternate, the amount equivalent to the price of dowry articles is ordered to be paid and while determining the alternate value of the dowry articles, the Courts consider the depreciation of most of the dowry articles on account of normal and natural wear and tear thereof that takes place over the passage of time since marriage of the parties. The rationale underlying the application of principle of depreciation is that the dowry articles are to be returned in their current position and if the same is not done, their price is to be paid as an alternate and since most of the value of dowry articles put to use during the subsistence of marriage do undergo depreciation on account of said daily use, therefore, while determining the alternate price, it is justifiable that the depreciation in value of such articles is to be taken into account. However, one cannot lose sight of the fact that there may be some articles forming part of the dowry, for instance, the gold ornaments or the vehicles or even few electrical appliances etc., value whereof may appreciate over the years. The car, in the instant case is such an article. Record depicts that giving of the car to respondent No.3, as part of her dowry has been established, as discussed hereinabove, and the same was registered in the name of the petitioner, at the time of his marriage with the former. Therefore, the principle i.e., the dowry article is to be returned in its present form, is applicable with respect to the car as well. In case of articles such as the car, while determining/ascertaining amount of money as an alternate price, the principle of appreciation should be kept in mind inasmuch as if the principle of depreciation is to be considered with respect to one set of the dowry articles such as furniture, etc., which involves depreciation of articles on account of wear and tear, the principle of appreciation must also be taken into account with respect to such other articles that involves increase in value. Failure to do so would not only be iniquitous but would also put premium on the unlawful retention of such dowry articles by the defendant/husband even after the dissolution of marriage or demand for return of the same by the plaintiff/wife. Therefore, the learned Appellate Court below erred in not considering the appreciation in the value of the car while fixing/ determining the alternate price thereof inasmuch as this is common knowledge that value of Pak Rupees has depreciated over the number of years and the value of new as well as used vehicles, like the car in instant case, is on continuous rise. Therefore, awarding amount spent on purchase of the car in the year 2017 is not justified and respondent No.3 is entitled to recover the market value of the car as on date of realization of the decree. Hence, connected constitutional petition bearing W.P. No.60517/2022, filed by the respondent, has force to this extent and the findings of the learned Appellate Court below merit modification.

8. As regards amount of monthly maintenance awarded, the respondents claim that the same should be fixed at the rate of Rs.25,000/- per month, per head, till their legal entitlement since the petitioner is a practicing doctor. This Court does not find merits in the arguments as the amount fixed by the learned Courts below is reasonable. Even otherwise, the marriage of the petitioner and respondent No.3 has come to an end and as regards maintenance awarded to respondent No.4 (the minor), he has been held entitled to 10% annual increase in maintenance amount of Rs.15,000/- per month with effect from 30.10.2022 and, therefore, the said increment caters for the growing financial needs of respondent No.4 as well as the rise in inflation rate, hence, no interference is required in this regard. Similarly, concurrent findings of the learned Courts below, to the extent of the remaining dowry articles, are also based on proper appreciation of record and no misreading or non-reading could be pointed out by learned counsel for the parties in general and learned counsel for the respondents in particular. Same is the position with respect to findings regarding the delivery charges incurred on birth of respondent No.4, expenses incurred on reception of barat and gold ornaments given as part of the dower. In addition, as regards gold ornaments, the learned Appellate Court below has put forth cogent reasons while observing that the gold ornaments were given as prompt dower and column No.14 of the Nikahnama between the parties clearly reflects that the same were paid at the time of solemnization of the nikah. Moreover, it is settled principle of law that the gold ornaments are always possessed by females unless snatching is not only alleged but also proved, which is not the position in the instant case. Therefore, respondent No.3 is not entitled to the grant of the gold ornaments. Cases titled "Javed Iqbal v. Additional District Judge Faisalabad and another" [2017 CLC Note 25 (Lahore)] and "Muhammad Saeed v. Additional District Judge and others" [2019 CLC 1008 (Lahore)] are referred in this regard. Adverting to the claim of respondent No.3 that a motorcycle was given at the time of engagement as gift to the petitioner and same also forms part of the dowry articles, needless to mention that any gift given to the groom at the time of engagement, cannot be treated as part of the dowry as the same is not the property of respondent No.3 rather ownership of said motorcycle vests with the petitioner. It is imperative to note that dowry is only such articles that are given at the time of marriage to the bride and not the gifts to the bridegroom at the time of engagement. Therefore, reliance placed by learned counsel for the petitioner on case of Mirza Arshad Baig supra is misplaced, on account of distinguishable facts.

9. The learned Appellate Court below, after re-appraising the evidence on record, has maintained findings of facts to the extent of dower, maintenance allowance, motorcycle, expense incurred on birth of respondent No.4 and expenditure on reception of barat and has modified the finding to the extent of the entitlement of respondent No.3 to the car given as part of dowry and the same does not merit interference. The Supreme Court of Pakistan in case reported as "Mst. Farah Naz v. Judge Family Court, Sahiwal and others" (PLD 2006 SC 457) has held as under:

"It was none of the business of the High Court in writ jurisdiction to substitute its own findings for the findings recorded by the court of appeal after due appraisal of evidence. We would, therefore, set aside the judgment of the High Court as well as that of the Family Court decreeing the suit in the sum of Rs.4,00,000 and restore the judgment of the appellate Court accepting the claim of the appellant, as pleaded in the suit."

10. In view of the above discussion, this Court is of the opinion that learned counsel for the petitioner could not point out any misreading or non-reading of evidence, jurisdictional defect or procedural impropriety in the findings of the learned Courts below in general and the learned Appellate Court below in particular, hence, present petition bearing W.P. No.57778/2022 is dismissed. Similarly, the prayer of respondent No.3 in connected petition, except to the extent of alternate value of the car determined by learned Appellate Court below, is also devoid of merits and hence, discarded. However, the connected petition bearing W.P. No.60517/ 2022 filed by the respondents is disposed of in the terms that respondent No.3 is entitled to recover market value of the car, from the petitioner, which can be ascertained/determined by the learned Executing Court, by having recourse to appointment of local commission/car dealers and the judgment of the learned Appellate Court below dated 14.07.2022 is accordingly modified.

SA/M-79/L Order accordingly.

Umair Shafique Mughal Family Lawyer Family Laws of Pakistan Law Teacher Online Law & Order: Legal Debates and Cases Legal Precedents in Civil Law Legal Precedents in Criminal Law

🍀جہیز کی واپسی --- والدین کی مالی حیثیت ایک فیصلہ کن عنصر --- قانونی حدود و دائرہ کار🍀

درخواست گزار نے اپنے سابق شوہر کے خلاف جہیز کے سامان کی واپسی کا دعویٰ دائر کیا اور متبادل طور پر ان کی قیمت کا مطالبہ کیا۔ فیملی کورٹ نے مقدمہ جزوی طور پر درخواست گزار کے حق میں فیصلہ سنایا، جسے اپیلٹ کورٹ نے برقرار رکھا۔

🌸قانونی اصول:🌸
دلہن کے والدین کی مالی حیثیت جہیز کے سامان کی مقدار اور قدر کے تعین میں فیصلہ کن حیثیت رکھتی ہے۔ مقدمے کے شواہد سے یہ ظاہر ہوا کہ درخواست گزار کے والدین شادی کے وقت اپنی 2/3 ایکڑ زرعی زمین سے حاصل ہونے والی محدود آمدنی پر انحصار کرتے تھے اور ان کے پاس ایسا غیر معمولی مالی ذریعہ موجود نہیں تھا جو دعویٰ کردہ جہیز کے سامان کی تصدیق کر سکے۔

دونوں ماتحت عدالتوں کے متفقہ فیصلے میں نہ تو کوئی خلافِ قانون پہلو ظاہر ہوا اور نہ ہی کسی بے جا اختیارات کے استعمال کی نشاندہی ہوئی۔ اس لیے ہائی کورٹ نے ان فیصلوں میں مداخلت نہ کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا۔آئینی درخواست ناقابل سماعت قرار دے کر مسترد کر دی گئی۔

🔴 2020 Y L R 282 [Lahore]

Before Shujaat Ali Khan, J

AZRA BIBI---Petitioner

Versus

LATEEF and others---Respondents

Writ Petition No. 8882 of 2016, decided on 25th September, 2019.

🍀Family Courts Act (###V of 1964)-🍀

----Ss. 5 & 7---Recovery of dowry---Value, determination of---Financial status of parents of bride---Determining factor---Scope---Petitioner filed suit for recovery of her dowry articles against her ex-husband and in alternate claimed price of dowry articles---Family Court partially decreed the suit in favour of petitioner which judgment and decree was maintained by Lower Appellate Court---Validity---Financial status of parents of bride was determining factor to adjudge quantum of dowry articles---Parents of petitioner at the time of her marriage were dependent on their agricultural income which was received by them from 2/3 acres of land---Parents of petitioner did not have extraordinary source of income to give dowry articles as claimed by her---High Court declined to interfere in concurrent findings by two Courts below as they were not proved to be perverse or result of arbitrariness---Constitutional petition was dismissed, in circumstances.

Shafique Sultan v. Mst. Asma Firdous and others 2017 SCMR 393 and Farhat Jabeen v. Muhammad Safdar and others 2011 SCMR 1073 rel.

Riaz Hussain Haleem for Petitioner.

Muzammal Hussain Qasmi for Respondent No. 1.

🔴 ORDER

SHUJAAT ALI KHAN, J.---Unnecessary details apart, the petitioner filed a suit for dissolution of marriage and recovery of dowry articles worth Rs.9,80,800/- which was partially decreed by the learned Judge Family Court, Bhowana (the learned Trial Court) vide ex-parte judgment and decree, dated 25.11.2014 and she was held entitled to recover Rs. 75,000/- as alternate price of the dowry articles. Being dissatisfied with the verdict of the learned Trial Court, both the parties filed their independent appeals. The learned Additional District Judge, Chiniot (learned Appellate Court) through consolidated judgment and decree, dated 20.01.2016, dismissed both the appeals; hence this petition.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that though the petitioner proved her claim, as set out in the plaint, but the learned Trial Court curtailed the same manifold whose findings were illegally upheld by learned Appellate Court; that when DW-1 admitted in cross-examination that the dowry articles were shifted to his house on tractor trolley the petitioner was entitled to decree for recovery of dowry articles as prayed for and that though the petitioner raised number of substantial questions before learned Appellate Court but the same were not attended to. Relies on Shafique Sultan v. Mst. Asma Firdous and others (2017 SCMR 393).

3. Conversely, learned counsel for respondent No.1, while defending the impugned judgments and decrees of the courts below, states that concurrent findings of facts cannot be upset by this Court in exercise of its Constitutional jurisdiction; that when the petitioner failed to prove sound financial status of her parents, at the time of her marriage, she was not entitled to the relief claimed in the suit; that both the PWs admitted that the parents of the petitioner were dependent on their income from 2/3 acres of agricultural land, thus, they were not in a position to give dowry articles of such magnitude as claimed by the petitioner in the suit; that the PWs contradicted on the point of preparation of list of dowry articles; that a glance over the list of dowry articles shows that exaggerated prices were mentioned therein.

4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties at considerable length and have also gone through the documents, annexed with this petition, as well as the case-law cited at the bar.

5. According to recitals of the plaint, the petitioner was given dowry articles valuing Rs.9,80,800/-. It is well established by now that financial status of parents of bride is determining factor to adjudge the quantum of dowry articles. Insofar as the case in hand is concerned, admittedly, parents of the petitioner at the time of her marriage, were dependent on their agricultural income being received by them from 2/3 acres of land, thus, it cannot be believed that they had extra-ordinary source of income to give dowry articles as claimed in the plaint.

6. It is very astonishing to note that in his cross-examination the petitioner showed her inability to specify the detail of dowry articles or name of the shop-keeper or the shop from where the dowry articles were purchased. There is no denying the fact that hard and fast rules contained in Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 are not applicable to familial matters, however, a plaintiff in such suit is bound to prove her claim as set out in the plaint but the said onus was not discharged by the petitioner.

7. As per law laid down by the Apex Court of the country in the case of Farhat Jabeen v. Muhammad Safdar and others (2011 SCMR 1073) concurrent findings of facts recorded by the courts below cannot be upset in Constitutional jurisdiction until and unless they are proved to be perverse or result of arbitrariness which is not the position in the case in hand.

8. For what has been discussed above, I see no force in this petition which is dismissed with no order as to costs.

MH/A-94/L Pet

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