RADHAMMA T Vs. K K SRIVASTHAVA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) QUESTION to be considered in this order is regarding the rate of court fee payable for filing contempt of court cases in the High Court when there are more than one petitioner. Item 11(1) of II Schedule of the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1959 reads as follows:

(2.) THIS Contempt of Court Case is filed alleging that Annexure A1 judgment in O.P. No.21201 of 1998 was not implemented. The above Original Petition was filed by seven persons. Therefore, when contempt of court case was filed all the seven persons joined as complainants (petitioners). Registry insisted that since there are seven complainants, seven sets of court fees (Rs.100 x 7 = Rs.700/-) shall be paid. Hence this reference.

(3.) UNDER Schedule II Item 1(4), for filing CCC in the High Court fee prescribed is Rs.100/-. Whereas under sub cl.(3) for filing original petitions before the High Court, fee is Rs.100/- per petitioner. The words per petitioner are conspicuously absent here. Therefore, fee prescribed for filing CCC is only Rs.100/- irrespective of the number of petitioners. Registry should number the case.