Section 51 CPC - Code of Civil Procedure - Powers of Court to Enforce Execution

Subject to such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed, the Court may, on the application of the decree-holder, Order execution of the decree-

(a) by delivery of any property specifically decreed;

(b) by attachment and sale or by the sale without attachment of any property;

(c) by arrest and detention in prison 1[for such period not exceeding the period specified in section 58, where arrest and detention is permissible under that section];

(d) by appointing a receiver; or

(e) in such other manner as the nature of the relief granted may require:

2[Provided that, where the decree is for the payment of money, execution by detention in prison shall not be Ordered unless, after giving the judgment-debtor an opportunity of showing cause why he should not be committed to prison, the Court, for reasons recorded in writing, is satisfied-

(a) that the judgment-debtor, with the object or effect of obstructing or delaying the execution of the decree,-

(i) is likely to abscond or leave the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Court, or

(ii) has, after the institution of the suit in which the decree was passed, dishonestly transferred, concealed, or removed any part of his property, or committed any other act of bad faith in relation to his property, or

(b) that the judgment-debtor has, or has had since the date of the decree, the means to pay the amount of the decree or some substantial part thereof and refuses or neglects or has refused or neglected to pay the same, or

(c) that the decree is for a sum for which the judgment-debtor was bound in a fiduciary capacity to account.

Explanation.-In the calculation of the means of the judgment-debtor for the purposes of clause (b), there shall be left out of account any property which, by or under any law or custom having the force of law for the time being in force, is exempt from attachment in execution of the decree.]

STATE AMENDMENTS

Uttar Pradesh-In section 51 of the Code Clause (bb) shall be inserted after clause (b).

"(bb) by transfer other than sale by attachment or without attachment of any property"

[Vide U.P. Act No. 24 of 1954, sec. 2 and Sch I, Item 5, Entry 4 (w.e.f. 30-11-1954)].

COMMENTS

Money decree passed against the company and its managing director. Held, the decree is not passed against Managing Director in his individual capacity. He cannot be sent to jail in enforcement of the decree; M/s. March Ltd. (In Liqn.), Chandigarh v. M/s. Pan India Plastic Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, AIR 1993 P&H 215: 1993 (1) Bank LT 127: 1993 (1) Land LR 431.

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1. Ins. by Act 104 of 1976, sec. 21 (w.e.f. 1?2?1977).

2. Ins. by Act 21 of 1936, sec. 2.