Inder Chand (D) Thr. His LRs. v. Motilal (D) Thr. His LRs.
Background
A Rajasthan High Court first appeal (S.B. Civil Regular First Appeal No. 36/1976) had already been finally disposed of by an order dated 12 March 1987. Years later, in execution proceedings, the executing court passed a fresh order dated 22 July 2010 that effectively modified what had already been settled by the earlier, Supreme-Court-approved order, and an execution petition (No. 13/2010) was pending on that basis.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court held that once an order of the High Court had already received the seal of approval of the Supreme Court, it was not open to the High Court to modify that order afterward. The Court therefore allowed the appeal, directed that specific paragraphs of the 2010 order (which had purported to keep the interlocutory application alive and stall the execution petition) be deleted, and clarified that the interlocutory application had, in fact, already stood disposed of by virtue of the 1987 order. The appeal was finally disposed of as allowed, with the executing court directed to proceed accordingly and no order as to costs.
Lesson Learnt
Once a higher court has finally approved and closed a matter, a lower court or executing court cannot reopen or modify that settled position years later: finality of judicial orders must be respected at every subsequent stage, including execution.