Syed SULTAN HUSSAIN vs BAHADUR KHAN
This petition for leave to appeal arose from a civil suit filed by the respondent, Bahadur Khan, against the petitioner, Sultan Hussain, in the Court of the Civil Judge, Swabi. The core legal question concerned the validity of a decree passed by the trial court based on a settlement reached through an oath taken on the Holy Quran. During the proceedings, the plaintiff offered to take an oath to prove his claim, and the defendant consented to be bound by the outcome of that oath, subsequently requesting that the suit be decreed in the plaintiff's favor. The trial court decreed the suit accordingly, a decision upheld by the Additional District Judge and subsequently affirmed by the Peshawar High Court in civil revision. The Supreme Court held that the petition lacked merit, reasoning that the petitioner had voluntarily undertaken to abide by the oath taken by the respondent. Consequently, the Court affirmed the trial court's decision, establishing the principle that a party is bound by a decree passed on the basis of a solemn oath when they have explicitly consented to such a procedure.
- Is a decree passed on the basis of a solemn oath taken by a party binding on the defendant who consented to the procedure?
- Can a defendant challenge a decree where they explicitly requested the court to pass the decree based on the plaintiff's oath?
ORDER
MIAN BURHANUDDIN KHAN, J.--By this petition leave is sought to appeal against the judgment and order of the Peshawar High Court dated 22-2-1986 passed in Civil Revision No. 29 of 1986.
2. Bahadur Khan, respondent herein, filed a civil suit in the Court of the Civil Judge, Swabi against Hasan Khan and Hussain Khan. The suit was resisted by them and later on the name of Hasan Khan was deleted from the array of the defendants. After the close of the evidence of the parties, the plaintiff /respondent gave a statement that if the defendant /petitioner takes an oath, his suit may be dismissed. The plaintiff /respondent took an oath to prove his claim whereas the defendant /petitioner also made his statement, that the decree be passed in favour of the plaintiff /respondent. It was on the basis of the oath taken by the plaintiff /respondent that a decree was passed in his favour against the defendant /petitioner vide order dated 28-9-1985 by the learned Civil Judge, Swabi. Appeal filed by the petitioner against the judgment and decree of the trial Court was dismissed by the learned Additional District judge per order dated 3-12-1985 which order was challenged in Civil Revision No. 29 of 1986 before the Peshawar High Court which resulted in the impugned order, dated 22-2-1986.
3. At the very outset it may be said that this petition has no merit and is liable to be rejected on the ground that the petitioner had undertaken to abide by the oath taken by the plaintiff /respondent on the Holy Quran before the learned Senior Civil Judge and the learned trial Court was justified in decreeing the suit of the plaintiff /respondent. Learned counsel could not point out any illegality or infirmity in the impugned order. The order of the learned Senior Civil Judge reads as follows:- "During the recording of evidence, offer was made for decision of the case on oath. The plaintiff agreed to take the oath on the Holy Qur'an and he took the oath saying that his claim was just and correct. On this the defendant gave a statement that suit of the plaintiff be decreed against the defendant (petitioner herein):"
In the light of above, we find no merit in this petition which is, accordingly, dismissed.