LI Network
Published on: November 23, 2023 at 14:38 IST
To alleviate the caseload on the Bombay High Court, the Bombay City Civil Court’s pecuniary jurisdiction has been increased from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 10 crore for suits valued up to the latter amount.
The amendment, receiving the Governor’s assent on November 20, 2023, was officially gazetted, modifying Section 3 of the Bombay City Civil Court Act, 1948.
The revised clause in the Act now reads, “In section 3 of the Bombay City Civil Court Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”),— (i) for the words “, not exceeding rupees one crore in value,” the words “, not exceeding rupees ten crore in value,” shall be substituted.”
The legislative changes, allowing the Bombay City Civil Court to handle and adjudicate suits and proceedings of a civil nature within Greater Mumbai valued up to Rs. 10 crore, had been previously sanctioned by both the Maharashtra Legislative Council and the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The previous increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Bombay City Civil Court had occurred in 2012 when the limit was raised to Rs. 1 crore. Explaining the rationale behind the recent amendment, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated in the Bill’s statement and objects, “Over the period of more than ten years, the value of properties in Mumbai has escalated sharply. Due to the sharp escalation in the value of properties, the valuation of civil suits relating to properties in Mumbai has also been increased, resulting in the filing of a greater number of suits in the High Court instead of the Bombay City Civil Court.”
This legislative adjustment is anticipated to transfer a significant number of pending civil suits, amounting to over 8,672, from the Bombay High Court to the Bombay City Civil Court, streamlining the judicial process and contributing to more efficient case management.