M/S.Air Travel Enterprises India Limited v. S.Thirumal
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
(ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION) WEDNESDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF APRIL 2022 THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY C.S.No. 349 of 2019 AIR TRAVEL ENTERPRISES INDIA LTD., Represented by its Regional Manager, Mr. Janakiraman, Crystal Lawn, Ground Floor - B, No.20, 1st Street, Haddows Road, Wallace Graden, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 006.
... Plaintiff -Vs1. Mr. S. THIRUMAL, Proprietor, M/s, T.P.S. Exports, Flat No.S1, Land Marvel, 2nd Floor, No.21, Kalkikrishnamurthy Salai, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.
2. Mrs. T. LATHA, Authorised Signatory, M/s. T.P.S. Exports, Flat No.S1, Land Marvel, 2nd Floor, No.21, Kalkikrishnamurthy Salai, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.
... Defendants Civil Suit praying that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to pass a judgment and decree against the Defendants 1 & 2
(i) To pay a sum of Rs.1,08,78,464/- [Rupees One Crore Eight Lakhs Seventy Eight Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four only] together with future interest at the rate of 24% p.a. on Rs.1,08,78,464/- [Rupees One Crore Eight Lakhs Seventy Eight Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four only] from the date of filing of the plaint till its realization. This Civil Suit coming on this day before this court for hearing in the presence of M/s.M.Abdul Razack & V.
Vivek, Advocates for the plaintiffs herein and the defendants herein, not appearing in person or by advocate and the said defendants herein having been set exparte and upon reading the plaint filed herein and the other exhibits therein referred to and upon perusing the evidence adduced therein and this Court having observed that the plaintiff has established that it is entitled to the suit claim, as reards interest, the plaintiff has claimed interest at 24% p.a. on the ground that it is a commercial transaction, since there is no contractual rate of interest, interest should be fixed at a reasonable rate, keeping in mind the interest rate prevailing during the relevant period, interest is awarded at the rate of 18% p.a.
That the defendants herein, do pay to the plaintiff herein, a sum of Rs.1,66,64,764/- (Rupees One Crore Sixty Six Lakhs Sixty Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four only) with further interest at the rate of 18% per annum on the sum of Rs.1,08,78,464/- (Rupees One Crore Eight Lakhs Seventy Eight Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four only) from this date till the date of realisation.
2. That the defendants herein, shall also pay costs assessed in a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs only) and the aforesaid costs includes a sum of Rs.1,12,310/- (Rupees One Lakh Twelve Thousand Three Hundred and Ten only) towards Court Fees and the remainder towards lawyer's fees and other expenses.
WITNESS THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MUNISHWAR NATH BHANDARI, CHIEF JUSTICE, HIGH COURT AT MADRAS AFORESAID, THIS THE 13TH DAY OF APRIL 2022.
Sd/- ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (Comm.Cases) //Certified to be true copy// Dated at Madras this the day of 2022. COURT OFFICER(O.S.) From 25th Day of September 2008 the Registry is issuing certified copies of the Orders/Judgments/Decrees in this format.
ED 28.04.2022 C.S.No. 349 of 2019 DECREE DATED :13.04.2022 THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY FOR APPROVAL: 18.05.2022 APPROVED ON : 31.05.2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated: 13.04.2022
CORAM
The Hon'ble Mr. Justice SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY Civil Suit No.349 of 2019 Air Travel Enterprises India Ltd, Represented by its Regional Manager, Mr.Janakiraman, Crystal Lawn, Ground Floor-B, No.20, Ist Street Haddows Road, Wallace Garden, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 006. ... Plaintiff vs.
1. S.Thirumal, Proprietor, M/s.T.P.S.Exports, Flat No.S1, Land Marvel, 2nd Floor, No.21, Kalkikrishnamurthy Salai, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041.
2. T.Latha, Authorized Signatory M/s.T.P.S.Exports, Flat No.S1, Land Marvel, 2nd Floor, No.21, Kalkikrishnamurthy Salai, Thirvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041. ... Defendant Civil Suit is filed under Order IV Rule 1 of Original Side Rules read with Order VII Rule 1 of CPC prays for a judgment and decree against defendants 1 and 2 (i) to pay a sum of Rs.1,08,78,464/- [Rupees One Crore
Eight Lakhs Seventy Eight Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four only] together with future interest at the rate of 24% p.a. On Rs.1,08,78,464/- [Rupees One Crore Eight Lakhs Seventy Eight Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four only] from the date of filing of the plaint till its realization. For Plaintiff : M/s.M.Abdul Razack V.Vivek
J U D G M E N T
The suit is filed for recovery of a sum of Rs.1,08,78,464/- along with interest thereon at the rate of 24% p.a. from the date of the plaint till the date of realization. According to the plaintiff, it is a travel and cargo agent engaged in the business of airline reservations, ticketing, hotel reservations, cargo clearing and forwarding, etc. In course of business, it is stated that the plaintiff transported the cargo of the first defendant to Singapore between May 2015 and October 2016 on running account basis. The suit claim is founded on unpaid invoices in respect thereof.
2. The suit summons was served on the defendants on 01.07.2019. In spite of service of suit summons, the defendants did not enter appearance. Therefore, the defendants were set ex parte by order dated 23.01.2020 and the plaintiff was directed to record evidence.
3. The plaintiff adduced evidence by examining Mr.Janaki Raman, its Regional Manager. The said Janaki Raman filed a proof affidavit, which was affirmed on 11.03.2020. In course of examination-in-chief, 160 documents were exhibited as Exs.P1 to P160. These documents include the ledger account in respect of transactions with the defendants [Ex.P2], details of invoices [Ex.P3], outstanding invoices [Ex.P4 to P153], the acknowledgment of debt dated 23.09.2016 by the second defendant [Ex.154], the acknowledgment of debt dated 07.11.2016 by the first defendant [Ex.P155] and the dishonoured cheques [Exs.P152 to 157].
4. The ledger account discloses an outstanding of Rs.1,08,78,464/- as on 31.03.2017. This is corroborated by the invoices exhibited by the plaintiff. As such, the plaintiff has established that it is entitled to the suit claim. As regards interest, the plaintiff has claimed interest at 24% p.a. on the ground that it is a commercial transaction. Since there is no contractual rate of interest, interest should be fixed at a reasonable rate. Keeping in mind the interest rate prevailing during the relevant period, interest is awarded at the rate of 18% p.a. The plaintiff has paid a court fee of Rs.1,12,310/-. Taking into account the said court fee, lawyer's fees and other expenses, the defendant shall pay a sum of Rs.3 lacs as costs.
5. In the result, the suit is decreed by directing the defendants to pay to the plaintiff a sum of Rs.1,08,78,464/- along with the interest thereon at 18% p.a. from the date of plaint till the date of realization. The defendants shall also pay costs assessed in a sum of Rs.3 lacs. This includes a sum of Rs.1,12,310/- towards court fees and the remainder towards lawyer's fees and other expenses.
Plaintiff's witnesses:
1.Mr.Janakiraman : P.W.1 Plaintiff's side exhibits:
1.
Ex.P1 27.04.2019 Original Board Resolution 2.
Ex.P2 From 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2017 (40 pages) are the print out copy of ledger account of the plaintiff 3.
Ex.P3 Copy of details of invoices 4.
Ex.P4 25.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00025 with supporting Airway Bill.
5.
Ex.P5 26.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00026 with supporting Airway Bill.
6.
Ex.P6 27.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00027with supporting
Airway Bill.
7.
Ex.P7 28.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00028 with supporting Airway Bill.
8.
Ex.P8 29.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00029 with supporting Airway Bill.
9.
Ex.P9 30.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00030 with supporting Airway Bill.
10.
Ex.P10 30.04.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00180.
11.
Ex.P11 01.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00031 with supporting Airway Bill 12.
Ex.P12 02.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00032 with supporting Airway Bill 13.
Ex.P13 03.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00033 with supporting Airway Bill 14.
Ex.P14 04.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00034 with supporting Airway Bill 15.
Ex.P15 05.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00035 with supporting Airway Bill 16.
Ex.P16 06.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00036 with supporting Airway Bill 17.
Ex.P17 07.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00037 with supporting Airway Bill 18.
Ex.P18 09.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00038 with supporting Airway Bill 19.
Ex.P19 10.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00039 with supporting Airway Bill 20.
Ex.P20 11.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00040 with supporting Airway Bill 21.
Ex.P21 12.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00041 with supporting Airway Bill 22.
Ex.P22 15.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00042 with supporting Airway Bill 23.
Ex.P23 17.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00043 with supporting
Airway Bill 24.
Ex.P24 19.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00044 with supporting Airway Bill 25.
Ex.P25 20.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00045 with supporting Airway Bill 26.
Ex.P26 21.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00046 with supporting Airway Bill 27.
Ex.P27 22.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00047 with supporting Airway Bill 28.
Ex.P28 02.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00048 with supporting Airway Bill 29.
Ex.P29 25.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00049 with supporting Airway Bill 30.
Ex.P30 26.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00050 with supporting Airway Bill 31.
Ex.P31 28.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00051 with supporting Airway Bill 32.
Ex.P32 305.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00052 with supporting Airway Bill 33.
Ex.P33 31.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00053 with supporting Airway Bill 34.
Ex.P34 31.05.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00181 with supporting Airway Bill 35.
Ex.P35 01.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00054 with supporting Airway Bill 36.
Ex.P36 02.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00055 with supporting Airway Bill 37.
Ex.P37 03.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00056 with supporting Airway Bill 38.
Ex.P38 04.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00057 with supporting Airway Bill 39.
Ex.P39 05.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00058 with supporting Airway Bill
40.
Ex.P40 06.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00059 with supporting Airway Bill 41.
Ex.P41 07.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00060 with supporting Airway Bill 42.
Ex.P42 08.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00061 with supporting Airway Bill 43.
Ex.P43 09.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00065 with supporting Airway Bill 44.
Ex.P44 10.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00066 with supporting Airway Bill 45.
Ex.P45 11.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00067 with supporting Airway Bill 46.
Ex.P46 12.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00126 with supporting Airway Bill 47.
Ex.P47 13.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00068 with supporting Airway Bill 48.
Ex.P48 14.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00069 with supporting Airway Bill 49.
Ex.P49 15.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00070 with supporting Airway Bill 50.
Ex.P50 16.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00127 with supporting Airway Bill 51.
Ex.P51 17.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00071 with supporting Airway Bill 52.
Ex.P52 18.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00072 with supporting Airway Bill 53.
Ex.P53 20.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00073 with supporting Airway Bill 54.
Ex.P54 21.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00076 with supporting Airway Bill 55.
Ex.P55 22.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00077 with supporting Airway Bill 56.
Ex.P56 23.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00078 with supporting
Airway Bill 57.
Ex.P57 24.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00079 with supporting Airway Bill 58.
Ex.P58 25.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00080 with supporting Airway Bill 59.
Ex.P59 26.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00081 with supporting Airway Bill 60.
Ex.P60 27.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.0082 & 0011 with supporting Airway Bill 61.
Ex.P61 28.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.0083 & 00113 with supporting Airway Bill 62.
Ex.P62 29.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.0084 & 00114 with supporting Airway Bill 63.
Ex.P63 30.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00085 with supporting Airway Bill 64.
Ex.P64 30.06.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00182 65.
Ex.P65 01.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.0086 with supporting Airway Bill 66.
Ex.P66 02.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00087 with supporting Airway Bill 67.
Ex.P67 03.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00088 with supporting Airway Bill 68.
Ex.P68 04.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00089 with supporting Airway Bill 69.
Ex.P69 05.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00090 with supporting Airway Bill 70.
Ex.P70 06.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00128 with supporting Airway Bill 71.
Ex.P71 07.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00091 with supporting Airway Bill 72.
Ex.P72 08.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00092 with supporting Airway Bill 73.
Ex.P73 09.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00093 with supporting
Airway Bill 74.
Ex.P74 10.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00094 with supporting Airway Bill 75.
Ex.P75 11.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00095 with supporting Airway Bill 76.
Ex.P76 12.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00096 with supporting Airway Bill 77.
Ex.P77 13.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00097 with supporting Airway Bill 78.
Ex.P78 14.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00098 with supporting Airway Bill 79.
Ex.P79 05.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00099 with supporting Airway Bill 80.
Ex.P80 16.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00100 with supporting Airway Bill 81.
Ex.P81 17.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00101 with supporting Airway Bill 82.
Ex.P82 18.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00102 with supporting Airway Bill 83.
Ex.P83 21.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00103 with supporting Airway Bill 84.
Ex.P84 22.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00104 with supporting Airway Bill 85.
Ex.P85 23.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00105 with supporting Airway Bill 86.
Ex.P86 24.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00106 with supporting Airway Bill 87.
Ex.P87 26.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00107 with supporting Airway Bill 88.
Ex.P88 27.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00108 with supporting Airway Bill 89.
Ex.P89 28.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00109 with supporting Airway Bill
90.
Ex.P90 29.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00110 with supporting Airway Bill 91.
Ex.P91 31.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00111 with supporting Airway Bill 92.
Ex.P92 31.07.2016 Copy of Invoice No.183 93.
Ex.P93 01.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00117 with supporting Airway Bill 94.
Ex.P94 02.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00118 with supporting Airway Bill 95.
Ex.P95 03.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00119 with supporting Airway Bill 96.
Ex.P96 04.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00120 with supporting Airway Bill 97.
Ex.P97 05.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00121 with supporting Airway Bill 98.
Ex.P98 06.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00122 with supporting Airway Bill 99.
Ex.P99 07.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00123 with supporting Airway Bill
100. Ex.P100 09.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00133 with supporting Airway Bill
101. Ex.P101 10.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00134 with supporting Airway Bill
102. Ex.P102 11.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00135 with supporting Airway Bill
103. Ex.P103 12.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00136 with supporting Airway Bill
104. Ex.P104 13.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00137 with supporting Airway Bill
105. Ex.P105 14.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00138 with supporting Airway Bill
106. Ex.P106 16.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00139 with supporting Airway Bill
107. Ex.P107 17.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00140 with supporting Airway Bill
108. Ex.P108 18.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00141 with supporting Airway Bill
109. Ex.P109 19.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00142 with supporting Airway Bill
110. Ex.P110 21.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00143 with supporting Airway Bill
111. Ex.P111 23.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00144 with supporting Airway Bill
112. Ex.P112 24.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00147 with supporting Airway Bill
113. Ex.P113 25.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00148 with supporting Airway Bill
114. Ex.P114 26.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00149 with supporting Airway Bill
115. Ex.P115 27.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00150 with supporting Airway Bill
116. Ex.P116 28.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00151 with supporting Airway Bill
117. Ex.P117 29.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00152 with supporting Airway Bill
118. Ex.P118 30.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00153 with supporting Airway Bill
119. Ex.P119 31.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00154 with supporting Airway Bill
120. Ex.P120 31.08.2016 Copy of Invoice No.184
121. Ex.P121 01.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00170 with supporting Airway Bill
122. Ex.P122 02.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00171 with supporting Airway Bill
123. Ex.P123 03.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00172 with supporting Airway Bill
124. Ex.P124 04.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00173 with supporting Airway Bill
125. Ex.P125 05.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00174 with supporting Airway Bill
126. Ex.P126 06.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00175 with supporting Airway Bill
127. Ex.P127 24.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00185 with supporting Airway Bill
128. Ex.P128 25.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00186 with supporting Airway Bill
129. Ex.P129 26.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00187 with supporting Airway Bill
130. Ex.P130 27.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00188 with supporting Airway Bill
131. Ex.P131 28.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00189 with supporting Airway Bill
132. Ex.P132 29.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00190 with supporting Airway Bill
133. Ex.P133 30.09.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00242
134. Ex.P134 01.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00191 with supporting Airway Bill
135. Ex.P135 02.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00192 with supporting Airway Bill
136. Ex.P136 03.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00202 with supporting Airway Bill
137. Ex.P137 04.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00203 with supporting Airway Bill
138. Ex.P138 05.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00204 with supporting Airway Bill
139. Ex.P139 06.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00205 with supporting Airway Bill
140. Ex.P140 07.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00206 with supporting Airway Bill
141. Ex.P141 08.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00207 with supporting Airway Bill
142. Ex.P142 09.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00208 with supporting Airway Bill
143. Ex.P143 10.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00225 with supporting Airway Bill
144. Ex.P144 11.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00226 with supporting Airway Bill
145. Ex.P145 12.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00210 with supporting Airway Bill
146. Ex.P146 13.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00211 with supporting Airway Bill
147. Ex.P147 14.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00212 with supporting Airway Bill
148. Ex.P148 15.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00213 with supporting Airway Bill
149. Ex.P149 17.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00214 with supporting Airway Bill
150. Ex.P150 18.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00215 with supporting Airway Bill
151. Ex.P151 19.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00216 with supporting Airway Bill
152. Ex.P152 02.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.00227 with supporting Airway Bill
153. Ex.P153 31.10.2016 Copy of Invoice No.243
154. Ex.P154 23.09.2016 The photocopy of acknowledgement of debt by 2nd defendant
155. Ex.P155 07.11.2016 The photocopy of acknowledgement of debt by 1st defendant
156. Ex.P156 27.03.2017 The photocopy of cheque bearing No.283468 for Rs.60,00,000/-.
157. Ex.P157 27.03.2017 The photocopy of cheque bearing
No.645319 for Rs.48,78,464/-.
158. Ex.P158 12.04.2017 The photocopy of return memo (2 nos)
159. Ex.P159 11.09.2018 The photocopy of legal notice
160. Ex.P160 20.09.2018 The photocopy of delivery proof on 2nd defendant Sd./- S.K.R.J., 13/04/2022 //Certified to be true copy// Dated at Madras this the day of 2022. COURT OFFICER(O.S.) From 25th Day of September 2008 the Registry is issuing certified copies of the Orders/Judgments/Decrees in this format.