#fraud in civil suits

A plaint alleging that a prior decree was obtained through fraud cannot be dismissed at the threshold under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC merely because it appears barred by limitation or res judicata. The Punjab & Haryana HC clarifies that such allegations demand full trial and evidentiary scrutiny, protecting litigants from premature dismissal when fraud undermines the foundation of prior judgments.

Chhattisgarh High Court reaffirms that a registered sale deed alone cannot invalidate a final court decree unless fraud is strictly proven. The ruling underscores that judicial finality prevails, and appeals-not collateral challenges-are the exclusive remedy to contest decrees, impacting property dispute litigants and practitioners.