Limitation Act 1963 Section 2: Definitions

Limitation Act, 1963 Notes

Limitation Act 1963 Section 2: Definitions

Text of the Section: 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) ‘applicant’ includes—

• (i) a petitioner;
• (ii) any person from or through whom an applicant derives his right to apply;
• (iii) any person whose estate is represented by the applicant as executor, administrator or other representative;

(b) ‘application’ includes a petition;

(c) ‘bill of exchange’ includes a hundi and a cheque;

(d) ‘bond’ includes any instrument whereby a person obliges himself to pay money to another, on condition that the obligation shall be void if a specified act is performed, or is not performed, as the case may be;

(e) ‘defendant’ includes—

• (i) any person from or through whom a defendant derives his liability to be sued;
• (ii) any person whose estate is represented by the defendant as executor, administrator or other representative;

(f) ‘easement’ includes a right not arising from contract…;

(g) ‘foreign country’ means any country other than India;

(h) ‘good faith’—nothing shall be deemed to be done in good faith which is not done with due care and attention;

• (i) ‘plaintiff’ includes—
• (i) any person from or through whom a plaintiff derives his right to sue;
• (ii) any person whose estate is represented by the plaintiff as executor, administrator or other representative;

(j) ‘period of limitation’ means the period of limitation prescribed for any suit, appeal or application by the Schedule, and ‘prescribed period’ means the period of limitation computed in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(k) ‘promissory note’ means any instrument whereby the maker engages absolutely to pay a specified sum of money to another…;

(l) ‘suit’ does not include an appeal or an application;

(m) ‘tort’ means a civil wrong which is not exclusively the breach of a contract or the breach of a trust;

(n) ‘trustee’ does not include a benamidar, a mortgagee remaining in possession after the mortgage has been satisfied or a person in wrongful possession without title.

Explanation:

Section 2 serves as the dictionary (शब्दकोश) of the Limitation Act, 1963, defining 19 key terms (a to n) to ensure clarity and consistency across its provisions. It’s the backbone that prevents misinterpretation of legal deadlines. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each subsection with the legal term in Hindi:

(a) ‘Applicant’ (आवेदक): Includes (i) a petitioner (याचिकाकर्ता), (ii) anyone deriving their right to apply from another (e.g., an heir, उत्तराधिकारी), and (iii) estate representatives like executors (निष्पादक) or administrators (प्रशासक). It widens who can file applications or appeals.

(b) ‘Application’ (आवेदन): Encompasses petitions (याचिका)—any formal court request, like a delay plea under Section 5. Distinct from a “suit” (मुकदमा).

(c) ‘Bill of exchange’ (विनिमय पत्र): Covers cheques (चेक) and hundis (हुंडी, traditional notes). Key for debt-related time limits (e.g., 3 years).

(d) ‘Bond’ (बांड): A written promise (लिखित वचन) to pay money, voidable if a condition is met or unmet (e.g., delivering goods). Ties to financial disputes.

(e) ‘Defendant’ (प्रतिवादी): Includes (i) those liable through another (e.g., heir, उत्तराधिकारी) and (ii) estate representatives (निष्पादक/प्रशासक). Ensures the right person is sued.

(f) ‘Easement’ (सर्वजनिक अधिकार): A non-contractual right (गैर-संविदात्मक अधिकार) to use land (e.g., a pathway), vital for Section 25’s 20-year prescription.

(g) ‘Foreign country’ (विदेशी देश): Any nation outside India (भारत के बाहर)—relevant for Section 11’s foreign contract rules.

(h) ‘Good faith’ (सद्भावना): Requires due care (उचित सावधानी); negligence (लापरवाही) doesn’t qualify. Used in exceptions like Section 14.

(i) ‘Plaintiff’ (वादी): Covers (i) those deriving suing rights (e.g., assignees, हस्तांतरिती) and (ii) estate representatives (निष्पादक/प्रशासक). Broadens who can sue.

(j) ‘Period of limitation’ (सीमा अवधि): The Schedule’s time limit (e.g., 3 years for debt, ऋण के लिए 3 साल) and “prescribed period” (निर्धारित अवधि) as computed (e.g., excluding holidays). The Act’s core.

(k) ‘Promissory note’ (प्रतिज्ञा पत्र): An absolute promise (पूर्ण वचन) to pay money—another 3-year-limited financial tool.

(l) ‘Suit’ (मुकदमा): A civil case (नागरिक मामला), not an appeal (अपील) or application (आवेदन)—crucial for Section 3’s bar.

(m) ‘Tort’ (अपकृत्य): Civil wrongs (नागरिक गलती) like defamation (मानहानि), not just contract (संविदा) or trust (न्यास) breaches, often 1-year limited.

(n) ‘Trustee’ (न्यासी): Excludes benamidars (नाममात्र धारक), satisfied mortgagees (संतुष्ट बंधक), or wrongful possessors (अनधिकृत कब्जेदार)—key for Section 10’s no-limit rule.

Section 2 ensures every term aligns with the Act’s intent, making legal timelines crystal clear in both English and Hindi

Key Points:

• Defines 19 terms for uniform application.
• “Applicant” (आवेदक) and “plaintiff” (वादी) include representatives.
• “Period of limitation” (सीमा अवधि) links to the Schedule.
• “Suit” (मुकदमा) excludes appeals/applications.
• “Good faith” (सद्भावना) needs care; “trustee” (न्यासी) excludes wrongdoers.

Examples:

• You file as an executor (निष्पादक) under Section 2(a)(iii)—an “applicant” (आवेदक).
• A cheque (चेक) bounces; Section 2(c) sets a 3-year “bill of exchange” (विनिमय पत्र) limit.
• You sue for defamation (मानहानि), a “tort” (अपकृत्य) under Section 2(m), within 1 year.
• A pathway claim uses “easement” (सर्वजनिक अधिकार) per Section 2(f) for 20 years.

Case Law:

• B.K. Educational Services v. Parag Gupta (2018): Supreme Court ruled “period of limitation” (सीमा अवधि) under Section 2(j) sticks to the Schedule unless overridden.
• R.K. Upadhyaya v. Shanabhai Patel (1987): Defined “suit” (मुकदमा) under Section 2(l) as excluding appeals/applications, shaping deadlines.

Pro Tip: Cross-check “suit” (मुकदमा) vs. “application” (आवेदन) in Section 2—mixing them risks the wrong deadline!