Bombay High Court
SUNIL LAXMAN YEOLEKARversusDATTATRAY BALAJI DUBERKAR
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The appeal was deemed abated and disposed of because the appellant died and no legal heir was on record.
Summary
The appellant, Sunil Laxman Yevalekar, died on 28 December 2025 and no legal heirs were placed on record. The second appeal filed by the appellant therefore stood abated under the law that a deceased party's claim cannot proceed without a successor. The court noted that the appellant's counsel was attempting to locate an heir, but the earlier order already declared the appeal abated. The court held that if any legal heir later wishes to revive the appeal, they may apply to set aside the abatement. Consequently, the second appeal was disposed of, and the pending interim applications were also dismissed.
Issues considered
- What is the effect of the appellant's death on a pending second appeal when no legal heir is on record?
- Can a later‑coming legal heir revive an appeal that has been declared abated?
Subjects
- appeal abatement
- death of appellant
- legal heir
- civil appellate jurisdiction
- interim applications
Judgment
Neeta Sawant 17-SA-566-2020.docx
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
SECOND APPEAL NO. 566 OF 2020
WITH
INTERIM APPLICATION N O. 14148 OF 2023
WITH
INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 950 OF 2014
Sunil Laxman Yevalekar ...Appellant
: Versus :
Dattatray Balaji Duberkar & Ors. ...Respondents
Mr. Gaurav Ugale i/b. Mr. Shriram S. Kulkarni, for the Appellant.
Mr. Amey Deshpade, through V.C. for the Respondent.
CORAM: SANDEEP V. MARNE, J.
DATED: 24 SEPTEMBER 2026.
P.C.:
1) On 11 September 2026, following order was passed :
1. The Appellant has passed away on 28 December 2025. No
steps are taken to bring his legal heirs on record. The Appeal has
actually abated. By way of last chance, list the Appeal on 24
September 2026.
PAGE NO. 1 of 2
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Neeta Sawant 17-SA-566-2020.docx
2) Today again, Mr. Ugale the learned counsel appearing for
the Appellant submits that efforts are being made to contact the legal
heir of the deceased Appellant. As observed in the order dated 11
September 2026, the Appeal has already abated. In the event, legal
heirs are interested in prosecuting the Appeal, they shall always be at
liberty to apply for setting aside the abatement. The Second Appeal is
accordingly disposed of. The Interim Applications also stand disposed
of.
Digitally
signed by
NEETA
NEETA SHAILESH
SHAILESH SAWANT
SAWANT Date:
2026.09.24
17:06:38
+0530
[SANDEEP V. MARNE , J.]
PAGE NO. 2 of 2
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Checking your session…
Lawyer court records for this case
Associated through the court’s case reference.