10 steps in injunction proceedings will help you to understand how to proceed in such court matters with the help of an experienced property lawyer in Kolkata.
Table of Contents
What are Injunction Proceedings?
Injunctions are powerful legal remedies used to prevent a party from doing a particular act (prohibitory injunction) or to compel them to act in a specific way (mandatory injunction). They are commonly sought in civil matters, especially where damages are inadequate or irreversible harm is likely. Understanding the steps in injunction proceedings is critical for both legal practitioners and litigants.
Types of Injunction Proceedings:
The following are the different types of the injunction:
- Preliminary injunction
- Preventive Injunction
- Mandatory injunction
- Temporary restraining order
- Permanent injunction
Preliminary Injunction
A preliminary injunction, which is also known as an ad-interim injunction, is assigned to a plaintiff prior to a trial. preliminary injunction preserves the subject matter in its existing condition to prevent any dissolution of the plaintiff’s rights, and thereby render him/her the possibility of immediate relief.
Preventive Injunction
A preventive injunction is an adjudication that forces an individual to abstain from doing an action that is preventive, prohibitive or negative. The injunction intends to prevent a threatened injury, preserve the status quo, and reserve the continued commission of an ongoing wrong.
Mandatory Injunction
Considered as the most rigorous of all injunctions, a mandatory injunction directs the defendant to perform an act. For example, if a court orders the removal of a building or structure due to misplaced construction, then it fits the description of a mandatory injunction.
Temporary Restraining Order
A temporary restraining order is just what its name suggests, as the same is valid until the period of the restraining order draws to a closure. The court grants it to preserve the status quo of the subject of the controversy until the hearing of an application for a temporary injunction. Through it, it also seeks to prevent any instance of unnecessary and irreparable injury.
Permanent Injunction
At the time of final judgement issues the permanent injunction for granting a final relief to the applicant. These injunctions remain constant if the conditions that produced them are permanent.
Contempt of Court
The provisions of an injunction comply with the respective parties, failing which the defendant is punishable for Contempt of Court after performing the necessary trial or hearing. Such a scenario would force the defaulter to remit the prescribed penal charge and/or face imprisonment. The quantum of punishment would be decided by considering the type of default.
Prohibitory Injunction
A prohibitory injunction when granted by a court, prohibits the defendant from doing a wrongful act that would be an infringement of the plaintiff’s legal rights. For example, prohibitory injunctions restrain a breach of contract or to protect the disclosure of confidential information.
Mandatory Injunction
A mandatory injunction forbids a defendant from continuing a wrong act that has already occurred at the time when the injunction is issued. The purpose of a mandatory injunction is to restore a wrongful state of things to the rightful order. For example, a mandatory injunction makes the defendant deliver possession of a property to its rightful owner.
When issuing a mandatory injunction, the Courts would take into consideration, whether the plaintiff could be adequately compensated or whether the grant of an injunction was necessary to do justice.
Interlocutory or Interim Injunction
An interlocutory injunction is a type of temporary injunction, which is operational during the pendency of the case before the court. Hence, an interlocutory injunction can compel or prevent a party from doing certain acts, pending the final determination of the case. The primary purpose of using an interlocutory injunction is to preserve matters in the status quo.
Steps for Temporary Injunctions:
The case of Dalpat Kumar And Another v. Pralhad Singh And Others (1991) has settled the three main requirements for granting a temporary injunction, they are:
1. Prima Facie Case
A suit consists of a seriously disputed question. The facts in those questions encourage the probability of entitlement to relief for the plaintiff or the defendant. A prima facie case does not mean that the plaintiff or the defendant come up with an irrefutable argument that will in all probability succeed in a trial. It only means that the case they build for their injunction must be meritorious enough, not to be rejected instantly.
2. Irreparable Loss
If an irreparable loss were to be incurred by an individual with regards to the suit before his legal right is established in the trial, it would be a cause of grave injustice. However, it must be noted that illustrations like frustration over a loss of something with sentimental value will not be regarded as irreparable damage. On the other hand, things that by nature can be remedied will be considered to be irreparable damage if the court were to have no fair or reasonable address.
Very often an injury is irreparable where it is continuous and repeated or where it is remediable at law only by a multiplicity of suits. Sometimes, the term irreparable damage refers to the difficulty of measuring the amount of damages inflicted. However, a mere difficulty in proving injury does not establish irreparable injury.
3. Balance of convenience
The court needs to compare the case of parties, comparative mischief or inconvenience which is likely to sue from withholding the injunction will be greater than which is likely to arrive from granting it.
Rejection Steps in Injunction Proceedings:
The circumstances in which a temporary injunction is granted is governed by Order 39, Rule 1 of the Code on Civil Procedure, 1908, which will be discussed later. Thus, it becomes imperative to discuss the instances when a temporary injunction can be rejected. This is highlighted in Section 41 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963.
- Restrain any person from prosecuting a judicial proceeding at the institution of the suit, in which injunction is sought, unless restraint is necessary to prevent multiplicity of proceedings.
- To restrain any person from instituting or prosecuting any proceeding in a Court not subordinate to that, from which injunction is sought.
- To restrain any person from applying to any legislative body.
- To restrain any person from instituting or prosecuting any proceeding in a criminal matter.
- To prevent the breach of a contract the performance of which could not be specifically enforced.
- To prevent on the ground of nuisance, an act of which it is not reasonably clear that it will be a nuisance.
- To prevent a continuing breach in which the plaintiff has acquiesced.
- When equally efficacious relief can certainly be obtained by any other usual mode of proceeding except in case of breach of trust.
- When the conduct of the plaintiff or his agents has been such as to disentitle him to the assistance of the court.
- When the plaintiff has no personal interest in the matter.
Rules under Order XXXIX of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908:
- Order 39, Rule 1 talks about the cases in which the court may grant a temporary injunction as a statutory relief, they are:
- In the case of property dispute, if the property in question is under a risk of being wasted, damaged or alienated or wrongfully sold by an individual involved in the suit.
- If an individual threatened or displayed intention of removing or disposing off of his property with a motive to defraud his creditors. This is specific to the defendant only.
- If the plaintiff is threatened – by the defendant – to be dispossessed or injured in the context of the property dispute under question.
- If the defendant were to commit a breach of peace or contract. The aforementioned ground is also highlighted in Order 39, Rule 2 of the CPC, 1908.
- Lastly, the court may issue an injunction if it is of the opinion that it would be an act in the interest of justice.
- Order 39, Rule 2-A talks about the non-compliance of an individual with regards to an injunction, they are:
- It mandates the detainment of that individual in civil prison for not more than three months.
- Furthermore, it warrants the attachment of property of that guilty individual for not more than a year. However, if the delinquency were to continue, the property may be sold.
- In the case of Ram Prasad Singh v. Subodh Prasad Singh (1983), it was highlighted that it is not necessary for an individual to be a party to the concerned suit, to be liable under Order 39, Rule 2-A of the CPC, 1908, provided it is known that he was an agent of the defendant and violated the injunction despite being aware of the same.
- Usually, the court is required to issue a notice to the opposite party regarding the application of injunction, but through Order 39, Rule 3, the court can grant an ex-parte injunction when it is under the belief that the object of the injunction would be defeated because of delay. The Supreme Court through the case of Union of India v. Era Educational Trust (2000), laid down certain guiding principles for courts to follow while deciding upon an ex-parte injunction, they are:
- Whether the plaintiff will be a victim to irreparable mischief by the defendant?
- Whether the weight of injustice will be heavier if an ex-parte injunction is not granted?
- Whether the timing of applying for an ex-parte jurisdiction was maliciously motivated?
- The courts will also consider the general principle of balance and irreparable loss.
- Order 39, Rule 4 lays down that an injunction may be discharged, varied or set aside, if any dissatisfied party makes an appeal against it, provided that:
- The application for injunction or documents advocating the same included knowingly false or misleading statements and the injunction was granted without listening to the other party. Thus, the court will vacate the injunction. However, it can also stick with the injunction if it considers – the reason is to be recorded – the same not be necessary in the discourse of injustice.
- Furthermore, the court may also set aside the injunction if, due to a change of circumstances, the party against whom the injunction is granted, has suffered unnecessary hardships.
- Order 39, Rule 5 makes an important point that, if an injunction is granted against a corporation or a firm, the authority of the is not limited to the corporation as an entity alone, members and officers of the corporation whose personal action it seeks to restrain are also included under its ambit.
10 essential steps in Injunction Proceedings:
1. Assessing the Grounds for Injunction
Before initiating proceedings, a party must determine whether their situation merits an injunction. The core requirements usually include:
- A prima facie case
- Irreparable injury if relief is not granted
- Balance of convenience in favor of the applicant
These factors guide the court’s discretion in granting interim or permanent injunctions. A prima facie case, irreparable injury, and balance of convenience are essetnials for injunction proceedings.
📌 In Haridas Das v State of W.B. (1954) – Calcutta High Court (CHC) granted a temporary injunction in title dispute, emphasizing “no serious inconvenience” would be caused to respondents even if possession were shared.
2. Drafting the Plaint or Application
If the injunction is sought as part of a larger suit, the application is filed along with the plaint. In urgent situations, a separate application under the relevant procedural law (e.g., Order XXXIX of the Civil Procedure Code in India) may be submitted. The application must:
- Clearly state the facts
- Justify the need for urgent relief
- Include prayers for temporary or permanent injunction
Include clear facts, urgency, and precise prayers (ex parte or interim) under Order XXXIX CPC or Section 151 CPC.
📌 State of W.B. v Pranjiban Dey (1975) – Calcutta High Court affirmed use of Section 151 CPC for interim injunctions based on inherent power.
3. Filing the Suit/Application in Court
The application and suit must be filed in the appropriate civil court with jurisdiction over the matter. This includes jurisdiction based on location, subject matter, and pecuniary limits.
4. Affidavit in Support
An affidavit must accompany the application, verifying the facts stated in it. It helps establish the urgency and authenticity of the claims made.
5. Ex Parte Hearing (in urgent cases)
In extreme urgency, the applicant may request an ex parte injunction, meaning the court can grant temporary relief without hearing the other party. This is granted sparingly and only when immediate harm is likely.
6. Issuance of Notice to Opposite Party
If the court does not grant ex parte relief, it issues notice to the opposite party (respondent) to file their response and appear in court. This ensures the principle of natural justice is upheld.
7. Reply and Counter-Affidavit by Respondent
The respondent can contest the injunction by filing a written statement or counter-affidavit. They may argue that:
- No prima facie case exists
- Harm is not irreparable
- Balance of convenience lies in their favor
Opponents may assert:
- Clean‑hands doctrine,
- Prior suit pending,
- No prima facie case.
📌 Sambhu Chandra Sarkar v. W.B. dispensed injunction where plaintiff suppressed existence of an earlier suit, violating CPC Section 10 and equity.
8. Hearing and Argument
Both parties are heard, and their counsels present arguments supported by evidence and precedents. Courts often focus on whether the case merits an interim injunction till the final resolution of the suit.
Court weighs prima facie case, balance of convenience, and possibility of irreparable loss.
📌 Niranjan Chatterjee v. State of W.B. – upheld permanent injunction for civil court decree, dismissing state tribunal’s challenge.
9. Grant or Refusal of Injunction
Based on submissions, the court may:
- Grant temporary injunction
- Refuse the injunction
- Modify the terms of relief
The order is typically reasoned, explaining how the court applied the three guiding tests.
Grant: With reasons outlining tests applied.
Modify: May include joint possession, timelines.
Refuse: If criteria unmet or improper jurisdiction invoked.
📌 In Arun Kumar Ghosh v. State (2023), CHC vacated a temporary injunction in lease dispute.
10. Final Injunction at the End of Trial
Once the full suit is tried and evidence is evaluated, the court may grant a permanent injunction, restraining the defendant indefinitely. Alternatively, the suit may be dismissed if the plaintiff fails to prove their case.
After judgment, the court may issue a permanent injunction and enforce via execution.
📌 In Sudipta Bose v. W.B. (2022), Cal HC executed permanent injunction
Overall, injunction proceedings are legal safeguards to prevent misuse of rights and maintain the status quo. While they offer urgent relief, courts are cautious in granting them due to their impact on the opposing party’s liberty or property. Knowing these 10 steps in injunction proceedings helps in navigating the procedural and strategic complexities involved in seeking injunctive relief. For help with injunction proceedings, contact us now.