SHANTILAL GULABCHAND MUTHA vs TATA ENGINEERNG & LOCOMOTIVE CO.LTD.&ANR

The Supreme Court held that the application of Order VIII Rule 10 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) requires the court to exercise caution before passing a judgment in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant has not filed a written statement. The court emphasized that it must ensure that no disputed questions of fact exist before proceeding with such a judgment. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision that the ex parte decree was valid despite the appellant's claims of having paid the amount in full.