Pramod Shroff vs Mohan Singh Chopra

The Supreme Court examined whether the absence of formal framing of issues in an ex parte civil suit renders the proceedings invalid. The Court emphasized the importance of procedural fairness and proper adjudication, especially when a party remains unrepresented despite service and opportunities to engage legal counsel. Held that procedural lapses such as not framing issues do not automatically vitiate a judgment if the court has otherwise adhered to principles of natural justice and the judgment is sustainable on merits. The appeal was dismissed, reaffirming the need for procedural compliance but also the flexibility in procedural lapses if substantive justice is served.