Enlargement of time
Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 deals with enlargement of time. Where any period is fixed or granted by the Court for the doing of any act prescribed or allowed by this Code, the Court may, in its discretion, from time to time, enlarge such period, [not exceeding thirty days in total,] even though the period originally fixed or granted may have expired. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1909.
Where any period is fixed or granted by the Court for the doing of any act prescribed or allowed by this Code, the Court may, in its discretion, from time to time, enlarge such period, 1 [not exceeding thirty days in total,] even though the period originally fixed or granted may have expired.
Section 148, The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act 5 of 1908).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
-
Thankappan v. Mani
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
HC Final Order order-1.pdf 2012-01-17 DATE VERIFIED. K.T. Sankaran. CRP 59/2010 from OS 55/2005. After the 1999 amendment, CPC 148 enlargement of time cannot exceed 30 days in total; a two-year delay in depositing specific-performance balance consideration cannot be enlarged. Map cpc 148 only. Do not pad CPC 115.
On this section: After the 1999 amendment, CPC 148 enlargement of time cannot exceed 30 days in total (Thankappan).
-
Nalluri Subba Rao vs Match Penchalaiah
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The court's power under Section 148 CPC to extend time cannot be invoked on the basis of vague or non-specific allegations regarding a party's inability to provide instructions.
On this section: Applied to determine if the court should enlarge the time fixed for an act prescribed by the Code.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
-
… In the present case, it is not necessary for us to look into and decide this issue because the decree is not of such a nature. 42. In the case of Mahanth Ram Das v. Ganga Das, AIR 1961 SC 882 , this Court has taken the view that Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure (C.P.C.) empowers the Court to deal with events that might arise subsequent to an order, for the purpose of enlarging time for payment even though it had been peremptorily fixed, but in that connection the Court observed as follows: "...Such procedural orders, though peremptory …
Questions about Section 148
What have the courts held on Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure?
Thankappan v. Mani (17 Jan 2012) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: After the 1999 amendment, CPC 148 enlargement of time cannot exceed 30 days in total (Thankappan). Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2010 to 2012.
How do I find court cases under Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: CPC 148, section 148 CPC, section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure. People searching for it also type cpc 148a and cpc 148 petition. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Thankappan v. Mani (17 Jan 2012).
When did Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure come into force?
Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure, cited as CPC 148, came into force on 01 Jan 1909, having been enacted on 21 Mar 1908. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 115. Revision2475 words
- 60. Property liable to attachment and sale in execution of decree1869 words
- 2. Definitions890 words
- 9. Courts to try all civil suits unless barred714 words
- 42. Powers of Court in executing transferred decree653 words
- 92. Public charities610 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.