Precepts
Section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 deals with precepts. Upon the application of the decree-holder the Court which passed the decree may. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1909.
(1) Upon the application of the decree-holder the Court which passed the decree may. whenever it thinks fit, issue a precept to any other Court which would be competent to execute such decree to attach any property belonging to the judgment-debtor and specified in the precept.
(2) The Court to which a precept is sent shall proceed to attach the property in the manner prescribed in regard to the attachment of property in execution of a decree:
Provided that no attachment under a precept shall continue for more than two months unless the period of attachment is extended by an order of the Court which passed the decree or unless before the determination of such attachment the decree has been transferred to the Court by which the attachment has been made and the decree-holder has applied for an order for the sale of such property.
Section 46, 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.
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Bharat Bhushan Bhargava vs Mohit Bhargava
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a decree holder seeks to execute a decree against immovable property lying outside the territorial jurisdiction of the executing court, the executing court is mandatorily bound (not discretionary) to transfer the decree to the court within whose local limits the property is situated, unless the property constitutes an estate or tenure that falls within the jurisdiction of multiple courts under Order XXI Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This mandate arises from Section 39(4) of the Code as amended by Amendment Act 22 of 2002 (effective 1.7.2002), which withdrew the earlier discretionary power and imposed a duty on executing courts to desist from proceeding against property outside their jurisdiction. However, interim restraint orders (such as Mareva injunctions or freezing orders) can be validly passed and maintained by a court even if the property is outside its jurisdiction, as these are orders of restraint and not orders of final execution, and do not attract the jurisdictional limitation of Section 39(4).
On this section: Permits issuance of percept by executing court to court having jurisdiction over extra-jurisdictional property for actual attachment; used for interim attachment under Order XXI Rule 54.
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.
Made under this section, and citing it
2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 46
What have the courts held on Section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure?
Bharat Bhushan Bhargava vs Mohit Bhargava (20 Apr 2007) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Permits issuance of percept by executing court to court having jurisdiction over extra-jurisdictional property for actual attachment; used for interim attachment under Order XXI Rule 54.
How do I find court cases under Section 46 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 46, section 46 CPC, section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Bharat Bhushan Bhargava vs Mohit Bhargava (20 Apr 2007).
What should I read with Section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and has it changed?
2 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently APPENDIX E. EXECUTION (1908), then APPENDIX F. SUPPLEMENTAL PROCEEDINGS (1908).
When did Section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure come into force?
Section 46 of the Code of Civil Procedure, cited as CPC 46, 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.