In Brief
The State challenged a High Court order dismissing its appeal in a dispute over three parcels of land, on the ground that findings in two earlier dismissed suits operated as res judicata. The Supreme Court held that findings in suits that have not attained finality (because appeals are still pending) cannot constitute res judicata. Where a decree of dismissal favours a defendant entirely, that defendant is not required to file an appeal against adverse findings on issues. The Court clarified that res judicata applies only to finally decided suits, and distinguished between decrees (which are appealable) and judgments/findings (which are not). The Court allowed the State's appeal, setting aside the High Court order.
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