{"id":16156,"date":"2026-02-23T08:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T08:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=16156"},"modified":"2026-02-23T08:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T08:36:50","slug":"yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Yaseen vs Mahendra Yadav (2020): Allahabad High Court on Caveat Validity During COVID Lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yaseen_4_Others_vs_Mahendra_Yadav_Naib_Tehsildar_7_October_2020\"><\/span>Yaseen &amp; 4 Others vs. Mahendra Yadav, Naib Tehsildar (7 October 2020)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>In an important procedural ruling safeguarding litigants\u2019 rights during the COVID-19 crisis, the Allahabad High Court held that the statutory 90-day validity period of a <a href=\"\/articles\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">caveat<\/a> under Section 148-A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) must exclude the period of lockdown and restricted court functioning caused by the pandemic.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Yaseen_4_Others_vs_Mahendra_Yadav_Naib_Tehsildar_7_October_2020\" >Yaseen &amp; 4 Others vs. Mahendra Yadav, Naib Tehsildar (7 October 2020)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Background_of_the_Case\" >Background of the Case<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#What_Is_a_Caveat_Under_Section_148-A_CPC\" >What Is a Caveat Under Section 148-A CPC?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#The_COVID-19_Lockdown_Issue\" >The COVID-19 Lockdown Issue<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Allahabad_High_Courts_Ruling\" >Allahabad High Court\u2019s Ruling<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Key_Observations_of_the_Court\" >Key Observations of the Court<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Legal_Significance_of_the_Judgment\" >Legal Significance of the Judgment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Practical_Implications_for_Litigants\" >Practical Implications for Litigants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#File_Caveat_in_Supreme_Court_%E2%80%93_Protect_Against_Ex_Parte_Orders\" >File Caveat in Supreme Court \u2013 Protect Against Ex Parte Orders<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Looking_for_urgent_Caveat_Filing_in_Supreme_Court\" >Looking for urgent Caveat Filing in Supreme Court?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Avoid_Surprise_Interim_Stay_Orders_by_Securing_Advance_Notice_Rights\" >Avoid Surprise Interim Stay Orders by Securing Advance Notice Rights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Immediate_Caveat_Filing_Assistance_Available\" >Immediate Caveat Filing Assistance Available<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#LegalServiceIndiacom_%E2%80%93_Trusted_Since_2000\" >LegalServiceIndia.com \u2013 Trusted Since 2000<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/yaseen-vs-mahendra-yadav-caveat-validity-covid-lockdown\/#Search_Smart_File_Fast_Stay_Protected\" >Search Smart. File Fast. Stay Protected.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment ensures that litigants who had filed caveats are not deprived of protection merely because courts were not functioning normally during the unprecedented public health emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"background-of-the-case\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background_of_the_Case\"><\/span>Background of the Case<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Case<\/th><td>Yaseen &amp; 4 Others vs. Mahendra Yadav, Naib Tehsildar<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Decision Date<\/th><td>7 October 2020<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The matter concerned the computation of the 90-day period during which a caveat remains operative under Section 148-A CPC. The question before the Court was whether the lockdown period, when courts were either closed or functioning in a limited capacity, should be counted while calculating the life of a caveat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-caveat-under-section-148a-cpc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_Caveat_Under_Section_148-A_CPC\"><\/span>What Is a Caveat Under Section 148-A CPC?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 148-A of the Civil Procedure Code allows a person who apprehends that an application may be filed against him in a suit or proceeding to file a caveat petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of filing a caveat is simple but crucial:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To ensure that no interim or ex parte order is passed without hearing the caveator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To secure the right of advance notice before any adverse order is issued.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To protect procedural fairness in urgent matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A caveat remains valid for 90 days from the date of filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-covid-19-lockdown-issue\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_COVID-19_Lockdown_Issue\"><\/span>The COVID-19 Lockdown Issue<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the nationwide lockdown in 2020:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Courts were either completely shut or functioning in a restricted manner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical filings were suspended.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular hearings were curtailed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In such circumstances, if the lockdown period were included in the 90-day calculation, a caveat could expire without the caveator having any meaningful opportunity to benefit from its protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"allahabad-high-courts-ruling\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Allahabad_High_Courts_Ruling\"><\/span>Allahabad High Court\u2019s Ruling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"\/lawyers\/allahabad.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Allahabad High Court<\/a> held:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The 90-day period for which a caveat remains in force under Section 148-A CPC shall exclude the lockdown period and the period during which courts were not functioning normally.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-observations-of-the-court\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Observations_of_the_Court\"><\/span>Key Observations of the Court<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Procedural law must advance justice, not defeat it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Litigants should not suffer due to circumstances beyond their control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The protective purpose of a caveat cannot be nullified by a force majeure situation like a pandemic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Judicial functioning restrictions must be considered while computing statutory timelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-significance-of-the-judgment\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Significance_of_the_Judgment\"><\/span>Legal Significance of the Judgment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This ruling is significant because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It reinforces the protective nature of caveat proceedings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aligns with the broader judicial approach adopted during COVID-19 to extend and exclude limitation periods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It prevents misuse of procedural timelines during extraordinary situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It strengthens litigants\u2019 right to be heard before adverse interim orders are passed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For lawyers and litigants filing caveats in civil matters, this decision provides clarity that the statutory protection under Section 148-A CPC remains meaningful even during emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"practical-implications-for-litigants\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Implications_for_Litigants\"><\/span>Practical Implications for Litigants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you had filed a caveat before or during the lockdown period:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The lockdown duration would not reduce your 90-day protection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courts must compute the caveat\u2019s validity by excluding the disrupted period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your right to receive notice before any interim relief application remains safeguarded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The decision in Yaseen &amp; 4 Others vs. Mahendra Yadav, Naib Tehsildar reflects a balanced and justice-oriented interpretation of procedural law. By excluding the COVID-19 lockdown period from the 90-day caveat validity, the Allahabad High Court ensured that procedural safeguards are not rendered illusory during extraordinary circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ruling continues to be relevant for understanding how courts interpret statutory timelines during emergencies and reinforces the importance of caveat protection in civil litigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"file-caveat-in-supreme-court-protect-against-ex-parte-orders\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"File_Caveat_in_Supreme_Court_%E2%80%93_Protect_Against_Ex_Parte_Orders\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/caveat-filing-in-supreme-court-section-148a-cpc\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"16147\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">File Caveat in Supreme Court<\/a> \u2013 Protect Against Ex Parte Orders<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"urgent-caveat-filing-assistance\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Looking_for_urgent_Caveat_Filing_in_Supreme_Court\"><\/span>Looking for urgent Caveat Filing in Supreme Court?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We assist with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drafting Caveat Petition under Section 148A CPC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supreme Court E-Filing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registry Defect Clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Same-Day Processing Support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prevent-ex-parte-and-interim-stay-orders\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoid_Surprise_Interim_Stay_Orders_by_Securing_Advance_Notice_Rights\"><\/span>Avoid Surprise Interim Stay Orders by Securing Advance Notice Rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid surprise interim stay orders by securing advance notice rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"immediate-caveat-filing-contact-details\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Immediate_Caveat_Filing_Assistance_Available\"><\/span>Immediate Caveat Filing Assistance Available<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Contact Method<\/th><th>Details<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Phone<\/td><td>\ud83d\udcde <strong>9650499965<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Email<\/td><td>\ud83d\udce7 admin@legalserviceindia.com<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-choose-legalserviceindia\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LegalServiceIndiacom_%E2%80%93_Trusted_Since_2000\"><\/span>LegalServiceIndia.com \u2013 Trusted Since 2000<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Experienced in Supreme Court Procedural Practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"call-to-action\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Search_Smart_File_Fast_Stay_Protected\"><\/span>Search Smart. File Fast. Stay Protected.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yaseen &amp; 4 Others vs. Mahendra Yadav, Naib Tehsildar (7 October 2020) In an important procedural ruling safeguarding litigants\u2019 rights during the COVID-19 crisis, the Allahabad High Court held that the statutory 90-day validity period of a caveat under Section 148-A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) must exclude the period of lockdown and restricted<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[1008,24,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-16156","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-civil-law","7":"tag-civil-law","8":"tag-just-in","9":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16156"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16156\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}