{"id":6472,"date":"2025-07-18T10:52:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=6472"},"modified":"2025-07-18T10:56:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T10:56:24","slug":"can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Third Party\/Stranger File an Appeal?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_to_Appeal_by_Non-Parties_%E2%80%93_Legal_Framework_and_Jurisprudence\"><\/span>Right to Appeal by Non-Parties \u2013 Legal Framework and Jurisprudence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The right to appeal is a substantive legal right, but it is not unlimited. Generally, appeals are confined to parties to the original suit or proceeding. However, under certain circumstances, third parties or non-parties may be granted leave to appeal by a competent court. This article explores the contours of this principle, particularly in light of Supreme Court jurisprudence.<\/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-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Right_to_Appeal_by_Non-Parties_%E2%80%93_Legal_Framework_and_Jurisprudence\" >Right to Appeal by Non-Parties \u2013 Legal Framework and Jurisprudence<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#General_Rule_Only_Aggrieved_Parties_May_Appeal\" >General Rule: Only Aggrieved Parties May Appeal<\/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\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Exception_Leave_of_the_Court_for_a_Third_Party\" >Exception: Leave of the Court for a Third Party<\/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\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Who_Is_a_%E2%80%9CPerson_Aggrieved%E2%80%9D\" >Who Is a &#8220;Person Aggrieved&#8221;?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Illustrative_Case_Law_When_Third_Parties_Were_Allowed\" >Illustrative Case Law: When Third Parties Were Allowed<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#K_Ajit_Babu_v_Union_of_India_1997_6_SCC_473\" >K. Ajit Babu v. Union of India, (1997) 6 SCC 473<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Sri_VN_Krishna_Murthy_v_Sri_Ravikumar_2020_9_SCC_501\" >Sri V.N. Krishna Murthy v. Sri Ravikumar, (2020) 9 SCC 501<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Adi_Pherozshah_Gandhi_v_HM_Seervai_AIR_1971_SC_385\" >Adi Pherozshah Gandhi v. H.M. Seervai, AIR 1971 SC 385<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Smt_Jatan_Kumar_Golcha_v_Golcha_Properties_Pvt_Ltd_1970_3_SCC_573\" >Smt. Jatan Kumar Golcha v. Golcha Properties Pvt. Ltd., (1970) 3 SCC 573<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Baldev_Singh_v_Surinder_Mohan_Sharma_2003_1_SCC_34\" >Baldev Singh v. Surinder Mohan Sharma, (2003) 1 SCC 34<\/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\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Shanti_Kumar_R_Canji_v_Home_Insurance_Co_1974_2_SCC_387_State_of_Rajasthan_v_Union_of_India_1977_3_SCC_592\" >Shanti Kumar R. Canji v. Home Insurance Co., (1974) 2 SCC 387 \nState of Rajasthan v. Union of India, (1977) 3 SCC 592<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Statutory_Provisions_and_Their_Interpretation\" >Statutory Provisions and Their Interpretation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Role_of_the_Supreme_Court_under_Article_136\" >Role of the Supreme Court under Article 136<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#H_Anjanappa_v_A_Prabhakar_2025_INSC_121\" >H. Anjanappa v. A. Prabhakar, 2025 INSC 121<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/can-a-third-party-stranger-file-an-appeal\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_Rule_Only_Aggrieved_Parties_May_Appeal\"><\/span>General Rule: Only Aggrieved Parties May Appeal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Ordinarily, the right to appeal is available to parties who are aggrieved by a decision. This is grounded in the principle that a person who is not affected by a judgment has no <em>locus standi<\/em> to challenge it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In A. Subash Babu v. State of A.P., (2011) 7 SCC 616<\/strong>, the Supreme Court reiterated that an appeal is a creature of statute and unless provided for under the statute, no person has the right to file an appeal unless he is a party aggrieved by the order. The Court also explained the denotation of the &#8216;aggrieved person&#8217; thus:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe expression &#8216;aggrieved person&#8217; denotes an elastic and an elusive concept. It cannot be confined within the bounds of a rigid, exact and comprehensive definition. Its scope and meaning depends on diverse, variable factors such as the content and intent of the statute of which contravention is alleged, the specific circumstances of the case, the nature and extent of complainant&#8217;s interest and the nature and the extent of the prejudice or injury suffered by the complainant.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exception_Leave_of_the_Court_for_a_Third_Party\"><\/span>Exception: Leave of the Court for a Third Party<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite the general rule, the courts have, in exceptional circumstances, allowed third parties to prefer an appeal with leave of the court, especially where the party demonstrates that the impugned order adversely affects their legal rights or interests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In State of Punjab v. Amar Singh, (1974) 2 SCC 70<\/strong>, the Supreme Court held:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThere is a catena of authorities which, following the doctrine of Lindley L.J. in <em>re Securities Insurance Co. (1894) 2 Ch 410<\/em> have laid down the rule that a person who is not a party to a decree or order may with the leave of the Court, prefer an appeal from such decree or order if he is either bound by the order or is aggrieved by it or is prejudicially affected by it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Is_a_%E2%80%9CPerson_Aggrieved%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Who Is a &#8220;Person Aggrieved&#8221;?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The expression \u201cperson aggrieved\u201d has received judicial interpretation to include not only the parties to the proceeding but also others whose legal rights are prejudicially affected by the judgment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In Thammanna v. K. Veera Reddy, (1980) 4 SCC 62<\/strong>, the Court clarified:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAlthough the meaning of the expression &#8216;person aggrieved&#8217; may vary according to the context of the statute and the facts of the case, nevertheless, normally &#8216;a person aggrieved&#8217; must be a man who has suffered a legal grievance&#8230;\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Illustrative_Case_Law_When_Third_Parties_Were_Allowed\"><\/span>Illustrative Case Law: When Third Parties Were Allowed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"K_Ajit_Babu_v_Union_of_India_1997_6_SCC_473\"><\/span>K. Ajit Babu v. Union of India, (1997) 6 SCC 473<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A non-party government officer challenged an order that prejudiced his seniority. The Court allowed his appeal, observing:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c&#8230;judgments may not be strictly judgments in personam&#8230; they would be judgments in rem. In such a situation, what remedy is available to affected persons not parties to the case?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sri_VN_Krishna_Murthy_v_Sri_Ravikumar_2020_9_SCC_501\"><\/span>Sri V.N. Krishna Murthy v. Sri Ravikumar, (2020) 9 SCC 501<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Supreme Court held that while CPC Sections 96 and 100 do not specify who can appeal, a stranger must show that they are an aggrieved person to obtain leave to appeal.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adi_Pherozshah_Gandhi_v_HM_Seervai_AIR_1971_SC_385\"><\/span>Adi Pherozshah Gandhi v. H.M. Seervai, AIR 1971 SC 385<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Paragraph 46 of the Constitution Bench judgment held:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c&#8230;a person who is not a party to a litigation has no right to appeal merely because the judgment or order contains some adverse remarks against him&#8230;\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smt_Jatan_Kumar_Golcha_v_Golcha_Properties_Pvt_Ltd_1970_3_SCC_573\"><\/span>Smt. Jatan Kumar Golcha v. Golcha Properties Pvt. Ltd., (1970) 3 SCC 573<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Court affirmed that a non-party may appeal with leave of court if prejudicially affected by the judgment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Baldev_Singh_v_Surinder_Mohan_Sharma_2003_1_SCC_34\"><\/span>Baldev Singh v. Surinder Mohan Sharma, (2003) 1 SCC 34<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cA person aggrieved to file an appeal must be one whose right is affected by reason of the judgment and decree sought to be impugned.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shanti_Kumar_R_Canji_v_Home_Insurance_Co_1974_2_SCC_387_State_of_Rajasthan_v_Union_of_India_1977_3_SCC_592\"><\/span>Shanti Kumar R. Canji v. Home Insurance Co., (1974) 2 SCC 387<br \/>\nState of Rajasthan v. Union of India, (1977) 3 SCC 592<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Both judgments clarified that psychological or imaginary injury is not sufficient\u2014actual legal prejudice is required.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Statutory_Provisions_and_Their_Interpretation\"><\/span>Statutory Provisions and Their Interpretation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the CPC and CrPC do not specifically confer third-party appeal rights, provisions such as Order 1 Rule 10 CPC (impleadment) and Section 482 CrPC (inherent powers) are judicially invoked to justify such participation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Role_of_the_Supreme_Court_under_Article_136\"><\/span>Role of the Supreme Court under Article 136<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>In P.S.R. Sadhanantham v. Arunachalam, (1980) 3 SCC 141<\/strong>, a private individual was allowed to file an SLP against an acquittal. The Court held:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c&#8230;the words &#8216;person aggrieved&#8217; are of wide import and should not be subjected to a restrictive interpretation&#8230; Access to justice to every bona fide seeker is a democratic dimension of remedial jurisprudence&#8230;\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The Law Commission also supported this view, stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cExtreme cases of manifest injustice&#8230; should not be left to the mercy of the Government&#8230; a limited right of appeal with leave given to a private party should be retained.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"H_Anjanappa_v_A_Prabhakar_2025_INSC_121\"><\/span>H. Anjanappa v. A. Prabhakar, 2025 INSC 121<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Supreme Court reaffirmed that a non-party may file an appeal with leave of court if bound or adversely affected by the decree.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the default rule is that only parties to a proceeding can appeal, courts possess the inherent power and constitutional discretion to allow a third party to file an appeal\u2014if such person is directly and substantially affected by the decision. Such leave, however, is sparingly granted and is conditioned upon the demonstration of real and substantial grievance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Right to Appeal by Non-Parties \u2013 Legal Framework and Jurisprudence Introduction The right to appeal is a substantive legal right, but it is not unlimited. Generally, appeals are confined to parties to the original suit or proceeding. However, under certain circumstances, third parties or non-parties may be granted leave to appeal by a competent court.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"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":[24,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-6472","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-civil-law","7":"tag-just-in","8":"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\/6472","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\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6472\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}