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Issues:
1. Validity of a judgment not signed by the judge before his death. 2. Effect of corrections made in a draft judgment. 3. Requirement of signing a judgment for finality. 4. Impact of a signed decree without a final judgment. 5. Disposal of an appeal not concluded in accordance with the law. Detailed Analysis: 1. The judgment dealt with the issue of the validity of a judgment in a case where the learned Additional District Judge passed away before signing the judgment. The Court noted that the judgment was not duly signed by the judge before his demise, raising concerns about its finality and legality. The matter was brought to the attention of the High Court, which ordered a review of the case. 2. The Court examined the draft judgment in the case, which was found to have some corrections made in ink on the first few pages. Despite these corrections, the absence of the judge's signature rendered the draft judgment incomplete and lacking finality. The corrections did not transform the draft judgment into a final judgment, as emphasized by the Court. 3. Emphasizing the importance of signing a judgment for finality, the Court referred to previous judgments highlighting that the act of signing and dating a judgment is crucial to its completion. The Court cited legal provisions requiring the judge to sign and date the judgment when pronounced in open court. Without such signatures, the judgment cannot be considered final or conclusive. 4. The judgment also addressed the issue of a signed decree by the judge on the same day as the purported judgment. The Court clarified that a decree, even if formally drawn up and signed, holds no legal weight without a final judgment. Without a completed judgment, any relief or adjudication specified in the decree lacks a legal basis. 5. In conclusion, the Court ruled that the appeal by the respondents had not been disposed of in accordance with the law due to the absence of a signed judgment. The signed decree was deemed ineffective without a final judgment. As a result, the Court ordered the appeal to be readmitted to the District Court for a fresh hearing and decision. The directive aimed at ensuring that the appeal was adjudicated in compliance with legal procedures and principles.
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