Plaintiff himself is a wrongdoer for CLAT - Practice Questions & MCQ

Introduction 

• The legal maxim "the plaintiff himself is a wrongdoer" reflects a fundamental principle in law that deals with situations where the person bringing a legal action (the plaintiff) has engaged in wrongful or unlawful conduct related to the same matter for which they are seeking legal remedy. 

1. Principles of the Concept:

• Clean Hands Doctrine: The concept of "the plaintiff himself is a wrongdoer" is closely linked to the clean hands doctrine. This doctrine holds that individuals seeking equitable relief or legal remedies must come to the court with clean hands, meaning they should not have engaged in any wrongful or unethical conduct related to the matter in dispute. Courts are less likely to provide remedies to individuals who have engaged in wrongdoing.
• Doctrine of In Pari Delicto: This doctrine, often referred to as "in equal fault," suggests that when both parties involved in a dispute are at fault or engaged in wrongful conduct, the court may be reluctant to intervene and may refuse to grant remedies. It essentially means that when both parties are wrongdoers, neither is likely to benefit from legal action.

2. Understanding with Examples:

• Insurance Fraud: Consider a scenario where an individual intentionally stages a fake accident to fraudulently claim insurance money. Subsequently, this person files a lawsuit against the insurance company for not paying the claim promptly. In this case, the plaintiff (the individual) is a wrongdoer due to engaging in insurance fraud. Courts may be hesitant to grant legal relief to such a plaintiff.
• Breach of Contract: Suppose two parties enter into a contract, and one party breaches the contract by failing to fulfill their obligations. In response, the other party may also act in breach, attempting to retaliate or gain an advantage. In this situation, both parties may be considered wrongdoers, and the court may refuse to enforce the contract or provide remedies to either party.

3. Practical Application:

• In practical terms, this principle is frequently invoked in various legal disputes, including contract law, torts, and equity cases. It serves as a safeguard to ensure that individuals who have engaged in wrongdoing are not allowed to profit or benefit from their actions through legal remedies.
• By adhering to this principle, the legal system maintains its integrity and discourages fraudulent or dishonest behavior.

4. Case Law Example: D. M. Varshneya v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (1981)

Background

• In this case, the petitioner, D. M. Varshneya, sought compensation for alleged business losses that he claimed were caused by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's construction work.

Legal Issue

• The primary legal issue in this case was whether D. M. Varshneya, the petitioner, could claim compensation for business losses when it was revealed that he had engaged in illegal construction without obtaining the necessary approvals.

Court's Decision and Reasoning

• The court ruled against D. M. Varshneya, holding that he could not claim compensation for the business losses he alleged. The court's reasoning was based on the principle that "the plaintiff himself is a wrongdoer." In this case, the petitioner had engaged in illegal construction without adhering to the required legal procedures. As a result, his own actions had contributed to the losses he suffered.
• The court's decision highlighted the importance of clean hands and ethical conduct in legal proceedings. It emphasized that individuals who engage in wrongful or unlawful conduct related to the matter in dispute should not be allowed to benefit from legal remedies.

Significance

• The D. M. Varshneya v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi case is significant as it serves as a practical example of the legal principle that individuals seeking remedies in court must come with clean hands and should not profit from their own wrongful actions.

Key Takeaways

• This case exemplifies the concept that "the plaintiff himself is a wrongdoer," emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and fairness in legal proceedings.
• It underscores the principle that individuals who engage in wrongdoing related to the matter for which they seek legal remedies may not be entitled to those remedies.