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written by -Sangita patel  Introduction In a recent and important ruling, the Supreme Court of India has reiterated that the legal principle of res judicata is not just limited to different lawsuits—it also applies to various stages of the same legal proceedings . This clarification comes as a reminder that once a matter has been judicially decided, it cannot be reopened or re-argued later, even within the same case. Let’s break it down in a simple, human-centered way to understand why this ruling matters. What is Res Judicata? Res judicata is a Latin term which means “a thing already judged.” In legal terms, it means once a competent court has decided a matter, the same issue cannot be raised again between the same parties . This principle ensures: Finality in litigation. Prevention of unnecessary harassment. Judicial efficiency. It is codified under Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) .  the Supreme Court Say? In its ruling, th...