Where a suit is for the recovery of possession of immovable property and for mesne profits, the court…

Order XX rule 12(1)(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 allows the court, in a suit for possession and mesne profits, to direct an inquiry as to mesne profits from "The institution of the suit until the delivery of possession to the decree-holder", or until relinquishment of possession with notice, or three years from the decree, whichever is earliest. Mesne profits before the suit are dealt with separately under rule 12(1)(b), and the inquiry does not start from the judgment or the decree.