IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Jayant Nath, J.
Eli Lilly And Company & Anr. - Appellants
Versus
Natco Pharma Limited & Anr. - Respondents
C.S. No. 183 of 2020
Decided On : 18-02-2021
Delay Condonation - Written Statement - Section 5 of the Limitation Act, Order VIII Rules 1 & 10 of the Amended Commercial Courts, Commercial Division And Commercial Appellate Division of High Court Act, 2015 - [Section 5 of the Limitation Act, Order VIII Rules 1 & 10 of the Amended Commercial Courts, Commercial Division And Commercial Appellate Division of High Court Act, 2015]
Fact of the Case:
Defendant No.3 filed an application seeking condonation of delay of 82 days in filing the written statement. Defendant No.1 also filed an application seeking condonation of delay of 89 days in filing the written statement. The plaintiffs opposed the applications, arguing that the reasons for the delay did not pertain to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finding of the Court:
The court allowed the applications and condoned the delay in filing the written statements, citing the Supreme Court's order extending the period of limitation in all proceedings from 15.03.2020 till further orders. The court noted that the disruption caused by the pandemic and the shift to remote work contributed to the delay.
Issues: Condonation of delay in filing the written statement, applicability of the Supreme Court's order extending the period of limitation, impact of Covid-19 pandemic on court proceedings
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the Supreme Court's order extending the period of limitation in all proceedings from 15.03.2020 till further orders, and considered the disruption caused by the pandemic and shift to remote work as valid reasons for condoning the delay in filing the written statements.
Final Decision: The court allowed the applications, condoned the delay, and took the written statements on record.
JUDGMENT
Jayant Nath, J. - This hearing is conducted through video conferencing.
IA No.2441/2021
This application is filed by defendant No.3 under Order 8 Rule 1 CPC seeking condonation of delay of 82 days in filing the written statement.
Learned counsel for the plaintiffs states that they have no objection to the application. The same is allowed. The written statement is taken on record.
IA No.7145/2020
This application is filed under Order 11 Rules 1(6) and 5(as amended) CPC.
Learned counsel for the plaintiffs states that in the discovery certain information has to be provided by defendant No.1.
Learned counsel for defendant No.1 states that they have filed certain documents on their own volition. This information is, for the time being, only available with defendant No.1. It is also stated that they have filed these documents without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.
In view of the above, learned counsel for the plaintiffs states that nothing further survives in this application. The same is disposed of.
IA No.4640/2020
List for arguments on 07.05.2021.
Interim orders to continue.
IA Nos.11872 & 7146/2020
1. The application being IA No.11872/2020 is filed by the defendants under Section 5 of the Limitation Act seeking condonation of delay of 89 days in filing the written statement by the defendants.
2. It is stated that the present suit for alleged infringement of the patent IN 297760 was listed on 19.06.2020 when the defendants appeared through their learned counsel and accepted the notice. It is stated that the defendants tried their best to file the written statement within 30 days. It is stated that for filing the written statement the defendants had to go through multiple patents or non-patent literature running into 7000 pages approximately based on which the plea of invalidity of the suit patent is taken. It is stated that the 30 days period expired on 19.07.2020. The 120 days period to file written statement expired on 17.10.2020. The defendants filed the written statement on 17.10.2020. Thus, there is a delay of 89 days in filing of the written statement. Hence, it is prayed that this court may condone the delay of 89 days in filing of the written statement.
3. The application being IA No.7146/2020 is filed under Order VIII Rules 1 & 10 of the Amended Commercial Courts, Commercial Division And Commercial Appellate Division of High Court Act, 2015 by the plaintiffs praying that the right of the defendants to file the written statement and reply to IA No.4640/2020 may be closed and a judgment in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants be pronounced.
4. On 08.12.2020, this court passed the following orders:
"1. Summons in the suit and notice in the application to defendant No.3 were issued by this Court on 28th August, 2020. Learned counsel for defendant No.3 enters appearance and states that summons in the suit and notice in the application were received through e-mail and complete set of paper book was supplied on 15th October, 2020. Learned counsel further states that the defendant No.3 will file his written statement along with the application seeking condonation of delay.
2. Learned counsel for the plaintiff points out that the written statement on behalf of the defendant No.1 has been filed on 17th October, 2020 vide diary No.961463/20 and that too beyond the Court working hours i.e. after 4:00 p.m., and is, therefore, filed beyond 120 days. Further no written statement has been filed on behalf of defendant No.2. According to learned counsel as per Rule 14.2 of the E-filing Rules if document or an application or the suit or pleading is filed beyond 16:00 hours of the Court working day, the filing will be deemed to be made on the next working day.
3. Learned counsel for the defendant No.1 admits that the written statement was filed on 17th October, 2020 at around 9:30 p.m. in the night through E-filing.
4. Summons in the suit and notice in the application was accepted by learned counsel for defenda
M/s SCG Contracts India Pvt Ltd. vs. K.S.Chamankar Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.
New India Assurance Company Limited vs Hilli Multipurpose Cold Storage Private Limited
The court may condone delays in filing written statements due to extraordinary circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for flexibility in applying limitation laws.
The Supreme Court's orders extending the period of limitation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic applied to the filing of written statements, entitling the defendant to the relaxation available und....
The limitation period for filing a written statement was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging extraordinary circumstances that require courts to prioritize access to justice.
The court affirmed that procedural rules regarding the filing of written statements can be interpreted flexibly to ensure justice, allowing extensions in exceptional circumstances.
Civil Suit - Collaboration Agreement - Absence of any cogent explanation forthcoming for inaction of petitioner/defendant, till 20th August 2020, Trial Court rightly dismissed the application under O....
The court clarified that the extension of limitation due to the pandemic did not apply to the discretionary period for filing the written statement, and the defendants forfeited their right to file t....
The Commercial Courts Act brings about a substantial change in the provisions relating to the period of filing of the written statement and the power of the Court to condone the delay in filing of th....
The main legal point established in the judgment is that the time for filing a written statement should be reckoned from the date of the order disposing of the application under Order VII Rule 11 of ....
The court affirmed that defendants lose the right to file a written statement if not submitted within the prescribed 120 days, highlighting the necessity of adhering to procedural timelines in commer....
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.