IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
C. Hari Shankar, J.
Raj Rani & Anr. - Appellantss
Versus
Sumitra Parashar & Anr. - Respondents
CM(M) 733/2022 & CM Appl. 32797/2022, CM Appl. 32798/2022
Decided On : 28-07-2022
Article 227 - Writ petition assailing order closing the right of the petitioner to lead further evidence - Civil Procedure Code - Section 151, Order 18 Rule 17 - The court discussed the provisions of Civil Procedure Code, specifically Section 151 and Order 18 Rule 17, and emphasized the limited and circumscribed nature of the superintending jurisdiction vested in Article 227 of the Constitution of India. The court highlighted the importance of ensuring no miscarriage of justice and reserved limited liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application before the learned ADJ.
Fact of the Case:
The writ petition challenges the order closing the right of the petitioner to lead further evidence in a civil suit. The petitioner sought multiple adjournments and opportunities to summon witnesses, leading to the closure of the opportunity for pleading witnesses.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the decision of the learned ADJ to close the opportunity for pleading witnesses was not irregular and did not warrant correction by the court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. However, the court reserved limited liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application before the learned ADJ to ensure no miscarriage of justice.
Issues: The issues revolved around the closure of the right of the petitioner to lead further evidence, the exercise of jurisdiction by the learned ADJ, and the limited superintending jurisdiction of the court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the limited and circumscribed nature of the superintending jurisdiction vested in Article 227 of the Constitution of India and highlighted the importance of ensuring no miscarriage of justice. It also recognized the recalcitrance and negligence on the part of the petitioner in taking steps to summon witnesses.
Final Decision: The writ petition stands disposed of, with the court reserving limited liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application before the learned ADJ to ensure no miscarriage of justice.
JUDGMENT
1. This writ petition, under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, assails order dated 10th December 2021, passed by the learned Additional District Judge ('the learned ADJ') in CS DJ ADJ 15466/2016 (Raj Rani & Anr. v. Sumitra Parashar & Anr.), which reads as under:
'CS DJ ADJ 15466/16
RAJ RANI vs. SUMITRA PRASAR
10.12.2021
Present: Sh. Rahul Hans, Ld. Proxy Counsel for plaintiff.
Ms. Amrit Kaur, Ld. Counsel for defendant along with defendant.
Fresh Vakalatnama has been filed on behalf of plaintiff. Ld. Proxy Counsel for plaintiff requested for one more opportunity to examine the witness stating that plaintiff has engaged new Counsel recently. Request of the Ld. Counsel for plaintiff is opposed by Ld. Counsel for defendant stating that plaintiff is deliberately lingering on the matter. Ld. Counsel for defendant also relied her objection upon the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 7532 of 2011 titled as "Shiv Cotex Vs. Tirgun Auto Plast Private Limited And Others."
I have considered the submissions. Perusal of file reveals that so many opportunities have already been granted to plaintiff to complete PE. On previous date, the cost was also imposed upon plaintiff for giving a last and final opportunity but despite that neither cost has been paid not any steps were taken by the plaintiff to lead PE. In view of facts and circumstances and previous ordersheets. Court finds that plaintiff is deliberately lingering on the matter and is not interested to take steps to lead PE. Hence, PE is closed. Defendant is directed to take appropriate steps to file affidavit. Put up for DE on 13.01.2022. In previous ordersheet, inadvertently DE was mentioned instead of PE due to typographical error. Same is corrected accordingly.
Sd./-
(Dr. Jagminder Singh)
ADJ-03 /South West
Dwarka/New Delhi
10.12.2021'
2. Consequent to the direction issued by this Court on 27th July 2022, the entire order sheets, from the date when recording of evidence commenced, have been handed over by learned Counsel for the petitioners across the Bar. The same are taken on record.
3. The impugned order closes the right of the petitioner, as the plaintiff in the suit before the learned ADJ, to lead further evidence, on the ground that several opportunities had been granted to the petitioner to complete the exercise of recording of PE.
4. It is not necessary to set out in detail the entire course of proceedings before the learned ADJ, regarding recording of evidence of the petitioner, as plaintiff.
5. One may commence the recital from 20th February 2020, on which date PW-2, Dheeraj Kumar, Record Keeper, from office of Sub-Registrar-V, Mehrauli was examined, cross-examined and discharged. Learned Counsel for the petitioner on the said date sought an adjournment 'for the remaining PE'. Learned Counsel for the respondent raised an objection to the number of witnesses cited by the petitioner. He submitted that the petitioner had furnished a list of 24 PWs, and that it was not necessary to examine all the PWs.
6. On the next date of hearing, i.e. 26th February 2020, the petitioner gave up twelve of the witnesses in his list and submitted that he sought to lead evidence only of the witnesses at Serial Nos. 5,6,7,11,12,13,14,16 and 17, who were official witnesses. An application for summoning the said official witnesses was tendered and the petitioner was directed to take steps for summoning the aforesaid witnesses. The matter was re-notified for 23rd March 2020.
7. Thereafter, the matter was adjourned on six occasions owing to the intervention of COVID-19 pandemic. It was taken up, thereafter, on 25th March 2021.
8. The order sheets of the proceeding, on and after 25th March 2021, read thus:
Proceeding dated 25th March 2021
'CS DJ ADJ 515466/2016
Raj Rani Vs. Sumitra Prasar
CNR No. DLSWOl-000358-2016
25.03.2021
File taken up today on application moved on behalf of plaintiff.
Present: Sh. Ravinder Kumar, Ld. Proxy Counsel for plaintiff.
An application is moved
The main legal point established in the judgment is the limited and circumscribed nature of the superintending jurisdiction vested in Article 227 of the Constitution of India, emphasizing the importa....
Court affirmed limited intervention under Article 227 when no jurisdictional errors occur, reinforcing the necessity for litigants to actively pursue their cases.
The court has the discretion to allow the petitioner to lead further evidence despite delays in the proceedings.
The court permitted the petitioner to lead evidence despite procedural delays, underscoring that adjournments should not obstruct the pursuit of justice.
The court emphasized that judicial proceedings must allow ample opportunity for evidence presentation, particularly during extraordinary circumstances such as a pandemic, to uphold the right to a fai....
Repeated failures to comply with procedural orders may justify the closure of the right to lead evidence, but courts can grant final opportunities to ensure fairness.
The right to lead evidence is pivotal to a fair trial and partakes of the character of natural justice and fair play. The recall of a witness under Order XVIII Rule 17 should be for clarifying any do....
The main legal point established is that the court has the discretion to set aside an order closing the right to lead evidence and grant further opportunity, considering the circumstances and subject....
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