C. HARI SHANKAR
Bharat Investment Corporation – Appellant
Versus
Sanjana Sain – Respondent
JUDGEMENT
1. Despite service of notice, there is no appearance on behalf of respondent.
2. The matter has been passed over and called out at second time. The respondent is still not available.
3. The court has accordingly heard learned Counsel for the petitioner and proceeds to dispose of the petition, as the issue involved is short.
4. The impugned order, dated 4th March, 2022, was passed by the learned Additional Rent Controller ('the learned ARC') in E No 78997/2016 (Smt. Sanjana Saini v. Bharat Investment Corporation), which was an eviction petition preferred by the respondent against the petitioner.
5. Given the limited nature of the controversy in these proceedings, it is not necessary to advert to the specifics of the dispute between the parties. Suffice it to state that vide order dated 14th December, 2021, the learned ARC rejected the request, of the petitioner (the respondent before the learned ARC), seeking an adjournment on the ground of indisposition of the respondent's witness, who was a senior citizen.
6. The learned ARC was of the opinion that as the matter had been adjourned since long, awaiting recording of the petitioner's evidence, and costs had also been imposed on
The right to lead evidence is a valuable vested right, and substantial justice should inform the approach of the court in granting opportunities to lead evidence.
The right to lead evidence in civil proceedings is fundamental and should only be forfeited for significant reasons, especially when delays are due to unavoidable circumstances.
The court balanced the interest of justice with the prejudice to the respondent and granted an additional opportunity to the petitioner subject to payment of substantial costs.
The court reaffirmed the principle that parties must diligently prosecute their cases and that undue adjournments harm the justice system.
The suspension of the bar of limitation by the Supreme Court due to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the court's decision to set aside the order closing the right to lead evidence.
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