JUDGMENT

Prateek Jalan, J. (Oral)

The proceedings in the matter have been conducted through video conferencing.

1. The petitioner, who is the defendant in CS (Comm) 276/2020 pending before the District Judge, Commercial Court-01, Shahdara, Karkardooma Court, Delhi, assails an order dated 10.01.2022 by which the Trial Court has taken his written statement off the record on the ground of delay.

2. The plaintiff-respondent filed a suit for recovery of a sum of Rs.6,40,801/- alongwith pendente lite and future interest on 22.02.2020. Although there is some controversy with regard to the date of service of summons, the defendant's own case is that the summons were served on 23.03.2021. The written statement was, however, filed only on 26.08.2021, after lapse of the maximum period contemplated under Order VIII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 19