HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV SHARMA, J.
BRAHAM DASS
Petitioner
VERSUS
ONKAR CHAND AND ANOTHER
Respondents
CMPMO No.24 of 2007
Decided on 7-1-2009.
Documentary Evidence - Civil Suit - Order 7 Rule 14(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure - - 7 Rule 14(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner filed a suit for declaration of ownership of land. The trial court dismissed the application for permission to file documentary evidence under Order 7 Rule 14(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the trial court failed to exercise its jurisdiction and dismissed the application contrary to law. It allowed the petition, set aside the impugned order, and directed the trial court to hear the suit and decide it expeditiously.
Issues: The main issue was the admissibility of the documentary evidence under Order 7 Rule 14(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the documents could be produced subsequently with the leave of the court, and the trial court should have considered the language of Order 7 Rule 14(3) of the Code of Civil Procedure. It emphasized that the court should exercise its jurisdiction in favor of the production of evidence and not scuttle it.
Final Decision: The petition was allowed, the impugned order was set aside, and the trial court was directed to hear the suit and decide it expeditiously.
Rajiv Sharma, J.:-This petition is directed against the order dated 27.12.2006 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Hamirpur in CMA No. 218/2006 (Civil Suit No. 79/1998).
2. Brief facts necessary for the adjudication of this petition are that the petitioner filed a suit for declaration that he is owner of the land as entered in Khasra No. 366 measuring 3 kanals 9 marlas situated in village Khagal, Mauza Jangal, Tehsil and District Hamirpur as per jamabandi for the year 1992-93. According to the petitioner, the entries made in favour of the respondents were illegal, wrong and without jurisdiction. The petitioner by way of consequential relief also claimed that the respondents be restrained from interfering with the ownership and possession of the suit land and they may also be restrained from interfering with the possession of the plaintiff. A decree was claimed for possession by way of demolition of construction in case any construction is found to be raised over the suit land. The respondents contested the suit by filing written statement. The trial court framed the issues on 17.12.2001. An additional issue was framed by the trial court on 9.3.2005. The respondents closed their evidence and thereafter the case was fixed for rebuttal evidence of the petitioner. The petitioner filed an application under order 7 Rule 14
(3) read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure on 17.11.2006 for grant of permission to file documentary evidence. The respondents filed their reply to the application on 20.11.2006. The trial court dismissed the application on 27.12.2006. This petition has been directed against the order dated 27.12.2006 .
3. Mr. Romesh Verma, Advocate has strenuously argued that the learned trial court has failed to exercise the jurisdiction vested in it and the order is contrary to law.
4. Mr. Ajay Sharma, Advocate has supported the order dated 27.12.2006 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Hamirpur.
5. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have perused the record carefully.
6. The application has been preferred by the petitioner for producing on record after the respondents had led their evidence certified copy of the order passed by the Settlement Collector, Kangra dated 15.6.2006 passed in review appeal No. 18/2005/SO and certified copy of order dated 4.2.2006 alongwith certified copy of complaint passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bilaspur in Private Complaint No. 92-1/2004, certified copy of Khasra Girdawari for the year 24.10.1998 to 28.4.1999 of village Khagal Mouza Jangal, certified copy of Jamabandi for the year 2002-03 of Mauza Khagal Mouza Jangal alongwith Photostat copy of application dated 29.4.1998 moved by Sh. Braham Dass to the Tehsildar Hamirpur. The sum and substance of the reply filed by the respondents was that the application could not be entertained at the belated stage. According to the respondents the documents which the petitioner wanted to place on record had no relevance in the case and the same was filed to harass the respondents.
7. Mr. Romesh Verma has strenuously argued that the certified copies of the orders, which the petitioner wanted to place on record were per se admissible. Mr. Ajay Sharma submitted that these documents could not be produced in rebuttal of evidence. According to him there is a set procedure whereby in rebuttal these documents could be produced by any of the witnesses summoned by the petitioner. It is true that the petitioner has averred in the application that these documents were being filed to rebut the evidence of the respondents. The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure are to be read so as to advance the substantial justice. The pleadings were to be read in totality by the trial court. The endeavour of the petitioner was only to place certified copies of the documents necessary for the adjudication of the lis between the parties. The trial court has not at all taken into consider
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