2006 Supreme(P&H) 2996
PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
Hemant Gupta, J.
Gautam Sarup
Versus
Anand Sarup
Civil Revision No. 2069 of 2005,
Decided On : JULY 25, 2006
Headnote:
Amendment - Suit for Declaration - Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order 6 Rule 17, Order 12 Rule 6 - [Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order 6 Rule 17, Order 12 Rule 6] - The court discussed the principles of admission, burden of proof, and the right to amend pleadings. It emphasized that admissions are not conclusive and can be proved wrong, and the burden of proving a Will lies with the plaintiff. The court held that the defendant had the right to amend the written statement and that the plaintiff was not prejudiced by allowing the amendment.
Fact of the Case:
The suit for declaration was regarding the estate of Shanti Sarup. The plaintiff claimed the estate based on a Will dated 23.9.1999, while the defendants disputed the Will and relied on a holograph Will dated 18.11.1982. Defendant No. 6 filed a written statement admitting the execution of the Will but later sought to amend it.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the admission in the written statement was not conclusive and that the burden of proving the Will lay with the plaintiff. It held that the defendant had the right to amend the written statement and that the plaintiff was not prejudiced by allowing the amendment.
Issues: The issues revolved around the admission in the written statement, the burden of proof of the Will, and the right to amend pleadings.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that admissions are not conclusive and can be proved wrong, and the burden of proving a Will lies with the plaintiff. It held that the defendant had the right to amend the written statement and that the plaintiff was not prejudiced by allowing the amendment.
Final Decision: The court upheld the trial court's decision to permit the defendant to amend the written statement, finding no patent illegality or material irregularity warranting interference.
Hemant Gupta, J.
1. The challenge in the present revision petition is to the order dated 23.03.2005 passed by the learned trial Court permitting defendant No. 6 to amend her written statement filed earlier on 30.03.2000.
2. The dispute in the present suit for declaration is regarding the estate of one Shanti Sarup. The plaintiff is claiming the estate of one Shanti Sarup on the basis of Will dated 23.9.1999 whereas defendants No. 1 to 4 are disputing the said Will and, in fact, relying upon holograph Will dated 18.11.1982. The said suit for declaration was filed on or about 03.03.2000 in which defendant No. 6 Mrs. Leela Jetly, daughter of Shanti Sarup, has filed written statement dated 30.03.2000. In the said written statement, the said defendant has admitted that deceased Shanti Sarup was 95 years of age at the time of his death on 5.11.1999 and that he died of heart attack. Still further, execution of Will dated 23.9.1999 is admitted to have been executed by Shanti Sarup in favour of the plaintiff and defendant No. 7. It is also admitted that Shri A.C. Aulock has attested the said Will as marginal witness along with the said defendant in the presence of executant of the said Will.
3. On 28.8.2000 defendant No. 6 filed an application before the learned trial court for taking off the record the earlier written statement dated 23.03.2000. The learned trial court vide order dated 12.9.2001 permitted defendant No. 6 to replace her written statement dated 30.3.2000 with a new one. The said order was challenged by the plaintiff before this Court in Civil Revision No. 5900 of 2001. The said revision petition was allowed but a direction was issued to the learned trial Court to hold a fact finding inquiry as to whether defendant No. 6 ever engaged Shri M.P. Vasudeva, Advocate or ever signed the written statement which has been placed on the record. It was also observed that if the findings are given against her, it will be open to defendant No. 6 to file an application under Order 6 Rule 17 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (hereinafter to be referred as "the Code"), for amendment of the pleadings and the said application shall be disposed of by the trial Court.
4. After the said order was passed, the learned trial Court passed an order on 11.11.2003 wherein it was found that defendant No. 6 cannot be believed when it is alleged that her signatures were obtained by fraud. On the other hand, statement of Shri M.P. Vasudeva that he was engaged by defendant No. 6 as her counsel and the written statement was prepared at her behest cannot be brushed aside. Denial of signatures by defendant No. 6 while giving statement in the Court on oath on 20.11.2001 and in her cross-examination on 30.5.2002 was found to be an act of not coming to the Court with clean hands. As conclusion was drawn that written statement dated 30.3.2000 is filed by defendant No. 6. The revision against the said order was dismissed on 7.5.2004 by this Court. Thereafter, an application was filed for amendment of the written statement on the ground that the written statement filed by Shri M.P. Vasudeva is against facts. It was alleged that the plaintiff has been adopted by Karam Narain and as such he ceased to be the heir of his natural father Santi Sarup. Shanti Sarup has made a legal and valid last Will on 18.11.1982 which was written by him in his own hands. It is further stated that the plaintiff has taken the signatures of the applicant (defendant No. 6) on blank papers and printed forms. The learned trial Court permitted defendant No. 6 to amend the written statement which order is subject matter of present revision petition.
5. Learned Counsel for the petitioner has vehemently argued that by virtue of the amendment, defendant No. 6 has sought to withdraw the admission made in respect of execution of the Will by Shanti Sarup in sound disposing state of mind. It is argued that such amendment in the written statement completely withdraw the admission made in