JUDGMENT :

ALKA SARIN, J.

1. This is a petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India challenging the order dated 01.12.2023 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), Jalandhar.

2. The brief facts relevant to the present lis are that the respondent (landlord herein) filed an ejectment petition under Section 13 of the East Punjab Rent Restriction Act, 1949 (hereinafter referred to as 'Punjab Rent Act') for ejectment of the petitioners herein from property being Shop No.1 measuring 6 ft. x 14 ft. (ground floor). The ejectment was sought on the ground of arrears of rent as well as for bonafide personal necessity. The ejectment petition was filed on 19.04.2021. Thereafter written statement was filed by the petitioners herein and evidence was led. When the case was fixed for rebuttal evidence, an application was filed under Order 6 Rule 17 CPC for amendment of the written statement. The ground taken in the application was that when a new counsel was engaged, he pointed out that there was no reply which has been given to the averments made in para No.4(e), (f) and (g) and hence the petitioners sought permission to amend the written statement to the extent of introducing