The main legal point established is that evidence can be led even after the closure of evidence if sufficient cause is shown, with the overarching goal of ensuring substantial justice between the parties.

Tarun Agarwala, J. --

Heard Shri Piyush Garg, the learned counsel for the peti­tioners and Shri Neeraj Garg, the learned counsel for the respondent No.2.

2. A suit for eviction and for possession was field by the landlord/opposite party before the Judge Small Causes Court on the basis of a rent agreement. It transpires that the defendant did not dispute the rent agreement and, on that basis, the plaintiff led his evidence and did not prove the rent note. After the closure of the evidence of the plaintiff, the defendant came to the witness box and denied the rent agreement. Consequently, after the closure of the defendant's evidence the plaintiff-landlord moved an application to lead further evidence to prove the rent agreement. This application was allowed by the impugned order on 25th October, 2010, against which, the defen­dant has filed the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that after the closure of the evidence, no further evidence could be led by the parties in view of the provision of Order 18 Rule 2 of the C.P.C.

4. In my opinion, the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners is bereft of merit. For facility, the provision of Order 18 Rule 2 is quoted hereunder:-

2. Statement and production of evidence-(1) On the day fixed for the hearing of the suit or on any other day which the hearing is adjourned, the party having the right to begin shall state his case and produce his evidence in support of the issues which he is bound to prove.

(2) The other party shall then state his case and produce his evidence (if nay) and may then address the Court generally on the whole case.

(3) The party beginning may then reply generally on the whole case.

[(3A) Any party may address oral arguments in a case, and shall, before he concludes the oral arguments, if any, submit if the court so permits con­cisely and under distinct headings written arguments in support of his case to the court and such written arguments shall form part of the record.

(3B) A copy of such written arguments shall be simultaneously furnished to the opposite party.

(3C) No adjournment shall be granted for the purpose of filing the written argu­ments unless the court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary to grant such adjournment.

(3D) The Court shall fix such time-limits for the oral arguments by either of the parties in a case, as it thinks fit.]

5. In Ajai Swaroop Mehrotra v. D.N. Raina (Deceased) and others, ADJ 10 (2008) 652:2009 (1) ARC 48, the provision relating to the leading of evidence by the parties was dealt and explained in detailed which is quoted hereunder :-

"9. Before proceeding, it could be relevant to take a look into certain pro­visions of the Code of Civil Procedure. Order 7 Rule 14 of the C.P.C. provides for the production of documents of which plaintiff's sues or relies upon. Sub clause (3) of Order 7 Rule 14 of the C.P.C. provides that a docu­ment not field in the list could not be produced or received in evidence subsequently except with the leave of the Court and that the Court on suffi­cient cause can accept the document at a later stage if it finds relevant to the issue. This power has been given to the Court to ensure that substantial justice is done between the parties. Similarly, Order 16 Rule 1 of the C.P.C provides furnishing a list of witnesses who are likely to give evidence and such list is required to be filed within a stipulated period immediately after the settlement of the issues. Sub clause (3) of Rule 1 of Order 16 also provides that the Court may for reasons to be recorded, summon a witness whose name was not found in the list on sufficient cause being shown. Order 16 Rule 1-A of the C.P.C. provides that any party to the suit may bring any witness without applying any summon under Rule 1 to give evidence or to produce documents. Similarly, under Order 18 Rule 4 of the C.P.C. docu­ments are filed and relied by the parties, the proof and admissibility of such d

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