2026:CGHC:13062 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WP227 No. 314 of 2026 Santoshi Bai D/o Late Jhangluram Rohidas, W/o Kapil Sarvash, Aged About 51 Years R/o Village Bishrampur, Hindadih, Police Station And Tehsil Seepat, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (Defendant No. 1)

... Petitioner(s)

versus

1 - Sushila Bai Rohidas D/o Late Jhanglu Ram Rohidas W/o Vishram Rohidas Aged About 45 Years R/o Village Bishrampur, Hindadih Police Station And Tehsil Seepat, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Kaushalya Bai D/o Late Jhanglu Ram W/o Late Kanshiram R/o Village Bishrampur, Hindadih Police Station And Tehsil Seepat, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

3 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Collector, Bilaspur (C.G.)

... Respondent(s)

For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Yash Yadav, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Isha Jajodia, Panel Lawyer for the State Hon'ble Shr i Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, J.

Order on Board

18/03/2026

1. The present writ petition under article 227 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the defendant No.1 against the impugned order dated 26.02.2026 passed by learned Fourth Additional Judge to the Court of First Civil Judge, Senior Division, Bilaspur in Civil Suit No. (A)/27/2024 whereby the application under Section 151 of CPC filed by the defendant No.1 for permission to cross-examine the plaintiff has been rejected.

2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that in the civil suit filed by the plaintiff before the learned trial Court, the case was fixed for plaintiff’s evidence on 06.02.2026, though the plaintiff was appeared for recording of his evidence, however, due to ailment of the counsel representing the defendant No.1, he could not appeared and at about 4:10 P.M. his junior Advocate appeared before the learned trial Court and requested for adjournment, however, instead of adjourning the case, his right to cross-examine the plaintiff has been forfeited and the trial Court proceeded for further plaintiff’s evidence. On 18.02.2026, the defendant No.1 filed an application under Section 151 of CPC for permission to cross-examine the plaintiff but the same has been rejected by the learned trial Court vide its order dated 26.02.2026 by observing the conduct of the defendant No.1. He would further submit that the defendant No.1 is ready and willing to cross-examine the plaintiff.

3. He would further submit that the matter pertains to property rights of the parties as the civil suit was filed for partition and permanent injunction of the property, the parties are real brother and sisters and serious property dispute exists between them. It is only due to ailment of his senior counsel who is representing the defendant No.1 they sought adjournment, therefore, the defendant No.1 may be permitted to cross-

examine the plaintiff.

4. I have heard learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the material annexed with the petition.

5. From perusal of the order sheets, it transpires that on 06.02.2026 up to

4:10 P.M. neither the defendant No.1 nor her counsel appeared in the proceeding for cross-examination of the plaintiff. It is observed by the learned trial Court that the plaintiff was appeared for recording of her evidence from 11:00 A.M. On that day at 4:10 P.M., when the junior Advocate to the counsel who is representing the defendant No.1, appeared in the proceeding and requested for adjournment, the same was denied and the right to cross-examine the plaintiff was forfeited and fixed the case for recording of further plaintiff evidence. On 18.02.2026, an application under Section 151 of CPC has been filed by the defendant No.1 supported by an affidavit of the junior counsel. The learned trial Court has rejected the application of the defendant No.1 on the ground that on 06.02.2026 the examination in chief of the plaintiff was recorded and since, up to 4:00 P.M., the defendant No.1 was not appeared and the witness is the resident of a rural area, far away from the Bilaspur and the defendant No.1 is negligent