Court may not stay trial on grounds of missing documents if reconstruction is underway.

O R D E R

The plaintiff in O.S.No.29 of 2012 on the file of the District Munsif –

cum – Judicial Magistrate, Shencottah, has filed the present Civil Revision Petition challenging the dismissal of his application to stay the proceedings until the missing documents are traced out.

2. It could be seen from the records that the above said suit has been filed for the relief of declaration of title and permanent injunction. Pending suit, the Court documents were missing and the Presiding Officer has issued memo to the concerned Court staff. The Court has also taken steps to reconstruct the bundle by obtaining copies from either side. The Court is also going to use the additional copies found in the bundle. In such circumstances, the plaintiff has filed the present application in I.A.No.3 of 2023 to stay the proceedings until the missing original documents are traced out. This application has been dismissed by the trial Court. Challenging the same, the present Civil Revision Petition has been filed.

3. According to the learned counsel appearing for the revision petitioner, even before reconstruction, the trial Court is proceeding with the trial. The learned counsel for the petitioner further alleged that in case if the documents are reconstructed, the Court would not issue certified copies of those documents. Hence, the present Civil Revision Petition.

4. This Court is perused the records and the reasons assigned by the trial Court for dismissing the stay petition.

5. It is not in dispute that some of the documents had been missing and the Court has already taken steps to reconstruct the bundle by obtaining copies from either side counsel. There is no dispute with regard to the genuineness of the documents which are produced by either side for reconstructing the bundle. In such circumstances, the suit of the year 2012 cannot be stayed until the original documents are traced out. The trial Court shall proceed to reconstruct the entire bundle and thereafter, proceed to conduct the trial, in accordance with law. In case if the plaintiff makes any application for certified copy, the same may be considered.

6. With the above said observation, this Civil Revision Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently connected Miscellaneous Petition stands closed.

04.03.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To

1. The District Munsif – cum – Judicial Magistrate, Shencottah.

2. The Section Officer, Vernacular Records, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.

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04.03.2025