Full Order Text
Order 1 · 06 Feb 2023 · CNR MHCC010057122019
Order Details: Order below exhibit Pdf Text: 1 Order below Exh. 25 in Comm. Suit 18/2019 MHCC010057122019 IN THE CITY CIVIL COURT AT MUMBAI. (Court Room No.32) ORDER BELOW EXH.25 IN COMMERCIAL SUIT No.18 of 2019 Mr. Bhupendra Jayantilal Jain …PLAINTIFF VERSUS M/s SRP Textile (partnership firm) & others …DEFENDANTS Shri Dheeraj Rathore, learned advocate for plaintiff Shri Vaibhav Kamble h/f. Shri Jayesh Rathod, learned advocates for defendants CORAM : JUDGE SHRI. N.P. TRIBHUWAN O R D E R (Delivered on 6/2/2023) Plaintiff has filed this application leading additional evidence. He stated that he has not closed his evidence. Plaintiff wish to lead additional evidence. He has filed some certified true copies of documents and some original documents after filing of the affidavit of evidence. Due to delay in getting the certified copies, the plaintiff was unable to file the said copies on record at the time of his evidence. Hence, this application for permission to file additional evidence. Defendants have filed reply and strongly opposed this application. -- 1 of 5 -- 2 Order below Exh. 25 in Comm. Suit 18/2019 2] Heard learned counsel of both parties. Perused record. Order XI Rule 1 of the CPC as applicable to the commercial suits brought about a radical change and it mandates the plaintiff to file a list of all documents, photocopies of all documents, in its power, possession, control or custody, pertaining to the suit, alongwith the plaint and a procedure provided under Order XI Rule 1 is required to be followed by the plaintiff and the defendant, when the suit is the commercial suit. Order XI Rule 1, as applicable to commercial suits reads as under: ORDER XI DISCLOSURE, DISCOVERY AND INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS IN SUITS BEFORE THE COMMERCIAL DIVISION OF A HIGH COURT OR A COMMERCIAL COURT 1. Disclosure and discovery of documents. — (1) Plaintiff shall file a list of all documents and photocopies of all documents, in its power, possession, control or custody, pertaining to the suit, alongwith the plaint, including: — (a) documents referred to and relied on by the plaintiff in the plaint; (b) documents relating to any matter in question in the proceedings, in the power, possession, control or custody of the plaintiff, as on the date of filing the plaint, irrespective of whether the same is in support of or adverse to the plaintiff’s case; (c) nothing in this Rule shall apply to documents produced by plaintiffs and relevant only– (i) for the crossexamination of the defendant’s witnesses, or (ii) in answer to any case set up by the defendant subsequent to the filing of the plaint, or (iii) handed over to a witness merely to refresh his memory. (2) The list of documents filed with the plaint shall specify whether the documents in the power, possession, control or custody of the plaintiff are originals, office copies or photocopies and the list shall also set out in brief, details of parties to each document, mode of execution, issuance or receipt and line of custody of each document. (3) The plaint shall contain a declaration on oath from the plaintiff that all documents in the power, possession, control or custody of the plaintiff, pertaining to the facts and circumstances -- 2 of 5 -- 3 Order below Exh. 25 in Comm. Suit 18/2019 of the proceedings initiated by him have been disclosed and copies thereof annexed with the plaint, and that the plaintiff does not have any other documents in its power, possession, control or custody. Explanation. – A declaration on oath under this subrule shall be contained in the Statement of Truth as set out in the Appendix. (4) In case of urgent filings, the plaintiff may seek leave to rely on additional documents, as part of the above declaration on oath and subject to grant of such leave by Court, the plaintiff shall file such additional documents in Court, within thirty days of filing the suit, along with a declaration on oath that the plaintiff has produced all documents in its power, possession, control or custody, pertaining to the facts and circumstances of the proceedings initiated by the plaintiff and that the plaintiff does not have any other documents, in its power, possession, control or custody. (5) The plaintiff shall not be allowed to rely on documents, which were in the plaintiff’s power, possession, control or custody and not disclosed alongwith plaint or within the extended period set out above, save and except by leave of Court and such leave shall be granted only upon the plaintiff establishing reasonable cause for non–disclosure alongwith the plaint. (6) The plaint shall set out details of documents, which the plaintiff believes to be in the power, possession, control or custody of the defendant and which the plaintiff wishes to rely upon and seek leave for production thereof by the said defendant………………………………… 3] In the present case, the suit was proceeded exparte against defendant as per order dt.22/10/2019. Thereafter, plaintiff has filed affidavit of Chiefexamination of PW1 – Ravi Shah on 20/11/2019. The documents filed by plaintiff are marked exhibit No.8 to 22 as per roznama dt.15/2/2021. Thereafter, on 9/3/2021 plaintiff has filed this application (Exh.25). Defendants have filed Notice of Motion No.1009/2021and 951/2022, which came to be allowed as per order dt.22/7/2022 as under : 1. Defendant Nos.1, 3 and 4 are allowed to participate in this proceeding. -- 3 of 5 -- 4 Order below Exh. 25 in Comm. Suit 18/2019 2. Defendant Nos.1, 3 and 4 are allowed to take cross examination of witness of plaintiff subject to the condition mentioned in aforesaid case law of Modula India. 3. Defendant Nos.1, 3 and 4 are allowed to take inspection of the proceeding and allowed for final arguments. 4] Plaintiff has not mentioned specific document in this application. He vaguely mentioned in application that he wish to lead additional evidence as he has filed some certified true copies of documents and some original documents after filing of the affidavit of evidence. As per aforementioned provisions the plaintiff shall file a list of all documents and photocopies of all documents, in its power, possession, control or custody, pertaining to the suit, alongwith the plaint. As per order XI Rule 1(3) the plaintiff ought to have file declaration on oath that all documents have been disclosed but plaintiff has not made such declaration on oath in the plaint. As subrule 5 plaintiff shall not be allowed to rely on documents, which were in his power, possession, control or custody and not disclosed alongwith plaint or within the extended period set out above. There is no reasonable cause for nondisclosure of the said documents alongwith the plaint. There is no provision to lead additional evidence/chief examination. In such facts and circumstances, it is not desirable to allow plaintiff to file additional evidence. Hence, I pass following order. ORDER Application Exh.25 is rejected. Date :6/2/2023. (N.P. Tribhuwan) Judge, City Civil Court, Mumbai. C.R.No.32. -- 4 of 5 -- 5 Order below Exh. 25 in Comm. Suit 18/2019 Dictated on : 06/02/2023 Checked on : 06/02/2023 Signed on : 06/02/2023 CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER” 06/02/2023 Mrs.Rupali S. Bhor UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER Name of the Judge(with CR No.) HHJ SHRI. N. P. TRIBHUVAN (C.R.No.32) Date of pronouncement of Order 06/02/2023 Order signed by P.O. on 06/02/2023 Order uploaded on 06/02/2023 -- 5 of 5 --
