Using, as evidence, of document production of which was refused on notice
Full Text
When a party refuses to produce a document which he has had notice to produce, he cannot afterwards use the document as evidence without the consent of the other party or the order of the Court.
Illustration
A sues B on an agreement and gives B notice to produce it. At the trial, A calls for the document and B refuses to produce it. A gives secondary evidence of its contents. B seeks to produce the document itself to contradict the secondary evidence given by A, or in order to show that the agreement is not stamped. He cannot do so.
Plain English Summary
Prevents a party who refused to produce a document upon notice from using it as evidence later without consent or a court order.
Key Legal Elements
- Bars a party who refused to produce a requested document from later tendering that same document as evidence.
- Allows two exceptions to the bar: either the consent of the adverse party or an explicit order from the Court.
- Prevents a party from withholding a document to block inspection, and then surprising the opponent with it later to defeat secondary evidence.
Practical Note
This is your ultimate shield against surprise tactics by the opposite side. If you serve a notice to produce a critical document (like the original agreement, receipt, or title deed) and they state they don't have it or refuse to produce it, immediately lead secondary evidence (photocopies or oral testimony) of its contents. If they later try to produce the original document to contradict your secondary evidence or to show a defect (like lack of stamp duty or a mismatch in terms), stand up and object under Section 167 of the BSA. The court will absolutely prohibit them from exhibiting it. It is a powerful doctrine of estoppel in trial practice.
हिंदी पाठ
जब कोई पक्षकार किसी ऐसे दस्तावेज को पेश करने से इनकार करता है जिसे पेश करने की उसे सूचना दी गई थी, तब वह पश्चातवर्ती समय में दूसरे पक्षकार की सम्मति के बिना या न्यायालय के आदेश के बिना उस दस्तावेज का साक्ष्य के रूप में उपयोग नहीं कर सकेगा।
दृष्टान्त
'क' एक करार के आधार पर 'ख' पर वाद लाता है और 'ख' को उसे पेश करने की सूचना देता है। विचारण के समय, 'क' दस्तावेज की मांग करता है और 'ख' उसे पेश करने से इनकार करता है। 'क' उसकी अंतर्वस्तु का द्वितीयक साक्ष्य देता है। 'ख' 'क' द्वारा दिए गए द्वितीयक साक्ष्य का खंडन करने के लिए, या यह दिखाने के लिए कि करार पर स्टांप नहीं लगा है, स्वयं मूल दस्तावेज पेश करना चाहता है। वह ऐसा नहीं कर सकता।