Oral examination of party, or companion of party
Full Text
(1) At the first hearing of the suit, the Court—
(a) shall, with a view to elucidating matters in controversy in the suit examine orally such of the parties to the suit appearing in person or present in Court, as it deems fit; and
(b) may orally examine any person, able to answer any material question relating to the suit, by whom any party appearing in person or present in Court or his pleader is accompanied.
(2) At any subsequent hearing, the Court may orally examine any party appearing in person or present in Court, or any person, able to answer any material question relating to the suit, by whom such party or his pleader is accompanied.
(3) The Court may, if it thinks fit, put in the course of an examination under this rule questions suggested by either party.
Plain English Summary
Mandates oral examination of parties or their knowledgeable companions by the court at the first hearing to clarify ambiguous pleadings and elucidate matters in controversy, distinct from formal witness cross-examination.
Key Legal Elements
- Mandatory Duty at First Hearing: Clause (1)(a) uses 'shall'—examination aimed at clarifying pleadings.
- Examination of Companion: Permits questioning companions or clerks who possess firsthand factual knowledge.
- Elucidation, Not Cross-Examination: Sole object is to clarify the real core dispute, not to trap the litigant into admissions.
- Questions Suggested by Parties: Court may formulate questions recommended by opposite counsel.
Practical Note
Supreme Court Principles on Order X Rule 2 Examination: 1. Purpose and Boundaries - Kapil Kumar Sharma v. Lalit Kumar Sharma (AIR 2009 SC (Supp) 1526): - The Supreme Court ruled that the purpose of examining a party under Order X Rule 2 is solely to clarify and elucidate the matters in controversy. - It is NOT intended to substitute cross-examination, nor to extract self-incriminating or prejudicial admissions through court cross-examination before the trial has begun. 2. Framing Issues: The answers elicited under Order X Rule 2 form the primary foundation for the trial judge to frame specific issues of fact and law under Order XIV Rule 3(b) CPC.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) वाद की पहली सुनवाई पर न्यायालय—
(क) वाद में विवादग्रस्त विषयों को स्पष्ट करने (Elucidating matters in controversy) की दृष्टि से वाद के ऐसे पक्षकारों की मौखिक परीक्षा करेगा (Shall examine orally) जो स्वयं उपस्थित हों या न्यायालय में उपस्थित हों, जैसा वह ठीक समझे; और
(ख) किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति की मौखिक परीक्षा कर सकेगा जो वाद से संबंधित किसी तात्विक प्रश्न का उत्तर देने में समर्थ हो, और जिसके साथ स्वयं उपस्थित होने वाला या न्यायालय में उपस्थित कोई पक्षकार या उसका प्लीडर आया हो।
(2) किसी पश्चातवर्ती सुनवाई पर न्यायालय किसी ऐसे पक्षकार की अथवा उसके साथ आए व्यक्ति की मौखिक परीक्षा कर सकेगा।
(3) न्यायालय यदि ठीक समझे, तो इस नियम के अधीन परीक्षा के दौरान किसी पक्षकार द्वारा सुझाए गए प्रश्नों को भी पूछ सकेगा।