Consequence of refusal or inability of pleader to answer
Full Text
(1) Where the pleader of any party who appears by a pleader or any such person accompanying a pleader as is referred to in rule 2, refuses or is unable to answer any material question relating to the suit which the Court is of opinion that the party whom he represents ought to answer, and is likely to be able to answer if interrogated in person, the Court may postpone the hearing of the suit to a day not later than seven days from the date of first hearing and direct that such party shall appear in person on such day.
(2) If such party fails without lawful excuse to appear in person on the day so appointed, the Court may pronounce judgment against him, or make such order in relation to the suit as it thinks fit.
Plain English Summary
Authorizes the court to summon a party for personal appearance within 7 days if their pleader refuses or cannot answer material questions, and empowers the court to pronounce judgment against the party if they fail to appear without lawful excuse.
Key Legal Elements
- Pleader's Inability/Refusal: Advocate lacks specific instructions on pivotal material facts.
- Short 7-Day Adjournment: Hearing postponed for maximum 7 days specifically to procure client's attendance.
- Direction for Personal Appearance: Explicit judicial order directing personal attendance.
- Penal Sanction under Sub-rule (2): Pronouncement of judgment against the defaulting party or passing other adverse orders (e.g., striking out defense).
Practical Note
Handling Order X Rule 4 Summons: 1. Severe Judicial Sanction: Sub-rule (2) provides an extraordinary power akin to Order VIII Rule 10 or Order XI Rule 21—the court can enter judgment against the defendant or dismiss the plaintiff's suit on default of appearance! 2. Urgent Exemption Application: If a client receives a direction to appear under Rule 4 and is incapacitated, bedridden, or overseas, counsel MUST file an urgent application supported by medical proof: 'Application on behalf of Defendant under Section 151 CPC seeking Exemption from Personal Appearance on [Date] with Prayer for Examination through Video Conferencing'.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां किसी ऐसे पक्षकार का प्लीडर, जो प्लीडर द्वारा उपसंजात होता है, अथवा प्लीडर के साथ आया कोई ऐसा व्यक्ति, जो नियम 2 में निर्दिष्ट है, वाद से संबंधित किसी ऐसे तात्विक प्रश्न का उत्तर देने से इनकार करता है अथवा उत्तर देने में असमर्थ रहता है जिसका उत्तर न्यायालय की राय में उस पक्षकार को देना चाहिए जिसका वह प्रतिनिधित्व करता है, और यदि उससे व्यक्तिगत रूप से पूछताछ की जाए तो वह उत्तर देने में समर्थ हो सकता है, तो न्यायालय वाद की सुनवाई को पहली सुनवाई की तारीख से सात दिन (7 Days) से अनधिक के दिन के लिए स्थगित कर सकेगा और निदेश दे सकेगा कि ऐसा पक्षकार उस दिन स्वयं उपस्थित (In person) होगा।
(2) यदि ऐसा पक्षकार इस प्रकार नियत दिन बिना किसी विधिपूर्ण प्रतिहेतुक (Lawful excuse) के स्वयं उपस्थित होने में असफल रहता है, तो न्यायालय उसके विरुद्ध निर्णय सुना सकेगा (May pronounce judgment against him), अथवा वाद के संबंध में ऐसा आदेश कर सकेगा जो वह ठीक समझे।