Production of documents
Full Text
It shall be lawful for the Court, at any time during the pendency of any suit, to order the production by any party thereto, upon oath, of such of the documents in his possession or power, relating to any matter in question in such suit, as the Court shall think right; and the Court may deal with such documents, when produced, in such manner as shall appear just.
Plain English Summary
Vests inherent plenary jurisdiction in the court at any stage of the suit to order any party to produce relevant documents in their possession or power under oath.
Key Legal Elements
- Plenary Power at Any Stage: Can be exercised at the stage of pleadings, framing issues, or trial.
- Suo Motu or on Application: Court can order production on its own motion or upon party motion.
- Custody and Dealing: Court may inspect, impound under Order XIII Rule 8, or place documents in safe custody of the registry.
Practical Note
Courtroom Practice for Rule 14 Production Orders: 1. Distinction from Discovery: Discovery under Rule 12 is a declaration on oath of what exists; Production under Rule 14 is the physical bringing of the document into court custody. 2. Supreme Court Landmark - State of U.P. v. Raj Narain (AIR 1975 SC 865): The court has wide powers to order production to discover truth, subject only to valid claims of privilege regarding state affairs (Section 123 Evidence Act). 3. Application Header: 'Application on behalf of Plaintiff under Order XI Rule 14 read with Section 151 CPC for an Order Directing Defendant to Produce Original Title Deed dated [Date] on Oath'.
हिंदी पाठ
न्यायालय के लिए यह विधिपूर्ण होगा कि वह किसी वाद के लंबित रहने के दौरान किसी भी समय, उसके किसी भी पक्षकार द्वारा उसके कब्जे या शक्ति में की ऐसी दस्तावेजों को, जो ऐसे वाद में के किसी विवादग्रस्त विषय से संबंधित हैं, शपथ पर प्रस्तुत किए जाने का आदेश करे, जैसा न्यायालय उचित समझे; और न्यायालय ऐसी दस्तावेजों के प्रस्तुत किए जाने पर उनके साथ ऐसी रीति से व्यवहार कर सकेगा जैसा न्यायसंगत प्रतीत हो।