Non-compliance with order for discovery
Full Text
(1) Where any party fails to comply with any order to answer interrogatories, or for discovery or inspection of documents, he shall, if a plaintiff, be liable to have his suit dismissed for want of prosecution, and, if a defendant, to have his defence, if any, struck out, and to be placed in the same position as if he had not defended, and the party interrogating or seeking discovery or inspection may apply to the Court for an order to that effect and an order may be made on such application accordingly, after notice to the parties and after giving them a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(2) Where an order is made under sub-rule (1) dismissing any suit, the plaintiff shall be precluded from bringing a fresh suit on the same cause of action.
Plain English Summary
Imposes the ultimate penal sanction for disobeying discovery orders: dismissal of the plaintiff's suit (barring fresh suits) or striking out the defendant's defense, subject to natural justice notice and hearing.
Key Legal Elements
- Sanction Against Plaintiff: Suit dismissed for want of prosecution; fresh suit barred under sub-rule (2).
- Sanction Against Defendant: Defense struck out; placed in position of an undefended party (ex parte posture).
- Mandatory Natural Justice: Order can only be made after notice and giving reasonable opportunity of being heard.
- Last Resort Principle: Exercised only in cases of contumacious, wilful, or obstinate disobedience.
Practical Note
The Master Authority on Order XI Rule 21: 1. Supreme Court Landmark - Babbar Sewing Machine Co. v. Trilok Nath Mahajan (1978) 4 SCC 188: Striking out a defendant's defense is a drastic penalty of last resort. It should not be applied lightly for a mere failure or technical delay. It is warranted ONLY where the court is satisfied that the party is guilty of contumacious conduct, wilful disobedience, or an attempt to withhold documents to defeat justice. 2. Moving for Striking Out Defense: 'Application on behalf of Plaintiff under Order XI Rule 21 read with Section 151 CPC for Striking Out the Defence of Defendant No. 1 for Wilful and Contumacious Non-Compliance of Discovery Order dated [Date]'.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां कोई पक्षकार परिप्रश्नों का उत्तर देने के, या दस्तावेजों के प्रकटीकरण या निरीक्षण के किसी आदेश का अनुपालन करने में असफल रहता है, वहां यदि वह वादी है तो उसका वाद अदम पैरवी (Want of prosecution) के कारण खारिज किए जाने का दायी होगा, और यदि वह प्रतिवादी है तो उसकी प्रतिरक्षा (Defence), यदि कोई हो, काट दिए जाने (Struck out) का और ऐसी स्थिति में रखे जाने का दायी होगा मानो उसने कोई प्रतिरक्षा ही न की हो, और परिप्रश्न करने वाला या प्रकटीकरण अथवा निरीक्षण चाहने वाला पक्षकार उस आशय के आदेश के लिए न्यायालय को आवेदन कर सकेगा और पक्षकारों को सूचना देने और उन्हें सुने जाने का युक्तियुक्त अवसर देने के पश्चात ऐसे आवेदन पर तदनुसार आदेश किया जा सकेगा।
(2) जहां उपनियम (1) के अधीन किसी वाद को खारिज करने वाला आदेश किया जाता है, वहां वादी उसी वाद-हेतुक पर नया वाद लाने से प्रवारित (Barred) रहेगा।