Original documents to be produced at or before the settlement of issues
Full Text
(1) The parties or their pleader shall produce on or before the settlement of issues, all the documentary evidence in original where the copies thereof have been filed along with plaint or written statement.
(2) The Court shall receive the documents so produced: Provided that they are accompanied by an accurate list thereof prepared in such form as the High Court directs.
(3) Nothing in sub-rule (1) shall apply to documents—
(a) produced for the cross-examination of the witnesses of the other party; or
(b) handed over to a witness merely to refresh his memory.
Plain English Summary
Mandates that parties must produce all original documentary evidence at or before the settlement of issues where copies were previously filed, exempting documents reserved for witness cross-examination or memory refreshment.
Key Legal Elements
- Mandatory Cut-off Stage: At or before settlement of issues under Order XIV Rule 1.
- Production of Originals: Primary evidence requirement under Section 62 Evidence Act / Section 57 BSA.
- High Court Format List: Must be accompanied by a structured list of documents.
- Cross-Examination Exception: Documents deployed to impeach opponent witnesses during cross-examination need not be disclosed in advance (Mohammed Abdul Wahid v. Nilofer, 2023 SC).
Practical Note
Courtroom Practice for Producing Originals at Issues Stage: 1. Filing Originals on Issues Date: In district courts, when issues are framed, counsel must physically tender original agreements, title deeds, and receipts along with a formal 'List of Original Documents under Order XIII Rule 1 CPC'. 2. Supreme Court Landmark on Sub-rule (3) - Mohammed Abdul Wahid v. Nilofer (2023 SCC OnLine SC 1210): Cross-examining counsel is fully entitled to produce surprise documents during the deposition of the opposite party's witness to test veracity without advance filing under Rule 1.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) पक्षकार या उनके प्लीडर विवाद्यकों के स्थिर किए जाने (Settlement of issues) के समय या उससे पूर्व सभी मूल दस्तावेजी साक्ष्य प्रस्तुत करेंगे जिनकी प्रतियां वादपत्र या लिखित कथन के साथ दाखिल की गई हैं।
(2) न्यायालय इस प्रकार प्रस्तुत दस्तावेजों को ग्रहण करेगा: परन्तु यह तब जब वे उनकी एक सही सूची के साथ हों जो ऐसे प्ररूप में तैयार की गई हो जैसा उच्च न्यायालय निदेश दे।
(3) उपनियम (1) की कोई भी बात उन दस्तावेजों को लागू नहीं होगी जो—
(क) दूसरे पक्षकार के साक्षियों की प्रतिपरीक्षा (Cross-examination) के लिए प्रस्तुत किए गए हैं; या
(ख) साक्षी को केवल उसकी स्मृति ताजा करने के लिए सौंपे गए हैं।