Court may examine witnesses or documents before framing issues
Full Text
Where the Court is of opinion that the issues cannot be correctly framed without the examination of some person not before the Court or without the inspection of some document not produced in the suit, it may adjourn the framing of issues to a day not later than seven days and may (subject to any law for the time being in force) compel the attendance of any person or the production of any document by the person in whose possession or power it is by summons or other process.
Plain English Summary
Empowers the court to summon third-party witnesses or compel production of unfiled documents before framing issues, allowing an adjournment of not more than 7 days to correctly ascertain the real controversy.
Key Legal Elements
- Pre-Issue Inquiry Power: Extraordinary authority to summon evidence before issues are even framed.
- Strict 7-Day Adjournment Limit: Inserted by 1999/2002 Amendment to eliminate dilatory postponements.
- Summons Process: Enforces attendance under Orders XVI and XVI-A.
- Ensures Accurate Framing: Prevents trial on distorted or incomplete factual premises.
Practical Note
Invoking Rule 4 in Ambiguous Boundary/Title Disputes: If the boundary or identity of suit property is completely ambiguous from rival plaints, pray under Rule 4 that the court summon the Halqa Patwari / revenue recordkeeper with original revenue maps before framing issues.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां न्यायालय की यह राय है कि न्यायालय के समक्ष अनुपस्थित किसी व्यक्ति की परीक्षा किए बिना अथवा वाद में अप्रस्तुत किसी दस्तावेज के निरीक्षण के बिना विवाद्यक सही रूप से विरचित नहीं किए जा सकते, वहां वह विवाद्यकों के विरचन को सात दिन (7 Days) से अनधिक के दिन के लिए स्थगित कर सकेगा और किसी व्यक्ति की उपस्थिति अथवा जिसके कब्जे या शक्ति में दस्तावेज है उसके द्वारा समन या अन्य आदेशिका द्वारा किसी दस्तावेज के प्रस्तुत किए जाने को विवश कर सकेगा।