Consequence of refusal of party to give evidence when called on by Court
Full Text
Where any party to a suit present in Court refuses, without lawful excuse, when required by the Court, to give evidence or to produce any document then and there in his possession or power, the Court may pronounce judgment against him or make such order in relation to the suit as it thinks fit.
Plain English Summary
Empowers the Court to pronounce immediate judgment against any litigating party physically present in court who refuses without lawful excuse to testify or produce documents in their possession.
Key Legal Elements
- Present in Court: Condition precedent is physical presence inside the courtroom.
- Refusal Without Lawful Excuse: Obstinate disobedience or defiance of judicial requisition.
- Drastic Sanction: Pronouncing judgment against the defaulting party on the spot.
- Alternative Orders: Striking off defence, adverse inference, or contempt.
Practical Note
Invoking Rule 20 Against Defaulting Parties: 1. Landmark Rule: Order XVI Rule 20 provides one of the sharpest teeth in civil litigation. If a plaintiff or defendant is sitting in court and refuses to take the stand or refuses to hand over a disputed agreement in their pocket, the judge has statutory power to decree or dismiss the suit immediately. 2. Karnani Industrial Bank v. Satya Niranjan (AIR 1928 PC 227): The Privy Council held that this drastic power is penal and must be exercised cautiously, giving the party an opportunity to comply.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां न्यायालय में उपस्थित वाद का कोई पक्षकार, न्यायालय द्वारा अपेक्षा किए जाने पर, बिना वैध कारण के उस समय अपने कब्जे या शक्ति में स्थित कोई साक्ष्य देने या दस्तावेज पेश करने से इंकार करता है, वहां न्यायालय उसके विरुद्ध निर्णय सुना सकेगा (Pronounce judgment against him) या वाद के संबंध में ऐसा आदेश कर सकेगा जैसा वह ठीक समझे।