Procedure if parties fail to appear on day fixed
Full Text
Where, on any day to which the hearing of the suit is adjourned, the parties or any of them fail to appear, the Court may proceed to dispose of the suit in one of the modes directed in that behalf by Order IX or make such other order as it thinks fit.
Explanation.—Where the evidence or a substantial portion of the evidence of any party has already been recorded and such party fails to appear on any day to which the hearing of the suit is adjourned, the Court may, in its discretion proceed with the case as if such party were present.
Plain English Summary
Directs that upon non-appearance of parties on an adjourned hearing, the Court may dispose of the suit under Order IX (dismissal in default or ex-parte proceeding); however, if substantial evidence has already been recorded, the court may proceed on merits as if the absent party were present.
Key Legal Elements
- Default on Adjourned Hearing: Applies to subsequent adjourned dates (unlike Order IX Rule 1 which applies to the first hearing).
- Order IX Invocation: Court may dismiss the suit for plaintiff's absence (Order IX Rule 8) or proceed ex-parte against absent defendant (Order IX Rule 6).
- Discretionary 'Such Other Order': Court may adjourn instead of passing punitive orders.
- Explanation Exception (Decision on Merits): If substantial evidence is already on record, court can decide on merits rather than ex-parte.
Practical Note
Remedy Strategy: Order IX Application vs. Regular Appeal under Section 96: 1. Landmark Ruling - B. Janakiramaiah Chetty v. A.K. Parthasarthi (2003) 5 SCC 641: The Supreme Court resolved the conflict between Rule 2 and Rule 3. The Explanation to Rule 2 applies only when the defaulting party has already led evidence or a substantial portion of evidence. If no evidence was recorded, the court's disposal is strictly under Order IX. 2. Determining the Proper Remedy: - If the suit is disposed of under the main part of Rule 2 (Order IX mode): The remedy of the aggrieved defendant is an application under Order IX Rule 13 CPC to set aside the ex-parte decree, or Order IX Rule 9 for the plaintiff. - If the suit is decided on merits under the Explanation: The judgment is a decree on merits; Order IX Rule 13 does NOT lie. The remedy is a First Appeal under Section 96 CPC.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां किसी ऐसे दिन, जिसके लिए वाद की सुनवाई स्थगित की गई है, पक्षकार या उनमें से कोई उपस्थित होने में असफल रहता है, वहां न्यायालय आदेश 9 द्वारा उस निमित्त निर्दिष्ट रीतियों में से किसी एक रीति से वाद का निपटारा करने के लिए अग्रसर हो सकेगा अथवा ऐसा अन्य आदेश कर सकेगा जैसा वह ठीक समझे।
स्पष्टीकरण: जहां किसी पक्षकार का साक्ष्य या उसके साक्ष्य का सारवान भाग (Substantial portion of evidence) पहले ही दर्ज किया जा चुका है और ऐसा पक्षकार किसी ऐसे दिन उपस्थित होने में असफल रहता है जिसके लिए वाद की सुनवाई स्थगित की गई है, वहां न्यायालय अपने विवेकानुसार मामले में ऐसे आगे बढ़ सकेगा मानो ऐसा पक्षकार उपस्थित हो।