Party to appear before other witnesses
Full Text
Where a party himself wishes to appear as a witness, he shall so appear before any other witness on his behalf has been examined, unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded, permits him to appear as his own witness at a later stage.
Plain English Summary
Mandates that a party wishing to testify must enter the witness box before examining any other witnesses on their behalf, unless prior leave is granted by the Court for recorded reasons.
Key Legal Elements
- Party First Rule: Precludes litigants from tailoring their testimony after listening to their witnesses.
- Mandatory Prior Application: Permission to depose at a later stage must be obtained BEFORE examining other witnesses.
- Recorded Reasons: Court must exercise judicial discretion based on genuine necessity (e.g. party's hospitalization or absence abroad).
Practical Note
Order XVIII Rule 3A Courtroom Practice: 1. Strict Enforcement: In many High Courts (e.g. Punjab & Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka), Rule 3A is enforced rigorously. If a plaintiff examines PW-1 (accountant) and PW-2 (agent) without prior court permission, the defendant can object to the plaintiff stepping into the witness box as PW-3. 2. Safe Practice: If the party is indisposed or abroad, move an application BEFORE examining any supporting witness: 'Application under Order XVIII Rule 3A CPC seeking permission to examine the Plaintiff after the examination of formal witnesses PW-1 and PW-2 due to medical hospitalization'.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां कोई पक्षकार स्वयं साक्षी के रूप में उपस्थित होना चाहता है, वहां वह अपनी ओर से किसी अन्य साक्षी की परीक्षा किए जाने से पूर्व इस प्रकार उपस्थित होगा, जब तक कि न्यायालय अभिलिखित किए जाने वाले कारणों से उसे बाद के प्रक्रम पर अपने स्वयं के साक्षी के रूप में उपस्थित होने की अनुमति न दे।