Extension of time to enable public officer to make reference to Government
Full Text
(1) Where the defendant is a public officer and, on receiving the summons, considers it proper to make a reference to the Government before answering the plaint, he may apply to the Court to grant such extension of the time fixed in the summons as may be necessary to enable him to make such reference and to receive orders thereon through the proper channel.
(2) Upon such application the Court shall extend the time for so long as appears to it to be necessary.
Plain English Summary
Entitles a sued public officer to apply for extension of time to refer the matter to higher government authorities, making it mandatory ('shall extend') for the court to grant necessary time to receive official instructions.
Key Legal Elements
- Prerequisite: Public officer sued in respect of official act desiring government defense.
- Application to Court: Filing memo explaining the reference made to the Law/Parent Department.
- Mandatory Judicial Extension (Sub-rule 2): Court must grant reasonable extension to obtain departmental orders.
Practical Note
Official Reference Protocol: A public officer served with court summons should immediately forward a copy of the plaint and summons to the District Magistrate / Law Department along with a draft parawise reply and move a formal application under Rule 7 to stay ex-parte proceedings until the Government sanctions defense.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां प्रतिवादी कोई लोक अधिकारी है और समन प्राप्त होने पर, वादपत्र का उत्तर देने से पूर्व सरकार को संदर्भ (Reference) करना उचित समझता है, वहां वह समन में नियत समय का ऐसा विस्तार मंजूर करने के लिए न्यायालय से आवेदन कर सकेगा जैसा उसे ऐसा संदर्भ करने और उस पर उचित माध्यम से आदेश प्राप्त करने में समर्थ बनाने के लिए आवश्यक हो।
(2) ऐसे आवेदन पर न्यायालय उतने समय के लिए विस्तार करेगा (Shall extend the time) जितना उसे आवश्यक प्रतीत हो।