Defence by an indigent person
Full Text
Any defendant, who desires to plead a set-off or counter-claim, may be allowed to set up such claim as an indigent person, and the rules contained in this Order shall so far as may be, apply to him as if he were a plaintiff and his written statement were a plaint.
Plain English Summary
Extends indigent status to defendants seeking to plead an equitable/legal set-off or file a cross counter-claim under Order VIII Rule 6 or 6A without prepayment of ad valorem court fees.
Key Legal Elements
- Defendant Indigency: Equal procedural rights for impecunious defendants.
- Set-Off & Counter-Claim Scope: Applicable to cross-claims under Order VIII Rules 6 & 6A.
- Application of Order XXXIII Rules: Written statement treated as plaint; subject to financial inquiry.
Practical Note
Filing Counter-Claims Without Court Fee: When an indigent defendant has a valid counter-claim or damages claim against the plaintiff but cannot afford the ad valorem court fee, file the counter-claim accompanied by an application under Order XXXIII Rule 17. The court will hold an inquiry and permit the counter-claim to proceed without upfront court fees.
हिंदी पाठ
कोई भी प्रतिवादी, जो मुजराई (Set-off) या प्रतिदावे (Counter-claim) का अभिवाक करना चाहता है, निर्धन व्यक्ति के रूप में ऐसा दावा करने के लिए अनुज्ञात किया जा सकेगा, और इस आदेश में अंतर्विष्ट नियम, जहां तक हो सके, उसे ऐसे लागू होंगे मानो वह कोई वादी हो और उसका लिखित कथन कोई वादपत्र हो।