Evasive-denial
Full Text
Where a defendant denies an allegation of fact in the plaint, he must not do so evasively, but answer the point of substance. Thus, if it is alleged that he received a certain sum of money, it shall not be sufficient to deny that he received that particular amount, but he must deny that he received that sum or any part thereof, or else set out how much he received. And if an allegation is made with diverse circumstances, it shall not be sufficient to deny it along with those circumstances.
Plain English Summary
Prohibits evasive, negative pregnant, or technical denials, requiring the defendant to directly address the core substance of every factual averment in the plaint.
Key Legal Elements
- Prohibition of Negative Pregnant: Denying a specific compound sentence without denying its core substance is an evasive denial.
- Answer the Point of Substance: Must directly address whether the transaction occurred in whole or in part.
- Legal Consequence: An evasive denial is treated in law as an admission under Rule 5.
Practical Note
Avoiding the 'Negative Pregnant' Trap: If the plaint states 'Defendant received Rs. 50,000 in cash on 1st January at Plaintiff's residence', never plead 'It is denied that defendant received Rs. 50,000 in cash on 1st January at Plaintiff's residence' (which leaves open that defendant received Rs. 49,000 or received it on 2nd January). Plead: 'Defendant never received Rs. 50,000 or any sum whatsoever from the plaintiff at any time or place'.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां प्रतिवादी वादपत्र में तथ्य के किसी अभिकथन से इनकार करता है, वहां वह ऐसा टालमटोल से (Evasively) नहीं करेगा, बल्कि सार के बिंदु का उत्तर देगा। अतः यदि यह अभिकथित है कि उसने कोई निश्चित धनराशि प्राप्त की थी, तो केवल यह इनकार करना पर्याप्त नहीं होगा कि उसने वह विशिष्ट राशि प्राप्त की थी, बल्कि उसे यह इनकार करना होगा कि उसने वह राशि या उसका कोई भाग प्राप्त किया था, अन्यथा यह उपवर्णित करना होगा कि उसने कितनी राशि प्राप्त की थी। और यदि कोई अभिकथन विभिन्न परिस्थितियों के साथ किया गया है, तो उन परिस्थितियों के साथ उसका इनकार करना पर्याप्त नहीं होगा।