Procedure in case of non-attendance of one or more of several defendants
Full Text
Where there are more defendants than one, and one or more of them appear, and the others do not appear, the suit shall proceed, and the Court shall, at the time of pronouncing judgment, make such order as it thinks fit with respect to the defendants who do not appear.
Plain English Summary
Directs that if only some defendants appear, the suit proceeds against the appearing defendants, and the court makes appropriate orders regarding the absent defendants at the time of pronouncing judgment.
Key Legal Elements
- Trial Continues: Non-appearance of one defendant does not halt the trial against contesting co-defendants.
- Ex Parte Proceedings Recorded: Absent defendants are marked ex parte in daily order sheets.
- Final Decree Adjustments: Court moulds relief at final judgment (e.g., dismissing against absent defendant or granting decree jointly and severally).
Practical Note
Tactical Consideration for Co-Defendants: An appearing defendant can cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses and lead evidence in his own defense. The evidence led by contesting defendants can also inure to the benefit of non-appearing defendants if the defense goes to the root of the suit (e.g. suit barred by limitation).
हिंदी पाठ
जहां एक से अधिक प्रतिवादी हैं, और उनमें से एक या अधिक उपसंजात होते हैं और अन्य उपसंजात नहीं होते हैं, वहां वाद आगे चलेगा, और न्यायालय निर्णय सुनाते समय अनुपस्थित रहने वाले प्रतिवादियों के संबंध में ऐसा आदेश करेगा जो वह ठीक समझे।