Procedure where defendant appears on day of adjourned hearing and assigns good cause for previous non-appearance
Full Text
Where the Court has adjourned the hearing of the suit, ex parte, and the defendant, at or before such hearing appears and assigns good cause for his previous non-appearance, he may, upon such terms as the Court directs as to costs or otherwise, be heard in answer to the suit as if he had appeared on the day fixed for his appearance.
Plain English Summary
Enables a defendant against whom ex parte proceedings have been initiated to appear at an adjourned hearing and show 'good cause' to be relegated back to the position as if they had appeared on the original date.
Key Legal Elements
- Interim Stage Remedy: Applies while the suit is pending before judgment, where the matter was adjourned ex parte.
- 'Good Cause' Standard: Distinguished by Supreme Court from 'sufficient cause' under Rule 13; requires a reasonable, bona fide explanation.
- Putting the Clock Back: If allowed, the defendant is permitted to file a written statement and cross-examine witnesses as if present on day one.
- Unconditional Right to Join Prospecively: Even without Rule 7 application, defendant can join future proceedings from the current stage without setting aside past proceedings (Arjun Singh v. Mohindra Kumar).
Practical Note
The Authority on Order IX Rule 7 (Arjun Singh v. Mohindra Kumar, AIR 1964 SC 993): 1. Landmark Rule: The Supreme Court settled that: (a) If defendant wants to put the clock back (e.g. file WS or cross-examine plaintiff's witness who already testified), he MUST file an application under Order IX Rule 7 showing 'good cause'. (b) If defendant only wants to participate from that day forward (without reopening past evidence), NO application under Rule 7 is needed—he can simply appear and take part! (c) Once hearing is concluded and suit is reserved for judgment under Order XX Rule 1, Order IX Rule 7 CANNOT be invoked; defendant must await judgment and move under Order IX Rule 13. 2. Application Header: 'Application on behalf of Defendant under Order IX Rule 7 read with Section 151 CPC for Setting Aside Ex Parte Proceedings and Recalling Order dated [Date]'.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां न्यायालय ने वाद की सुनवाई को एकपक्षीय (Ex Parte) रूप से स्थगित किया है और प्रतिवादी ऐसी सुनवाई के दिन या उससे पूर्व उपसंजात हो जाता है और अपनी पूर्वतन अनुपस्थिति के लिए अच्छा हेतुक (Good Cause) दर्शित करता है, वहां वह खर्चों के संबंध में या अन्यथा ऐसे निबंधनों पर, जैसे न्यायालय निदेश दे, वाद के उत्तर में इस प्रकार सुना जा सकेगा मानो वह अपने उपसंजात होने के लिए नियत दिन ही उपसंजात हुआ हो।