Procedure where defendant only appears
Full Text
Where the defendant appears and the plaintiff does not appear when the suit is called on for hearing, the Court shall make an order that the suit be dismissed, unless the defendant admits the claim, or part thereof, in which case the Court shall pass a decree against the defendant upon such admission, and where part only of the claim has been admitted, shall dismiss the suit so far as it relates to the remainder.
Plain English Summary
Mandates dismissal of the suit when the defendant appears but the plaintiff fails to appear on the hearing date, unless the defendant admits the claim in whole or in part, in which case a decree is passed on such admission.
Key Legal Elements
- Defendant Present, Plaintiff Absent: Direct trigger for dismissal for default.
- Mandatory Language: Court 'shall' make an order dismissing the suit.
- Exception of Admission: If defendant admits claim or part thereof, decree on admission is drawn under Order XII Rule 6 / Order IX Rule 8.
- Fatal Consequence: Dismissal under Rule 8 triggers the statutory bar of Rule 9 against filing a fresh suit on the same cause of action.
Practical Note
The Dangerous Trap of Rule 8 Dismissal: 1. Severe Legal Bar: Unlike a Rule 3 dismissal, a dismissal under Rule 8 completely BARS a fresh suit on the same cause of action by virtue of Order IX Rule 9(1). 2. Defendant's Strategy: When plaintiff fails to appear, the defendant's advocate should simply stand up, announce appearance, and pray: 'Matter has been called twice. Plaintiff is absent. It is prayed that the suit be dismissed in default under Order IX Rule 8 CPC'.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां वाद की सुनवाई के लिए पुकार होने पर प्रतिवादी उपसंजात होता है और वादी उपसंजात नहीं होता है, वहां न्यायालय यह आदेश करेगा कि वाद खारिज (Dismissed) कर दिया जाए, जब तक कि प्रतिवादी दावे को या उसके किसी भाग को स्वीकार न कर ले, जिस दशा में न्यायालय ऐसी स्वीकृति पर प्रतिवादी के विरुद्ध डिक्री पारित करेगा और जहां दावे का केवल एक भाग ही स्वीकार किया गया है, वहां शेष भाग के संबंध में वाद को खारिज कर देगा।