In a significant development, the Supreme Court most recently on January 20, 2020 in a latest, landmark and laudable judgment titled Desh Raj Vs Balkishan (D) Through Proposed LR Ms. Rohini in Civil Appeal No. 433 of 2020 [Arising out of Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 6217 of 2019] in exercise of its civil appellate jurisdiction has clarified in no uncertain terms that the mandatory time-line for filing written statement is not applicable to non-commercial suits. It has held that as regards non-commercial suits, the time-line for written statement is directory and not mandatory. A Bench of Apex Court comprising of CJI Sharad A Bobde, Justice Surya Kant and Justice BR Gavai have held that the courts have the discretion to condone delay in filing of written statement in non-commercial suits.

To start with, the ball is set rolling in para 2 of this judgment after granting leave in para 1 by observing that, This Civil Appeal is directed against order dated 26.11.2018 passed by the Delhi High Court whereby appellant's revision petition against the order of the Civil Court which closed his right to file written statement under Order VIII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (hereinafter CPC) and struck-off his defence owing to repeated delays and non-adherence of prescribed deadlines, has been dismissed.

While dealing with the facts of the case, it is then pointed out in para 3 that, The appellant and the respondent are brothers and own one floor each of ancestral property bearing No. 142 in Devli Village, Delhi. The ground floor was possessed and owned by the respondent, whereas the first floor was in the name of the appellant.

While going into the nitty-gritty, it is then enumerated in para 4 that, It has been claimed that in February 2017, the respondent approached the appellant offering to purchase the first floor of the ancestral property. Subsequently, an agreement to sell was entered into between the parties on 17.03.2017 for total consideration of Rs 7.5 lakhs, of which an amount of Rs 1 lakh was paid as earnest money to the appellant. This agreement was subsequently not honoured and a legal notice was served upon the appellant by the respondent on 13.04.2017, calling upon him to accept consideration and perform his part of the contract.

While continuing in the same vein, it is then envisaged in para 5 that, Claiming that the appellant was attempting to sell the suit property to third parties, the respondent later approached the Civil Court praying for a decree of specific performance of the agreement to sell dated 17.03.2017 by directing the appellant to receive the balance sale consideration and execute/register the sale deed in favour of the respondent. Additionally, the respondent sought to permanently injunct the appellant from alienating the property in favour of any third party. Alternatively, recovery of damages of Rs 2 lakhs with pendent lite and future interest @ 18% per annum was sought by the respondent.

Illustrating further, it is then observed in para 6 that, The appellant was served on 01.05.2017, and he appeared through counsel on 15.05.2017 wherein the Civil Court granted the appellant 30 days to file his written statement. On 17.07.2017, noting that no written statement had been filed till then, the Court granted the appellant a final opportunity of two weeks to file his written statement. On 18.09.2017, the Court observed that despite the last opportunity having been accorded more than two months ago, no written statement had been filed. Nevertheless, the Court granted another final opportunity, subject to payment of Rs 3,000 costs and the matter was posted for 11.10.2017. On this date, appellant sought multiple pass overs but his Counsel did not appear before the Court.

After noticing that despite several opportunities (including one beyond the maximum period of 90 days) the appellant had failed to file any written statement or deposit costs and that the matter could not be adjourned repeatedly, the Civil Court thus closed the appellant's opportunity of filing written statement and struck off his defence. Even on the next hearing on 03.11.2017, the appellant's Counsel did not appear or supply a copy of the written statement to the respondent, as noted in the Trial Court's daily order.

What's more, it is then pointed out in para 7 that, The aggrieved appellant approached the High Court in revision, which noted how he had been granted repeated opportunities and yet the written statement was not filed within 120 days of notice. Relying upon the order of its co-ordinate bench in Oku Tech Pvt Ltd v. Sangeet Agarwal and Others 2016 SCC OnLine Del 6601 wherein it was held that there was no discretion with courts to extend the time for filing the written statement beyond 120 days after service of summons, the Delhi High Court summarily dismissed the petition.

Needless to say, it is then enshrined in para 13 that, The judgment of Oku Tech (supra) relied upon the learned Single Judge is no doubt good law, as recently upheld by this Court in SCG Contracts India Pvt Ltd. v. KS Chamankar Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., AIR 2019 SC 2691 but its ratio concerning the mandatory nature of the timeline prescribed for filing of written statement and the lack of discretion with Courts to condone any delay is applicable only to commercial disputes, as the judgment was undoubtedly rendered in the context of a commercial dispute qua the amended Order VIII Rule 1 CPC.

Furthermore, it is then noted in para 14 that, As regard the timeline for filing of written statement in a non commercial dispute, the observations of this Court in a catena of decisions, most recently in Atcom Technologies Ltd. v. Y.A. Chunawala and Co., (2018) 6 SCC 639, holds the field. Unamended Order VIII Rule 1, CPC continues to be directory and does not do away with the inherent discretion of Courts to condone certain delays.

To put things in perspective, it is then stipulated in para 15 that, Let us, therefore, consider whether the appellant has made out a case of exercising such discretionary jurisdiction? The present civil suit had been filed by the respondent for a decree of specific performance of an agreement to sell one floor of an ancestral property located in Devli village, Delhi and permanent injunction against alienation of the same by petitioner to third parties. Counsel for respondent has not contested the non-commercial nature of the dispute, and even independently we are satisfied that the dispute does not fall within the parameters specified under Section 2(c) of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 and in particular sub-clause (vii), as the immovable property here is not of a nature which is used exclusively in trade or commerce. Hence, the appellant is correct in contending that the High Court overlooked the nature of the dispute and mistakenly applied the ratio of a case rendered in light of a modified version of the Code of Civil Procedure, which would only be applicable to commercial disputes.

As it turned out, para 16 then minces no words to say: However, it would be gainsaid that although the unamended Order VIII Rule 1 of CPC is directory, it cannot be interpreted to bestow a free hand to on any litigant or lawyer to file written statement at their own sweet-will and/or to prolong the lis. The legislative objective behind prescription of timelines under the CPC must be given due weightage so that the disputes are resolved in a time-bound manner.

Inherent discretion of Courts, like the ability to condone delays under Order VIII Rule 1 is a fairly defined concept and its contours have been shaped through judicial decisions over the ages. Illustratively, extreme hardship or delays occurring due to factors beyond control of parties despite proactive diligence, may be just and equitable instances for condonation of delay.

While launching a scathing attack on the appellant's nonchalant approach, the Bench then minces no words to hold in para 17 that, However, it is clear from the facts on record that numerous opportunities had been accorded to the appellant. He was served on 01.05.2017 and entered appearance through counsel on 15.05.2017. As per Order VIII Rule 1 of CPC, the appellant ideally sought to have filed his written statement by 31.05.2017; and at the very latest by 30.07.2017.

In addition to two separate deadlines for filing of the written statement within the 90-day timeframe prescribed by the 'original' Order VIII Rule 1, the Civil Court even post expiry of the 90-day period again gave one last and final opportunity on 18.09.2017 subject to payment of costs of Rs 3,000. None of these deadlines were complied with. Even on 11.10.2017, when the Court finally closed the appellant's ability to file the written statement and struck-off his defence from the record, no attempt was made to comply with the process of law.

Not stopping here, it is then further pointed out in para 18 that, It was only on 02.11.2017, after a delay of 95 days post the maximum extendable period under the Proviso of Order VIII Rule 1, CPC that the appellant claimed to have filed his written statement. Curiously however, even by the next hearing on 03.11.2017, the appellant had failed to provide a copy of the written statement to the respondent as had been noted by the Civil Court.

Most significantly, it is then made amply clear by the Bench in para 19 that, The only defence taken to these repeated and blatant lapses is that the appellant's counsel was not turning up. No attempt has been made to even proffer a reasoned justification or explanation, and it is clear that appellant is seeking condonation in a casual manner. This ought not to be permitted or encouraged. Courts must act stringently to ensure that all proceedings are decided within reasonable time, and it is but the duty of the judicial system to cultivate a culture of respecting deadlines and time of the Court, its officers as well as of adversaries.

No less significant is what is then pointed out in para 20 that, Routine condonations and cavalier attitudes towards the process of law affects the administration of justice. It affects docket management of Courts and causes avoidable delays, cost escalations and chaos. The effect of this is borne not only by the litigants, but also commerce in the country and the public-in-general who spend decades mired in technical process.

Of course, it is then rightly held in para 21 that, It is obvious from the record that nothing prevented the appellant from filing the written statement through counsel or in person. He has, thus, failed to give any cogent reason for the delay and is unable to satisfy due diligence on his part though he is right in his submission that the High Court erroneously relied upon the ratio of Oku Tech (supra).

Finally, while rendering a balanced decision, it is then held in para 22 that, Having held so, there could be no escape but to dismiss this appeal. However, taking a lenient view given the unique circumstances of the case, and without laying down the discretion being exercised hereinafter, as a precedent, we direct that the written statement filed by the appellant on 02.11.2017 (as claimed), be taken on record with a copy to counsel for the respondent within one week from today and further subject to payment of costs of Rs 25,000/- to the respondent. Also, in the last para 23, it is then held that, The orders of the courts below are thus set aside and the appeal is disposed of in the above terms.

On the whole, it is a very well balanced and fair judgment where no room for doubt has been left on any score. The 3 Judge Bench of Apex Court comprising of CJI Sharad B Bobde, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant have in this notable judgment left no stone unturned to make it pretty clear that the mandatory time-line for filing written statement is not applicable to non-commercial suits. It has held that as regards non-commercial suits, the time-line for written statement is directory and not mandatory. Very rightly so!

Sanjeev Sirohi, Advocate,
s/o Col BPS Sirohi, A 82, Defence Enclave,
Sardhana Road, Kankerkhera, Meerut – 250001, Uttar Pradesh.