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civil_laws:additional_evidence_suit_18112020

Production of Additional Evidence At a late Stage of Suit

The Code earlier had a specific provision in Order 18 Rule 17A for production of evidence not previously known or the evidence which could not be produced despite due diligence. It enabled the court to permit a party to produce any evidence even at a late stage, after the conclusion of his evidence if he satisfied the court that even after the exercise of due diligence, the evidence was not within his knowledge and could not be produced by him when he was leading the evidence. That provision was deleted with effect from 1.7.2002.

The Supreme Court in K.K. Velusamy v. N. Palanisamy, (2011) 11 SCC 275 held as follows:

1. Order XVIII Rule 17A CPC is no longer in the Statute Book. But the Court is not powerless to permit the production of the additional evidence. One of the reasons for deletion of Order XVIII Rule 17A of the CPC was that no time interval was now contemplated between the closure of evidence and the commencement of arguments.

2. There could be situations where there is a wide time gap between the closure of evidence and the commencement of arguments. If something happens in that interval, subject to the other conditions being satisfied, additional evidence in respect thereof could be led. The conditions stipulated are:

  1. If there was a time gap between the completion of evidence and hearing of arguments for whatever reasons, and if in that interval of time, a party came across some evidence which “he could not lay his hands on earlier”, or some evidence in regard to the conduct or action of the other party “comes into existence”, the Court could exercise its inherent power under Section 151 of the Code and permit the production of such evidence provided it was relevant and necessary in the interest of justice and subject to such terms as the Court may deem fit to impose.
  2. If an application to lead additional evidence was filed, inter alia, to cover up negligence or lacunae, it ought to be rejected “with heavy costs”.

3. There is no specific provision in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 enabling the parties to re-open the evidence for the purpose of further examination-in-chief or cross-examination. Section 151 of the Code provides that nothing in the Code shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent powers of the Code to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent the abuse of the process of the court. In the absence of any provision providing for re-opening of evidence or recall of any witness for further examination or cross-examination, for purposes other than securing clarification required by the court, the inherent power under section 151 of the Code, subject to its limitations, can be invoked in appropriate cases to re-open the evidence and/or recall witnesses for further examination.

4. This inherent power of the court is not affected by the express power conferred upon the court under Order 18 Rule 17 of the Code to recall any witness to enable the court to put such question to elicit any clarifications. The deletion of the said provision does not mean that no evidence can be received at all, after a party closes his evidence. It only means that the amended structure of the Code found no need for such a provision, as the amended Code contemplated little or no time gap between completion of evidence and commencement and conclusion of arguments. Another reason for its deletion was the misuse thereof by the parties to prolong the proceedings under the pretext of discovery of new evidence. The amended provisions of the Code contemplate and expect a trial court to hear the arguments immediately after the completion of evidence and then proceed to judgment. Therefore, it was unnecessary to have an express provision for reopening the evidence to examine a fresh witness or for recalling any witness for further examination.

5. But if there is a time gap between the completion of evidence and hearing of the arguments, for whatsoever reason, and if in that interregnum, a party comes across some evidence which he could not lay his hands earlier, or some evidence in regard to the conduct or action of the other party comes into existence, the court may in exercise of its inherent power under section 151 of the Code, permit the production of such evidence if it is relevant and necessary in the interest of justice, subject to such terms as the court may deem fit to impose.

6. The power under section 151 or Order 18 Rule 17 of the Code is not intended to be used routinely, merely for the asking. If so used, it will defeat the very purpose of various amendments to the Code to expedite trials. But where the application is found to be bona fide and where the additional evidence, oral or documentary, will assist the court to clarify the evidence on the issues and will assist in rendering justice, and the court is satisfied that non-production earlier was for valid and sufficient reasons, the court may exercise its discretion to recall the witnesses or permit the fresh evidence. But if it does so, it should ensure that the process does not become a protracting tactic.

7. The court should pass the order:

  1. firstly award appropriate costs to the other party to compensate for the delay.
  2. Secondly the court should take up and complete the case within a fixed time schedule so that the delay is avoided.
  3. Thirdly if the application is found to be mischievous, or frivolous, or to cover up negligence or lacunae, it should be rejected with heavy costs.
  4. If the application is allowed and the evidence is permitted and ultimately the court finds that evidence was not genuine or relevant and did not warrant the reopening of the case recalling the witnesses, it can be made a ground for awarding exemplary costs apart from ordering prosecution if it involves fabrication of evidence.
  5. If the party had an opportunity to produce such evidence earlier but did not do so or if the evidence already led is clear and unambiguous, or if it comes to the conclusion that the object of the application is merely to protract the proceedings, the court should reject the application.
  6. If the evidence sought to be produced is an electronic record, the court may also listen to the recording before granting or rejecting the application.