Nilesh Saluja v. Kanchan Motwani
Case brief
What is this about?
Chhattisgarh High Court, Bilaspur; Article 227 writ against closure of defendants' right to lead evidence (order dated 16.12.2025, Second District Judge, Bemetara) in a suit for declaration of title, possession, permanent injunction and damages; six defense witnesses listed, absence on the fixed date and two adjournment applications with conflicting reasons led to closure; High Court balanced defendants' opportunity to defend against plaintiff's interest in timely disposal, set aside the order with a Rs. 1000/- cost condition payable to the plaintiff, and directed the trial court to fix a fresh date for defence evidence, permitting production of witnesses by the parties or through court summons. Keywords: closure of evidence, opportunity to examine witnesses, adjournment, prejudice to defence, cost-imposed conditional setting aside, writ jurisdiction Article 227, Bemetara.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition allowed: order dated 16.12.2025 of the Second District Judge, Bemetara closing the defendants' right to lead evidence set aside, with one opportunity granted to petitioners/defendants Nos. 1 to 4 to record their witnesses' evidence on payment of Rs. 1000/- cost to respondent No. 1/plaintiff at the next hearing; trial court to fix the date for such recording; pending interlocutory applications disposed of; no costs on the writ petition.