of the CPC cannot be diluted may not be the correct view. In the light of the judgment of the Supreme Court The apex Court in Salem Advocates Bar Association vs. Union of India, AIR 2005 SC 3353, has addressed the question whether the provision was mandatory or directory and has come to the conclusion that it is directory and therefore, the courts would have discretion to permit the filing of the written statement for sufficient and good reasons. No matter the period of delay. Therefore, even in circumstances where there is a seemingly inordinate delay in filing the written statement, the courts have permitted the same depending upon the facts and circumstances. In the present case on hand, it could not be said that the delay was of such inordinate period, that the court should have taken strict view of the rigour of the Section. The inconvenience caused, if any, to the plaintiff in permitting the defendant to file the written statement belatedly can be adequately compensated in terms of money. Therefore, even if the clock is to be set back, whereby some effort is involved
