1. Heard Shri Dias, the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners and Shri Pangam, the learned Counsel appearing for respondent no.1.
2. Rule. With the consent of the learned Counsel for the parties, rule is made returnable forthwith. The learned Counsel for respondent no.1 waives service.
3. The challenge in the above petition is to the order passed by the learned District Judge, dated 20/03/2017, whereby the evidence of the petitioners came to be closed.
4. Shri Dias, the learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that the matter was posted for the evidence of the petitioners for the first time after the evidence of the respondents was closed. It is further pointed out that on the relevant date, the petitioners had produced Medical Certificate, inter alia, disclosing that the witness of the petitioners was sick and as such, unable to attend the Court. The learned Counsel further points out that the learned Judge has misconstrued the certificate and disallowed the adjournment application on the ground that the witness was operated in May 2016. It is pointed out that the matter is now posted on 17/04/2017. The learned Counsel, as such, submits that in the interest of justice, the impugned order be set aside and the petitioners be allowed to lead evidence.
5. Shri Pangam, the learned Counsel appearing for respondent no.1 submits that though the adjournment was sought for the first time, the matter has been adjourned from time to time and the recovery of the amount due to the respondents is being delayed on account of such adjournment. The learned Counsel further points out that in case this Court is inclined to exercise discretion in favour of the petitioners, the petitioners should not delay the proceedings before the learned District Court.
6. Considering the submissions made and having gone through the adjournment application of the petitioners dated 20/03/2017, which is stated to be for the first time, I am inclined to consider the relief sought by the petitioners. No doubt, the Medical Certificate shows that the witness was operated in May, 2016 and further there is an observation therein that the witness was advised rest on the said date on the ground of medical advice. In such circumstances, the learned Judge was not justified to pass the impugned order and refuse an adjournment to the petitioners. Hence, in the interest of justice, the adjournment application deserves to be granted and the petitioners should be allowed to lead evidence in support of the stand taken before the learned District Court.
7. In view of the above, the following order is passed :
ORDER
i) The impugned order dated 20/03/2017 is
quashed and set aside.
ii) The petitioners are allowed to lead evidence in
support of their stand before the learned District
Court and shall not unnecessarily delay the
proceedings.
iii) The petitioners shall ensure the presence of
the witness on the next date and furnish an advance
copy of the affidavit-in-evidence of the concerned
witness at least two days in advance.
iv) Rule is made absolute in the aforesaid terms.
