Parneet Kaur vs Baljeet Kaur & Ors on 21 July, 2026

    0
    2
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Delhi High Court – Orders

    Parneet Kaur vs Baljeet Kaur & Ors on 21 July, 2026

    Author: Subramonium Prasad

    Bench: Subramonium Prasad

                              $~22
                              *         IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
                              +         CS(OS) 811/2022
                                        PARNEET KAUR                                                                       .....Plaintiff
                                                                      Through:            Mr. Mandeep Singh Vinaik, Ms.
                                                                                          Anjali Sharma, Ms. Ragini Vinaik,
                                                                                          Ms.     Thanglunkim     and  Mr.
                                                                                          Gaikhuanlung, Advocates.
                                                                      versus
    
                                        BALJEET KAUR & ORS                                                               ......Defendants
    
                                                                      Through:            Mr. Abhisar Vidyarthi, Advocate for
                                                                                          D-6, 7, 8 and 10.
                                                                                          Mr. Deepak Bashta, Advocate for D-
                                                                                          15,17, 18-20.
                                                                                          Mr. Bharat Arora, Advocate for D-21.
    
                                        CORAM:
                                        HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD
                                                                      ORDER
    

    % 21.07.2026
    I.A. 9984/2026

    1. This application under Order XVIII Rule 1 read with Section 151 of
    CPC has been filed on behalf of Defendant No.18 for a direction to
    Defendant No.21 to first lead evidence and prove the Will dated 18.12.1974
    executed by Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur.

    SPONSORED

    2. The instant Suit is one for partition of a property bearing G-34, Green
    Park, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as “Suit Property”).

    3. The facts as stated in the Plaint reveal that the Suit Property belonged
    to one Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur. It is stated that Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur
    died intestate on 18.12.1974 and her husband Late Sobha Singh also died

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 1 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    intestate on 19.03.1984. It is stated that they both died intestate, leaving
    behind 10 children i.e., six sons and four daughters. It is stated that the
    Plaintiff and the Defendants herein are grandchildren of Late Mrs. Rukman
    Kaur. In paragraph No.6 of the Plaint, the Plaintiff has apportioned the share
    which according to the Plaintiff is the share of each of the Parties i.e., the
    Plaintiff and the Defendants, barring Defendant No.21. It is the case of the
    Plaintiff that Defendant No.7 has refused the claim of the Plaintiff for
    partition and, therefore, the present Suit seeking partition of the Suit
    Property has been filed.

    4. Defendant No.21 in its written statement states that Late Mrs.
    Rukman Kaur executed a Will dated 18.12.1974, written in Gurmukhi,
    whereby she bequeathed 2/7th share in the Suit Property in favour of her one
    son namely Sh. Surinder Singh and the remaining 5/7th share in the Suit
    Property to her other 5 sons namely Sh. Mohinder Pal Singh, Sh. Khushwant
    Singh, Sh. Davinder Singh, Sh. Yashpal Singh and Sh. Harjeet Singh
    (having 1/7th share each). It is stated that subsequent to passing away of
    Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur, there were some family arrangements between the
    family and Release Deeds were executed by a few family members and
    ultimately Defendant No.7 became the absolute owner of the Suit Property
    who, thereafter, sold the Suit Property to one Mr. Dhankesh Yadav and Mr.
    Ajit Kumar from whom Defendant No.21 has purchased the Suit Property.
    Therefore, Defendant No.21 claims the entire Suit Property in the said
    fashion.

    5. After completion of pleadings and admission/denial of documents,
    this Court vide Order dated 29.01.2026 had framed the following issues:

    i. Whether Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur was the exclusive

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 2 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    owner of property bearing Municipal No.G-34, Green
    Park, New Delhi [“Suit Property”] and whether the Suit
    Property devolved intestate upon the heirs/branches as
    pleaded in the plaint? (OPP)

    ii. Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to a share in the Suit
    Property; if so, what is the Plaintiff’s share? (OPP)

    iii. Whether any of the heirs/branches (including Plaintiff’s
    branch and/or other Defendants) have validly
    transferred/ relinquished/alienated their respective
    undivided shares in the Suit Property by registered
    instruments; if so, to whom and to what extent, and with
    what legal effect on the Plaintiff’s claim for partition?
    (OPD/OPD-21)

    iv. Whether Defendant No. 21 (M/s Rubel Florist Pvt. Ltd.)
    has acquired lawful right/title/interest in the Suit
    Property (wholly or in part), and if so, whether it is
    binding on the Plaintiff and other parties? (OPD-21)

    v. Whether the Suit Property (or any share therein) stood
    sold /alienated prior to institution of the Suit (including
    the alleged sale in June 2022)? (OPD-21)

    vi. Whether the Plaintiff is or has been in joint possession of
    the Suit Property as pleaded? (OPP)

    vii. Whether the Suit has been properly valued for purposes
    of court-fee and jurisdiction; and whether the court-fee
    paid is sufficient in view of the finding on Issue No. 6?
    (OPP/OPD-21)

    viii. Whether the Plaintiff has a valid and subsisting cause of
    action for partition as pleaded (including the alleged
    refusal in/after October 2022), or whether the Suit is
    barred/liable to be dismissed in view of prior transfers
    and/or absence of subsisting co-ownership? (OPP/OPD-

    21)

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 3 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    ix. Whether the Suit is barred by limitation, delay, laches,
    acquiescence and/or estoppel (as pleaded by Defendant
    No. 21), and with what effect? (OPD-21)

    x. Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to a preliminary decree
    declaring shares and directing partition of the Suit
    Property by metes and bounds? (OPP)

    xi. Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to partition/division of
    movable assets as prayed? (OPP)

    xii. Whether Plaintiff’s mother and other Defendants (i.e., the
    daughters of Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur) have issued a valid
    No-Objection Certificate in respect of the Will dated
    18.12.1974? (OPD-21)

    xiii. Whether the Suit is maintainable, in view of the fact that
    the Plaintiff has not challenged the Registered documents
    executed by Defendants in favour of Sh. Yash Pal Singh
    Oberoi in view of Section 90 of the Indian Evidence Act,
    1872? (OPP)

    xiv. Relief.”

    (emphasis supplied)

    6. After issues were framed, the instant application has been filed by
    Defendant No.18 for a direction that Defendant No.21 should be first
    directed to lead evidence and prove the Will dated 18.12.1974.

    7. It is the case of Defendant No.18 that if the Will is proved then the
    Plaintiff and other Defendants will have no case, and if the Will is proved
    then the Suit Property will be available for partition to all the grandchildren
    of Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur.

    8. Order XVIII of CPC deals with hearing of Suit and examination of
    witnesses. Order XVIII Rules 1& 2 of CPC, which is relevant for

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 4 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    adjudication of the present application, is reproduced as under:

    “1. Right to begin.–The plaintiff has the right to begin
    unless the defendant admits the facts alleged by the
    plaintiff and contents that either in point of law or on
    some additional facts alleged by the defendant the
    plaintiff is not entitled to any part of the relief which he
    seeks, in which case the defendant has the right to begin.

    2. Statement and production of evidence.–(1) On the
    day fixed for the hearing of the suit or on any other day
    to which the hearing is adjourned, the party having the
    right to begin shall state his case and produce his
    evidence in support of the issues which he is bound to
    prove.

    (2) The other party shall then state his case and produce
    his evidence (if any) and may then address the Court
    generally on the whole case.

    (3) The party beginning may then reply generally on the
    whole case.

    [(3A) Any party may address oral arguments in a case,
    and shall, before he concludes the oral arguments, if any,
    submit if the Court so permits concisely and under
    distinct headings written arguments in support of his
    case to the Court and such written arguments shall form
    part of the record.

    (3B) A copy of such written arguments shall be
    simultaneously furnished to the opposite party.

    (3C) No adjournment shall be granted for the purpose of
    filing the written arguments unless the Court, for reasons
    to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary to grant
    such adjournment.

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 5 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    (3D) The Court shall fix such time-limits for the oral
    arguments by either of the parties in a case, as it thinks
    fit.]

    *[(3A) A party shall, within four weeks prior to
    commencing the oral arguments, submit concisely and
    under distinct headings written arguments in support of
    his case to the Court and such written arguments shall
    form part of the record.

    (3B) The written arguments shall clearly indicate the
    provisions of the laws being cited in support of the
    arguments and the citations of judgments being relied
    upon by the party and include copies of such judgments
    being relied upon by the party.

    (3C) A copy of such written arguments shall be furnished
    simultaneously to the opposite party.

    (3D) The Court may, if it deems fit, after the conclusion
    of arguments, permit the parties to file revised written
    arguments within a period of not more than one week
    after the date of conclusion of arguments.

    (3E) No adjournment shall be granted for the purpose of
    filing the written arguments unless the Court, for reasons
    to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary to grant
    such adjournment.

    (3F) It shall be open for the Court to limit the time for
    oral submissions having regard to the nature and
    complexity of the matter.]”

    9. A perusal of Order XVIII Rules 1 & 2 of CPC reveals that the
    Plaintiff has the right to begin unless the Defendant admits the facts alleged
    by the Plaintiff and contends that either in point of law or on some
    additional facts alleged by the Defendant, the Plaintiff is not entitled to any

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 6 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    part of the relief which he seeks, in which case the Defendant has the right
    to begin.

    10. Learned Counsel for Defendant No.21 places reliance upon a
    Judgment passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Periyasamy
    v. Soliammal
    , 2021 SCC OnLine Mad 17361 to contend that it is the
    Plaintiff who should first commence to lead evidence and the Defendants
    cannot be forced to first commence the evidence.
    In the said Judgment, the
    High Court of Judicature at Madras has referred various judgments, and
    more particularly placed reliance upon a Judgment passed by the High Court
    of Bombay in Bhagirath Shankar Somani v. Rameshchandra Daulal Soni,
    2007 SCC OnLine Bom 458. Paragraph Nos.15 and 16 of the said
    Judgment passed by the High Court of Bombay reads as under:

    “15. The first issue to be decided is whether by
    placing reliance on Rule 1 of Order XVIII of the said
    Code, the Court can give direction to the defendant to
    enter the witness box before the plaintiff leads his
    evidence. The said issue is no longer res integra. The
    learned single Judge of this Court in the case of Haran
    Bidi Suppliers v. V.M. and Company, Bhandara2001
    (4)
    Mh. L.J. Page 112 had occasion to deal with the said
    issue. This Court was dealing with a revision Application
    where the challenge was to an order by which the trial
    Court had directed the defendants to enter the witness
    box before the plaintiff leads the evidence. This Court
    considered the provisions of Order XVIII of the said
    Code and in particular Rule 1 thereof. After considering
    Rule 1, the learned single Judge held thus:

    “On the plain language of the said provisions, it
    would appear that it is only an enabling provision
    entitling the defendant of right to begin. In my view,

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 7 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    this provision cannot be interpreted to mean that the
    Court would be competent to direct the defendant to
    enter the witness-box before the plaintiff and lead
    evidence in support of its case. In the circumstances,
    the impugned order passed by the trial Court cannot
    be sustained in law”.

    (Emphasis added)

    16. There is one more decision of another learned
    single Judge on this aspect. The said decision is rendered
    in the case of Gouri Food Products, Nagpur v. Priya
    Trading Company, Nagpur
    , 2002 (4) Mh. L.J. page 880.
    The same issue arose before this Court regarding power
    of the trial Court to give direction to the defendant to
    lead evidence before the plaintiff leads his evidence. This
    Court considered the provisions of Order XVIII and in
    particular Rules 1 to 3 thereof.
    This Court also
    considered the decision of the Gujarat High Court in the
    case of Keshavlal Durlabhasinbhai’s Firm (supra) on
    which reliance has been placed by the learned counsel
    for the first respondent. In paragraph No. 7, the learned
    single Judge held thus:

    “The plain reading of Rule 1 would show that the
    plaintiff, undoubtedly, has a right to adduce evidence
    first in the suit. However, in view of certain
    contingencies mentioned in Rule 1, the defendant
    gets right to begin, and is entitled to adduce evidence
    first in the suit. This is, undoubtedly, an enabling
    provision entitling the defendant of right to begin.
    However, nothing in this provision confers any
    power on the Court under this Rule to direct
    defendant to adduce evidence first in the suit if the
    defendant himself has not claimed such right in view
    of the contingencies mentioned in Rule 1”.

    (emphasis supplied)

    11. After considering the aforesaid judgment – Bhagirath Shankar Somani

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 8 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    (supra), the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Periyasamy (supra) has
    held as under:

    “12. On consideration of the facts and circumstances
    of the present case in the light of the principles laid down
    in
    the above decisions, it is seen that in this case, the
    plaintiff had filed the suit for partition. The revision
    petitioner/defendant filed written statement claiming that
    his father left a Will in his favour and apart from that the
    the revision petitioner/defendant also stated that the
    plaintiff is well aware of the Will executed by their father
    Nallappa Gounder and that after the demise of his father,
    the revision petitioner/defendant made huge
    improvements in the suit properties, levelled the lands,
    made improvements, constructed a terraced house in the
    B schedule property, laid pipelines for more than 3000
    feet, got new electricity connection by spending huge
    amounts, got the revenue records mutated and planted
    500 coconut trees and the plaintiff is ousted from the suit
    property and the defendant has also become absolute
    owner by adverse possession and he had also purchased
    items 4 and 5 of the suit B schedule properties in his
    name and spent huge amounts towards improvements.

    13. Thus, while considering the Application under
    Order 18 Rule 1 CPC, the court has to consider the
    plaint and written statement in its entirety and it is not a
    case where the revision petitioner/defendant placed
    reliance on the Will alone. Since several other defences
    are taken in the written statement, the Trial Court was
    not correct in directing him to lead evidence at the first
    instance. This court is, therefore, of the view that the
    impugned order is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, the
    civil revision petition is allowed. The order passed by the
    Trial Court is set aside. No costs. The connected
    Miscellaneous Petition is closed.”

    12. It is, therefore, the case of Defendant No.21 that it cannot be asked to

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 9 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    first commence the evidence at all unless Defendant No.18 satisfies the
    conditions as mentioned in Order XVIII of CPC.

    13. Per contra, learned Counsel appearing for Defendant No.18 places
    reliance upon a Judgment passed by the Apex Court in Jami Venkata
    Suryaprabha v. Tarini Prasad Nayak, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 3862.
    Paragraph No.18 of the said Judgment reads as under:

    “18. Order XVIII Rule 1 indeed provides for plaintiff’s
    right to begin the evidence but not the court’s obligation
    to ask the plaintiffs to begin first. There is no
    impediment for the court to call upon either party to
    lead evidence first, depending upon the facts and
    circumstances of the case and the nature of the issues
    framed. Neither party can insist that the other one
    should be asked to lead it first. It all depends upon what
    the Court deems proper in the circumstances. Where it
    finds that defendant’s plea strikes of the root of the
    case, there would be no hitch in asking him/her to prove
    such plea first which can lead to disposal of the case.
    There can be no watertight compartmentalisation in
    matters of justice and all rules of procedure are
    designed and directed to achieve and secure ends of
    justice.”

    (emphasis supplied)

    14. A perusal of the aforesaid Judgment passed by the Apex Court,
    therefore, makes it clear that it cannot be said that the Defendants under no
    circumstances can be compelled by the Court to first commence evidence
    and that only after the Defendants choose to, they can be permitted to
    commence the evidence first, provided the ingredients of Order XVIII Rules
    1 & 2 of CPC are satisfied. Therefore, in the opinion of this Court, the
    Judgment – Periyasamy (supra) passed by the High Court of Judicature at

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 10 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    Madras does not state the correct law, more particularly, in view of the
    Judgment passed by the Apex Court in Jami Venkata Suryaprabha (supra)
    which in categorical terms states that there is not impediment for the Court
    to call upon either party to lead evidence first, depending upon the facts and
    circumstances of the case and the nature of the issues framed and it all
    depends upon what the Court deems proper in the circumstances.

    15. Issues which have been framed by this Court shows that right of
    Defendant No.21 emanates only from the Will dated 18.12.1974 executed by
    Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur. If the Will is not proved, the case of Defendant
    No.21 fails and if the Will is proved then all Plaintiff and the Defendants,
    barring Defendant No.21, who is a subsequent purchaser, will have a right in
    the Suit Property. Late Mrs. Rukman Kaur by the said Will had bequeathed
    the Suit Property to her six sons and these six sons later entered into various
    Release Deeds by which only Defendant No.7 alone became the owner of
    the Suit Property. Defendant No.21, therefore, traces its right through
    Defendant No.7 who became the owner of the Suit Property because of the
    various Release Deeds and the Will. Other contentions raised by the learned
    Counsel for Defendant No.21 challenging the right of the Plaintiff regarding
    documents which are over 30 years old etc., will all become secondary.

    16. It is further pertinent to mention that the argument raised by
    Defendant No.21 that the Court cannot compel the Defendants to first lead
    evidence has been rejected by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Achala
    Mohan v. Jayashree Singh
    , 2020 SCC OnLine Del 2538. The relevant
    portion of the said Judgment read as under:

    “15. In Vikram Kaushik v. Vivek Kaushik (supra) a
    ld. Single Judge of this Court, after perusing the issues,
    discussed the question of who should lead evidence

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 11 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    first. The Court in the said case held that when the
    Defendant pleaded oral partition as its defense, the
    Defendant ought to be directed to lead evidence first.
    Since the main defense of the Defendant, if proved,
    would have dis-entitled the Plaintiffs to any relief, the
    Court directed the Defendant to commence evidence in
    the said case. Similar was the view taken by various
    other High Courts in the judgments cited by the
    Respondents including the Madhya Pradesh High
    Court in Jagran v. Basanti Bai (supra), wherein the
    Court observed as under:

    “8. …Applying the aforesaid enunciation of law
    to the obtaining factual matrix it becomes
    graphically clear that Issue No. 2 (b) is answered in
    favour of the defendants then the plaintiff’s suit is
    bound to fail, and therefore, the learned Trial Judge
    has rightly directed the contesting defendants to lead
    the evidence first.”

    16. In Purastam @ Purosottam
    Gaigouria v. Chatru @ Chatrubhuja
    Gaigouria
    (supra), the Orissa High Court also
    observed as under:

    “6. In this case, the plaintiff sought partition
    alleging that the property was joint family
    property and had not been decided by metes and
    bounds. The defendant-petitioners placed a
    previous partition since 1960-1961 to defeat the
    plaintiff’s suit. In view of the plea of the
    defendants that there was a previous partition, the
    learned Subordinate Judge called upon the
    defendants to begin. The plaintiff’s plea that the
    property was joint family property having been
    admitted by the defendants and the latter having
    pleaded previous partition, the defendants are to
    lose if neither party adduced evidence, the burden
    being on the defendants to prove previous

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 12 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    partition. Only when the defendants lead some
    evidence in proof of previous partition, the
    plaintiff would be obliged to lead evidence in
    rebuttal. Rightly, therefore, the learned
    Subordinate Judge called upon the defendants to
    begin. We, therefore, see no merit in this revision
    which is accordingly dismissed. There would be
    no order as to costs.”

    17. In Keshavlal Durlabhasinbhai’s Firm v. Shri
    Jalaram Pulse Mills
    (supra), the Gujarat High Court
    observed as under:

    “7. In view of the fact that the plaintiff’s claim
    is substantially admitted and the plaintiff-firm is
    also prima facie shown to be a registered firm, the
    trial court has rightly directed the defendant to
    lead the evidence first. The trial Court is entitled
    even to record the statements of the parties before
    framing issues under Order XIV, Rule 1 read with
    Order X, Rule 2. …

    8. These provisions enable the trial Court to
    narrow down the controversy and focus the
    attention of the parties to the barest minimum. In
    large number of cases, the matters would be
    expeditiously disposed of. This is a very salutary
    provision for expeditious disposal of suits and it
    should ordinarily be resorted to and followed, by
    all trial courts.

    9. In the present case, though this procedure is
    not followed and though the stage of framing of
    issues has passed, the trial court has on correct
    appreciation the rival contentions of the parties
    come to a proper conclusion that the defendant
    should lead the evidence first. This order is
    perfectly legal and proper and no interference is
    called for on any of the grounds canvassed by the
    learned advocate for the petitioner. Though the

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 13 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    defendant has chosen to deny the claim of the
    plaintiff in totality, that is a denial without any
    substance in view of the other admitted facts of
    receipt of goods, part payments, issuance of
    cheques and a claim of having made further
    payments and, therefore, onus lies on the
    defendant. The denial of registration of
    partnership is also prima facie frivolous. The
    plaintiff has given the registration number of the
    partnership firm of the plaintiff.”

    18. In Krishnakumar v. V. Seethalakshmi (supra),
    the Madras High Court observed as under:

    “7. In this case too, the burden of proof lies on
    the party, who asserts a particular fact. The
    particular fact, which is asserted is, whether the
    property belonged to Narayana Asari absolutely.
    That fact has been asserted by the plaintiffs and
    also admitted by the defendants. Therefore, there
    is no burden of proof on the plaintiffs to prove
    that fact. Insofar as the onus of proof is
    concerned, it is held in that judgment, referred to
    above
    , that onus of proof by a party would cease,
    the moment, the opposite party admits the
    transaction. In this case, the onus of proof is on
    the defendants to prove the execution of the Will,
    that has been denied by the plaintiffs. Once
    defendants are able to prove the Will to the
    satisfaction of the court, the suit filed by the
    plaintiffs will be dismissed and there is no
    necessity to go into the further aspects of the
    matter, by letting evidence by the plaintiffs.
    Considering all these aspects, the Court below
    initially directed the defendants to lead evidence
    first and that was properly appreciated, while
    considering the Review Application. Further, I do
    not find any infirmity in the order passed by the

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 14 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06
    Court below in the Review Application and there
    is no error apparent on the face of record to
    interfere with the same. In the result, the Civil
    Revision Petition fails and it is dismissed. No
    costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous
    Petition is closed.”

    19. Thus, the consistent view has been that if the
    Defendant sets up a case, the proving of which, would
    completely decide the issues which have been raised in
    the suit itself, then the Defendant under Order XVIII
    Rule 1 CPC
    can be directed to lead evidence first.

    xxx

    25. The ld. counsel for the Defendant submits that
    unless and until the Defendant voluntarily opts for
    leading evidence first, the Court would not have the
    power to direct so. This would not be in accordance
    with law inasmuch as the Court has the power to
    curtail the trial of any suit at the time of framing of
    issues. The manner in which the issues have been
    framed in the present case shows that insofar as the
    issue no. 1 and issue no. 2, the onus has been cast
    clearly on the Defendant. If the Defendant is able to
    prove or not prove these issues, the decision in the suit
    would get quite expedited.

    26. Under these circumstances, it is not necessary
    that in every suit, unless and until, the Defendant
    opts, the Court cannot direct the Defendant to lead
    evidence first. The question as to whether who should
    lead evidence first, would have to be decided by the
    Court after ascertaining the respective stands of the
    parties and after seeing as to what are the actual
    issues which arise for adjudication in the suit itself.”

    (emphasis supplied)

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 15 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06

    17. The aforesaid Judgment – Achala Mohan (supra) has been further
    quoted with approval by another Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Poonam
    Bhanot v. Virender Sharma
    , 2022 SCC OnLine Del 2156.

    18. In view of the above, and specifically in view of the fact that the
    entire case of Defendant No.21 rests on the Will and that only after the Will
    is proved, other defences raised by Defendant No.21 regarding question of
    limitation etc., will arise, the present application filed by Defendant No.18
    for a direction that Defendant No.21 should be first directed to lead evidence
    and prove the Will dated 18.12.1974 which forms the sole foundation of
    Defendant No.21’s claim, deserves to be allowed.

    19. Defendant No.21 is directed to first lead evidence to substantiate the
    Will dated 18.12.1974.

    20. With these observations, the application is allowed.

    SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD, J
    JULY 21, 2026
    S. Zakir

    CS(OS) 811/2022 Page 16 of 16

    This is a digitally signed order.

    The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
    The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 28/07/2026 at 20:42:06



    Source link

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here