Whether the non-filling of a statement of truth in a commercial suit makes the pleading or plaint non-est ?

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Shubham Budhiraja[1]


Company A has filed a commercial suit against Company B regarding the recovery of money for the job work. Company B was proceeded ex-parte. The learned trial court decreed the suit. Company-B filed an appeal under Section 96 CPC r/w Section 13 of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. It raised two questions of law: (i) The trial court had no territorial jurisdiction as no cause of action had arisen in Delhi; (ii) The complaint was non-est in law as it was filed without a statement of truth. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court held that[1]:

 

(i)              The Legislature had, in its wisdom, intentionally laid great stress on the filing of the Statement of Truth along with the plaint, in support thereof, to reduce the time spent in the litigation by parties.

 

(ii)                      The delay in filing of the same may be considered as a procedural irregularity, however, the filing of the same would be mandatory. Moreover, the filing of the Statement of Truth and the limitation thereafter provided for filing of the same is restrictive in nature and cannot be extended endlessly nor can the plaint and the documents annexed thereto be read in evidence.

 

(iii)                    This has great significance since sub rule (4) and (5) of Rule 15A of Order VI of CPC as amended by CC Act mandate the filing of the Statement of Truth and also prescribe the effect of such non filing.

 

(iv)                     It is clear that the parties are not permitted to rely upon the said pleadings by virtue of sub rule (4) and simultaneously the Court is empowered to strike out a pleading which is not supported by the statement of truth, prescribed by sub rule (5) of Rule 15A of Order VI of CPC as amended by CC Act.

 

(v)                       In the present case, it is admitted by the learned counsel for the plaintiff that the Statement of Truth indeed, was never filed either with the plaint or any time later at all.

 

(vi)                     Keeping this fact in view, we are of the opinion that the same would fall within the purview of issue of law and hold that the plaint itself is non est and could not have been read in evidence either.

 

(vii)                   The documents placed before the learned Trial Court by the plaintiff, like the Certificate of Incorporation apparently establish that it was incorporated at Noida, Uttar Pradesh and not Delhi. The address at Delhi is referred to as the address for correspondence. By no stretch of imagination can the address of correspondence confer jurisdiction upon a particular Court when the actual place of its incorporation is distinct.

 

(viii)                 The plaintiff submits that order of job work was issued at Delhi. However, learned counsel was unable to show even a single document in the nature of order for job work on record. Even the pleadings on this aspect were vague, lacking in material particulars. The absence of any documentary evidence also does not lend credence to the version of the plaintiff regarding part cause of action having arisen in Delhi, resulting in our holding that the Delhi Courts had no territorial jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the lis.

 


[1] M/s A V Industries v. M/s Neo Neon Electrical Pvt Limited, RFA (Comm) 2/2021, Judgment dated 01/09/2023

[1] Advocate, Delhi High Court [LLB, ACS, BCOM(H)], Budhirajalawchambers@gmail.com , +91-9654055315

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