#right to lead evidence

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that a defendant’s right to lead evidence may be reinstated after defaulting on multiple dates, provided a cost of ₹15,000 is paid to the plaintiff - reinforcing procedural fairness without compromising judicial efficiency. The order explicitly bars any further adjournments, setting a clear precedent for balancing litigant rights with case progression in civil trials.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that Family Courts cannot shut down a petitioner’s right to present evidence in maintenance proceedings merely for non-appearance, without verifying legitimate hardship or offering a meaningful opportunity to be heard. This reinforces natural justice under BNSS and protects vulnerable litigants from summary dismissal in long-pending family disputes.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Gwalior set aside a trial court order closing plaintiffs' evidence due to late appearance, emphasizing that procedural fairness must prevail over technical defaults. The court granted one final opportunity to record evidence, imposing costs to deter future delays, reinforcing that justice cannot be denied on mere procedural lapses.