6A. [ Counter-claim by defendant. [Inserted by the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1976, Section 72 (w.e.f. 1.2.1977).]-
(1)A defendant in a suit may, in addition to his right of pleading a set-off under rule 6, set up, by way of counter-claim against the claim of the plaintiff, any right or claim in respect of a cause of action accruing to the defendant against the plaintiff either before or after the filing of the suit but before the defendant has delivered his defence or before the time limited for delivering his defence has expired. whether such counter-claim is in the nature of a claim for damages or not :Provided that such counter-claim shall not exceed the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the Court.(2)Such counter-claim shall have the same effect as a cross-suit so as to enable the Court to pronounce a final judgment in the same suit, both on the original claim and on the counter-claim.(3)The plaintiff shall be at liberty to file a written statement in answer to the counter-claim of the defendant within such period as may be fixed by the Court.(4)The counter-claim shall be treated as a plaint and governed by the rules applicable to plaints.
