“7. Leave to amend may be refused if it introduces
a totally different, new and inconsistent case, or
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challenges the fundamental character of the suit. The
proviso to Order VI Rule 17 of the CPC virtually prevents
an application for amendment of pleadings from being
allowed after the trial has commenced, unless the Court
comes to the conclusion that in spite of due diligence, the
party could not have raised the matter before the
commencement of the trial. The proviso, to an extent,
curtails absolute discretion to allow amendment at any
stage. Therefore, the burden is on the person who seeks
an amendment after commencement of the trial to show
that in spite of due diligence, such an amendment could
not have been sought earlier. There cannot be any
dispute that an amendment cannot be claimed as a matter
of right, and under all circumstances. Though normally
amendments are allowed in the pleadings to avoid
multiplicity of litigation, the Court needs to take into
consideration whether the application for amendment is
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bona fide or mala fide and whether the amendment
causes such prejudice to the other side which cannot be
compensated adequately in terms of money.”
Learned Senior Counsel would submit that there is no scope for allowing an
application for amendment unless the requirements of the proviso are
satisfied. He would also point out that the view of the Hon’ble Supreme
Court in M.Revanna v. Anjanamma and others, was reiterated by the
Hon’ble Supreme Court in Vijay Hathising Shah and Another v. Gitaben
Parshottamdas Mukhi and others, reported in 2019 (5) SCC 360.
8. The Hon‟ble Supreme Court in M.Revanna vs. Anjanamma
(Dead) by L.Rs was dealing with a matter, wherein the Trial Court
allowed an application filed by the plaintiff under Order VI, Rule 17 of
3 (2019) 4 SCC 332
4 (2019) 5 SCC 360
5
NJS, J
crp_420_2021
CPC. On challenge, the High Court set aside the same and the matter
was carried by way of further appeal to the Hon‟ble Supreme Court by
the unsuccessful plaintiff. While confirming the Order of the High Court
at Para 7 of the said Judgment the Hon‟ble Supreme Court held as
follows:-
In a recent judgment in the case of M. Revanna Vs. Anjanamma & Ors.1, it has been held that after commencement of trial amendment of pleadings is not permissible except under conditions stated in the proviso and the burden is on the person seeking the amendment after commencement of trial to show "due diligence" on his part as contemplated under the proviso. The relevant observations in the judgment are as follows:-
"9. This Court in M. Revanna v. Anjanamma
(Dead) by legal representatives and others
opined that an application for amendment
may be rejected if it seeks to introduce totally
different, new and inconsistent case or
changes the fundamental character of the suit.
Order VI Rule 17 C.P.C. prevents an
application for amendment after the trial has
commenced unless the Court comes to the
conclusion that despite due diligence the
party could not have raised the issue. The
burden is on the party seeking amendment
after commencement of trial to show that in
spite of due diligence such amendment could
not be sought earlier. It is not a matter of
right. Paragraph No. 7 thereof is extracted
below:
33. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of
M. Revanna v. Anjanamma(Dead) by legal
representatives and Ors., reported in (2019) 4
SCC 332 at paragraph Nos.7 and 9 held as under: