AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH,J. - (1.) Challenge in this revision petition is to the order dated 19.12.2012, whereby the application for amendment of the written statement preferred by the petitioners prior to the framing of the issues, has been declined on the ground that the documents on which reliance is being sought to be made now, are not genuine documents and that the admissions made are being sought to be now withdrawn.
(2.) Counsel for the petitioners contends that the amendment to the pleadings is to be liberally permitted, especially if it is done at the initial stage of the trial, although the provisions mention that it can be done at any stage of the trial. He contends that the observations of the Rent Controller, Chandigarh, dated 19.12.2012, in the impugned order with regard to the documents being not genuine, cannot be accepted at this stage as there is no evidence led by the parties and it is a matter of the evidence which has to be led which would determine that whether the rent agreement (Annexure R-2) which is being sought to be projected is a genuine one or not. Mere denial on the part of the respondent-landlord would not be enough to come to a conclusion that it is not a genuine document. He contends that no attempt is being made to wriggle out of the admissions with regard to the respondent being the landlord, what has been asserted is that two rent agreements were entered into between the parties on 29.12.2004 out of which one is which has been produced by the petitioners i.e. Annexure R-4 and the other is Annexure R-2. He contends that the impugned order, thus, cannot sustain.
(3.) On the other hand, counsel for the respondent-landlord asserts that it is a mere delay which is being sought to be created as a ground for stopping the process of eviction so that the trial cannot conclude at an early date that the amendment is being sought. She further contends that this was never the stand taken by the petitioners in the initial written statement which has been filed. Now the petitioners are seeking to change the stand altogether. She asserts that the rent agreement (Annexure R-2) has never been executed by the husband of respondent No.1. It is, thus, not a genuine agreement. Apart from that, she asserts that prejudice would be caused to the respondent-landlord in case the amendment is permitted at this stage when the replication has also been filed by her. She contends that the impugned order being in accordance with law, do not call for any interference by this Court.;