IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** C.R. No.7371 of 2010 (O&M) Date of Decision:12.11.2010 Punjab State Electricity Board .....Petitioner Vs. Punjab Maize Products Ltd. .....Respondent CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAKESH KUMAR GARG Present:- Mr. G.S. Sandhawalia, Advocate for the petitioner. **** RAKESH KUMAR GARG, J. This is plaintiff's revision petition challenging the impugned order whereby evidence of the plaintiff has been closed by order of the Court observing that no ground is made out to further grant opportunity to lead evidence. Challenging the aforesaid order, counsel for the petitioner vehemently argued that no doubt, the petitioner has been granted many opportunities to lead its evidence, however, ends of justice demands that one more opportunity be granted to the petitioner to conclude evidence at its own risk and responsibility. He has further submitted that no prejudice is going to be caused to the respondent as the case is still at the stage of defence evidence and the defendant- respondent can be very well compensated with costs. He has also submitted that only one official witness, who is competent to depose on behalf of the petitioner- Board is to be examined and, in fact, on earlier occasions, two such officers, who were C.R. No.7371 of 2010 (O&M) -2- to depose for the petitioner had unfortunately died. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the impugned order and the averments made in this petition. It is well settled that provisions of the Civil Procedure Code are handmaid for administration of justice and the same are to be construed liberally in appropriate cases. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, this revision petition is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. Resultantly, one more opportunity is granted to the petitioner to lead its entire evidence at its own risk and responsibility subject to payment of costs, which are assessed at Rs.5,000/-. Let the petitioner appear before the trial Court on the date fixed. On that date, the petitioner shall make the payment of costs as aforesaid. On doing so, the trial Court shall fix the date granting him the opportunity as stated above to lead its entire evidence at its own risk and responsibility. It is made clear that no further opportunity shall be granted. Disposed off. November 12, 2010 ( RAKESH KUMAR GARG ) renu JUDGE