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HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 12.11.2025
53256/2025 VIKRAMJIT CHOPRA AND ANR .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Pritish Kumar and Ms. Muskan Arora, Advocates
Through: Mr. Madhav Khurana, Senior Advocate
JUDGMENT
1. It is informed by both sides that mediation could not succeed.
2. But before commencement of arguments, learned senior counsel for respondent on instructions submits that in the interest of expeditious disposal of the suit, respondent is willing to concede so that final arguments be heard on the date already fixed i.e., 20.11.2025.
3. It appears that vide order dated 29.07.2025, at the stage of final arguments, the learned trial court with a view to probe possibility of settlement between the parties who are cousins, directed personal appearance of all of them on the next date. But learned counsel for defendants (petitioners herein) submitted that defendant no. 1 is suffering with Parkinson’s disease, while defendant no. 2 is suffering from stage–IV Cancer, so they may be allowed to appear through videoconferencing. Learned trial court directed that defendant no. 1 shall appear in person with medical records to be examined as regards applicability of Order XXXII CPC. The application of the petitioners/defendants for modification of that order also was dismissed. Hence, the present petition.
4. In the above backdrop, learned senior counsel for respondent on instructions submits that with consent of the respondent, the impugned order may be set aside and both petitioners/defendants may be allowed to appear through videoconferencing before the trial court for the purposes of inquiry under Order XXXII CPC. However, learned senior counsel for respondent also adds that this concession may not be extended for future appearances also, in case the trial court wants to interact with the petitioners/defendants personally. Obviously, the present petition is confined only to the next date of hearing i.e., 20.11.2025.
5. Under these circumstances, with consent of both sides, the impugned order is set aside and it is directed that on the date already fixed before the learned trial court (which is stated to be 20.11.2025) both petitioners/ defendants shall appear through videoconferencing before the learned trial court for the purpose as recorded in the orders dated 29.07.2025 and 12.08.2025 as well as for settlement efforts, if any. It shall be the duty of the petitioners/defendants to ensure that their audio-video system as well as internet connectivity is in order.
6. Accordingly, the petition and the accompanying applications stand disposed of.
GIRISH KATHPALIA (JUDGE) NOVEMBER 12, 2025