Rule 20 of CPC : Rule 20: Premature discovery.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: A property dispute between two brothers, Raj and Ravi.

Details: Raj files a suit against Ravi claiming that Ravi has illegally occupied a piece of ancestral land. Raj seeks discovery of certain documents from Ravi, including old property deeds and family records, to prove his claim.

Application of Rule 20: Ravi objects to providing these documents, arguing that they are irrelevant to the case. The court, upon hearing both parties, decides that the right to discovery of these documents depends on determining whether the land in question is indeed ancestral property. The court orders that this issue be resolved first before deciding whether Ravi must provide the documents.

Outcome: The court schedules a preliminary hearing to determine the nature of the property. If it is established that the land is ancestral, the court will then decide on the discovery of the documents Raj requested.

Example 2:

Scenario: A breach of contract case between a supplier, Meera, and a retailer, Suresh.

Details: Meera sues Suresh for not paying for goods delivered. Suresh counters that the goods were defective and seeks discovery of Meera's internal quality control reports to support his defense.

Application of Rule 20: Meera objects to providing these reports, claiming they contain sensitive business information. The court finds that the right to discovery of the quality control reports hinges on whether the goods were indeed defective, which is a key issue in the dispute. The court orders that the issue of the goods' quality be determined first.

Outcome: The court arranges for an expert to examine the goods and report on their quality. Based on the expert's findings, the court will then decide if Suresh is entitled to access Meera's quality control reports.