Wonderful settled principle of law clarified in this judgment of Hon’ble Delhi High Court.

Summary: Condone delay in filing of written statement due to such settlement talks.

Key Quotes

… parties are negotiating settlement during the pendency of a matter, then the Court will condone the delay in filing of written statement due to such settlement talks

And emphasized that …

… it is the duty of the Courts to search the truth and then do justice; this is the very object for which Courts are created. The Courts have to remove chaff from the grain to separate falsehood from truth.

And declared…

Therefore, in matrimonial litigations, the Family Courts should take due care and caution in closing the valuable right to file the written statement or to lead the evidence or the right of cross-examination of any witness.