In Brief
In an election petition challenging the election of a returned candidate from the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the election petitioner sought leave to file a replication after the returned candidate's written statement introduced new explanatory facts regarding undisclosed bank accounts, vehicles, and spouse's profession. The Supreme Court held that while the High Court possesses powers under the Code of Civil Procedure to permit replications, such leave must be granted judiciously and only after careful examination of the original petition and written statement. Leave may be granted where the replication merely clarifies facts already alleged and does not introduce new causes of action or inconsistent pleas. The Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court's discretionary grant of leave, as the replication merely responded to explanations offered by the returned candidate without introducing fundamentally new allegations.
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