Written Statement Filing Deadline Commences Only After Valid Service of Summons: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that the statutory limitation period for filing a written statement under Order VIII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 commences only after a writ of summons is properly served upon the defendant, the defendant expressly waives such service, or the court specifically directs the defendant to file the written statement. The Court clarified that merely appearing before the court or filing…