In L. Ponnayal @ Lakshmi v. Karuppannan (Dead) Thr. L.R. Sengoda Gounder & Anr. [AIR ONLINE 2018 SC 191], the Supreme Court of India held that civil suits are decided on the basis of pleadings and the issues framed thereon, and the parties to the suit cannot be permitted to travel beyond their pleadings.
The Court further held that documents which were neither part of the pleadings nor the subject of any issue framed in the suit cannot be adjudicated upon.
In other words, no party can adduce evidence, seek relief, or obtain any court order in respect of any matter that has not been pleaded in the Plaint or Written Statement. Evidence led beyond the pleadings is liable to be disregarded entirely.
