JUDGMENT Mr. L.N. Mittal, J.: (Oral) - By filing this revision petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, defendant Balwant Singh has challenged order dated 01.02.2012 (Annexure P-1) passed by learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), Sunam, thereby striking off the defence of the defendant-petitioner for non-filing of written statement. 2. I have heard learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the case file. 3. Counsel for the petitioner prayed that only one more opportunity may be granted to the petitioner for filing written statement. 4. I have carefully considered the aforesaid prayer. 5. The petitioner appeared through counsel in the trial court on 25.08.2011, but did not file written statement till 01.02.2012, when the impugned order was passed. According to Order 8 Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (in short – CPC), written statement has to be filed by the defendant within 30 days of service of summons and the said period of 30 days may be extended to maximum of 90 days. However, the said provision, being of procedural law, is required to be followed with some flexibility and not with extreme rigidity. Rules of procedures are handmaids of justice and are meant to advance the cause of justice and not to thwart the same. In the instant case, there was also some talk of compromise between the parties, as noticed by the trial court in zimni order dated 09.12.2011. 6. Keeping in view all the circumstances, I am of the considered opinion that ends of justice would be met, if defendant-petitioner is granted another opportunity to file his written statement, subject to payment of cost. 7. I intend to dispose of this revision petition without issuing notice to plaintiffs/respondents so as to avoid further delay in disposal of the suit and also to save the plaintiffs/respondents of the expenses they may have to incur in engaging counsel for this revision petition if notice thereof is issued to them. 8. Accordingly, the instant revision petition is allowed. The trial court is directed to permit the defendant to file his written statement on or before 24.05.2012 – the date already fixed in the suit before the trial court, subject to payment of Rs.10,000/- as cost precedent. ---------0.B.S.0------------