be useful to consider the following issue: Whether during the course of the proceeding of an election petition, preferred under the provisions of the 1951 Civil Appeal No. ____ of 2024 Page 8 of 30Act, subsequent pleading, as envisaged in Order VIII Rule 9 CPC, is permissible? If yes, in what circumstances leave to file such subsequent pleading may be granted by an Election Tribunal/ Court? Subsequent Pleading can be filed in an Election Petition. 9. Before we deal with the aforesaid issue, it would be useful to refer to the provisions of the CPC in relation to pleadings. Order VI Rule 1 of the CPC declares that pleading shall mean a plaint and a written statement. Rule 9 of Order VIII specifically edicts that no pleading subsequent to the written statement of a defendant other than by way of defence to set off or counter-claim shall be presented except by the leave of the Court. Though, however, the Court may at any time require a written statement or additional written statement.