Under the ordinary non-commercial-suit wording of CPC Order VIII rule 1, from which date is the…

The written-statement period runs from service of summons on the defendant. In an ordinary non-commercial suit, Order VIII rule 1 specifies thirty days and a stated extension to ninety days; the Supreme Court has treated that ordinary deadline as directory, rather than an absolute bar in every case.

Current law: The commercial-suit framework differs: for commercial disputes, the amended rules impose a 120-day outer limit from service with forfeiture of the right thereafter. Do not apply the ordinary ninety-day wording as a universal limit.