Under Order II Rule 6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, courts are empowered to split or order the separate trial of causes of action when it serves the ends of justice or procedural convenience. This provision recognizes that while a plaintiff must combine all claims arising from the same cause of action, different and independent causes of action may be conveniently tried separately to simplify proceedings and prevent confusion. Judicial discretion under this rule allows courts to manage complex cases efficiently without prejudicing any party’s right to a fair hearing. The Supreme Court, in several rulings such as Mahboob & Sons v. P.M. Industries and Rasul Khan v. Qalandar Din, has emphasized that separation under Order II Rule 6 is a limited exception to the principle against claim splitting and can only be exercised when distinct causes of action are clearly identifiable. This discretion is guided by considerations of judicial economy and clarity of issues, ensuring that while multiplicity of suits is avoided, procedural fairness and manageability of trials are maintained.
