Gujarat High Court Civil Manual (subordinate court practice), 1960
As provided in rule 1, Order VIII, the defendant may, and if so required by the Court, shall present a written statement of his defence, at or before the first hearing or within such time as the Court may permit. But the first adjournment for filing the written statement shall not ordinarily exceed four weeks, and no further adjournment shall be granted except for reasons to be recorded in writing. The defendant, who has been granted time for his written statement, ought to be compelled to file it within the period allowed. If he does not obey the Court's order in this respect, the Court may pass such order under Order VIII, rule 10, Civil Procedure Code, as it thinks just and proper.