Punjab-Haryana High Court
Rakhi vs Vikram on 6 November, 2023
Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505
TA-516-2023 -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
220
TA-516-2023
Decided on : 06.11.2023
Rakhi
. . . Petitioner(s)
Versus
Vikram
. . . Respondent(s)
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH
PRESENT: Mr. Sumit Sangwan, Advocate
for the petitioner(s).
Respondent proceeded against ex-parte
vide order dated 07.07.2023.
****
SANJAY VASHISTH, J. (Oral)
1. Prayer in this petition filed under Section 24 read with Seciton 151 of CPC, is for seeking transfer of the petition filed by the respondent- husband, under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (in short, 'HMA'), bearing no. HMA/631/2019, titled as, "Vikram vs. Rakhi', pending in the Court of Principal Judge, Family Court, Narnaul to the Court of competent jurisdiction at Bhiwani.
2. The present transfer petition has been filed, inter alia, on the following grounds:-
i) That the marriage between the petitioner and respondent was solemnized on 09.12.2016, according to Hindu rites and ceremonies. Said marriage was performed at Village Bond, Tehsil & District Charkhi Dadri.
ii) That there is no child out of the said wedlock.
iii) That the parties are living separate since September 2017, and petitioner-wife is a house-maker, and thus, has no source of income, while, the respondent-husband is a practicing Advocate JAWALA RAM at District Courts, Narnaul.2023.11.09 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505 TA-516-2023 -2-
iv) That prior to filing of divorce petition by the respondent-
husband, one criminal case by way of FIR No.281, dated 07.11.2018, was already registered by the petitioner-wife at Police Station Bond Kalan, under Sections 323, 406, 498A, 506, 34 of IPC, against the respondent-husband. Apart, the criminal case pending adjudication before the Courts at Bhiwani, one more petition under Section 12 of the Protection of women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, bearing No.COMA/2535/2018, is pending before the Courts at Bhiwani.
In a petition filed under Section 125 Cr.P.C., by the petitioner- wife, the Ld. Family Court, Bhiwani, awarded a sum of Rs.8000/- per month, as maintenance to the petitioner-wife, wherein, executing proceedings (EXE/791/2022) are also going on before the Courts at Bhiwani.
v) That traveling from Narnaul to Bhiwani, is a distance of around 105 kms (one side), which takes around 3-4 hours, thus, causing extreme hardships to the petitioner-wife.
vi) That the petitioner-wife is financially dependent on her parents and lacks convenient transportation options, thus, is compelled to rely on public transit, resulting in significant hardships.
3. Counsel for the petitioner also submits that transfer of the divorce petition at District Courts, Bhiwani, would be conducive for both the sides, because, already the respondent - husband is facing proceedings in two cases at Bhiwani (as detailed here-above).
4. Heard.
5. Respondent-husband was ordered to be proceeded against ex- parte, vide order dated 07.07.2023.
6. In the facts and circumstances similar to the present case, in paragraph Nos. 9 & 10 of the judgment rendered in the case of N.C.V. Aishwarya v. A.S. Saravana Karthik Sha, AIR 2022 SC 4318, Hon'ble the JAWALA RAM 2023.11.09 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505 TA-516-2023 -3- Apex Court has held as under:
"9. The cardinal principle for exercise of power under section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure is that the ends of justice should demand the transfer of the suit, appeal or other proceeding. In matrimonial matters, wherever Courts are called upon to consider the plea of transfer, the Courts have to take into consideration the economic soundness of both the parties, the social strata of the spouses and their behavioural pattern, their standard of life prior to the marriage and subsequent thereto and the circumstances of both the parties in eking out their livelihood and under whose protective umbrella they are seeking their sustenance to life. Given the prevailing socioeconomic paradigm in the Indian society, generally, it is the wife's convenience which must be looked at while considering transfer.
10. Further, when two or more proceedings are pending in different Courts between the same parties which raise common question of fact and law, and when the decisions in the cases are interdependent, it is desirable that they should be tried together by the same Judge so as to avoid multiplicity in trial of the same issues and conflict of decisions."
7. Further, Hon'ble the Apex Court in Rajani Kishor Pradeshi vs Kishor Babulal Pardeshi, (2005) 12 SCC 237, has observed that "while deciding the transfer application, the Courts are required to give more weightage and consideration to the convenience of the female litigants and transfer of legal proceedings from one court to another should ordinary be allowed, taking into consideration their convenience and the Courts should desist from putting female litigants under undue hardships."
8. However, to avoid any misuse of the lenient view by the female litigants, Hon'ble the Apex Court in Anindita Das vs. Srijit Das, (2006) 9 JAWALA RAM SCC 197, has also cautioned that the Courts should ensure that such 2023.11.09 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505 TA-516-2023 -4- leniency given to the female litigants should not be misused. Relevant Paragraph 3 of the aforesaid judgment says as under:
"3. Even otherwise, it must be seen that at one stage this Court was showing leniency to ladies. But since then it has been found that a large number of transfer petitions are filed by women taking advantage of the leniency taken by this Court. On an average at least 10 to 15 transfer petitions are on Board of each Court on each admission day. It is, therefore, clear that leniency of this Court is being misused by the women."
9. Thus, this Court is of the view that while adjudicating a transfer petition initiated by the wife in the context of a matrimonial dispute, the Court must take into account a comprehensive array of the following factors:-
(a) Economic condition and earning capacity of the parties i.e. husband and wife;
(b) Social standing of the wife and her dependency on her parents;
(c) Custody of any minor children involved;
(d) Education of the children, if any;
(e) Physical well-being of both, i.e. wife and husband;
(f) Pending litigation(s) between the parties including
criminal cases, if any;
(h) Accessibility of the location from where the wife resides
to the court where the case is pending;
(i) Availability of convenient commuting options
Undoubtedly, only a harmonious consideration of all these vital aspects would ensure a just and equitable decision in such cases.
10. Thus, applying the principles of law, laid down by Hon'ble the Apex Court in N.C.V Aishwarya's case (supra), Rajani Kishor's case JAWALA RAM 2023.11.09 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505 TA-516-2023 -5- (supra) and Anindita Das's case (supra), this Court deems it appropriate to allow the present petition subject to the following directions:
(i) The petition filed by respondent - husband under Section 13 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, bearing no.
HMA/631/2019, titled as "Vikram vs. Rakhi", pending in the Court of Ld. Principal Judge, Family Court, Narnaul is transferred to a Court of competent jurisdiction at Bhiwani.
(ii) The Ld. District Judge, Narnaul is directed to transfer complete record pertaining to the aforesaid case to District Judge, Bhiwani, by directing both the sides to appear before the Court of Ld. District Judge, Bhiwani, on a particular date for further proceedings.
(iii) The District Judge, Bhiwani will assign the said petition to the Court of competent jurisdiction.
11. The concerned Court at Bhiwani shall diligently strive to amicably resolve the marital discord between the parties by referring the matter to the Mediation and Conciliation Centre.
12. The Court, where the matter is to be assigned after transfer will accommodate the parties to the lis with at least, one day in a calendar month.
13. However, liberty is granted to the respondent-husband to revive the petition, if so advised, to contest the same, provided that:
(I) If the petitioner-wife has concealed any material fact or aspect while filing the current transfer application, with a purpose to mislead the Court for seeking transfer of the case.
OR
(ii) If the respondent husband is suffering from any substantial physical or mental disability or ailment.
OR
(iii) The respondent will clear all arrears of maintenance JAWALA RAM 2023.11.09 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Neutral Citation No. : 2023:PHHC:143505 TA-516-2023 -6- amount, if any, in terms of a petition filed by the petitioner either under Section 125 Cr.P.C. or Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act or Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, or under any other law.
AND
(iv) The respondent will file an affidavit giving undertaking to pay Rs.1,000/- per day, to the petitioner for attending the Court proceedings at Narnaul, on each and every date of hearing.
AND
(v) The respondent will bring a demand draft of Rs.25,000/-
towards the litigation expenses of the petitioner to pursue the case at Narnaul in case the respondent opts to contest this petition.
14. As already noticed above, since the petition is being disposed of without issuing notice to the respondent, accordingly, in these peculiar circumstances, in order to ensure appearance of the parties before the District Judge, Bhiwani, as per the direction of District Judge, Narnaul; it is also directed that a copy of this order be sent to the respondent through registered post, besides sending a copy of this order to the District Judges concerned through email. Petitioner through her counsel, present in the Court, is also directed to ensure her appearance accordingly.
Petition stands disposed of in above terms.
(SANJAY VASHISTH)
JUDGE
November 06, 2023
J.Ram
Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
Whether Reportable: Yes/No
JAWALA RAM
2023.11.09 14:32
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document