ORDER

Transfer Petition (Criminal) No. 32 of 2003 has been filed by the husband-petitioner and his parents for transfer of a case pending in the Court of Sri Suresh Kumar Gupta, Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi titled State of Delhi vs. Eluri Raji Reddy & Others arising out of FIR No. 385 of 2000, Parliament Street Police Station, to a competent Court in Hazurabad, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh.

2. Transfer Petition (Criminal) No. 122 of 2003 has also been filed by the husband-petitioner for transfer of a petition under Section 125 Cr.P.C. for grant of maintenance filed by the wife-respondent pending in the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House, New Delhi titled Eluri Manemma vs. Eluri Raji Reddy in CC No. 75 of 2000 to a competent Court in Hazurabad, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh.

3. Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 342 of 2003 has been filed by the wife for transfer of the matrimonial case being O.P. No. 46 of 2000 filed by the husband in the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Hazurabad, Andhra Pradesh titled Eluri Raji Reddy vs. Eluri Manemma @ Mani under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act for dissolution of the marriage to the Family Court at Delhi/New Delhi. All these petitions shall be disposed of by this common order.

4. The facts are taken from Transfer Petition (Criminal) No.32 of 2003. Marriage between the parties was solemnised on 10th February, 1989 at village Katkur, Bhima Devarapalli Mandal, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh according to Hindu Rites and Customs. After the marriage the parties resided in their matrimonial home at Bommakal village till 1995. Thereafter the wife left the husband and started living with her parents in village Katkur, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh. Husband filed a petition for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act in the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Hazurabad, Andhra Pradesh.

5. Wife lodged a FIR No. 385 of 2000 in Parliament Street Police Station, New Delhi on 7th December, 2000 against the husband, his father aged 75 years and his mother aged 65 years. All three were arrested and brought to Delhi and were kept in custody. After their release on bail they returned to their native place. Wife also filed a petition under Section 125 Cr.P.C. claiming a maintenance of Rs. 5,000/- per month in the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House, New Delhi, which is still pending.

6. Aggrieved against the action of the wife, husband and his parents have filed the petitions alleging that they have been unduly harassed. Cause of action did not arise at New Delhi. Wife-respondent is living with her parents at village Katkur, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh and the two cases have been filed against them at New Delhi on the false pretext that she is presently living with her brother at New Delhi. It has been admitted by the wife-respondent that her parents are living in Andhra Pradesh and she owns a house in Andhra Pradesh. She has denied that the criminal case and the maintenance petition filed by her at New Delhi to harass her husband or her parents. She has asserted that the Courts at New Delhi have the jurisdiction. She having shifted to New Delhi, it would be convenient for her to pursue the cases at the place where she resides. She has also prayed for the transfer of divorce petition as well, filed by her husband, to a Court of competent jurisdiction at New Delhi.

7. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, but without expressing any opinion on the allegations and counter allegations made against one another, which are subjudice in the main proceedings, we are of the opinion that it will be for better convenience of the parties and in the interest of justice if both the cases pending in the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi titled State of Delhi vs. Eluri Raji Reddy & Others arising in FIR No. 385 of 2000, Parliament Street Police Station and petition under Section 125 Cr.P.C. for grant of maintenance filed by the wife-respon