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2025 Supreme(Pat) 178

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
JITENDRA KUMAR, J.
Criminal Revision No. 362 of 2021
(15.4.2025)
Rajesh Kumar @ Rajesh Yadav ... Petitioner
vs.
State of Bihar & Anr. ... Respondents

Advocates:
For the Petitioner: M/s Md. N. Huda, Md. Harun Quareshi.
For the State : Mr. Upendra Kumar, APP.
For the O.P. No.2 : Mr. Kumar Kamal Nayan.

Headnote:

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 125 – Award of maintenance to wife and child – Allegation of adultery by wife – Marriage started running into rough weather on account of non-fulfilment of illegal demand of additional dowry and she was ultimately ousted from matrimonial home – She is living separately at her maike on account of reasonable cause – Living in adultery is distinct from committing adultery – Living in adultery denotes a continuous course of conduct and not isolated acts of immorality – One or two lapses from virtues would be acts of adultery but would be quite insufficient to show that woman was living in adultery – Mere lapse, whether it is one or two, and a return back to normal life cannot be said to be living in adultery – If lapse is continued and followed up by a further adulterous life, woman can be said to be living in adultery – Allegation of adultery could not be proved – Wife has no means of income to maintain herself and her minor daughter – Quantum of maintenance (Rs.9,000/- per month) is not on higher side – There is no illegality or infirmity in impugned order – Petition dismissed. (Paras 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17)

Jitendra Kumar, J. – The present revision petition has been preferred by the petitioner against the impugned final order dated 27.02.2021 passed by learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Munger in Maintenance Case No. 25 of 2015, as per which learned Family Court has directed the petitioner to pay Rs.9,000/- per month to the O.P. No.2 towards her maintenance as well as that of her child.

2. The factual background of this case is that on 23.02.2015 O.P. No.2/Soni Devi (wife of the petitioner) filed a maintenance petition under Section 125 Cr.PC for her maintenance as well as that of her minor daughter @ Rs. 10,000/- per month from her husband, who is petitioner herein, claiming that marriage between Soni Devi (O.P. No.2 herein) and Rajesh Kumar (petitioner herein) was solemnized on 12.03.2011 as per Hindu Rites and Customs. After the marriage, Soni Devi joined the matrimonial home of her husband and on account of non-fulfillment of illegal demand of dowry, the marriage started running into rough weather and ultimately, the O.P. No.2/wife was ousted from her matrimonial home along with her child on 26.02.2014, since when she has been living at her maike. It has been further claimed that Rajesh Kumar is a Constable in CRPF having monthly salary of Rs.25,000/- besides annual income of Rs.60,000/- from agricultural land.

3. On notice, Rajesh Kumar appeared before the Family Court and contested the maintenance petition denying the allegation of demand of dowry and cruelty therefor. However, he has admitted his marriage with Soni Devi and the paternity of the child born to her. However, he has claimed that prior to the marriage itself, Soni Devi was having illicit relationship with one Shakaldeo Yadav which was fraudulently concealed from him prior to solemnization of the marriage. He has further pleaded that during his absence at home, his wife Soni Devi left her matrimonial home in the month of February, 2014 along with the daughter. He has also pleaded that he has also one 75 years old mother dependent upon him. He has admitted that he is Constable in CRPF but he has claimed that his monthly income is Rs.16,000/-, out of which Rs.1000/- is deposited in the Provident Fund and he pays Rs.3000/- per month to his mother for her maintenance besides expending Rs.8,000/- per month on himself and saving Rs.4,000/- per month.

4. During trial, Soni Devi, petitioner before the Family Court examined only herself as P.W.-1, whereas, Rajesh Kumar, Opposite party before the Family Court, examined five witnesses including himself as Opposite Party Witnesses.

5. After recording of the evidence and hearing of the parties, learned Family Court came to the conclusion that undisputedly Soni Devi is legally wedded wife of Rajesh Kumar and one minor daughter is born out of the wedlock who is living with her mother. Learned Family Court also held that Rajesh Kumar could not prove that his wife-Soni Devi has any illicit relationship with anybody. He also found that as per the evidence on record, the monthly income of Rajesh Kumar was Rs.30,000/-, whereas the O.P. No.2/Soni Devi was found to have no source of income to maintain herself and her child and hence, learned Family Court directed Rajesh Kumar to pay Rs.9,000/- per month towards maintenance of wife-Soni Devi and the minor daughter living with his wife.

6. I heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned APP for the State and learned counsel for the O.P. No.2.

7. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that Soni Devi is living in adultery with one Shakaldeo Yadav and hence, she is not entitled to get any maintenance under Section 125 Cr.PC. He also submits that during evidence Rajesh Kumar has deposed that his monthly income is only Rs.16,000/- and hence, quantum of maintenance is on higher side in view of totality of the facts of the case. He also submits that there was no demand of any dowry or torture therefor and there was no question of ousting her from the matrimonial home. In fact, she left

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