2023 Supreme(Chh) 494
IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
GOUTAM BHADURI, N.K. CHANDRAVANSHI, JJ.
Kunti Chakradhari W/o Gajendra @ Gajanand – Appellant
Versus
Gajendra @ Gajanand Chakardhari S/o Chhote Lal Chakradhari – Respondent
F.A.M. No. 196 of 2019
Decided On : 05-01-2023
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Praveen Dhurandhar.
For the Respondent: Anil Gulati.
Headnote:
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - Section 9 - Restitution of conjugal rights - Demand of dowry - Appeal has been preferred by appellant/wife against judgment and decree passed by Judge, Family Court in Civil Suit whereby civil suit filed by appellant/husband for restitution of conjugal rights, was allowed in favour of respondent/husband – Held, Appellant/wife has stated in her examination-in-chief that she was ready to go with respondent, but he himself had not come to bring her back - Now since judgment has been passed against appellant to resume their marital life, therefore, she should have to restore their conjugal relations - But, in cross-examination, when she was asked that “today also respondent/husband want to keep you with him separate from joint family, whether you are ready to live with him?” she replied ‘No’ - As per her statement she had problem only with father-in-law and there was problem with husband also, but she has specifically stated that at present, she has no problem - In such a situation, wife should have to join conjugal relation with respondent/husband – Court do not find any infirmity, perversity or illegality in impugned judgment passed by learned Family Court – Appeal dismissed.
JUDGMENT :
N.K. CHANDRAVANSHI, J.
1. This appeal has been preferred by the appellant/wife against judgment and decree dated 30-4-2019 passed by the Judge, Family Court, Dhamtari (CG) in Civil Suit No. 67A/2017 whereby civil suit filed by the appellant/husband under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act 1955’) for restitution of conjugal rights, was allowed in favour of the respondent/husband.
2. Facts of the case, in brief, are that appellant wife and respondent husband were married on 12-12-2015. After 1½ month of marriage, wife started quarreling on petty issues and humiliating parents of husband. She did not take any interest in domestic works. Parents of husband are old aged persons suffering from various ailments. Mother of appellant is also suffering from paralysis, hence, she could not do her own works. Wife used to ask that she is not servant who would look after his parents and prepare food for them. On being explained, she threatened to implicate them in false case. Financial status of husband is not good, despite that on being demand made by the wife when husband could not provide her valuable articles, then she abused and insulted him and some times, assaulted also. When his elder brother who lived separate, came to his house to meet parents, wife did not respect him. It is further alleged that appellant wife always indulged in talking over mobile phone with some other person, despite explaining her, she did not change her conduct. Therefore, once husband had broken her mobile phone smashing on the ground. Hence, she started preparing to leave the in-laws house and on being explained by parents of husband, she insulted them. Wife had pressurized husband to give Rs. 5 lakhs for nursing training of her sister and due to quarrel made by her, husband somehow managed Rs. 1 lakh, despite that, she made false allegation on character of her father-in-law. Husband called parents of wife and other member of their society to explain her and in the month of February, 2017, her parents took her to her parental place. Thereafter despite being asked, she did not return and she put condition for the same that if husband brakes all relations from his parents and lives separately from them, then only she will join him. Social meeting was also convened in this regard, there also, wife refused to join his company until fulfillment of aforesaid condition. Due to such arrogance of wife, husband has been deprived of marital enjoyment, therefore, he filed the application under Section 9 of the Act, 1955 before learned Family Court seeking relief of restitution of conjugal rights against wife.
3. The appellant/wife, in reply, denied all the allegations levelled against her and has pleaded that she was subjected to cruelty by husband on demand of dowry of motorcycle from her parents and her in-laws instigated the husband for the same. It is further stated that on 18-2-2017 her father-in-law had molested her, therefore on the same day, her father brought her to her parental place Pulgaon, Durg. On 24-8-2017, she had made a complaint in this regard to the Superintendent of Police, Durg. After few days, respondent was asked to bring her back, but he did not come. After 18-2-2017, respondent never came to bring her back, she has never refused to lead marital life with husband, however, she has stated him to improve his behaviour and she is scared due to obscene act of her father-in-law. Appellant/wife has further pleaded that if she goes to respondent’s home, her in-laws may harm her by creating problems. Therefore, application is liable to be dismissed.
4. Learned Family Court, on the basis of averments made by both the parties in the pleadings, framed issues and after providing opportunity to lead evidence and after hearing the parties and considering the evidence avilable on record, has held that without any reasonable excuse, wife has deprived husband of marital enjoyment, hence it granted decree in favou