2011 Supreme(Jhk) 433
2011 (3) JLJR 134
D.K. Sinha, J.
Md. Mokhter - Petitioner
Vs.
Bibi Erfana & Anr.- Opp.
Cr. Revision No. 13 of 2003
Decided on : 13.5.2011
Parties For the Petitioner: M/s Afaque Ahmad, H. Hoda, Sayendra Singh.
For the O.P.: Mr. Manoj Kumar Sah. Nos. 1 & 2
Headnote:(A)Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973---Section 125---Maintenance---Minor child is entitled for maintenance from his father till attainment of his majority. (Para 7)
(B) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973---Section 125 r/w Section 3(1)(a) of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986---Divorce during pendency of proceeding u/s 125---Wife permitted to file appropriate petition u/s 3(1)(a). (Paras 6 to 8)
D.K. Sinha, J.- This Criminal Revision is directed against the order dated 2.12.2002 passed in Misc. Case No. 5 of 1997 ( Maintenance T.R. No. 391 of 2002) by the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Godda in a proceeding under Section 125. of Cr.P.C. by which the petitioner was directed to pay maintenance at the rate of Rs. 400/- each to the O.P. Nos. 1 and 2 on the date of the application filed under Section 125 of Cr.P.C.
2. The complainant-O.P. No. 1 had presented an application for initiation of the proceeding under Section 125 Cr.P.C. stating inter alia that she was married to petitioner Md. Mokhter some 20 years ago without specifying the amount of Dain Mehar. She further narrated that out of their wedlock, a son namely Sadir Hussain. (O.P. No.2) was born, who was about 10 years at the time of filing her petitions.
As she was forced to leave her matrimonial home in the year 1987 she being the deserted woman then came to her parental home and started living with her mother but the husband did not maintain her. She further narrated that the petitioner-husband had sufficient earning from his agricultural lands. On her instance a Panchayati was held duly attended by her mother and other relatives for her future arrangement but neither her husband nor any other relatives came, instead thereof she was driven out from her matrimonial village. During pendency of the application under Section 125 Cr.P.C. the complainant-opposite party No. 1 filed a supplementary petition before the CJM, Godda in Cr. Misc. Case No. 5 of 1997 narrating that since the petitioner-husband in his causes shown in the proceeding under Section 125 Cr.P.C. stated that he had divorced his wife i.e. complainant-O.P. No.1 and therefore under changing circumstances she was inclined to seek relief under the Provisions of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights and Divorce) Act, 1986 wherein the husband had to return Dain Mehar amount and other the gifts presented to his wife on the eve of her 'Nikah' She appended a list of such items as Schedule-A of the supplementary petition. It was further stated that even after pronouncement of divorce she was entitled to get maintenance till her life time by way of reasonable and fair maintenance within the Iddat period for meeting out her urgent needs. The complainant-opposite party No.1 tried to interpret the reasonable and fair maintenance in her supplementary petition which included the provision for her residence, cloths and fooding etc. as provided under Section 3(1)(a) of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights and Divorce) Act, 1986. It was finally stated that she would be satisfied if payment to the extent of Rs. One lakh and fifty thousand would be made to her for residence and Rs. 1,000/- per month would suffice her needs for whole of her life and accordingly, total sum of Rs. 2,10,950/- was demanded as per Schedule-A of the supplementary petition from her husband petitioner. However in ) the original petition a sum of Rs.400/ - each to her as well as her minor son was demanded being their monthly maintenance to which proceeding under Section 125 Cr.P.C. was initiated in 1987 but final order was passed on 2.12.2001 allowing their prayer since the month of filing and initiation of the proceeding.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner-husband submitted that witnesses were produced and examined on behalf of complainant-opposite party No. 1 who deposed hereunder.
P.W. 1 Bibi Erfana is the complainant-opposite party No.1. In her statement she admitted that it was not a fact that she was divorced by the petitioner-husband during pendency of the proceeding. She admitted that a sum of Rs. 200/- per month was paid to her under the orders of the court during pendency of the proceeding. P.W. 2 Nasranu Mossamat is the mother of the complainant-opposite party No.1. She testified that her daughter stayed with her husband only for 10 years but thereafter she was deserted. P.W. 3 Bhuneshwar Manjhi supported the m