2017 Supreme(Mad) 1054
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
B. GOKULDAS, J.
Kanimozhi - Petitioner
Vs.
S. Sukumaran - Respondent
Crl.RC.No.1412 of 2012
Decided On : 01-06-2017
For the Petitioner: Mr. C.Veeraraghavan
Headnote:
Maintenance - Matrimonial Dispute - The court set aside the trial court's dismissal of the petitioner's application for maintenance under Section 125 Cr.PC, emphasizing that the divorced wife is entitled to claim maintenance, especially when there is no evidence to show that she was having sufficient income to maintain herself. The court highlighted that the remedy provided under Section 125 CrPC is for a different purpose and does not oust the jurisdiction of the Family Court to award maintenance under Section 24 of the Act. The court found that the trial court committed a jurisdictional error in dismissing the application and remitted the matter back to the trial court for fresh consideration.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, a divorced wife, filed a petition seeking maintenance under Section 125 Cr.PC, alleging cruelty, harassment, and mental agony by the respondent/husband. The trial court dismissed the claim, prompting the petitioner to file a criminal revision.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the divorced wife is entitled to claim maintenance, especially when there is no evidence to show that she was having sufficient income to maintain herself. The court emphasized that the remedy provided under Section 125 CrPC is for a different purpose and does not oust the jurisdiction of the Family Court to award maintenance under Section 24 of the Act. The court set aside the trial court's dismissal and remitted the matter back to the trial court for fresh consideration.
Issues: The main issue was whether the divorced wife was entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 Cr.PC, and whether the trial court erred in dismissing the application.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the divorced wife is entitled to claim maintenance, especially when there is no evidence to show that she was having sufficient income to maintain herself. The court highlighted that the remedy provided under Section 125 CrPC is for a different purpose and does not oust the jurisdiction of the Family Court to award maintenance under Section 24 of the Act. The court found that the trial court committed a jurisdictional error in dismissing the application.
Final Decision: The criminal revision was allowed, and the order of the trial court was set aside. The matter was remitted back to the trial court for fresh consideration on merits and in accordance with the law.
1. This Criminal revision is filed against the order dated 22.08.2012 passed by the Judicial Magistrate No. II, Pollachi in MC.No.15 of 2010.
2. The brief facts of the case are as follows :-
The marriage between the petitioner/wife and the respondent/husband solemnized was on 22.02.2017 at Samathur, Pollachi as per Hindu rites and customs in the presence of elders of both the families. The petitioner lived with the respondent for about six months and thereafter they lived separately at Pappanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore. The respondent often scolded the petitioner with abusive words and caused mental harassment and also beaten her, as a result, the petitioner got abortioned at 1 1/2 months. The respondent used to come at late night and states that he is going to the house of a girl and the petitioner should not question him about the illegal affairs of the respondent. The petitioner attempted to commit suicide, when the parents of the petitioner questioned, the respondent threatened to kill them. On 19.06.2007, the respondent called the parents of the petitioner over phone and informed them that he does not want to live with the petitioner and asked them to take back the petitioner with them. From that day onwards, the parties are living separately. Hence, the petitioner issued legal notice dated 24.10.2008 to the respondent, to stop threatening. On 26.11.2008, the respondent replied falsely that he wants to live with the petitioner and filed HMOP.No.324 of 2009 on the file of the Family Court, Coimbatore for restitution of conjugal rights. Subsequently, the respondent got remarried with another girl. The respondent is working as a constable in Tamil Nadu Police Service at Coimbatore and earning more than Rs.17,000/-p.m. Hence, the petitioner filed the petition under Section 125 Cr.PC seeking for maintenance. The trial Court dismissed the claim of the petitioner under Section 125 Cr.PC. Aggrieved against the said order, the petitioner is before this Court by way of present revision.
3. The respondent/husband filed counter before the trial Court stating that the petitioner has not come forward to live together with the respondent. The allegations made out in the petition is false and without any basis. The petitioner being an educated lady, voluntarily evading herself to go for any work to get the maintenance from the respondent and the petitioner is the only daughter the parent in laws are having sufficient source of income to maintain their daughter. Hence, prays for dismissal of the petition.
4. The trial Court after hearing the arguments of both sides and upon perusal of oral and documentary evidences adduced on either side, dismissed the claim of the petitioner under Section 125 Cr.PC.
5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the records. Notice was duly served on the respondent, there is no representation on behalf of the respondent either in person or through the learned counsel on record, the name of the respondent is printed in the cause list, the respondent was called absent and hence set exparte.
6. The learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner/wife left the matrimonial home at the instance of the respondent/husband. The trial ought not to have considered the order obtained by the respondent for restitution of conjugal rights. The trial Court failed to consider the cruelty, harassment and mental agony undergone by the petitioner in the hands of the respondent. The order of the trial Court is erroneous in dismissing the application filed by the petitioner under Section 125 Cr.PC.
7. In support of his contention, the learned counsel for the petitioner relied on the cantena of judgments :-
1. CDJ 1990 APHC 290 - G.Sundrababu v. Udaya Bhanu.
2. CDJ 1992 MHC 328 - Balasundaram V. Santhi.
3. CDJ 2006 MHC 1474 - Vinayagam v. Aruna and another.
4. (2008) 3 MLJ (crl) 723 - V.Balu v. Kalyani.
5. (2010) 1 MLJ (crl.) 1142 - Amutha @ Symaladevi v. K.Thirumoorthy @ Thirumalaisamy.
8. On perusal of