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2014 Supreme(Mad) 4594

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS
R. MALA, J.
IN RE: R. JEGANNATHAN
C.R.P. (PD) No. 3104 of 2014
Decided on : 05-09-2014

Headnote:

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - Section 13-B – Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 498-A, 294(b), 323 & 506(i) - Constitution of India - Article 227 - Article 142- Amendment Act 1976 - Marriage - Petition for divorce - Marriage between Petitioners 1 & 2 were performed - Due to difference of opinion, First, Petitioner/husband filed O.P. on file of Principal Family Court, for divorce on ground of cruelty and desertion - Likewise, Second Petitioner/wife has also filed O.P. for divorce on ground of cruelty and desertion (i.e.) same relief as sought for by her husband - It is further submitted that, father of Second Petitioner/wife has given a Complaint against First Petitioner and his parents – Held, There was a matrimonial dispute between both parties - Husband has filed a Petition for divorce on ground of cruelty and desertion and wife has also filed a Petition for divorce on same ground of cruelty and desertion - During that period, matter was referred to mediation and during mediation, matter was settled between both parties amicably and they agreed to file Divorce Petition on mutual consent - Thereafter, both Petitioners filed Application for divorce on mutual consent - Hence, object of the cooling period of six months is to retrieve difference of opinion between parties - But here, there is no chance for reunion - Because already both parties are waiting for a long period and only in Mediation, matter was settled - In such circumstances, Court is of view, to render complete justice to parties, six months cooling period mentioned under Section 13-B(2) of Hindu Marriage Act is not a bar to grant mutual consent immediately – Petition Disposed Of.

JUDGMENT :

R. Mala, J.

The Civil Revision Petition has been filed against the return of I.A.SR. No. 4635 of 2014 in O.P. No. 1737 of 2014 to dispense with six months' cooling period while filing Application under Section 13-B of Hindu Marriage Act. Learned Counsel for the Petitioners submitted that the marriage between the Petitioners 1 & 2 were performed on 25.1.2006. Due to difference of opinion, the First, Petitioner/husband filed O.P. No. 2519 of 2011 on the file of the Principal Family Court, Chennai, for divorce on the ground of cruelty and desertion. Likewise, the Second Petitioner/wife has also filed O.P. No. 2918 of 2012 for divorce on the ground of cruelty and desertion (i.e.) the same relief as sought for by her husband. It is further submitted that, the father of the Second Petitioner/wife has given a Complaint against the First Petitioner and his parents before W-19, All Women Police station, Adyar and the case has been registered under Sections 498-A, 294(b), 323 & 506(i), I.P.C., on 9.4.2010. So the First Petitioner and his parents filed a Quash Application under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. in Crl. O.P. No. 25867 of 2013 for quashing F.I.R. At the time of enquiry on Crl. O.P. No. 25867 of 2013, the matter was referred to the Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre, High Court, Chennai, wherein the matter was settled between both the patties and it was agreed by them to file Petition under Section 13-B of Hindu Marriage Act for divorce of mutual consent. In pursuance of the same, mediation agreement has been entered into between First and Second Petitioners on 29.4.2013 and immediately the Petitioners appeared before the Principal Family Court, Chennai and filed an Application under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act for divorce on mutual consent and at the time of filing the same, they filed the Application for dispensed with six months cooling period as contemplated under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act. But the Trial Court returned that Petition.

2. The point to be decided is that whether six months' cooling period is mandatory and whether it can be dispensed with?

(i) Admittedly, the marriage between both the Petitioners herein was performed in the year 2006. The matrimonial dispute arose between them from 2010 onwards.

(ii) The Divorce Application on mutual consent was filed on the basis of the agreement arrived at between the parties before the Mediation and to give complete justice, by invoking Article 227 of the Constitution of India, whether the cooling period has been dispensed with. The intention of the legislature for granting six months' time is as to whether there is any possibility for the spouse to be reunion. But the marriage has broken down irretrievably and both the parties are in logger head, not only in matrimonial dispute, also Criminal proceedings and at that time only, the matter was referred to Mediation and the Agreement has been entered into between the parties.

3. Under such circumstances, learned Counsel for the Petitioner sought for allowing the Application for dispensing with six months' cooling period for recording evidence and granting divorce by mutual consent.

4. Mr. V. Sivakumar, learned Counsel is appointed as an Amicus Curiae to assist the Court to arrive at a correct conclusion. Now it is appropriate to incorporate Article 227 of the Constitution of India and Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act:

"227. Power of superintendence over all Courts by the High Court.--[(1) Every High Court, shall have superintendence over all Courts and Tribunals throughout the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction.]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the High Court may--

(a) Call for returns from such Courts;

(b) Make and issue general Rules and prescribe Forms for regulating the practice and proceedings of such Courts; and

(c) Prescribe forms in which books, entries and accounts shall be kept by the officers of any such Courts.

(3) The High C




















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