IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
S.M. SUBRAMANIAM, J.
M. Saranya Kumari - Petitioner
Versus
R. Ganesan - Respondent
Tr.CMP No.1059 of 2022, CMP No.18236 of 2022
Decided On : 23-01-2023
Civil Procedure Code, 1908 – Section 24 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 125 – Hindu Marriage Act – Section 19 – Hindu Rites and Customs – General power of transfer and withdrawal- Court to which petition should be made – Present Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition is filed to withdraw case file of Sub Court at Poonamallee and transfer same file of Family Court at Chennai – Held, Court is inclined to transfer HMOP now pending on file of Sub Court at Ambattur (transferred from Sub Court at Poonamallee) to file of Family Court at Chennai forthwith – Court at Ambattur (transferred from Sub Court at Poonamallee) is directed to transmit case papers to the Family Court within a period of four weeks from receipt of a copy of this order – Civil Miscellaneous Petition stands allowed.
ORDER :
[PRAYER : This Transfer CMP is filed under Section 24 of the Civil Procedure Code, to withdraw the case in HMOP No.554 of 2021 from the file of the Sub Court at Poonamallee and transfer the same to the file of the Family Court at Chennai.]
1. The present Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition is filed to withdraw the case in HMOP No.554 of 2021 from the file of the Sub Court at Poonamallee and transfer the same to the file of the Family Court at Chennai.
2. The marriage between the petitioner-wife and the respondent-husband was solemnised on 27.05.2007 as per Hindu Rites and Customs. Out of wedlock between the petitioner and the respondent, one girl and one male i.e., two children were born. Due to misunderstanding the petitioner and the respondent are now living separately.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner is unemployed and now she and her two minor children are living along with her parents at Chennai. Both the petitioner and her minor children are depending on her parents and she has to take care of her two minor children. Thus she is not in a position to travel all along from Chennai to Poonamallee to contest the divorce case filed by the respondent in HMOP No.554 of 2021, which was pending on the file of the Sub Court at Poonamallee has now been transferred to the file of the Sub Court at Ambattur on account of bifurcation of jurisdiction.
4. In the present case, the transfer of the case is to be considered, since the petitioner is unemployed and both the petitioner as well as her two minor children are living along with her parents at Chennai. That being the case, the divorce case filed by the respondent in HMOP No.554 of 2021 now pending on the file of the Sub Court at Ambattur (transferred from Sub Court at Poonamallee) is to be transferred to the place, where the petitioner now resides.
5. The principles regarding transfer petitions, more specifically in the matters of matrimonial cases, are well settled through the three decisions of the High Court of Madras, in the following cases:-
''21. The domicile or citizenship of the opposite party is immaterial in a case like this. In case the marriage was solemnized under Hindu Law marital relationship is governed by the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act. Therefore, Section 19 has to be given a purposeful interpretation. It is the residence of the wife, which determines the question of jurisdiction, in case the proceeding was initiated at the instance of the wife.
22. While considering a provision like Section 19 (iii-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, the objects and reasons which prompted the parliament to incorporate such a provision has also to be taken note of. Sub Clause (iii-a) was inserted in Section 19 with a specific purpose. Experience is the best teacher. The Government found the difficulties faced by women in the matter of initiation of matrimonial proceedings. The report submitted by the Law Commission as well as National Commission for Women, underlying the need for such amendment so as to enable the women to approach the nearest jurisdictional court to redress their matrimonial grievances, were also taken note of by the Government. Therefore such a beneficial provision meant for the women of our Country should be given a meaningful interpretation by Courts.''
(ii) In yet another case in Tr.CMP.Nos.138 and 139 of 2006, dated 30.08.2006, the High Court of Madras has considered the following judgments of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India:-
''(1). In the case of Mona Aresh Goel vs. Aresh Satya Goel [(2000) 9 SCC 255], when the wife pleaded that she was unable to bear the traveling expenses and even to travel alone and stay at Bombay, the Supreme Court ordered transfer of proceedings.
(2) In the case of Geeta Heera vs. Harish Chander Heera [(2000) 10 SCC 304], the Hon'bl
Lalita A.Ranga vs. Ajay Champalal Ranga
Geeta Heera vs. Harish Chander Heera
The legal principle established is the importance of the wife's residence in determining jurisdiction in matrimonial cases and the need to safeguard the interests and rights of women in such proceedi....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the significance of considering the residence of the wife in determining jurisdiction in matrimonial cases and the need to safeguard the interests ....
The court emphasized the importance of the wife's residence in determining jurisdiction and considered the difficulties faced by the wife in contesting proceedings at a distant location, highlighting....
The importance of the wife's residence in determining jurisdiction and considering the difficulties faced by the wife in contesting proceedings at a distant location in transfer petitions for matrimo....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the importance of considering the wife's place of residence and circumstances in transfer petitions for matrimonial cases, with a focus on safeguar....
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.