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PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
K.S.Tiwana, J.
Asha Rani
Versus
Amrat Lal
First Appeal First Order No. 59 of 1973,
Decided On : OCTOBER 18, 1976
HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955 - SECTION 13 - ORDER XXXII, RULES 3 AND 15, CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE - APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR UNSOUND MIND DEFENDANT - MANDATORY - FAILURE TO APPOINT - DECREE VOID.
Fact of the Case:
Petitioner filed for divorce under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, on the ground that his wife was of unsound mind. The District Judge granted the divorce. The wife appealed, arguing that the petitioner had not complied with the provisions of Order XXXII of the Civil Procedure Code, which requires the appointment of a guardian for a defendant who is of unsound mind.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the provisions of Order XXXII, Rule 3 of the Code are mandatory and the appointment of a guardian is not a mere formality. The court found that the petitioner had not filed a list of relatives of the wife with the petition, as required by Rule 3, and that the court had not appointed a guardian for the wife. The court also held that the decree of dissolution of marriage was a nullity and is void.
Issues: Whether the petitioner had complied with the provisions of Order XXXII of the Civil Procedure Code, which requires the appointment of a guardian for a defendant who is of unsound mind.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the provisions of Order XXXII, Rule 3 of the Code are mandatory and the appointment of a guardian is not a mere formality. The court found that the petitioner had not filed a list of relatives of the wife with the petition, as required by Rule 3, and that the court had not appointed a guardian for the wife. The court also held that the decree of dissolution of marriage was a nullity and is void.
Final Decision: The court accepted the appeal and set aside the decree of dissolution of marriage. The case was remanded to the court below to re-decide it in view of the above observations and after compliance with the provisions of Order XXXII Rules 3 and 15 of the Code.
1. Amrit Lal filed Petition under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 , in the Court of District Judge, Rohtak against his wife Asha Rani for dissolution of the marriage on the ground that she was of unsound mind. She was sued through her brother Gian Chand who engaged a counsel and filed a written statement on her behalf. After trial the learned District Judge Rohtak on 28-2-1973 holding that Asha Rani has been of incurably unsound mind for three years prior to the presentation of the petition granted a decree for divorce in favour of Amrit Lal respondent. This appeal has been filed on behalf of Asha Rani challenging that decree.
2. Shri Roop Chand, learned counsel for the appellant, has argued that the respondent has sought a decree against the appellant on the ground that she is of unsound mind and had been so, even three years, before the presentation of the petition, but at the time of presentation of the petition he did not comply with the provisions of O. XXXII of the Civil Procedure Code (1908) (hereinafter referred to as the Code). Rule 3 of O. XXXII of the Code which deals with the case of a minor is relevant in this case. In Punjab and Haryana sub-rules (3) and (4) of Rule 3 of Order XXXII of the Code have been substituted and Rules 6 and 7 have been added. Rule 3 of Order XXXII of the Code as applicable to the States of Punjab and Haryana is as under:-
"(3) Guardian for the suit to be appointed by Court for minor defendant. (1) Where the defendant is a minor, the Court, on being satisfied of the fact of his minority, shall appoint a proper person to be guardian for the suit for such minor.
(2) An order for the appointment of a guardian for the suit may be obtained upon application in the name and on behalf of the minor or by the plaintiff.
(3) The plaintiff shall file with his plaint a list of relatives of the minor and other persons, with their addresses, who prima facie are mast likely to be capable of acting as guardian for the suit for a minor defendant. The list shall constitute an application by the plaintiff under sub-rule (2) above.
(4) The Court may at any time after institution of the suit call upon the plaintiff to furnish such a list, and in default of compliance, may reject the plaint.
(5) A person appointed under sub-rule (1) to be guardian for the suit for a minor shall, unless his appointment is terminated by retirement or removal or death, continue as such throughout all proceedings arising out of the suit including proceedings in any appellate or revisional Court and any proceedings in the execution of a decree.
(6) Any application for the appointment of a guardian for the suit and any list furnished under this rule shall be supported by an affidavit verifying the fact that the proposed guardian has no interest in the matters in controversy in the suit adverse to that of the minor and that each person proposed is a fit person to be so appointed.
(7) No order shall be made on any application under this rule except upon notice to any guardian of the minor appointed or declared by an authority competent in that behalf or, where there is no such guardian, upon notice to the father or other natural guardian of the minor or, where there is no father or other natural guardian to the person in whose care the minor is, and after hearing any objection which may be urged on behalf of any person served with notice under this sub-rule: Provided that the Court may, if it sees fit, issue notice to the minor also."
Rule 15 of Order XXXII of the Code which prescribes the procedure in case of persons of unsound mind is as follows :-
"15. Application of rules to persons of unsound mind. The provisions contained in Rules 1 to 14, so far as they are applicable, shall extend to persons adjudged to be of unsound mind and to persons who though not so adjudged are found by the Court on inquiry, by reason of unsoundness of mind or mental infirmity, to be incapable of protecting their interests when suing or
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