IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT INDORE
VIVEK RUSIA, AMAR NATH (KESHARWANI), JJ.
Smt. Leena W/o. Shri Manish Upadhyay - Appellant
Versus
Shri Manish S/o. Purushottam Upadhayay - Respondent
First Appeal No. 489 of 2007
Decided On : 08-04-2022
Divorce - Hindu Marriage Act - Section 13, 13(1) A - The respondent filed a petition seeking dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty. The court examines the evidence and finds that the respondent failed to establish allegations of cruelty by the appellant. The court sets aside the ex-parte decree and directs the Family Court to investigate the genuineness of the second marriage and initiate proceedings under section 340 of Cr.P.C. if false evidence is found.
Fact of the Case:
Appellant(wife) challenges the ex-parte judgment and order dismissing her application under Order 9 Rule 13 read with section 151 of C.P.C.
Finding of the Court:
The court examines the service of notice, finds it to be improper, and concludes that there was no proper service to the appellant. The court also finds that the respondent failed to establish allegations of cruelty by the appellant. The ex-parte decree is set aside. The court directs the Family Court to investigate the genuineness of the second marriage and initiate proceedings under section 340 of Cr.P.C. if false evidence is found.
Ratio Decidendi: Improper service of notice and failure to establish allegations of cruelty by the appellant result in the setting aside of the ex-parte decree. The genuineness of the second marriage is to be investigated.
Result: The ex-parte judgment is set aside. The record of the Court below is to be sent back along with the judgment.
JUDGMENT :
Vivek Ruisa, J.
1. Appellant(wife) has filed the present appeal challenging the ex-parte judgment dated 21.04.2007 and order dated 25.08.2007 whereby an application under Order 9 Rule 13 read with section 151 of C.P.C. has been dismissed.
2. The facts of the case in short are as under:-
2. The respondent (Husband) filed a petition under Section 13, 13(1) A of the Hindu Marriage Act seeking dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty. According to him after the marriage, the behavior of the appellant(wife) was not cordial with him as well as his family members. She used to walk up at 09-10 AM and created a situation that caused atrocities to his mother. She used to quarrel with his mother and sister on the petty issue. She was in habit of threatening and pressuring him to live with her parents otherwise she would commit suicide. She used to threaten for false implications in the criminal case. On 13.04.2005, she wanted to go to her parent’s house, but his mother did not give permission and she misbehaved and she threw a steel glass on him due to which he suffered an injury. On 14.05.2005, she left the house and took jewellery and cash of Rs. 28,000/- for which he made the complaint to the police. Without any reason, she has deserted him on 14.05.2005 and because of the cruelty committed to him, he is entitled to the decree of dissolution of marriage. On these grounds the respondent filed a petition on 09.02.2007 before the Family court and that was registered as HMA No.10/2007. Notices were issued to the appellant(wife) by ordinary as well registered post for an appearance on 19.02.2007. Machkuri submitted a report dated 21.03.2007 that this appellant(wife) has received the notice and signed the acknowledgement. Notice was treated to be served on 20.04.2007, since she did not appear, therefore, she was proceeded ex-parte. On 16.04.2007, the respondent(Husband) examined himself and closed the evidence. On 25.07.2007, the Court has passed ex-parte judgment and decree of divorce.
3. According to the appellant(wife), after the marriage on 21.01.2005, she lived 22-25 days in the house of the sister of the respondent(Husband), thereafter, one and half month in the house of in-laws and thereafter without any reason, was deserted by husband and since then she is living with his father. She approached the Pariwar Paramarsh Kendra from where notices were issued to the respondent (Husband) for appearance, but he did not appear. On 10.05.2007, his mother appeared thereafter on 21.05.2007, the respondent (Husband) appeared and produced the ex-parte judgment and decree. Then she came to know that the ex-parte decree has been obtained by fraud.
4. The appellant (wife) immediately approached the Family Court by filing an application under Order 9 Rule 13 read with section 151 of C.P.C. on 29.05.2007 alongwith an application under section 5 of Limitation Act. Notices were issued and the respondent(Husband) who appeared and filed the reply to the application for condonation of delay and application for stay. In the reply, he has disclosed that after the expiry of the limitation of filing of the appeal, he has performed the second marriage on 25.05.2007, hence, the applications be dismissed. Along with the reply he has filed photocopy of photographs of marriage and marriage card in which the name of the second wife is mentioned as Reshma Patel D/o. Mr. Indrajeet Bhai Patel & Smt. Kalapna Ben Patel.
5. The learned Family court vide order dated 25.08.2007 has dismissed an application under Order 9 Rule 13 read with section 151 of C.P.C. as not maintainable, hence, this appeal before this Court.
6. During pendency of this appeal, the respondent(Husband) has failed to deposit the maintenance amount. Mediation has also failed on 15.03.
Proper service of notice, Burden of proof in allegations of cruelty, Consequences of producing false evidence
The right to a fair hearing must be upheld in legal proceedings; ex-parte decrees are void if due process and opportunities to defend are denied.
Ex-parte decree cannot be set aside for mere asking when summons were duly served on correct address.
(1) Exparte decree of divorce – Summons – Even if there is any irregularity in service of summons, still in view of second proviso to Rule 13 of Order IX ex-parte decree cannot be set aside on ground....
The main legal point established in the judgment is that an ex parte decree cannot be set aside on the ground of irregularity in the service of summons if the defendant had notice of the date of hear....
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