$~21 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 17.04.2026 + MAT.APP.(F.C.) 312/2024 & CM APPL. 56056/2024 DOLLY RAGHAV .....Appellant Through: Ms. Samridhi Dohbal, Adv.

versus UDAY SINGH .....Respondent Through: Appearance not given.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIVEK CHAUDHARY HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE RENU BHATNAGAR

JUDGMENT

1. The present appeal under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 is directed against the order dated 03.09.2024 passed by the learned Principal Judge, Family Court, South West District, Dwarka Courts, New Delhi in HMA No. 3668/2023 titled Uday Singh v. Dolly Raghav, whereby the learned Family Court declined to take on record the written statement filed by the appellant and, consequently, struck off her defence on the ground that the same had been filed beyond the prescribed period.

2. The relevant facts, in brief, are that the marriage between the parties was solemnised according to Hindu rites and customs on 25.02.2006 and disputes thereafter arose between them, resulting in them living separately. The respondent/husband instituted a petition under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter ‘HMA’) before the learned Family Court