IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA WRIT PETITION NO.33884 OF 2025 (GM-FC)

BETWEEN:

SMT. SHILPA B. G., W/O. MANJUNATH K. S., D/O. LATE GANGADHARAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, R/AT NO. 164, 4TH MAIN ROAD, A.K. COLONY, DOMLUR LAYOUT, BENGALURU EAST, DOMLUR, BENGALURU-560 071.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAGHAVENDRA GOWDA K.,ADVOCATE)

Digitally signed AND:

by SOWMYA DODDAMA RAIAH Location: HIGH

1. SRI. MANJUNATH K. S.

COURT OF KARNATAKA S/O. SRINIVAS, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, R/AT NO. 287, KHB QUARTERS, 2ND CROSS, KRISHNAPPA LANE, NEAR KEERTHI RESIDENCY APARTMENTS, JEEVANAHALLI, BENGALURU NORTH, BENGALURU-560 005.

2. PRIYA D/O. MANJU, AGED ABOUT 21 YEARS, R/AT NO. 727, 13TH CROSS, 4TH MAIN ROAD, H.A.L. III STAGE, BENGALURU-560 008.

…RESPONDENTS (V/C/O DATED 12.01.2026, NOTICE TO RESPONDENT IS DISPENSED WITH)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE TRIAL COURT TO EXPEDITE THE TRIAL AND TO DISPOSE OF PROCEEDINGS IN M.C NO.3186/22 PENDING BEFORE THE FILE OF LEARNED II ADDL. PRINCIPAL JUDGE, FAMILY COURT, BENGALURU WITHIN 3 MONTHS VIDE ANNX-C.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA

ORAL ORDER

Heard Sri.Raghavendra Gowda.K learned counsel for the petitioner.

2. Having considered the nature of relief sought for, this Court is of the view that issuance of notice to the respondent is not necessary.

3. This writ petition is filed seeking the Court to issue a writ directing the Court of Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Bangalore to expedite the trial in M.C.No.3186/2022.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the wife of respondent No.1. She filed a petition under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act seeking a decree of dissolution of marriage. The petition was filed in the year 2022 and till now, trial proceedings are not concluded. Learned counsel thereby seeks to direct the trial Court to dispose of the matter time bound.

5. A perusal of record reveals that the trial Court, after appearance of the parties, referred the matter to the Mediation Centre for settlement and as the matter could not be settled, continued with further proceedings. Record also reveals that the petitioner herein failed to represent the matter on few dates i.e., 29.09.2023, 25.11.2023, 03.04.2024 and 27.09.2024. Also this Court observes that on few occasions, the trial Court without assigning any reasons adjourned the matter. The case is pending since 2022. In number of decisions the Hon'ble Apex Court held that the proceedings in maintenance, restitution of conjugal rights and divorce petitions are required to be disposed of as early as possible. Therefore, this Court is of the view that a direction is required to be issued to the trial Court to dispose of the matter time bound. Thus, the writ petition is disposed of with the following:

ORDER

(i) The Court of II Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Bangalore is directed to take steps to dispose of M.C.No.3186/2022, which is pending on its file as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

(ii) Registry to send copy of this order to the concerned Court forthwith.

Sd/-

(DR.CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA)

JUDGE DS CT:TSM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 37