Wife's convenience prioritized in matrimonial transfer petitions under Section 24 CPC.

O R D E R

The Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition has been filed seeking orders to withdraw the petition in H.M.O.P.No.188 of 2025 pending on the file of the Sub Court, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur District and transfer the same to the Family Court, Karur District.

2. It is evident from the records that the marriage between the parties was solemnized on 01.06.2020 as per Hindu Rites and customs and due to their wedlock, they were blessed with a female child and that subsequently, there arose some misunderstanding between them and they are are living separately.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the respondent has filed a divorce petition in H.M.O.P.No.188 of 2025, before the Sub Court, Pattukkottai, Thanajvur District.

4. When the matter was taken up on 27.03.2026, despite receipt of Court notice as well private notice, the respondent has not turned up. Even today, there is no representation for the respondent.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is residing at Puliyur, Karur along with her female child and finds it very difficult to travel to Thanjavur to attend all the hearings.

6. In the case of N.C.V.Aishwarya Vs. A.S.Saravana Karthik Sha reported in 2022 Live Law (SC) 627, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has reiterated the position with generally, it is the wife's convenience, which must be looked at while considering the transfer petition under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure and the relevant passage is extracted hereunder :

“The cardinal principle for exercise of power under Section

24 of the Code of Civil Procedure is that the ends of justice should demand the transfer of the suit, appeal or other proceeding. In matrimonial matters, wherever Courts are called upon to consider the plea of transfer, the Courts have to take into consideration the economic soundness of both the parties, the social strata of the spouses and their behavioural pattern, their standard of life prior to the marriage and subsequent thereto and the circumstances of both the parties in eking out their livelihood and under whose protective umbrella they are seeking their sustenance to life. Given the prevailing socioeconomic paradigm in the Indian society, generally, it is the wife's convenience which must be looked at while considering transfer.", the bench observed.”

7. As already pointed out, despite receipt of Court notice, the respondent has not turned up.

8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and taking note of the fact that the petitioner is residing at Karur District along with her female child, this Court is inclined to allow this petition. Accordingly, the petition in H.M.O.P.No.188 of 2025, is ordered to be withdrawn from the file of the Sub Court, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur and transfer the same to the file of the Family Court, Karur. The learned Sub Judge, Pattukkottai, Thanajvur, is hereby directed to transmit the entire records in H.M.O.P.No.188 of 2025 to the file of the Family Court, Karur, within a period of 10 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order and on receiving the case bundle, the learned Judge, Family Court, Karur, is directed to take up the petition on file and proceed in accordance with law.

9. With the above direction, the Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.