Territorial jurisdiction in matrimonial disputes under Section 19(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act is determined by the location where the parties last resided together as husband and wife.

ORDER

This Civil Revision petition has been filed seeking to set aside the docket order made in O.P.S.R.No.1102 of 2026, on the file of Principal Judge, Family Court, Chennai, dated 02.04.2026 and consequently direct the court below to number the petition filed by the petitioner to dispose the same in accordance with law.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner filed O.P.S.R.No.1102 of 2026 on the file of the Principal Judge, Family Court, Chennai, seeking to declare the marriage dated 15.11.2015 solemnized between the petitioner and the respondent as null and void, and to declare the marriage certificate issued by the Sub-Registrar Office, Virugambakkam, Chennai dated 20.11.2015 as null and void, along with other consequential reliefs. The Trial Court returned the petition on the grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction. The learned counsel contends that after marriage, the petitioner and the respondent last resided together at Saligramam, Chennai. Therefore, the petition is maintainable before the Chennai Court under Section 19(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, which provides jurisdiction where the parties to the marriage last resided together.

3. Heard the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the records.

4. On perusal of the records, it is evident that the petitioner and the respondent last resided together at Saligramam, Chennai. Consequently, the Family Court at Chennai has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The Trial Court's refusal to take the petition on file is erroneous and liable to be set aside.

5. Accordingly, this Civil Revision Petition is allowed, and the return order of the Trial Court is set aside. The Learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Chennai, is directed to take O.P.S.R.No.1102 of 2026 on file, if it is otherwise in order, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed. The Registry is directed to return the original papers to the petitioner's counsel after obtaining due acknowledgment