IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
NANI TAGIA, ALOK KUMAR PANDEY, JJ.
XXX - Appellant
Versus
XXX - Respondent
Miscellaneous Appeal No.807 of 2024
Decided On : 24-04-2026
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Section 13(B) – Divorce by mutual consent – "Living separately" means not living as husband and wife, regardless of physical residence – Parties may live under same roof yet be separated in law, or live in different places yet continue marital relationship – Essential requirement is complete cessation of marital obligations, coupled with intention not to resume cohabitation, for a continuous period of one year immediately preceding the petition – In present case, averment made in petition filed under Section 13(B) of Act is quite divergent with statement of husband himself – Statutory provision, as envisaged in Section 13(B) of Act, has not been fulfilled – There is no reason to interfere with judgment passed by concerned court dismissing petition filed under Section 13(B) of Act – Miscellaneous appeal dismissed – In light of joint compromise petition, both parties directed to appear before Principal Judge, Family Court, by filing petition in spirit of statutory provision envisaged under Section 13(B) of Act afresh. (Paras 7, 8 and 9)
JUDGMENT :
ALOK KUMAR PANDEY, J.
I.A. No. 01 of 2024
1. This is an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act for condonation of delay of about 410 days in filing the present miscellaneous appeal.
2. For the reasons stated in the interlocutory application, delay in filing the present miscellaneous appeal is condoned.
3. The interlocutory application is accordingly disposed of.
M.A. No. 807 of 2024
Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the respondent.
2. The present appeal is directed against the judgment dated 06.06.2023 passed by the learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Sheohar in Matrimonial Divorce Suit No. 19 of 2023 whereby and whereunder petition filed by both the plaintiffs under Section 13(B) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") has been rejected on the ground that the parties have not been living separately for one year since on first motion itself that the respondent/husband has established conjugal relation on 15.03.2023 whereas the joint divorce petition with mutual consent was filed on 11.05.2023 though the respondent has sworn affidavit to the extent that he has been living separately for last more than one year.
3. Briefly stated facts of the present appeal is that appellant and respondent were married as per Hindu rituals and customs on 28.04.2021 and marriage was solemnized in village Gobinapur, Sheohar. After marriage, the appellant went to her matrimonial home at Sri Krishna Nagar, Motihari and both started to lead their conjugal life and the marriage was consummated and out of their wedlock, one girl child took birth on 19.03.2022. It is further stated that appellant was selected as a government teacher and she was posted in Primary School, Dumri Kanya in Dumri Katasri Block, Sheohar. After solemnization of marriage, cordial relation between the parties no longer existed on account of which doubt was created in the mind of both parties. Since both parties have been residing separately from each other since March, 2022 and both are not willing to fulfill matrimonial obligations, appellant and respondent have decided to part ways, to live their happy life, in their own way despite efforts have been taken by the family and friends to pacify the matter. Accordingly, both parties filed a joint petition under Section 13 (B) of the Act for dissolution of marriage on the basis of mutual consent. As per terms and conditions of the agreement between the parties, respondent agreed to pay the amount of rupees twenty lacs as permanent alimony to the appellant along with rupees two lacs as maintenance cost to the daughter and as per agreement, rupees ten lacs was agreed to be paid on 04.05.2023 to the appellant by the respondent through demand draft and rest amount of rupees ten lacs through demand draft and paper regarding fixed deposit of rupees two lacs for daughter have to be deposited in the court of learned S.D.J.M or District and Sessions Judge by 15.06.2023 which would be payable to the appellant only after disposal of matrimonial suit. It was further agreed that after obtaining decree of divorce through mutual consent, the appellant (plaintiff no. 2 in matrimonial suit No. 19 of 2023) would not claim any share in movable or immovable property of the respondent (plaintiff no. 1 in matrimonial suit No. 19 of 2023), either self acquired or paternal property inherited by him. It was further agreed that daughter, Purvisha Priyadarshani would be in custody of the appellant,/her mother and she/appellant would be responsible for her upkeep and maintenance for which fixed deposit of rupees two lacs would be made by the respondent. It was further agreed that the criminal case filed by the appellant against the respondent and his other family members would be withdrawn or appellant would assist the respondent in disposal of the cases, provided that paper of demand draft of rest amount of rupees ten lacs and fixed deposit of rupees two lacs would be deposited in the co
Statutory requirement of separation for one year prior to divorce petition was satisfied despite initial dismissal.
The court ruled that under the Hindu Marriage Act, parties can seek permission to file for divorce by mutual consent within one year of marriage, considering exceptional circumstances.
Advocates appeared :For the Appellant : Deepak Panjwani For the Respondent : Abhay Gupta
The mandatory one-year separation under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act cannot be waived, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations in mutual divorce cases.
The court established that the six-month waiting period under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act is directory, permitting waiver when reconciliation is not feasible.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.