IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Sr. No.113 Date of Decision: 18.02.2026 SHIVANI CHAUDHARY ....Applicant Versus VIKAS PRUTHI .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ARCHANA PURI Present:- Mr. G.S. Thind, Advocate for the applicant.

Mr. Arpan Sabharwal, Advocate for the respondent.

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ARCHANA PURI, J. (Oral)

CM-17583-CII-2025 Keeping in view the averments made in the application, same is allowed.

Main case The applicant-wife has filed the present application for seeking transfer of the petition under Section 5, 11 and 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act i.e. HMA/1328/2024, titled ‘Vikas Pruthi Vs. Shivani Chaudhary’, filed by the respondent-husband, pending in the Family Court, Ludhiana and she seeks transfer of the same to the Court of competent jurisdiction at Patiala.

In pursuance of notice issued, the respondent made appearance through counsel and filed reply.

Counsel for the parties heard.

At the very outset, it is submitted by the counsel for the applicant that the marriage between the parties to the lis, had taken place on 27.05.2023, but no child was born from the said wedlock. Unfortunately, matrimonial dispute arose between the parties, as a aresult whereof, they are residing separate. The applicant is not having any source of earning and as such, is dependent upon her parental family. She has filed the petition under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, which is pending in the Courts at Patiala and the respondent, despite service, had not made appearance in the same and as such, was proceeded against ex parte. The said case is now pending for recording of ex parte evidence. Furthermore, it is submitted that the distance between the two places is about 100 kms.

On the other hand, counsel for the respondent, while making reference to the reply, submits that the distance is not such, which causes inconvenience to the applicant, to such an extent, which calls for transfer of the case. Furthermore, it is submitted that it shall be too harsh for the respondent also to pursue the litigation, if the transfer application is accepted. Also, it is submitted that the applicant always has an option to make appearance through virtual mode.

In view of the submissions aforesaid, it is pertinent to mention that the applicant is not having any source of earning and is dependent upon her parental family. Though, no child is born from the estranged marriage, but however, the aforesaid fact of paucity of funds with the applicant, ought to be considered, more particularly, when another case, arising from the broken marriage, is already pending in the Courts at Patiala, wherein the respondent, despite service, had not pursued the same and has been proceeded against ex parte.

In view of the aforesaid fact situation and looking at the conduct of the respondent and also considering the constrained circumstances, faced by the applicant and also taking into consideration the distance between the two places, the transfer application is allowed and the petition under Section 5, 11 and 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act i.e. HMA/1328/2024, titled ‘Vikas Pruthi Vs. Shivani Chaudhary’, filed by the respondent-husband, stands transferred from the Family Court, Ludhiana, to the Court of competent jurisdiction at Patiala. The requisite record of the aforesaid case be sent by the Family Court, Ludhiana, to the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala.

Learned District and Sessions Judge, Patiala, shall assign the said petition to the Family Court, Patiala. Even, the parties are directed to appear before the Family Court, Patiala, within a period of one month from today onwards.

(ARCHANA PURI)

18.02.2026 JUDGE Himanshu Vats Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes Whether reportable : Yes/No