3rd RGNUL NATIONAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2014 TEAM CODE- TC 31
The Case Concerning Domestic Violence
BEFORE THE HONOURABLE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE DISTRICT COURT, SINDUSTHAN
IN THE MATTER OF:VIMLA DEVI ………!etitioner Vers"s HARI LAL ………Res#on$ent
%RITTEN &'(MI&&ION ON THE (EHALF OF RE&!ONDENT
MO&T RE&!ECTF'LL) &'(MITTED TO THE HON*(LE DI&TRICT CO'RT OF &IND'&TAN
Memr!"# $ %&e 'e&"#( ( Re)*$de
%$ Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S+N+
He"d!$
P"e N+
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Ta,le o Contents In$e/ o A"thorities List o A,,re1iations &tatement o 3"ris$iction &tatement o Facts 6"estions !resente$ &"mmar8 o !lea$ings !lea$ings: ISSU ISSUE E 1 .& .&e% e%&e &err %&e %&e "/%! "/%!$ $ !$!% !$!%!" !"%e %ed d ""! ""!$) $)%% %&e %&e Re)* Re)*$ $de de$% $% !)
i ii 1 1i 1ii i/ / +-+9
m"!$%"!$"'#e $der )e/%!$ 12 ( Pr%e/%!$ ( .me$ ""!$)% Dme)%!/ !#e$/e A/%, 200, 'e(re Jd!/!"# M"!)%r"%e ( S!$d)%&"$ ISSUE 2 .&e%&er %&e Pe%!%!$er "$d &er d"&%er "re e$%!%#ed % /#"!m m"!$%e$"$/e m"!$%e$"$/e d!((ere$% d!((ere$% re#!e() re#!e() *r5!ded *r5!ded $der %&e Pr%e/%!$ Pr%e/%!$ ( .me$ .me$ (rm Dme)%!/ !#e$/e A/%, 200 ISSU ISSUE E 3 .& .&e% e%&e &err !m#" m#" De5! De5! !) e)% e)%** **ed ed (r (rm /#"! /#"!m! m!$ $ %&e %&e )"!d )"!d
m"!$%e$"$/e '6 %&e D/%r!$e ( E)%**e# !ra8er
Index of Authorities Authorities
INDE7 OF AUTHORITIES
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LIST OF CASES •
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S.L. Srinivasa Jute Twine Mills P. Ltd v. Union of India & Anr, !!" #$ SCC %! 'e(a ) 'e(lata and Anr. Anr. v. v. Jitendra and Anr., Anr., !!* #+$ Cr.L.. Cr.L.. #a-.$ *+ Sha( Lal and /rs. v. 0anta 1ai, #!+!$ Cri(es 2" Anil 0u(ar 3oel v. 0ishan Chand 0aura, #!!*$ + SCC #Cri$ !* 0eshavan Madhava Menon v. The State of 1o(ba, +*4+ SC 2 5ennison Paul a- & /rs v. Mrs. Maawinola U. U. Thi((anna & /rs. v. S(t. U.U.Sandha & Anr, Crl.P.6o.7%+8!!% 3ovind 5as and /rs. v. In9o(e Tax Tax /ffi9er and Anr., Anr., Manu8SC8!28 +*%4 :i-a :er(a v. State 6.C.T. of 5elhi & Anr., #Cr.M.Case 6o. 72%28!!*$ S(t. Sabana ) Chand 1ai & Ans. v. Mohd. Talib Talib Ali & Anr., Anr., #S.1.CIMI6AL ;:ISI/6 P;TITI/6 6/.7"8!++$ 6/.7"8!++$ 0ishor s8o Shrira(
bhi Patel, #!!2$ SCC "* Se-al 5har(esh :ed :ed v.The State of Maharashtra & /rs. /rs. S.. 1atra v. Taruna 1atra,AI !!% SC +++2 at +++ ? !!"#$ Cri(es 77 6eetu Mittal v. 0anta Mittal and /rs., AI !!* #5el$ % Pratibha ani v. Sura- 0u(ar, 0u(ar, AI +*24 SC "2 at "7" Mina>shi 3aur v. Chitran-an 3aur and Anr, Anr, AI !!* SC +7%% 0rishna 1eharilal v. 3ulab9hand and /thrs, AI +*%+ SC +!+ 5eb 6araan 'alder v. Anushree 'alder, 'alder, !! SCC Cr. Cr. +" 1hee>ha a( v. 3o(a 5evi &/thrs, &/thrs, +*** CLJ +%2* AJ Chaturbhu- v. Sitabai, #!!2$ SCC 7+" Mohd. Jusab v 'a-i Ada(, I.L.. % 1o( %+. Cairn9ross v. Lori(er, +2"! 7 '.L.C. 2* Mohd.Siddi@ v. ubeda 0hatoon, AI +*4 Allahabad "+" :inaa=a( :inaa=a( v. Aruna, +*% 4 Crl.L.J.+7%
STATUTES • •
In$ian E1i$ence Act; +97. Hin$" Marriage Act; +44
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The Constit"tion o In$ia; +4< In$ian !enal Co$e =24 o +95<> The Co$e o Ci1il !roce$"re; +<9 The Co$e o Criminal !roce$"re; +70 Do?r8 !rohi,ition Act; +5+ Hin$" A$o#tion an$ Maintenance Act; +45 The !rotection o %omen rom Domestic 1iolence Act; .<<4 The @"ar$ianshi# an$ %ar$s %ar$s Act; +9<
BOO8S
DD (as"; Constit"tional La? o In$ia* M"lla; !rinci#les o Hin$" La?* !M !M (aBshi; The Constit"tion o In$ia* D @ang"l8; Commentar8 on !rotection o %omen rom Domestic Violence Act Act R ! ataria AloB &a/ena; !rotection o %omen %omen rom Domestic Violence Violence La? Anil &ach$e1a; An E/ha"sti1e Commentar8 on !rotection o %omen rom Domestic • • •
Violence Act R"les '!D '!D eshari; Mo$ern Hin$" La?* !aras Di?an; Mo$ern Hin$" La?* Dr &"man Rai; La? relating to !rotection o %omen %omen rom Domestic Violence Violence DICTIONARIES
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Hener8 Cam#,ell (lacB; (lacBs La? Dictionar8* (r8an A @arner; A Dictionar8 o mo$ern Legal 'sage* Ramanatha ! Ai8ar; The La? Le/icon* Merriam %e,ster; Dictionar8 o La?* &te1en H @is; Dictionar8 o Legal Terms* Elia,eth Martin; O/or$- Dictionar8 o La? E-SOURCES
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htt#:???in$la?com htt#:???in$ianBanooncom
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htt#:???in$la?inoorg
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htt#:???Gstororg htt#:???G"$isnicin
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htt#:???la?soin$iaorg htt#:???man"#atracom htt#:???scconlinecom htt#:???s"#remeco"rtcasela?com
List of Abbreviat Abbreviation ion
LIST OF ABBREIATION
:
An$
Anr
:
Another
AIR
:
All In$ia Re#orters
(om
:
(om,a8
CriL3
:
Criminal La? 3o"rnal
Cr!C Cr!C
:
Criminal !enal Co$e
C!C C!C
:
Co$e o Ci1il !roce$"re
Del
:
Delhi
DV
:
Domestic Violence Violence
D!A D!A
:
Do?r8 !rohi,ition !rohi, ition Act
I!C I!C
:
In$ian !enal Co$e
ILR
:
In$ian La? Re#orts
Ors
:
Others
!%DV
:
!rotection o %omen against Domestic Violence Violence
RaG
:
&C
:
&"#reme Co"rt
&C C
:
&"#reme Co"rt Cases
&CR
:
&"#reme Co"rt Re#orter
RaGasthan
'!
:
'ttar !ra$esh
'&
:
'n$er &ection
State(ent of Jurisdi9tion
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
THE COUNSEL FOR THE RESPONDENT .OULD LI8E TO PRESENT THE CASE IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE HONORABLE DISTRICT COURT OF SINDUSTHAN UNDER SECTION 29 1 OF PROTECTION OF PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005.
Magistrate; as the case ma8 1 Jr!)d!/%!$-=+> The co"rt o 3"$icial Magistrate o the irst class or the Metro#olitan Magistrate; ,e; ?ithin the the local limits limits o ?hich-=a> ?hich-=a> the #erson aggrie1e$ aggrie1e$ #ermanentl8 or tem#oraril8 resi$es or carries carries on ,"siness or is em#lo8e$ or =,> the res#on$ent resi$es or carries on ,"siness or is em#lo8e$ or =c> the ca"se o action has arisen; shall ,e the com#etent co"rt to grant a #rotection or$er an$ other or$ers "n$er this Act an$ to tr8 oences "n$er this Act =.> An8 or$er ma$e "n$er this Act shall ,e enorcea,le thro"gho"t In$ia
State(ent of Ba9ts
STATEMENT OF FACTS
+ Vimla Vimla De1i marrie$ marrie$ Hari Hari Lal in +90 Ater Ater e? months months o marriage; marriage; Hari Lal Lal ,egan to neglect Vimla De1i @ra$"all8; he an$ his amil8 mem,ers ,egan to $eman$ $o?r8 rom Vimla De1i an$ her #arents There ?as no ?armth in the marriage an$ #h8sical 1iolence against Vimla De1i at han$s o Hari Lal ,ecame a ro"tine . Viml Vimlaa De1i De1i resi$ resi$e$ e$ ?ith ?ith her her h"s, h"s,an$ an$ or an 8ear 8ear an$ a hal hal;; ?here ?here ater ater;; she got #regnant; she ?as sent to her #arent*s ho"se ,8 her h"s,an$ an$ the larger #art o the #erio$ o #regnanc8 ?as s#ent ,8 her at her #arent*s ho"se in in (him#"r 0 Vimla Vimla De1i ga1e ,irth ,irth to a girl girl chil$ chil$ Doll8J Doll8J on ..n$ March March +95 No No one came to to taBe her a?a8 %hen Doll8 ?as t?o months months ol$; ather ather an$ ,rother o Vimla; Vimla; ,ro"ght her to the ho"se o Hari Lal; ho?e1er; the inci$ents o ill‐treatment; treatment; 1er,al; #h8sical #h8sical an$ emotional a,"se at the han$s o Hari Lal contin"e$ 2 Ater Ater a e? $a8s; $a8s; she ?as $ri1en $ri1en o"t ,8 Hari Lal allegi alleging ng that Doll8 Doll8 ?as not his chil$ chil$ Vimla De1i ne1er ret"rne$ e/ce#t in +< &he got em#lo8e$ as an Angan?ari ?orBer; in ++ 4 In +2 Hari Hari Lal mo1e$ the the Co"rt "n$er "n$er the @"ar$ian @"ar$ianshi# shi# an$ %ar %ar$s $s Act; Act; or the the c"sto$8 c"sto$8 o Doll8 The action ?as conteste$ ,8 Vimla; Vimla; ?ho ?as a,le to s",stantiate that she ?as in a ,etter #osition to taBe care o Doll8 an$ "lilling her ,asic reK"irements
5 In the 8ear +7 Viml Vimlaa mo1e$ mo1e$ an a##lic a##licati ation on ,eore ,eore the concer concerne$ ne$ @ram !ancha8 !ancha8at at o (him#"r or #ro1ision o maintenance or hersel an$ her $a"ghter Ater hearing ,oth the #arties the concerne$ @ram !ancha8at; or$ere$ Hari to #a8 a maintenance o Rs 4<<‐ #er month to the a##licant or hersel an$ her $a"ghter*s #"r#oses Not e1en a single #a8ment ?as ma$e ,8 him as #er this or$er 7 D"ring D"ring this entire entire time; time; the name o Vim Vimla la an$ her $a"ghter $a"ghter ha$ ,een str"cB str"cB o o rom the the local registers; #ertaining to the amil8 o Hari Lal as the8 ?ere li1ing se#aratel8 an$ their recor$ ?as ,eing maintaine$ as a se#arate "nit in the #lace o their resi$ence 9 Hari; Hari; ?ho ?as ?orBin ?orBing g as a go1ernme go1ernment nt ser1ant ser1ant an$ earnin earning g a monthl monthl8 8 salar8 salar8 o a,o"t Rs 0<;<<<; ha$ mo1e$ o"t o the Goint amil8 ho"se an$ constr"cte$ a ne? ho"se in (him#"r an$ shite$ in this ho"se along ?ith his ,rother In the 8ear .<+< Doll8 com#let com#lete$ e$ her e$"cation e$"cation at the college college le1el; Vim Vimla la initiat initiate$ e$ an action against Hari "n$er the !rotection o %omen rom Domestic Violence Act; .<<4; #ra8ing that she ?as aggrie1e$ #erson* an$ since; she ha$ s"ere$ 1er,al; #h8sical an$ emotional a,"se at the han$s o Hari; ?here ater she remaine$ economicall8 $e#ri1e$ or ?ant o an8 maintenance or economic s"##ort ,8 Hari or a #erio$ o more than . $eca$es an$ no? ?hen her $a"ghter ?as gro?n‐"# into the age o marriage; she an$ her $a"ghter are entitle$ to $ierent relies #ro1i$e$ or "n$er the !rotection o %omen %omen rom Domestic Violence Act; .<<4 +< In the co"rse o e1i$ence; the res#on$ent ?as a,le to to #ro1e that the local a"thorities; ater ater $"e consi$eration an$ ,8 ?a8 o a resol"tion; ha$ or$ere$ $eletion o the name o Vimla rom the list o #eo#le (elo? !o1ert8 Line; o the concerne$ area; the resol"tion ?as #asse$ in 3an"ar8 .<++ uestions Presented
:UESTIONS PRESENTED
The ollo?ing K"estions are #resente$ ,eore the Hon *,le Co"rt in the instant matterIss"e + .&e%&er %&e "/%!$ !$!%!"%ed ""!$)% %&e Re)*$de$% !) m"!$%"!$"'#e $der )e/%!$ 12 ( Pr%e/%!$ ( .me$ ""!$)% Dme)%!/ !#e$/e A/%, 200, 'e(re Jd!/!"# M"!)%r"%e ( S!$d)%&"$
Iss"e . .&e%&er %&e Pe%!%!$er "$d &er d"&%er "re e$%!%#ed % /#"!m m"!$%e$"$/e d!((ere$% re#!e() *r5!ded $der %&e Pr%e/%!$ ( .me$ (rm Dme)%!/ !#e$/e A/%, 200
Iss"e 0 .&e%&er !m#" De5! !) e)%**ed (rm /#"!m!$ %&e )"!d m"!$%e$"$/e '6 %&e D/%r!$e ( E)%**e#
Su((ar of Pleadin=s
SUMMAR; OF PLEADINGS
1< .&e% .&e%&er &er %&e "/%!$ !$!%!"%ed !$!%!"%ed ""!$)% ""!$)% %&e Re)*$d Re)*$de$% e$% !) m"!$%"! m"!$%"!$"' $"'#e #e $der )e/%!$ )e/%!$ 12 ( P.D A/%, 200, 'e(re Jd!/!"# M"!)%r"%e ( S!$d)%&"$
It is h"m,l8 s",mitte$ ,eore the Hon*,le Co"rt that the action initiate$ against the Res#on$ent '& +. o !%DV Act is not maintaina,le The essential elements o section 0 o this Act are not satisie$ to #rosec"te the Res#on$ent The #etition ile$ ,8 the !etitioner ma8 ,e $ismisse$ ,8 the Co"rt as the action initiate$ against the Res#on$ent are com#letel8 alse; ,iase$ an$ ,aseless 2< .&e% .&e%&er &er %&e Pe%!%!$ Pe%!%!$er er "$d &er d"&%er d"&%er "re e$%!%#ed e$%!%#ed % /#"!m /#"!m m"!$%e$ m"!$%e$"$/ "$/ee d!((ere$% re#!e() *r5!ded $der %&e P.D A/%, 200
It is h"m,l8 s",mitte$ that the !etitioner her $a"ghter are not entitle$ to claim maintenance $ierent relies #ro1i$e$ "n$er the !%DV Act; .<<4 The relies claime$ ,8 the !etitioner are not G"stiie$ "n$er the #resent case an$ s"ch #etition sho"l$ ,e $ismisse$ ,8 the Hon*,le Co"rt on gro"n$s o e/#ir8 o limitation #erio$ 3< .&e%&er !m#" De5! !) e)%**ed (rm /#"!m!$ %&e )"!d m"!$%e$"$/e '6 %&e D/%r!$e ( E)%**e#
The Co"nsel on ,ehal o the Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to h"m,l8 h" m,l8 s",mit that Vimla De1i ?o"l$ ,e esto##e$ rom claiming maintenance; as she acce#te$ that she ?as reso"rce"l eno"gh to #ro1i$e hersel an$ Doll8 ?ith the ,asic necessities Moreo1er she is no more an in$igent #erson ater $eletion o her name rom the list o #eo#le #eo# le (elo? !o1ert8 Line Pleadin=s
PLEADINGS
CONTENTION A Whether the action initiate a!ain"t the Re"#onent i" $aintaina%&e 'ner "ection (2 o) Protection Protection o) Wo$en Wo$en a!ain"t Do$e"tic Vio&ence Vio&ence Act, 2005, %e)ore *'icia& Ma!i"trate o) Sin'"than+ Sin'"than+
The co"nsel or the Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to h"m,l8 s",mit ,eore the Hon*,le District Co"rt o &in$"sthan that the action initiate$ ,8 Mrs Vimla De1i "n$er &ection +. . is com#letel8 alse The #etition ile$ "n$er &ection +. m"st satis8 certain essential con$ition o DV; ?hich is a,sent in the #resent case The #etitioner claims to ,e an Aggrie1e$ #ersonJ ,"t as #er &ection .=a>; aggrie1e$ #erson means an8 ?oman ?ho is; or has ,een; in a $omestic relationshi#0 ?ith 2=+> An aggrie1e$ #erson or a !rotection Oicer or an8 other #erson on ,ehal o the aggrie1e$ #erson ma8 #resent an a##lication to the Magistrate seeBing one or more relies "n$er this Act:!ro1i$e$ that ,eore #assing an8 or$er on s"ch a##lication; the Magistrate shall taBe into consi$eration an8 $omestic inci$ent re#ort recei1e$ ,8 him rom the !rotection Oicer or the ser1ice #ro1i$er =.> The relie so"ght or "n$er s",-section =+> ma8 incl"$e a relie or iss"ance o an or$er or #a8ment o com#ensation or $amages ?itho"t #reG"$ice to the right o s"ch #erson to instit"te a s"it or com#ensation or $amages or the inG"ries ca"se$ ,8 the acts o $omestic 1iolence committe$ ,8 the res#on$ent: !ro1i$e$ that ?here a $ecree or an8 amo"nt as com#ensation or $amages has ,een #asse$ ,8 an8 co"rt in a1o"r o the aggrie1e$ #erson; the amo"nt; i an8; #ai$ or #a8a,le in #"rs"ance o the or$er ma$e ,8 the Magistrate "n$er this Act shall ,e set o against the amo"nt #a8a,le "n$er s"ch $ecree an$ the $ecree shall; not?ithstan$ing an8thing containe$ in the Co$e o Ci1il !roce$"re; +<9 =4 o +<9>; or an8 other la? or the time ,eing in orce; ,e e/ec"ta,le or the ,alance amo"nt; i an8; let ater s"ch set o =0> E1er8 a##lication "n$er s",-section =+> shall ,e in s"ch orm an$ contain s"ch #artic"lars as ma8 ,e #rescri,e$ or as nearl8 as #ossi,le thereto =2> The Magistrate shall i/ the irst $ate o hearing; ?hich shall not or$inaril8 ,e ,e8on$ three $a8s rom the $ate o recei#t o the a##lication ,8 the co"rt =4> The Magistrate shall en$ea1o"r to $is#ose o e1er8 a##lication ma$e "n$er s",section =+> ?ithin a #erio$ o si/t8 $a8s rom the $ate o its irst hearing
3 &ection .=> o Domestic Violence Act .<<4 means a relationshi# ,et?een t?o #ersons ?ho li1e or ha1e; at an8 #oint o time; li1e$ together in a share$ ho"sehol$; ?hen the8 are relate$ ,8 consang"init8; marriage; or thro"gh a relationshi# in the nat"re o marriage; a$o#tion or are amil8 mem,ers li1ing together as a Goint amil8
the res#on$ent an$ ?ho alleges to ha1e ,een s",Gecte$ to an8 act o $omestic 1iolence2 ,8 the res#on$ent The co"nsel or the Res#on$ent s",mits that as there has not ,een an8 coha,itation or $omestic relation ,et?een the #arties since +95; no matter o Domestic Violence rises in the #resent case
1+1<
I( %&e %&e M"%%er M"%%er C$/er C$/er$) $) =!%& =!%& %&e %&e Re%r Re%r)* )*e/%! e/%!5e 5e e((e/ e((e/%% ( %&e D A/% A/%
4 &ection 0 o Domestic Violence Act .<<4 $eines the De(!$!%!$ ( dme)%!/ 5!#e$/e -For the #"r#oses o this Act; an8 act; omission or commission or con$"ct o the res#on$ent shall constit"te $omestic 1iolence in case it -=a> harms or inG"res or en$angers the health; saet8; lie; lim, or ?ell-,eing; ?hether mental or #h8sical; o the aggrie1e$ #erson or ten$s to $o so an$ incl"$es ca"sing #h8sical a,"se; se/"al a,"se; 1er,al an$ emotional a,"se an$ economic a,"se or =,> harasses; harms; inG"res or en$angers the aggrie1e$ #erson ?ith a 1ie? to coerce her or an8 other #erson relate$ to her to meet an8 "nla?"l $eman$ or an8 $o?r8 or other #ro#ert8 or 1al"a,le sec"rit8 or =c> has the eect o threatening the aggrie1e$ #erson or an8 #erson relate$ to her ,8 an8 con$"ct mentione$ in cla"se =a> or cla"se =,> or =$> Other?ise inG"res or ca"ses harm; ?hether #h8sical or mental; to the aggrie1e$ #erson -For the #"r#oses o this section; E#&anation I -For =i> #h8sical a,"se means an8 act or con$"ct ?hich is o s"ch a nat"re as to ca"se ,o$il8 #ain; harm; or $anger to lie; lim,; or health or im#air the health or $e1elo#ment o the aggrie1e$ #erson an$ incl"$es assa"lt; criminal intimi$ation an$ criminal orce =ii> se/"al a,"se incl"$es an8 con$"ct o a se/"al nat"re that a,"ses; h"miliates; $egra$es or other?ise 1iolates the $ignit8 o ?oman =iii> 1er,al an$ emotional a,"se incl"$es- =a> ins"lts; ri$ic"le; h"miliation; name calling an$ ins"lts or ri$ic"le s#eciall8 ?ith regar$ to not ha1ing a chil$ or a male chil$ an$ =,> re#eate$ threats to ca"se #h8sical #ain to an8 #erson in ?hom the aggrie1e$ #erson #erson is intereste$ intereste$ =i1> economic a,"se incl"$es- =a> $e#ri1ation o all or an 8 economic or inancial reso"rces to ?hich the aggrie1e$ #erson is entitle$ "n$er an8 la? or c"stom ?hether #a 8a,le "n$er an or$er o a co"rt or other?ise or ?hich the aggrie1e$ aggrie1e$ #erson reK"ires o"t o necessit8 necessit8 incl"$ing; incl"$ing; ,"t not limite$ limite$ to; ho"sehol$ ho"sehol$ necessities necessities or the aggrie1e$ aggrie1e$ #erson an$ her chil$ren; i an 8; stri$han; stri$han; #ro#ert8; Gointl8 or se#aratel8 o?ne$ ,8 o?ne$ ,8 the aggrie1e$ #erson; #a8ment o rental relate$ to the share$ ho"sehol$ an$ maintenance =,> $is#osal o ho"sehol$ ho"sehol$ eects; eects; an8 alienatio alienation n o assets assets ?hether ?hether mo1a,le mo1a,le or immo1a,le immo1a,le;; 1al"a,les; 1al"a,les; shares; shares; sec"rities; ,on$s an$ the liBe or other #ro#ert8 in ?hich the aggrie1e$ #erson has an interest or is entitle$ to "se ,8 1irt"e o the $omestic relationshi# or ?hich ma8 ,e reasona,l8 reK"ire$ ,8 the aggrie1e$ #erson or her chil$ren or her stri$han or an8 other #ro#ert8 Gointl8 or se#aratel8 hel$ ,8 the aggrie1e$ #erson an$ =c> !rohi,ition or restriction to contin"e$ access to reso"rces or acilities ?hich the aggrie1e$ #erson is entitle$ to "se or enGo8 , 8 1irt"e o the $omestic relationshi# incl"$ing access to the share$ ho"sehol$ ;x
The The Co"n Co"nse sell on ,ehal ,ehal o the the Res# Res#on$ on$en entt ?o"l ?o"l$ $ liBe liBe to h"m,l8 h"m,l8 s",m s",mit it that that sinc sincee the the actscom#laine$ o relate to the #erio$ #rior to .<<5; the a##lication '& +. o the Act is not maintaina,le; as the Act itsel came into orce on .5+<.<<5 It is most h"m,l8 s",mitte$ that the !%DV Act; .<<4 is Pr)*e/%!5e !$ N"%re It is s"##orte$ ,8 the legal ma/im #e> re%r $$ "!% J; it means all #enal #ro1isions or la?s $oes not o#erate retros#ecti1el8J It is clearl8 hel$ ,8 Hon,le &C in -S.L. Srinia"a *'te T/ine Mi&&" P. Lt . nion o) Inia 1 Anr 5. Unless there are words in the statute suffi9ient to show the intention of the Le=islature to
affe9t existin= ri=hts, it is dee(ed to be
hel$ that the Act ?as not retros#ecti1e in nat"re The co"nsel or the Res#on$ent s",mit that as #er the #ro1isions o &ection +=0>; the Act enacte$ ,8 the !arliament ?as to come into orce on s"ch s"ch $ate $ate as Central Central @o1ernmen @o1ernmentt ma8 ,8 notii notiicat cation ion in the Oi Oicia ciall @aett @aettee a##oin a##ointt an$ thereore; the Act ?hich has come into orce on .5+<.<<5; 1i$e notiication $ate$ +7+<.<<5; 5 .<<5 =.> &CC 72< 6 .<< =+> CrLR =RaG> .+
iss"e$ ,8 the Central @o1ernment; cannot ,e ma$e o#erati1e retros#ecti1el8 so as to #ro1i$e the reme$8 or the act o $omestic 1iolence allege$ to ha1e ,een committe$ #rior to coming into orce o the Act Act Article Article .<=+> o the Constit"tio Constit"tion n #ro1i$es #ro1i$es that no #erson shall ,e con1icte$ con1icte$ o an8 oence e/ce#t or 1iolation 1iolation o la? in orce at the time o commission commission o the act charge$ as an oence No #ro1ision o the Act maBes an8 act committe$ #rior to coming into orce o the Act #"nisha,le ?ith an8 im#risonment; ine or #enalt8 It ?as "rther conten$e$ that the acts o $omestic 1iolence com#laine$; relate to the #erio$ +95 to .<+< The !etitioner has ,een sta8ing a?a8 rom the Res#on$ent since +95 Hence; no act o $omestic $omestic 1iolence ?as committe$ committe$ ater +95 In s"ch a scenario; scenario; the a##lication a##lication "n$er &ection +. o the Act ?as not maintaina,le Rel8ing on the G"$gment o Hema Hemlata an$ Anr =s"#ra>; =s"#ra>; the learne$ learne$ Co"nsel Co"nsel assert that the Act co"l$ not ,e gi1en a retros#ect retros#ecti1e i1e eect In the case case o Sha$ La& an Or". . 6anta 7ai 8 a case $eci$e$ $eci$e$ ,8 Hon,le Hon,le Ma$h8a Ma$h8a !ra$esh !ra$esh High Co"rt; ?herein it ?as hel$ that the Act co"l$ not ,e gi1en a retros#ecti1e eect In -Ani& 6'$ar 9oe& . 6i"han Chan 6a'ra : ; ?herein the A#e/ Co"rt hel$ that all la?s that
aect s",stanti1e rights generall8 o#erate #ros#ecti1el8 an$ there is a #res"m#tion against their retros#ecti1it8; i the8 aect 1este$ rights an$ o,ligations; "nless the legislati1e intent is clear an$ com#"lsi1e It is the car$inal #rinci#le o inter#retation o stat"tes that all stat"tes are #ros#ecti1e "nless the lang"age o the stat"te maBes them retros#ecti1e either e/#ressl8 or ,8 necessar8 im#lication ,"t the #enal stat"te ?hich create ne? oences are al?a8s #ros#ecti1e In s"##ort o the contention 7 =.<+<> . Crimes 95. 8 =.<<> + &CC =Cri> .<
raise$ aoresai$; it ?as relie$ "#on the $ecision o the Hon*,le &"#reme Co"rt in the matter o 6e"haan Mahaa Menon Menon . . The State o) 7o$%a ;J 6e"haan
&imi &imila larl rl8 8 the the Hon* Hon*,l ,lee Ma$r Ma$ras as HC; HC; in the the matt matter er o Denni"on Pa'& Ra< 1 Or" . Mr". Maa/ino&a Maa/ino&a; consi$ere$ the DV Act; .<<4 onl8 rom one #ers#ecti1e =ie no #enal #ro1isions>
?hereas ?hereas it is car$inal car$inal #rinci#le o constr"ction constr"ction that e1er8 stat"te stat"te =irres#ecti1e =irres#ecti1e o ?hether ?hether it has #enal conseK"ences or not> is #rima acie #ros#ecti1e; "nless it is e/#ressl8 or ,8 necessar8 im#lication; ma$e to ha1e retros#ecti1e o#eration 'nless there are ?or$s in the stat"te s"icient to sho? the intention o the legislat"re to aect e/isting rights; it is $eeme$ to ,e #ros#ecti1e onl8 The Co"nsel or the Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to #lace reliance on . . Thi$$anna 1 Or". . it ?as hel$ that There is no $is#"te that the Act Act came into into S$t. ..Sanha 1 Anr (0; ?here it eect ?hen the Central @o1ernment a##oints .5-+<-.<<5 as the $ate on ?hich the Act ?as came into orce For acts o 1iolence; certain #enal #ro1isions are incor#orate$ Thereore; it is a "n$amental #rinci#le o la? that an8 #enal #ro1ision has no retros#ecti1e o#eration ,"t onl8 #ros#ecti1e an$ as there ?as no allegation either in the re#ort or in the statement or in the com#laint o the Res#on$ent ?ith regar$s to the acts o $omestic 1iolence that tooB #lace on or ater .5-+<-.<<5 ?hen the Act came into orce; the contin"ation o the #rocee$ings in the $omestic 1iolence case ?as hel$ to ,e an a,"se o #rocess o co"rtJ
9 +4+ &CR ..9 10 Crl!No07+2.<<7
In another lan$marB G"$gment o 9oin Da" an Or". . Inco$e Ta O))icer an Anr ++ the Hon*,le &"#reme Co"rt has lai$ $o?n that: No? it is ?ell settle$ r"le o inter#retation hallo?e$ ,8 time an sanctiie$ ,8 G"$icial $ecisions that "nless the terms o a stat"te e/#ressl8 so #ro1i$e or necessaril8 reK"ire it; retros#ecti1e o#eration sho"l$ not ,e gi1en to a stat"te so as to taBe a?a8 or im#air an e/isting right or create a ne? o,ligation or im#ose a ne? lia,ilit8 other?ise than as regar$s matters o #roce$"reJ #+ 3? ( ( %&e LA.S LA.S OF ENGLAND @3rd @ 3rd Ed$,< The general-r"le as state$ ,8 HALSBUR; !$ #+
an$ reiterate$ in se1eral $ecisions o this Co"rt as ?ell as English Co"rts is that all stat"tes other than those ?hich are merel8 $eclarator8 or ?hich relate onl8 to matters o #roce$"re or o e1i$ence are #rima acie #ros#ecti1e an$ retros#ecti1e o#eration sho"l$ not ,e gi1en to a stat"te so as to aect; alter or $estro8 an e/isting right or create a ne? lia,ilit8 or o,ligation "nless that eect eect cannot cannot ,e a1oi$e a1oi$e$ $ ?itho"t ?itho"t $oing 1iolence 1iolence to the lang"age lang"age o the enactment enactment I the enactment is e/#resse$ in lang"age ?hich is airl8 ca#a,le o either inter#retation; it o"ght to ,e constr"e$ as #ros#ecti1e onl8 on l8 Also the legislat"res legislat"res an$ the com#etent com#etent a"thorit8 a"thorit8 "n$er Ar%!/#e 3012 ( %&e C$)%!%%!$ ( I$d!" ha1e the #o?er to maBe la?s ?ith retros#ecti1e eect an$ that intent has to ,e e/#resse$ 11 Man"&C<.29 +74
12 Recr"itment an$ con$itions o ser1ice o #ersons ser1ing the 'nion or a &tate &",Gect to the #ro1isions o this Constit"tion; Acts o the a##ro#riate Legislat"re ma8 reg"late the recr"itment; an$ con$itions o ser1ice o #ersons a##ointe$; to #",lic ser1ices an$ #osts in connection ?ith the aairs o the 'nion or o an8 &tate: !ro1i$e$ that it shall ,e com#etent or the !resi$ent or s"ch #erson as he ma8 $irect in the case o ser1ices an$ #osts in connection ?ith the aairs o the 'nion; an$ or the @o1ernor o a &tate or s"ch #erson as he ma8 $irect in the case o ser1ices an$ #osts in connection ?ith the aairs o the &tate; to maBe r"les reg"lating the recr"itment; an$ the con$itions o ser1ice o #ersons a##ointe$; to s"ch ser1ices an$ #osts "ntil #ro1ision in that ,ehal is ma$e ,8 or "n$er an Act o the a##ro#riate Legislat"re "n$er this article; an$ an8 r"les so ma$e shall ha1e eect s",Gect to the #ro1isions o an8 s"ch Act
in "nam,ig"o"s lang"age The !%DVAct; .<<4 ,8 its enactment has come into orce ?e .5+<.<<5 thro"gh Oicial @aette #",lication an$ $oesn*t contain an8 e/#ress #ro1ision to maBe it a##lica,le ?ith retros#ecti1e eect 1+2< 1+2<
I( %&e %&e M"%%er M"%%er C$/ C$/er er$) $) =!% =!%& & %&e %&e L!m! L!m!%"% %"%!$ !$ A/%
It is h"m,l8 s",mitte$ ,eore the Honora,le Co"rt that the #arties are resi$ing se#aratel8 an$ there is no coha,itatio coha,itation n an$ $omestic relationshi# relationshi# ,et?een the #arties since 3"ne; +95 All the allegations regar$ing 1iolence ?hich has ,een set "# in the com#laint are #rior to Octo,er; .<+< Resi$ing se#aratel8 since .2 8ear cannot ,e terme$ as act o $omestic 1iolence rel8ing on the 3"$gment o Vi ..; it ?as hel$ that the #enalt8 an$ the #"nishment or an oence can ne1er ,e a?ar$e$ in circ"mstances ?hen s"ch #"nishment an$ #enalt8 or that oence ?as not #rescri,e$ at the time o the commission o oence Thereore; the act o 1iolence committe$ #rior to the coming into the orce o the act cannot ,e the s",Gect matter o #rocee$ing to ,e initiate$ "n$er the act It ?as "rther s",mitte$ that the Act $oes not create an8 concl"si1e concl"si1e right in a1or o ?omen an$ it ,eing a #enal stat"te stat"te has to ,e ma$e o#erati1e #ros#ecti #ros#ecti1e 1e In this case airmi airming ng the or$er #asse$ ,8 the trial co"rt hol$ing that the act o 1iolence committe$ #rior to coming into orce o the Act cannot ,e ma$e ,asis or initiating #rocee$ings "n$er the Act an$ thereore; the #etitioner cannot ,e sai$ to ,e an 13 =CrMCase No 0979.<<> 14 =&(CRIMINAL REVI&ION !ETITION NO05..<++>
aggrie1e$ #erson; is solel8 ,ase$ on the $ecision o this co"rt co" rt in Hema Hemlatas case =s"#ra>; ?hich stan$s o1err"le$ ,8 "s; thereore; no r"it"l #"r#ose to ,e maintaina,le '&+. o this Act It is h"m,l8 h"m,l8 s",mitte s",mitte$ $ that that as #er #ro1isio #ro1isions ns o &ection &ection .9; the #rocee #rocee$in $ings gs ,eore ,eore the Magistrate "n$er the Act are to ,e go1erne$ ,8 the #roce$"re lai$ $o?n "n$er the Criminal !roce$"re Co$e an$ thereore; or all intent an$ #"r#oses; s"ch #rocee$ings ha1e to ,e treate$ to ,e criminal #rocee$ings No action can ,e initiate$ "n$er the sai$ #ro1isions or the grant o relie in res#ect o the acts o $omestic 1iolence committe$ #rior to coming into orce o the Act Learne Learne$ $ co"nse co"nsell ?o"l$ ?o"l$ s",mit s",mit that i the act o $omest $omestic ic 1iolence 1iolence allege$ allege$ to ha1e ha1e ,een ,een committe$ #rior to coming into orce o the Act is taBen cogniance o or grant o the relie to the aggrie1e$ #erson; then; the #ro1isions incor#orate$ shall ,e in 1iolation o the #ro1isions o Article .<=+> o the Constit"tion Shrira$#ant 6a&e . So'. Sha&ini /?o 6i"hor 6a&e (5 the learne$ In the the case case o 6i"hor "?o Shrira$#ant
Magistrate hel$ that #etition ile$ "n$er &ection +. r? &ections + an$ .< o the !%DV Act; .<<4 an$ ?hich is ,arre$ ,8 the limitation act is not maintaina,le F"rther '& .=> o the Act; it has ,een gi1en that the relationshi# ,et?een t?o #ersons ?ho at an8 #oint o time li1e$ together sai$ to ,e in Domestic Relationshi#; ,"t a nat"ral limitation is im#lie$ in this case an$ that limitation sa8s that ater a #erio$ o aro"n$ t?o $eca$es one cannot ?aBe "# rom a sl"m,er an$ asB or the maintenance an$ #ro#ert8 !etitioner has ,een li1ing se#aratel8 or aro"n$ t?o $eca$es an$ in the 8ear .<+< she asBe$ or maintenance or ?hich she is not entitle$ ,eca"se o t?o reasons+> &he is not not the aggrie1 aggrie1e$ e$ #erson; #erson; ?hich ?hich the co"nsel co"nsel ha$ ha$ alrea$8 alrea$8 #ro1e$ #ro1e$ 15 AIR .<<9
.> E!%6 "!d) %&e 5!!#"$%, $% =& )#m'er $ %&e!r r!&%) J The The #rin #rinci ci#l #lee ,ehi ,ehin$ n$ the the Lati Latin n ma/i ma/im m reco recogni gnie ess that that "$ "d5er "d5er)"r )"r6 6 /"$ #)e #)e e5!de e5!de$/ $/e, e, =!%$e))e), "$d " ("!r /&"$/e % de(e$d &!m)e#( r &er)e#( "(%er %&e *"))"e ( %!me (rm %&e d"%e %&"% %&e =r$ =") /mm!%%ed+ The la? in the interest o G"stice enco"rages a s#ee$8
resol"tion or e1er8 $is#"te An inor$inate or "nreasona,le $ela8 liBe this is calle$ Laches Vimla Vimla De1i sho"l$ ha1e a##roache$ the co"rt at that 1er8 moment Anr. $eci$e$ In the the eK"i eK"i1a 1ale lent nt case case o Iner
.9<9.<++ ,8 the Hon,le &C; it ?as hel$ that the !%DV Act is not retros#ecti1e an$ the com#laint ?as K"ashe$ In this case it ?as hel$ that the limitation #erio$ or iling a case against the !%DV Act; .<<4 is + 8ear rom the $ate act or action initiate$ against the aggrie1e$ #art8 Hence the learne$ magistrate hel$ not com#ati,le to ile a #etition T&) %&e C$)e# (r %&e Re)*$de$% &m'#6 )'m!%) 'e(re %&e H$r"'#e Cr% %&"% =!%& %&e &e#* ( "'5e )%"%eme$%, /!%"%!$ "$d r#e ( %&e Cr%, %&e "/%!$ !$!%!"%ed ""!$)% %&e Re)*$de$% "re /m*#e%e#6 /m*#e%e#6 ("#)e, '!")ed "$d '")e#e)) "$d %&e *e%!%!$ $der Se/%!$ Se/%!$ 12 ( D !) $% m"!$%"!$"'#e+
Pleadin=s
CONTENTION B Whether the Petitioner an her a'!hter a'!hter are entit&e to c&ai$ $aintena $ aintenance nce 1 i))erent i))erent re&ie)" #roie 'ner the Protection Protection o) o) Wo$en Wo$en )ro$ Do$e"tic Do$e"tic Vio&ence Vio&ence Act, Act, 2005 +
It is h"m,l8 s",mitte$ ,eore the Hon*,le Co"rt that the Res#on$ent is not lia,le to #a8 maintenance as the !etitioner is "na,le to #ro1e Domestic Violence $one to her There is no e1i$ence o act"al a,"se or the threat o a,"se that is #h8sical; se/"al; 1er,al; emotional an$ economic s"ere$ ,8 Vimla De1i Moreo1er there is no e1i$ence o Harassment $"e to $o?r8 There ?as no e1i$ence regar$ing ha,it"al assa"lts or misera,le cr"elt8 on the #art o Res#on$ent orcing the !etitioner to lea1e the ho"se Moreo1er the Res#on$ent $i$ not commit an8 act "n$er the section 0+5 o !%DV Act .<<4; so the #etition #etition to claim $ierent $ierent relie "n$er this act is not maintaina,le The relies claime$ ,8 the !etitioner are ri1olo"s an$ lia,le to ,e $ismisse$
16 &ection 0 o the Act $eines the ?or$s $omestic 1iolenceJ as "n$er:Deinition o $omestic 1iolence or the #"r#oses o this Act; an8 act; omission or commission or con$"ct o the res#on$ent shall constit"te $omestic 1iolence in case it =a> Harms or inG"res or en$angers the health; saet8; lie; lie; lim, or ?ell,eing; ?hether mental or #h8sical; o the aggri e1e$ #erson or ten$s to $o so an$ incl"$es ca"sing #h8sical a,"se; se/"al a,"se; 1er,al an$ emotional emotional a,"se an$ eco nomic a,"se or =,> harasses; harms; inG"res or en$anger the aggrie1e$ #erson ?ith a 1ie? to coerce her or an8 other #erson relate$ t o her to meet an8 "nla?"l $eman$ $eman$ or an8 $o?r8 or other #ro#ert8 or 1al"a,le sec"rit8 sec"rit8 or =c> has the eect o threatening the aggrie1e$ #erson or an8 #erson relate$ to her ,8 an8 con$"ct mentione$ in Cla"se =a> or Cla"se =,> or =$> Other?ise inG"res or ca"ses harm; ?hether #h8sical or mental; to the aggrie1e$ #erson
In Sa$ar 9ho"h . *aa 9ho"h (8 Hon*,l Hon*,lee &C hel$ hel$ that; that; G(ere trivial irritations, @uarrels, nor(al nor(al wear and tear of the (arried (arried life.. life.... is not e(otional e(otional abuseH. abuseH. Marrie$ lie sho"l$ ,e assesse$ as a ?hole an$ a e? isolate$ instances ?o"l$ not constit"te mental or emotional harm+9 Th"s; in the #resent case; a e? heate$ e/changes o1er contra$ictor8 liest8les ?o"l$ not amo"nt to $omestic 1iolence %hen there ?as no G"ral G"ral relationshi# o man man an$ his ?ie ,et?een the #arties; a case "n$er the Act #rima-acie is not maintaina,le +I the $omestic relationshi# $oes not contin"e in the #resent; a #erson cannot ,e ma$e a res#on$entJ "n$er the Act on the gro"n$ o a #ast relationshi#.< The $einition o $omestic 1iolence #re-s"##oses that the ?oman is li1ing ?ith the #erson ?ho committe$ 1iolence an$ $omestic relationshi# is not $ea$ ,"rie$ or se1ere$ This $oes not s#eaB o #ast 1iolence ?hich a ?oman s"ere$ ,eore grant o $i1orce Ha1ing note$ the rele1ant #ro1isions in !%DV Act; .<<4; ?e ma8 #oint o"t that the e/#ression do(esti9 relationshi<+ incl"$es not onl8 the relationshi# o marriage ,"t also a relationshi# in the nat"re o marriage* the K"estion thereore; arises as to ?hat is the meaning o the e/#ression a relationshi# in the nat"re o marriage 'nort"natel8 this e/#ression e/ #ression has not ,een $eine$ in the Act.. No $o",t the 1ie? ?e are taBing ?o"l$ e/cl"$e man8 ?omen ?ho ha1e ha$ a li1e in relationshi# rom the 17=.<<7> 2 &CC 4++ 18@"r,"/ &ingh 1 Harmin$er a"r AIR .<++ &C ++2 MAN'A!<+20.<++ 19A&reeni1asa Rao An$ Others 1s &tate O A! MAN'A!<+20.<++
20 I,i$ 21Section 2(f) of the Act as follows: “Doestic !elationshi"# eans a !elationshi" $etween two "e!sons who li%e o! ha%e& at an' "oint of tie& li%e toethe! in a sha!e ho*sehol& when the' a!e !elate $' consan*init'& a!!iae& o! th!o*h a !elationshi" in the nat*!e of a!!iae& ao"tion o! a!e fail' e$e!s li%in toethe! as a +oint fail',
,eneit o the .<<4 Act.0 P"r#!"me$% &") )ed %&e e>*re))!$ re#"%!$)&!* !$ %&e $"%re ( m"rr!"e "$d $% #!5e !$ re#"%!$)&!*+ A ?ie ?ho has ,een li1e$ in $omestic relationshi#
#rior an$ come to an en$ onl8 or the reason that $omestic 1iolence can ile a case or $omestic 1iolence ?ithin a reasona,le time In a signiicant or$er; %&e Bm'"6 HC has hel$ that a a wife 9an file an a< o the Act; a ?ie co"l$ not claim resi$ence or recei1e an inG"nction rom $is#ossession o #ro#ert8 ?here the mother-in-la? o?ne$ the ho"se A share$ ho"sehol$ ?o"l$ onl8 mean the ho"se ,elonging to or taBen on rent ,8 the h"s,an$; or the ho"se ?hich ,elongs to the Goint amil8 o ?hich the h"s,an$ is a mem,er.5 In the #resent case the #ro#ert8 ?as o?ne$ ,8 the ather in la?; so there is no claim or maintenance It co"l$ ,e 22DVel"sam81sD!atchaiammal on .+ Octo,er; .<+< A!!EAL NO& .<.9-.<.PPOF .<+< 23CRIMINAL A!!EAL
24&eGal Dharmesh Ve$VsThe &tate o Maharashtra Ors 25 =.<<7> 0 &CC+5 cite$ ?ith a"thorit8 in :i(labenA-itbhai Patel v. :atslabenAsho>bhi Patel =.<<9> Patel =.<<9> 2 &CC 52 U(esh Shar(a v. State .<+<=++4>DR399 State .<+<=++4>DR399 v. 0anta Mittal Mittal and /rs., AIR .<< =Del> 7. 26 6eetu Mittal v.
note$ that in the #resent case the #etitioner $eman$e$ o li1ing in a share$ ho"sehol$; the K"estion that the co"nsel ?o"l$ liBe to cite is that i there ?as $omestic 1iolence against her .2 8ears ,eore; ?h8 to$a8 she has no ear o resi$ing ?ith her h"s,an$ in the same ho"sehol$ Moreo1er; ?h8 $i$n*t she initiate to ret"rn to Hari Lal*s ho"se earlier i she reall8 ?ante$ toQ Th"s it is clear rom the acts itsel that she ha$ ?rong intentions against the Res#on$ent to claim monetar8 relie an$ com#ensation as the Res#on$ent ha$ a go1ernment Go, an$ earns Rs 0<;<<< #er month li1es in a se#arate ho"se Moreo1er the im#ortant as#ect is that ?hen the Res#on$ent li1e$ in Goint amil8 ?ith his #arents; Vimla De1i ne1er ?ante$ to go ,acB Onl8 ?hen he shite$ to a ne? ho"se in (him#"r along ?ith his ,rother; the !etitioner sho?e$ her malai$e intention to resi$e ?ith him Mo1ing Mo1ing to the as#ect as#ect o S%r!d&"$ ; ?hich the !etitioner $eman$s to ,e restore$ to her her $a"ghter to ,e #ro1i$e$ ?ith share in #ro#ert8 A #"re sim#le act o entr"stment o the stri$han to the h"s,an$ $oes not attract an8 o the essential ingre$ients o a #artnershi# "nless it is #"r#osel8 gi1en in c"sto$8 o h"s,an$ to Bee# it.7J In #resent case Hari Lal ha$ no #ossession o &tri$han Moreo1er there is no e1i$ence o act o entr"stment The Co"nsel o Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to s",mit s",mit that rom the act it is clearl8 "n$erstoo$ "n$erstoo$ that iling o the case ater .2 8ears sho?s her malai$e intention against her h"s,an$ This #etition ?as not ile$ to seeB G"stice ,"t or her $esire to get higher an$ higher amo"nt o maintenance From +< to .<+< there ?as neither a single act; attem#t an$ intention intention ,8 her to come ,acB to Res#on$ent*s ho"se nor an8 eort to?ar$s resol1ing the matter Thereore the Res#on$ent is not entitle$ to maintain !etitioner '& .< o !%DV Act; .<<4 F"rther the Res#on$ent is not ,o"n$ to "lill the relies $eman$e$ in s"ch #etition The co"nsel or the Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to 27 !rati,ha Rani 1 &"raG "mar; AIR +94 &C 5.9 at 505
,ring to the Bin$ notice that the a##lication mo1e$ ,8 , 8 Vimla Vimla De1i in +7 ,eore the concerne$ @ram !ancha8at o (him#"r or #ro1ision o maintenance is not G"stiie$ not maintaina,le In res#ect o her claim to get share or her $a"ghter in Res#on$ent*s #ro#ert8; in +2; ?hen Res#on$ent mo1e$ the Co"rt "n$er the @"ar$ianshi# an$ %ar$s Act; seeBing the c"sto$8 o Doll8; !etitioner conten$e$ to ,e !$ " 'e%%er *)!%!$ % %"e /"re ( D##6 "$d (#(!##!$ &er '")!/ re!reme$%)+ re!reme$%)+ Vimla De1i acce#te$ that she ?as in$e#en$ent eno"gh to #ro1i$e Doll8
?ith ,asic necessities an$ th"s she nee$ not to ,e maintaine$ Her em#lo8ment as an Angan?ari %orBer in ++; in$icates her s"icient so"rce o earning to maintain Doll8 Vimla De1i ,eing an earning la$8 cannot claim maintenance as she has s"icient so"rce o income to taBe care o hersel hersel an$ her $a"ghter $a"ghter The act that Doll8 ha$ alrea$8 alrea$8 com#lete$ com#lete$ her gra$"ation gra$"ation ,8 .<+< #ro1es the ca#a,ilit8 o Vimla Vimla De1i o "lilling her e$"cational e/#enses 9a'r . Chitran
#etition on the sole gro"n$ that the ?ie ?as a ?orBing la$8 an$ ha$ income rom #ro#erties; as s"ch; she ma8 ,e a,le to maintain hersel o"t o the sai$ income As #er section .=,> /&!#d means an8 #erson ,elo? the age o eighteen 8ears an$ incl"$es an8 a$o#te$; ste# or oster chil$ From the act it is clear that Doll8 is .< 8ears o age in .<+< ?hen she ile$ #etition; th"s she is not a chil$ ?ithin the $einition '& .=,> o DV Act Another arg"ment #"t orth ,8 co"nsel or Res#on$ent is that the $a"ghter o Vimla De1i is no? a gro?n "# an$ e$"cate$ #erson; ater com#leting her gra$"ation an$ she is a,le to maintain her mother The Co"rt sho"l$ not ,e incline$ to acce#t this #etition or the reason that it is the #rimar8 res#ons res#onsi,i i,ilit lit8 8 o the h"s,an$ h"s,an$ to mainta maintain in her ?ie M"!$%e$"$/e /"$$% 'e /#"!med ") "
28AIR .<< &C +077
*$!%!5e me")re+ It is one time relie ?hen reK"ire$ an$ no? since ,oth the mother an$
$a"ghter ha1e ,een settle$; hence no #"r#ose sho"l$ ,e ser1e$ Learne$ co"nsel has relie$ "#on 7ehari&a& . . 9'&a%chan 9'&a%chan an Othr" Othr" 2;+ a #rece$ent o Hon,le A#e/ Co"rt in the case o 6ri"hna 7ehari&a&
It is h"m,l8 s",mitte$ ,eore the Honora,le Co"rt that; Hon,le A#e/ Co"rt in the case o De% Naraan 3a&er . An'"hree An'"hree 3a&er =0; ?herein the Hon,le A#e/ Co"rt ?as o the 1ie? that i
the ?ie ha$ let her matrimonial home ?itho"t an8 G"stiia,le gro"n$ an$ ?as resi$ing or +< 8ears long in segregation; then she ?as $e,arre$ rom claiming maintenance In another case o 7hee@ha Ra$ . 9o$a Dei 1Or" =(; the learne$ Magistrate hel$ that the allegations o neglect
an$ cr"elt8 or the $o?r8 ?ere not #ro1e$ Hol$ing that the ?ie let the matrimonial home ?itho"t G"st ca"se; an$ she ?as not entitle$ to maintenance %hen it is o"n$ that the ?ie $eclines to li1e ?ith h"s,an$ ?itho"t an8 G"st ca"se an$ there is no e1i$ence o ill-treatment ,8 the h"s,an$; ?ie is not entitle$ to maintenance In the #resent case Vimla De1i has not ,een a,le to esta,lish that she ha$ ,een neglecte$ ,8 her h"s,an$ As a matter o act she is li1ing ?ith her #arents on her o?n accor$ Moreo1er lea1ing the matrimonial ho"se ?itho"t G"st ca"se clearl8 states that she =!##(##6 re()ed % )%"6 =!%& &er &)'"$d 'ne/#laine$ 'ne/#laine$ $ela8 in iling iling !etition $e,ars the #etitioner rom claiming an8 maintenance0.
29 AIR +7+ &C +<2+ 30 .<<2 &CC Cr +52 31+ CRL3 +79 RA3 E/#lanation-I a h"s,an$ has contracte$ marriage ?ith another ?oman or Bee#s a mistress; it shall ,e consi$ere$ 32E/#lanation-I to ,e G"st gro"n$ or his ?ie*s re"sal re"sal to li1e ?ith him=2> No ?ie shall ,e entitle$ to recei1e an allo?ance or the maintenance or the interim maintenance an$ e/#enses o #rocee$ing; as the case ma8 ,e;S rom her h"s,an$ "n$er this section i she is li1ing in a$"lter8; or i; ?itho"t an8 s"icient reason; she re"ses to li1e ?ith her h"s,an$; or i the8 are li1ing se#aratel8 ,8 m"t"al consent
In the the lan$m lan$mar arB B G"$gm G"$gmen entt o Chat'r%h'< . Sita%ai ==, the &C hel$ that The o,Gect o the maintenance maintenance #rocee$ings #rocee$ings is not to #"nish a #erson or his #ast neglect; neglect; ,"t to #re1ent 1agranc8 1agranc8 ,8 com#elling those ?ho ?h o can #ro1i$e s"##ort s"## ort to those ?ho are "na,le to s"##ort themsel1es an$ ?ho ha1e a moral claim to s"##ortJ s"##ortJ The right to maintenance maintenance is not merel8 merel8 a moral ,"t also a 3a . legal o,ligation as hel$ ,8 (om,a8 (om,a 8 High Co"rt in its 1er$ict Moh. *'"a% . 3a*!r6 ( #!m!%"%!$ *er!d+ Pleadin=s
CONTENTION C Whether Vi$&a Dei /i&& %e e%arre or e"to##e )ro$ c&ai$in! the "ai $aintenance % the Doctrine o) E"to##e&+
The Co"nsel on ,ehal o the Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to h"m,l8 h" m,l8 s",mit that Vimla De1i ?o"l$ ,e esto##e$ rom claiming maintenance ,8 the $octrine o Esto##el
=4> ON #roo that an8 ?ie in ?hose a1o"r an or$er has ,een ma$e "n$er this section is li1ing in a$"lter8; or that ?itho"t s"icient reason she re"ses to li1e ?ith her h"s,an$; or that the8 are li1ing se#aratel8 ,8 m"t"al consent; the Magistrate shall cancel the or$er
33 =.<<9> . &CC 0+5 34ILR 7 (om 7+
Esto##el is $eine$ "n$er section ++404 o In$ian E1i$ence Act; +97. The general #rinci#le o esto##el is state$ th"s ,8 the Lrd C&"$/e##r in Cairncro"" . Lori$er = : The $octrine ?ill a##l8; ?hich is to ,e o"n$; in the la?s o all ci1ilie$ nations that i a man either ,8 ?or$s or con$"ct has intimate$ that he consents to an act ?hich is to ,e $one an$ that he ?ill oer no o##osition to it; altho"gh it co"l$ not ha1e ,een la?"ll8 $one ?itho"t his consent; an$ he there,8 in$"ces others to $o that rom ?hich the8 other?ise might ha1e a,staine$; he cannot K"estion the legalit8 o the act he has so sanctione$; to the #reG"$ice o those ?ho ha1e so gi1en aith to his ?or$s or to the air inerence to ,e $ra?n rom his con$"ctJ Res#on$ent ?o"l$ liBe to s",mit that irstl8; as #er the acts o #resent case in +2 ?hen Hari Lal mo1e$ the Co"rt "n$er the @"ar$ianshi# an$ %ar$s %ar$s Act; seeBing that the c"sto$8 o Doll8 ,e *)!%!$ % %"e han$e$ o1er to him !etitioner ?as a,le to s",stantiate that )&e =") !$ " 'e%%er *)!%!$ /"re /"re
!etitioner oner acce#t acce#te$ e$ that that she ?as ( D##6 D##6 "$d (#(!# (#(!##!$ #!$ &er '")!/ '")!/ re! re!re reme$ me$%)+ %)+ !etiti
in$e#en$ent eno"gh to #ro1i$e Doll8 ?ith the ,asic necessities an$ th"s she nee$ not to ,e maintaine$ &he also state$ that she ?as not a,le to "lill her e$"cational reK"irements; ,"t acts re1eal that Doll8 alrea$8 com#lete$ her e$"cation at the college le1el; ?hich im#lies that she is ca#a,le eno"gh to maintain her $a"ghter hersel &he got em#lo8e$ as an Angan?ari %orBer; th"s ha1ing s"icient so"rce o earning &o she cannot claim maintenance or hersel an$ her $a"ghter &he is esto##e$ rom claiming the maintenance th"s a##l8ing the $octrine o esto##el 35 Esto##el- %hen one #erson has; ,8 his $eclaration; act or omission; intentionall8 ca"se$ or #ermitte$ another #erson to ,elie1e a thing to ,e tr"e an$ to act "#on s"ch ,elie; neither he nor his re#resentati1e shall ,e allo?e$; in an8 s"it or #rocee$ing ,et?een himsel an$ s"ch #erson or his re#resentati1e; to $en8 the tr"th o that thing Ill"stration A intentionall8 intentionall8 an$ alsel8 lea$s ( to ,elie1e that certain lan$ ,elongs to A; an$ there,8 in$"ces ( to ,"8 an$ #a 8 or it The lan$ ater?ar$s ,ecomes the #ro#ert8 o A; an$ A seeBs to set asi$e the sale on the gro"n$ that; at the time o the sale; he ha$ no title He m"st not ,e allo?e$ to #ro1e his ?ant o title
36 +95< 0 HLC 9.
Moh.SiiB . '%ea 6hatoon =8 ; it ?as o,ser1e$ that I( %&e =!(e /&)e (r In case o Moh.SiiB *r*)e ( )me "d5"$%"e % &er)e#( $% % #!5e =!%& &er &)'"$d, &)'"$d, )&e /"$$% )"6 %&"% !% !) %&e &)'"$d =& &") $e#e/%ed &er r re()ed % m"!$%"!$ &er J
In Vinaa!a$ . Ar'na =:, it ?as hel$ that i the ?ie is "ns"ccess"l in esta,lishing in a case or restit"tion o conG"gal rights a,o"t the assa"lt ma$e "#on her ,8 her h"s,an$ an$ the act o ,eing BnocBe$ a?a8 rom the matrimonial home; than she is esto##e$ rom claiming maintenance maintenance s",seK"entl8 s",seK"entl8 ,ase$ "#on the a$mission a$mission ma$e ,8 the h"s,an$ In the instant case; Vimla De1i; ?il"ll8 re"se$ to sta8 ?ith her h"s,an$; =she ?as not li1ing in $estit"te> an$ is "na,le to esta,lish e1i$ence o neglect an$ ,eing BnocBe$ a?a8 rom Hari Lal ho"se Hence she is esto##e$ rom claiming maintenance &econ$l8; ater se#arating rom Hari Lal; name o Vimla De1i an$ her $a"ghter got str"cB o rom local registers as the8 ?ere li1ing se#aratel8 an$ their recor$ ?as ,eing maintaine$ as a se#arate se#arate "nit in the #lace o their resi$ence resi$ence (eing ?ith Hari Lal; her name ?as in the list o #eo#le Be#= P5er%6 L!$e maintaine$ ?ith the local a"thorities In the co"rse o e1i$ence; the res#on$ent ?as a,le to #ro1e that the local a"thorities; ater $"e consi$eration an$ ,8 ?a8 o a resol"tion; ha$ or$ere$ de#e%!$ ( %&e $"me ( !m#" (rm %&e #!)% ( *e*#e Be#= P5er%6 L!$e, o the concerne$ area This #ro1es her economic sta,ilit8 she can ,e esto##e$ 0 rom
claiming maintenance &o;Vimla De1i is no more "$ !$d!e$% *er)$ accor$ing to or$er III o C!C +<9 sho"l$ not ,e gi1en s#ecial #ri1ilege in this case The #oint is that Vimla De1i 37 AIR +4. Allaha,a$ Allaha,a$ 5+5 38 +7 4 CrlL3+07 39 (anis$har Mohant8 Vs 38oshnarani Mohant8 AIR .<<. Orissa +9.
?as a1aila,le ?ith the reme$ies ,eore the enactment o this ne? la? she sho"l$ ha1e "se$ them to get G"stice or her ("t her a##roach o #etition ater .2 8ears sho?s that her intentions are not clear ,"t she ha$ gree$ o #ro#ert8 T&e C$)e# (r %&e Re)*$de$% Re)*$de$% =#d #!e % )'m!% %&"% %&e "**#!/"%!$ ( D/%r!$e D/%r!$e ( E)%**e# m)% 'e /$(!rmed+ I% !) &m'#6 )'m!%%ed 'e(re %&e H$'#e Cr% =!%& %&e &e#* ( "'5e /!%ed *r5!)!$, /")e-#"=), d!e)%), *re/ede$% "$d 5"r!) Cr%) de/!)!$ =&!/& *r5e) %&"% !m#" De5! =#d 'e e)%**ed (rm /#"!m!$ %&e m"!$%e$"$/e+
Praer
PRA;ER
In the light o a,o1e mention iss"es raise$; arg"ments a$1ance$ an$ a"thorities cite$; the Res#on$ent h"m,l8 s",mits that the Hon*,le Co"rt ma8 , e #lease$ to a$G"$ge an$ an $ $eclare that:
The #etition ile$ ,8 the #etitioner ma8 ,e , e $ismisse$ The 1ario"s relies that are claime$ ,8 the #etitioner ma8 not ,e grante$
An to #a"" an an "'ch orer a" the 3on%&e 3o n%&e Co'rt C o'rt $a $ a ee$ )it an #ro#er in the &i!ht o) <'"tice, eB'it an !oo con"cience. The co'n"e& "ha&& )oreer %e"eech thi" 3onora%&e 3onora% &e Co'rt Co'r t )or it" 3onora%&e 3o nora%&e Con"ieration. Con"ie ration.
Co"nsel or the Res#on$ent
