Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Divorce application under Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act 1954

 

District : South 24 Parganas.

In the Court of the Learned District Judge, Alipore, South 24 Parganas.

                                                                  

Matrimonial  Suit No.              of 2024

 

                                                          In the matter of :

Shri Aswini Kumar Dash, aged about 47 years, Son of Hadibandhu Dash, residing at Premises being no. 36, J.L. Nehru Road, Neare I.T.C. Chowringhee, Post Office & Police Station – Park Street, Middleton Row, Kolkata – 700071, Mobile Number : 9830653907, Email : adash.101076@gmail.com (Outside the jurisdiction of this Learned Court),

 _________Petitioner no.1 / Husband

 

-          AND –

 

Smt. Koyel Bal, aged about 38 years, Wife of Shri Aswini Kumar Dash, Daughter of Manik Chandra Paul, having Permanent address at House Number 136, Behind National Highway – 34, Netaji Shakti Sangha Club, Kapileswar, Nadia – 741221, District Nadia, West Bengal, and presently residing at Premises being no. M-24, Kamdahari Pyarabagan, Garia, Kolkata - 700084, Police Station – Bansdroni, District South 24 Parganas, Mobile Number : 8787479233, Email : poulkoyal365@gmail.com (Presently residing at within the jurisdiction of this Learned Court),

   _______Petitioner no.2 / Wife

 

An Application for a Decree of Divorce on Mutual Consent under Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act 1954;

 

The humble joint petition of both the petitioners named above, most respectfully;

Sheweth as under :

 

1.   That your Petitioners are peace loving and law abiding Citizen of India, domiciled in the State of West Bengal.

 

2.   That the Petitioner No.1 and the Petitioner No.2 were adult at the time of their marriage. The marriage between them was solemnized by the consent of both the petitioners and their family members, and they are presently residing at their respective address which is given in the cause title of this application.

 

3.   That the marriage between the petitioner no.1, and the petitioner no.2, was solemnized on 27-04-2022, and at the time of marriage the petitioner no. 1, was a bachelor and the petitioner no. 2, was a widow. The said marriage has been registered under the Special Marriage Act’ 1954, on 27th day of April’ 2022, before the Special Marriage Registrar, Md. Nuruddin, having his Office Address as 4, Imdad Ali Lane, Kolkata 700016, who give Certificate of Registration under Section 13 of the Special Marriage Act 1954, having Registration Certificate No. WB3420010001010000227-2022-46624, Dated 27-04-2022, solemnization took place at Premises being no. 28, Mirza Ghalib Street, Police Station – New Market, Post Office – New Market, Kolkata – 700087, District Kolkata, West Bengal.

 

Photostat Copy of the said marriage certificate is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “A”.

 

4.   That after the said marriage both the petitioners started living as husband and wife at the house of the petitioner no.1, i.e. at Premises being no. 36, J.L. Nehru Road, Neare I.T.C. Chowringhee, Post Office & Police Station – Park Street, Middleton Row, Kolkata – 700071.

 

5.   That the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent has been duly consummated, though they do not have any child out of their wedlock.

 

6.   That as on 27th day of May’ 2022, the Petitioner no.2, with her family member left the matrimonial home, for her parental home to visit in the religious rituals, and since then the Petitioner no.2, has been residing separately at her parental house at House Number 136, Behind National Highway – 34, Netaji Shakti Sangha Club, Kapileswar, Nadia – 741221, District Nadia, West Bengal, and the Petitioner no.1, has been residing separately at his premises as mentioned in the cause title.

 

7.   That due to incompatibility of taste, temperament, habits, culture, and understanding between the petitioner no.1, and the petitioner no.2, it became impossible for the petitioners to lead a normal life. As a result the Petitioner no.2, living separately at her parental house at House Number 136, Behind National Highway – 34, Netaji Shakti Sangha Club, Kapileswar, Nadia – 741221, District Nadia, West Bengal, on and from 27th day of May’ 2022, and since then both of your petitioners have been living separately.

 

8.   That several attempts were made on behalf of the near relatives, well wishers and common friends for their re-union or reconciliation but all are in vain due to difference of opinion between the parties to the suit and as such they have decided to dissolve their marriage on mutual consent.

 

9.   That the Petitioner no.1, has returned all the “Stridhan” articles and other belongings to the Petitioner no.2 / wife, and she received the same and fully satisfied with the same and the petitioner no. 2, also returned all goods and articles to the petitioner no. 1.

 

10.                That both the parties shall never raise any demand or claim to each other in future and the petitioner no.2 surrendered her right in favour of the petitioner no.1, and the petitioner no.1, also surrendered his right in favour of the petitioner no.2.

 

11.                That there is or shall not have any claim or demand from each other at present or in future.

 

12.                That both of your petitioners during the period felt and realized that it would not be possible for each of them any further to live together and maintain their matrimonial relationship as lawful Husband and Wife, despite best efforts of both the petitioners and their relations to adjust with each other.

 

13.                That under the aforesaid facts, and circumstances, both of your petitioners have mutually agreed and decided that for the joint interest of the petitioners hereto would be better for each of them to dissolve the marriage held between them and solemnized on 27/04/2022, under Section 13 of the Special Marriage Act 1954, vide Registration Certificate No. WB3420010001010000227-2022-46624, Dated 27-04-2022, by a Decree of Divorce on mutual consent and accordingly your petitioners without being influenced by any fraud, coercion, and or under undue influence have mutually consented to file the present joint petition for Decree of Divorce on mutual consent before the Learned Court.

 

14.                That there has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filing the present joint petition for Divorce and there is no other legal impediment and or ground to grant of the relief as prayed for by the petitioners.

 

15.                That the Petitioners further submit that there was a total breach of relationship between the parties in a suit and in every aspect both the petitioners are disagreed to continue their marital life and at the same time there is no possibility of revival of the matrimonial relationship between the parties to the suit as Husband and Wife. The Several attempts of reconciliation by the family and friends of the both the petitioners but as such no result has come out and after your Petitioners have also realized that there is no chance of reconciliation between themselves and the marriage solemnized between both the Petitioners on 27th may’ 2022, is required to be dissolved by a Decree of Divorce on mutual consent and accordingly your petitioners without being influenced by any fraud, coercion, and or under undue influence have mutually consented to file the present joint petition for Decree of Divorce on mutual consent before the Learned Court, as their relation has turned into a fruitless affairs.

 

16.                That the present joint petition for mutual divorce is made bonafide and for the interest of justice to save two life from total ruination and the present joint petition is being filed not in collusion with each other.

 

17.                That both the Petitioners to the Suit state that there is no litigation is pending in between them, before any Court of Law, as on the even day on presenting this application before the Learned Court.

 

18.                That the petitioners are filing the present application of their own free will and volition and are well aware of the implication of the present application in terms of the provision of Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act’ 1954.

 

19.                That there is no collusion or connivance by and between the parties of this present application, before the Learned Court.

 

20.                That there is no unnecessary delay in filling the present application before the Learned Court.

 

21.                That there is no legal impediment in granting the Decree of Divorce by mutual consent to the parties of this present application.

 

22.                That for the end of justice the Learned Court will be pleased to dissolve the marriage between the petitioners by a Decree of Divorce as contemplated under the provision of Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act 1954.

 

23.                That the cause of action or the instant suit arose on and from 27/04/2022, i.e. from the date of marriage and finally on and from 27/05/2022, when the petitioner no. 2 / wife left the matrimonial house and started living at her parental house at House Number 136, Behind National Highway – 34, Netaji Shakti Sangha Club, Kapileswar, Nadia – 741221, District Nadia, West Bengal, and subsequently started residing at Premises being no. M-24, Kamdahari Pyarabagan, Garia, Kolkata - 700084, Police Station – Bansdroni, District South 24 Parganas, which fall under the Jurisdiction of the Learned Court. The Petitioner no.1, residing at the address given in the cause title of the application as Premises being no. 36, J.L. Nehru Road, Neare I.T.C. Chowringhee, Post Office & Police Station – Park Street, Middleton Row, Kolkata – 700071.

 

Photostat Copy of the Aadhar Card of the Petitioners and the rent agreement of the petitioner no.2, are annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “B”, Colllectively.

 

24.                Be it mentioned here that both the Petitioners herein lastly resided as husband and wife under the same roof at the matrimonial home of your Petitioner no. 2, Premises being no. 36, J.L. Nehru Road, Neare I.T.C. Chowringhee, Post Office & Police Station – Park Street, Middleton Row, Kolkata – 700071, and the Petitioner no.2, presently residing at Premises being no. M-24, Kamdahari Pyarabagan, Garia, Kolkata - 700084, Police Station – Bansdroni, District South 24 Parganas, which is within the jurisdiction of this Learned Court and as such this Learned Court has ample jurisdiction to try this suit.

 

25.                That the Court fees of Rs. 100/- affixed on this application as of Ad-Voleram Court fees for the present matrimonial application under Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act’ 1954.

 

26.                That the Petitioners crave leave of the Learned Court to produce the relevant and on necessary documents and or papers, at the time of hearing of this application, before the Learned Court.

 

27.                That this application is made bona fide in the interest of administration of justice.

 

In the aforesaid facts and circumstances, it is therefore prayed that Your Honour would graciously be pleased to dissolve the marriage tie in between the petitioners marriage solemnized on 27th day of April’ 2022 as per provision of Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act’ 1954, by a Decree of Divorce on Mutual Consent by the Petitioners and to pass such further order or orders as Your Honour may deem, fit, and proper for the end of Justice.

 

And for this act of kindness, the petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VERIFICATION

I, Sri Aswini Kumar Dash, the petitioner no.1, of the instant application made under section 28 of the Special Marriage Act’ 1954, for the Mutual Divorce, and I am well conversant with all the material facts and circumstances, as mentioned in the forgoing paragraphs of the instant application, and whereas I, verify this application as on this…………..day of ……………………2024, at Alipore Judges’ Court.

 

 

                                                          Sri Aswini Kumar Dash

                                                          Petitioner no.1, of the application.

 

 

VERIFICATION

I, Smt. Koyel Bal, the petitioner no.2, of the instant application made under section 28 of the Special Marriage Act’ 1954, for the Mutual Divorce, and I am well conversant with all the material facts and circumstances, as mentioned in the forgoing paragraphs of the instant application, and whereas I, verify this application as on this…………..day of ……………………2024, at the Alipore Judges’ Court.

 

 

                                                                   Smt. Koyel Bal.

                                                          Petitioner no.2, of the application.

                                                         

 

AFFIDAVIT

 

I, Shri Aswini Kumar Dash, Son of Hadibandhu Dash, aged about 47 years, by faith Hindu, by Occupation Service, residing at Premises being no. 36, J.L. Nehru Road, Neare I.T.C. Chowringhee, Post Office & Police Station – Park Street, Middleton Row, Kolkata – 700071, do hereby solemnly affirm and say as follows :-

 

1 : That I am the petitioner no.1, of this suit and as such I am well conversant with the material facts and circumstances of this Suit.

2 : That the statements made in the paragraph no. 1 to 15 are all true to my knowledge and belief and the rest are my humble submission before this Ld. Court.

The above statements are true to the best of my knowledge or information best known to me, and I verified this affidavit as on ……………….day of _____________’ 2024, at the Alipore Judges’ Court.

 

                                                                             DEPONENT

                                                                   Identified by me,

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   Advocate for the Petitioner no.1.

 

Prepared in my office,

 

 

 

 

Advocate for the Petitioner no.1.

Dated :……………………2024.

Place : Alipore Judges’ Court.                                                  NOTARY

 

 

AFFIDAVIT

 

I, Smt. Koyel Bal, Wife of Shri Aswini Kumar Dash, Daughter of Manik Chandra Paul, aged about 38 years, by faith Hindu, by Occupation Private Tutor, residing at House Number 136, Behind National Highway – 34, Netaji Shakti Sangha Club, Kapileswar, Nadia – 741221, District Nadia, West Bengal, and also at Premises being no. M-24, Kamdahari Pyarabagan, Garia, Kolkata - 700084, Police Station – Bansdroni, District South 24 Parganas, do hereby solemnly affirm and say as follows :-

1 : That I am the petitioner no. 2, of this suit and as such I am well conversant with the material facts and circumstances of this Suit.

2 : That the statements made in the paragraph no. 1 to 15 are all true to my knowledge and belief and the rest are my humble submission before this Ld. Court.

The above statements are true to the best of my knowledge or information best known to me, and I verified this affidavit as on ……………….day of January’ 2024, at the Alipore Judges’ Court premises.

 

 

                                                                             DEPONENT

                                                                   Identified by me,

                            

 

                                                          Advocate for the Petitioner no.2.

 

Prepared in my office,

 

 

 

Advocate for the Petitioner no.2.

 

Dated :……………………2024.

Place : Alipore Judges’ Court.                                                  NOTARY

written notes of argument in criminal appeal under Section 29 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005

 

In the Court of the Learned Additional District & Session Judge, 2nd Court, Uluberia, Howrah

 

Criminal Appeal No. 4 of 2021

 

In the matter of;

Sri Arnab De, & Others,

                             _____Appellants

-      Versus –

The State of West Bengal & Anr.

                   ______Opposite Parties

Written Notes of Argument

On behalf of the Appellants

 

The present appeal is challenging the proprietary of the impugned Order dated 21-08-2021, passed in Misc. Case no. 174 of 2020 by the Learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Uluberia, Howrah, which directed the husband Arnab De to pay maintenance allowance as interim monetary relief of Rs. 18,000/- (Rupees Eighteen Thousand) only per month to the wife Tithi De Adhikary.

The wife Tithi De Adhikary was employed in Tata Consultancy Services, and thereby she acquired her Gross Salary of Rs. 16,560/- (Rupees Sixteen Thousand and Five Hundred and Sixty) only and thereby the Net Income in hand as of Rs. 13,732/- (Rupees Thirteen Thousand and Seven Hundred Thirty Two) only, has been acquired by her. Presently, she produced a copy of letter dated 14th day of June’ 2023, which speaks about acceptance of her resignation letter dated 1st June’ 2023. The reason of such resignation has not been assigned therein, therefore it is well understood that she resigned voluntarily from her employment.

The Wife Tithi De Adhikary, is well qualified as B.Sc. Bio Science in 2005, from Calcutta University, and presently pursuing her LL.B. classes, having well experiences in her employment.

The Wife Tithi De Adhikary, have no dependent to maintain, as her family consists of her father, mother, Elder Brother who is married, and her younger Sister. Therefore the Elder Brother is solely responsible to take care of his father, mother, and sister with his wife and child if any.

The husband Arnab De having Educational Qualification as BCA, working for gain in M/s. Mphasis Private Limited, and thereby acquired Gross Salary as of Rs, 95,000/- (Rupees Ninety Five Thousand) only, per month, and acquired Net Income as Rs. 78,308/- (Rupees Seventy Eight Thousand and Three Hundred Eight) only, after statutory deductions. His father & mother are his dependent, whom he is responsible to maintain.

The Educational Qualification of the husband and the wife are at par, and presently she pursuing LL.B. Classes and after completion of the same her educational qualification will be higher than the husband’s qualification. She resigned voluntarily from her services and engaged herself in pursuing LL.B. Classes are clearly gave the circumstances of her ability to maintain herself sufficiently. She should not claim any maintenance sitting idle.

If wife is in possession of qualification it does not ipso facto mean that she did not make effort to get the job and for that reason to disallow the maintenance. The qualification of B.Sc. Bio Science in 2005, from Calcutta University, is sufficient as she was employed in Tata Consultancy Services, wherefrom she resigned recently in the month of June’ 2023.

In view of this, the question arises as to in what way Section 20 of the Act has to be interpreted. Whether a spouse who has capacity of earning but chooses to remain idle, should be permitted to saddle other spouse with his or her expenditure ? Whether such spouse should be permitted to get monetary relief at higher rate from other spouse in such condition ?

Section 20 has been enacted for the purpose of providing a monetary assistance to such spouse who is incapable of supporting himself or herself in spite of sincere efforts made by him or herself. A spouse who is well qualified to get the service immediately with less efforts is not expected to remain idle to squeeze out, to milk out the other spouse by relieving him of his or her own purse by a cut in the nature of monetarily relief.

The law does not expect the increasing number of such idle persons who by remaining in the arena of legal battles, try to squeeze out the adversory by implementing the provisions of law suitable to their purpose.

In the present case Tithi De Adhikary is a well-qualified woman possessing qualification like B. Sc. Bio Science in 2005, from Calcutta University, Till June’ 2023 she was serving in Tata Consultancy Services. It impliedly means that she was possessing sufficient experience. How such a lady can remain without service ?

It really puts a big question which is to be answered by Tithi De Adhikary with sufficient congent and believable evidence by proving that in spite of sufficient efforts made by her, she was not able to get service and, therefore, she is unable to support herself.

A lady who is fighting Domestic petition filed for monetarily relief, can not be permitted to sit idle and to put her burden on the husband for demanding maintenance allowance.

Section 20 is not meant for creating an army of such idle persons who would be sitting idle waiting for a 'dole' to be awarded by her husband who has got a grievance against her and who has gone to the Court for seeking a relief against her. The case may be vice-versa also. If a husband well qualified, sufficient enough to earn, sits idle and puts his burden on the wife and waits for a 'dole' to be awarded by remaining entangled in litigation. That is also not permissible.

The law does not help indolents as well idles so also does not want an army of self-made lazy idles. Everyone has to earn for the purpose of maintenance of himself or herself, atleast, has to make sincere efforts in that direction. If this criteria is not applied, if this attitude is not adopted, there would be a tendency growing amongst such litigants to prolong such litigation and to milk out the adversory who happens to be a spouse, once dear but far away after an emerging of litigation. If such army is permitted to remain in existence, there would be no sincere efforts of amicable settlements because the lazy spouse would be very happy to fight and frustrate the efforts of amicable settlement because he would be reaping the money in the nature of maintenance allowance, and would prefer to be happy in remaining idle and not bothering himself or herself for any activity to support and maintain himself or herself.

That cannot be treated to be aim, goal of Section 20 of the Act. It is indirectly against healthiness of the society. It has enacted for needy persons who in spite of sincere efforts and sufficient efforts are unable to support and maintain themselves and are required to fight out the litigation jeopardizing their hard earned income by toiling working hours.

In the case in hand wife is not entitle to get any maintenance from her husband.

 

Judicial References, relied on;

 

1.Bhushan Kumar Meen  Versus Mansi Meen @ Harpreet Kaur, (2010) 1 SCC 372 

2.Nisha Jain Versus Amit Jain, Mat.App.(FC) No.106/2015, decided on 24.8.2016 by the High Court of Delhi [2016 SCC ONLINE DEL 4866]

3.Smt Mamta Jaiswal  Versus Rajesh Jaiswal, Civil Revision N.1290/99, decided on 24.3.2000 by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Indore Bench) [2001 HINDULR 2 228]

4.Farzana Ansari Versus Abid Ali Ansari, Criminal Revision Application No.38/2013, decided on 24.2.2014 by High Court of Bombay at Goa.[ 2014 ALLMR CRI 1681]

 

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