Dasari Lakshmi , Nagamani v. Ganjikunta Thirumaleshu , Thirumaleshu Yadav

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE M.SATYANARAYANA MURTHY TRANSFER CIVIL MISCELLANEOUS PETITION NO.366 OF 2017 ORDER:

This Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition, under Section 24 of Code of Civil Procedure 1908, is filed to withdraw O.P.No.150 of 2014 on the file of Senior Civil Judge, Ananthapuramu and transfer the same to the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Adoni, Kurnool District, on the ground that the petitioner being a woman, it is difficult for her to undertake journey from Adoni of Kurnool District to Ananthapuram, which is more than 100 kilometres, to appear before the Court on all dates of adjournments and she did not possess any means to meet the expenditure for travelling, etc. 2.

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner at the stage of admission.

3.

The first and foremost ground for withdrawal and transfer of O.P. is that the petitioner is unable to undertake journey covering the distance of 100 kilometres on every date of adjournment. No doubt, it is difficult for a woman to undertake journey on every date of adjournment. But that by itself is not a ground to withdraw and transfer the case, since the forum non conveniens based on the principle laid down in Modi Entertainment Network and another v. W.S.G. Cricket Pte.Ltd1 is not a ground in view of latest Judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in Krishna Veni Nagam v. Harish Nagam2, where the Hon'ble Apex Court issued certain guidelines to the Judges, which reads thus:

"Spirit behind the orders of this Court in allowing the transfer petitions filed by wives being 1 (2003) 4 SCC 341 2 AIR 2017 SC 1345

almost mechanically allowing is that they are not denied justice on account of their inability to participate in proceedings instituted at a different place on account of difficulty either on account of financial or physical hardship. Our Constitutional scheme provides for guaranteeing equal access to justice, power of the State to make special provisions for women and children and duty to uphold the dignity of women. Various steps have been taken in this direction. However, the Apex Court also issued certain directions in para 18 of its judgment, which read thus:

i) Availability of video conferencing facility.

ii) Availability of legal aid service.

iii) Deposit of cost for travel, lodging and boarding in terms of Order XXV Code of Civil Procedure.

iv) E-Mail address/phone number, if any, at which litigant from out station may communicate."

In view of the above guidelines, inconvenience for the petitioner to undertake journey may not be a ground to withdraw and transfer O.P.No.150 of 2014 from one Court to another and at best, the witness can be examined by video conference. However, in view of difficulty expressed by the petitioner to undertake journey of kilometres, the Senior Civil Judge, Ananthapuramu, is directed not to insist the petitioner to appear on every date of adjournment, except on the dates when her presence is required, more particularly when the petitioner is required to be cross-examined by the counsel for the respondent as long as the petitioner is represented by counsel, in case counsel failed to represent and prosecute the case, the above direction would not preclude the Court to pass appropriate order against the

petitioner, in accordance with law. This direction would meet the ends of justice and serve the purpose.

4.

In view of the law declared by the Apex Court in Krishna Veni Nagam's case (referred to supra), the Senior Civil Judge, Ananthapuramu is directed to follow the guidelines issued in the said case and permit the counsel for the respondent to crossexamine the petitioner and witness/es on her behalf by video conference and in case, video conference is not available, the Senior Civil Judge, Ananthapuramu, shall direct the respondent to deposit costs of travelling, boarding, lodging and other incidental expenses to the credit of O.P. and on such deposit, the petitioner be directed to appear before the Court on the date when her presence is required for cross-examination or for any other purpose.

5.

With the above direction, the Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition is disposed of. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this petition shall stand closed. There shall be no order as to costs. ___________________________________ M. SATYANARAYANA MURTHY, J JUNE 14, 2017 ssp