Madras High CourtCRL OP/4804/2019allowed

Elayaraja v. Revathi

2019-03-19Honourable Mr Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan3 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19.03.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN Crl.O.P.No.4804 of 2019 and Crl.M.P.Nos.2832 & 2835 of 2019 1.Elayaraja 2.Lakshmi 3.Tamizharasu 4.Jayanthi ... Petitioners/ Respondents Vs.

Revathi

...Respondent/Complainant

PRAYER:

Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. praying to call for the records pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District in DVC.No.3 of 2018 and quash the criminal proceeding.

For Petitioners: Mr.E.Kannadasan For Respondent : Mr.R.Rajarajan

ORDER

This petition has been filed to call for the records pertaining to D.V.C.No.3 of 2018 pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District and quash the same as illegal, incompetent and without jurisdiction by allowing the present criminal original petition.

2.The petitioners are the husband and the in-laws of the respondent and the marriage between A1/Elayaraja and the respondent Viz.,Revathi was solemnized on 18.01.2011. Thereafter, due to matrimonial disputes the respondent and her husband were living separately from the matrimonial home. Under this circumstance, the respondent herein filed a petition under Domestic Violence Act in D.V.C. No.3 of 2018 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District and implicated the petitioners as parties to the petition and

sought action as against them under Domestic Violence Act. The said D.V.C.No.3 of 2018 is pending for trial. At this stage, the petitioners herein who are the husband and the in-laws of the respondent pray to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.3 of 2018.

3. Heard Mr.E.Kannadasan, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.R.Rajarajan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent.

4. It is seen that the relief sought for by the respondent in the domestic violence case with regard to residential rights, compensation, etc., can be made and claimed as against her husband, who is already a party in that case. The petitioners 2 to 4 herein are only in-laws of the respondent and they are living separately. As such, the protection order sought for by the respondent herein in the domestic violence case against these petitioners 2 to 4/in-laws, based on the allegations, cannot be maintained, in view of the fact that the allegations of harassment meted out by the petitioners 2 to 4 against the respondent itself seems to be false. While that being so, there cannot be any act of any domestic violence as defined under Domestic Violence Act against petitioners 2 to 4. In the absence of the same, the proceedings as against petitioners 2 to 4 cannot be maintained and consequently, petitioners 2 to 4 need not undergo the ordeal of facing a criminal trial.

5. In view of the above, this Court is inclined to quash the proceedings in DVC.No.3 of 2018, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District insofar as petitioners 2 to 4 alone, on condition that, they shall ensure that the A1/husband of the respondent shall deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) per month on or before 5th of every English Calendar month to the credit of DVC.No.3 of 2018, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District, as ad-interim maintenance, without prejudice to both the parties, failing which this order shall stand automatically cancelled. On such deposit being made, the respondent is entitled to withdraw the same.

6. Insofar as A1/husband of the respondent is concerned, since the impugned proceedings in DVC.No.3 of 2018 is pending from the year 2018 onwards, it would be appropriate to direct the trial Court to complete the

trial within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. A1/husband of the respondent is directed to appear before the trial Court on the next hearing date, failing which, the respondent is at liberty to approach this Court.

7. In the result, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar pds/lok To The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Walajapet, Vellore District +1cc to Mr.E.Kannadasan , Advocate SR.No. 26619 +1cc to Mr. R.Rajarajan, Advocate SR.No. 26562 Crl.O.P.No.4804 of 2019 and Crl.M.P.Nos.2832 & 2835 of 2019 A.SK(27/05/2019)