Mohan Raj v. K.Lakshmi

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED:28.07.2020

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN CRL.O.P.No.4970 of 2020 and CRL.M.P.No.2846 of 2020 1.Mohan Raj, M/A, 56 years S/o.Thirumaal Chetty No.57/1, S.N Chetty Street Royapuram, Chennai-600 013.

2.T.Radha Ammal, F/A 78 years W/o.Thirumaal Chetty No.57/1, S.N Chetty Street Royapuram, Chennai-600 013.

...Petitioners 1 & 2

Vs.

K.Lakshmi, M/A 54 years W/o.Mohan Raj M.C.C.S.S Temporary Shelter Home Perambur, Chennai.

...Respondent/Complainant

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C, to call for the records and quash the proceedings pending trial in D.V.C No.82 of 2019 on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

For Petitioners : Mr.C.V.Kumar For Respondent : Mr.S.Sarankumar

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in D.V.C No.82 of 2019, filed by the respondent herein, pending on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

2.

The petitioners are husband and mother-in-law of the respondent and the marriage between the 1st petitioner and the respondent Viz.,Lakshmi was solemnized on 09.02.2016. 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.83 of 2019 on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai 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.82 of 2019 is pending for trial. At this stage, the petitioners herein who are the husband and mother-in-law of the respondent pray to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.82 of 2019. 3.

Heard Mr.C.V.Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.S.Sarankumar, learned counsel 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 2nd petitioner herein is only mother-in-law of the respondent and she is living separately. As such, the protection order sought for by the respondent herein in the domestic violence case against the 2nd petitioner/mother-in-law, based on the allegations, cannot be maintained, in view of the fact that the allegations of harassment meted out by the 2nd petitioner 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 the 2nd petitioner. In the absence of the same, the proceedings as against the 2nd petitioner cannot be maintained and consequently, the 2nd petitioner need not undergo the ordeal of facing a criminal trial.

5.

In view of the above, this Court is not inclined to quash the proceedings in D.V.C No.82 of 2019 in respect of the 1st petitioner and hence, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed as against the 1st petitioner. However, this Court is inclined to quash the proceedings in D.V.C No.82 of 2019, on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai , insofar as the 2nd petitioner is concerned, on condition that, she shall ensure that the 1st petitioner/husband of the respondent shall deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) before 5th of every English Calendar month to the credit of D.V.C.No.82 of 2019, on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai, 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 the 1st petitioner/husband of the respondent is concerned, it would be appropriate to direct the trial Court to complete the trial within a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. The 1st petitioner/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 insofar as the 2nd petitioner is concerned.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(AD I)MDU //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar uma To The Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

CRL.O.P.No.4970 of 2020 and CRL.M.P.No.2846 of 2020 VG II (CO) KKV/24/09/2020