M. Antony Lawrence (A1) v. Mrs. Christino Stella Mary,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 26.02.2019

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN CRL.O.P.No.20839 of 2017 and CRL.M.P.Nos.12390 & 12391 of 2017 1.Antony Lawrence 2.Swaminathan 3.S.Elizabeth 4.Rejina ... Petitioners/Accused Vs.

Christino Stella Mary ... Respondent/Complainant PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C, to call for the records and to quash the complaint in D.V.C.No.159 of 2016 on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

For Petitioners: Ms.G.Sridevi For Respondent : Mr.Auxilia Peter

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.159 of 2016, filed by the respondent herein, pending on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

2.The petitioners 2 to 4 are in-laws of the respondent and the marriage between A1/Antony Lawrence and the respondent Viz., Christina Stella Mary was solemnized on 27.05.1996. 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.159 of 2016 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.159 of 2016 is pending for trial. At this stage, the petitioners herein who are the in-laws and husband of the respondent pray to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.159 of 2016. 3.Heard Ms.G.Sridevi, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.Auxilia Peter, 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 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 these petitioners 2 to 4. In the absence of the same, the proceedings as against these petitioners 2 to 4 cannot be maintained and consequently, the 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 D.V.C.No.159 of 2016, on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai, insofar as these petitioners 2 to 4 are concerned, 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) before 5th of every English Calendar month to the credit of D.V.C.No.159 of 2016, on the file of the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai, as adinterim 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 D.V.C.No.159 of 2016 is pending from the year 2016 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 in respect of the petitioners 2 to 4. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar AT To 1.The Additional Mahila Court, Egmore, Chennai.

+1 c to Mr.Auxilia Peter, Advocate Sr.No.17752 +1 cc to M/s.G.Sridevi, Advocate Sr.No.17519 CRL.O.P.No.20839 of 2017 and CRL.M.P.Nos.12390 & 12391 of 2017 MR(CO) CSL/27.03.2019