A.Sivasankari v. S.Balasubramaniyan
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 16.06.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN Tr.CMP.(MD)No.269 of 2025 and C.M.P.(MD)No.7143 of 2025 A.Sivasankari .. Petitioner Vs.
S.Balasubramaniyan .. Respondent Prayer : Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition is filed under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure, to withdraw the proceedings in H.M.O.P.No. 177 of 2024 on the file of Sub Court, Kovilpatti and transfer the same to the learned Subordinate Court, Tirunelveli.
For Petitioner : Ms.C.Geetha For Respondent : No Appearance
ORDER
The present Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to withdraw the proceedings in H.M.O.P.No.177 of 2024 on the file of Sub Court, Kovilpatti and transfer the same to the learned Subordinate Court, Tirunelveli.
2. The petitioner is the wife and the respondent is the husband. The marriage between the petitioner and the respondent was solemnized on 04.07.2019 as per the Hindu Rites and Customs at Arulmigu Thirumalainayaki and Thiruneelakandeshwarar Temple, Kayathar.
3. Due to some matrimonial discord, the parties have separated. Therefore, the respondent/husband initiated the proceeding in H.M.O.P.No. 177 of 2024, on the file of the Subordinate Court, Kovilpatti, seeking divorce. Thereafter, the petitioner/wife has filed a petition seeking restitution of conjugal rights in H.M.O.P.No.11 of 2025 on the file of the Subordinate Court, Tirunelveli.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner/wife submits that his client is living in Itteri, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District and she was taken care of by her parents. The distance between the petitioner's residence to Kovilpatti, is around 63 Kms, and being a lady, she finds it difficult to travel such a long distance for attending every Court hearing. She has also filed H.M.O.P.No.11 of 2025 on the file of the Sub Court, Tirunelveli. Hence, she seeks transfer of proceeding in H.M.O.P.No. 177 of 2024 from the file of the Sub Court, Kovilpatti, to the file of the Sub Court, Tirunelveli.
5. Even though notice was served upon the respondent, he did not chose to appear before this Court either in person or through Counsel.
6. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on records.
7. In the case of N.C.V.Aishwarya Vs. A.S.Saravana Karthik Sha reported in 2022 Live Law (SC) 627, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has dealt
with the position generally, that it is the wife's convenience, which must be looked into while considering the transfer petition under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure and the relevant passage is extracted hereunder : "The cardinal principle for exercise of power under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure is that the ends of justice should demand the transfer of the suit, appeal or other proceeding. In matrimonial matters, wherever Courts are called upon to consider the plea of transfer, the Courts have to take into consideration the economic soundness of both the parties, the social strata of the spouses and their behavioural pattern, their standard of life prior to the marriage and subsequent thereto and the circumstances of both the parties in eking out their livelihood and under whose protective umbrella they are seeking their sustenance to life. Given the prevailing socioeconomic paradigm in the Indian society, generally, it is the wife's convenience which must be looked at while considering transfer.", the bench observed."
8. It is also well settled proposition of law that whenever a transfer petition is filed in matrimonial disputes, the convenience of the wife should be predominantly looked into, and the wife's convenience shall be given preference.
9. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case and also taking into account of the inconvenience expressed by the petitioner in attending every court hearing, by travelling two hours journey to reach the Sub Court, Kovilpatti, situated 63 kms away from her Domicile, namely, Itteri, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli District, incurring huge expense, this court inclines to allow the petition.
10. The learned Subordinate Judge, Kovilpatti, is hereby directed to transfer the entire records pertaining to the case, in H.M.O.P.No.177 of 2024, to the file of the learned Subordinate Judge, Tirunelveli, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, and on receipt of such records, the learned Subordinate Judge, Tirunelveli, is directed to take the case on file, try the same along with H.M.O.P.No.11 of 2025 already pending on his file, filed by the wife and dispose of the case as expeditiously as possible in accordance with law.
11. Accordingly, this Transfer Civil Miscellaneous Petition stands allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected Civil Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
16.06.2025 Index :Yes/No Speaking Order :Yes/No :Yes/No TM To 1.The Subordinate Judge, Kovilpatti.
2.The Subordinate Judge, Tirunelveli.
K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN , J.
TM Tr.CMP.(MD)No.269 of 2025 and C.M.P.(MD)No.7143 of 2025 16.06.2025