In our series of 2020 wrap-ups, let’s revisit and take a dive at some of our stories on family laws and how different High Courts dealt with the same involving some very significant rulings.
We have listed down Case briefs under sub-categories, of our coverage under the Family Law and its allied provisions.
Allahabad High Court
Custody of Minor
In minor’s custody case, where child is below 5 years of age, mother is preferred, but is there any exception to it? All HC explains
[Meenakshi v. State of U.P., 2020 SCC OnLine All 1475, decided on 02-12-2020]
If a natural guardian faces criminal charges relating to death of spouse, can custody of children or visitation rights be granted? All HC discusses
[Shaurya Gautam v. State of U.P., 2020 SCC OnLine All 1372, decided on 10-11-2020]
Decree of Eviction against Son
Can daughter-in-law be evicted without seeking decree of eviction against the son under S. 2(s) of Domestic Violence Act? All HC answers
[Sujata Gandhi v. S.B. Gandhi, 2020 SCC OnLine All 763, decided on 12-06-2020]
Bombay High Court
Alimony
If the wife is earning something for livelihood, can the same be a ground to refuse alimony under S. 24 of Hindu Marriage Act? Read Bom HC’s ruling reiterating SC’s decision
[Arpana Vijay Manore v. Dr Vijay TukaramManore, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 3925, decided on 09-12-2020]
Bigamy
Person committing offence under S. 494 IPC, must have married another woman or man during subsistence of his or her first marriage; Bom HC invokes power under S. 482 CrPC to meet ends of justice
[Rekha v. State of Maharashtra, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 291, decided on 13-02-2020]
Cooling-off Period
Can “cooling-off period” under S. 13-B(2) of Hindu Marriage Act be waived? Legal position discussed in a case of pregnant woman
[Kovelamudi Kanika Dhillon v. Kovelamudi Surya Prakash Rao, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 2054, decided on 26-10-2020]
Cruelty to Woman
Abuse of S. 498-A IPC by making vague allegations and roping in family members of husband: Courts to carefully scrutinize allegations
[Shabnam Sheikh v. State of Maharashtra, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 1752, decided on 15-10-2020]
“Easy to accuse somebody of ill-treatment after someone dies, but not wise to convict somebody based on general statements”: Bom HC holds every cruelty is not an offence under S. 498-A IPC
[State of Maharashtra v. Shri Balu Ravji Abhang, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 307, decided on 20-02-2020]
Family members should not be dragged without specific evidence against them, otherwise, S. 498-A IPC is unfortunately misused as a weapon, says Bom HC
[State of Maharashtra v. Ashok, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 331, decided on 26-02-2020]
Custody of Minor
Welfare of child as paramount consideration: Bom HC gives custody to father of minor for mother not being able to take care of the child
[Sashanka v. Prakash, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 3497, decided on 27-11-2020]
Domestic Violence & Jurisdiction of Courts
Does Family Court has jurisdiction to entertain an application for relief under Ss. 18 to 22 of DV Act? Read what Bom HC held
[Hitesh Prakashmalji Mehta v. Aashika Hitesh Mehta, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 983, decided on 28-09-2020]
Second Marriage
Performing second marriage during pendency of an appeal is a breach under S. 15 of HMA, but would it amount to civil contempt? Bom HC analyses
[Kanchan v. Prashant Manikrao Bagade, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 911, decided on 08-09-2020]
Unmarried Daughter (Maintenance)
Whether unmarried daughter who is major by age, entitled to claim maintenance from father till her marriage? Bom HC explains law in light of Hindu Adoption & Maintenance Act
[Sanjay J. Phagnekar v. State of Maharashtra, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 3382, decided on 23-11-2020]
Widowed Daughter-in-Law (Maintenance)
Can a widowed daughter-in-law claim maintenance from the estate inherited by her father-in-law? Law explained
[Sardool Singh Sucha Singh Mathroo v. Harneet Kaur, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 927, decided on 07-09-2020]
Wife having Independent Source of Income (Maintenance)
[S. 125 CrPC] Wife cannot be denied maintenance on ground of having a source of income: Restated by Bom HC
[Sanjay Damodar Kale v. Kalyani Sanjay Kale, 2020 SCC OnLineBom 694, decided on 26-05-2020]
Calcutta High Court
Child Marriages
Alarming rise of child marriages during lockdown has given a strong impression that they may be in garb of child trafficking; Police to investigate
[Contagion of COVID-19 Virus in Children, In Re., 2020 SCC OnLine Cal 1066, decided on 25-06-2020]
Harassment over Complexion
Harassment by in-laws for woman’s black complexion is cruelty under S. 498-A IPC; Husband convicted for murdering wife over her black complexion
[Mazidul Miah v. State of W.B., 2020 SCC OnLine Cal 1077, decided on 25-06-2020]
Chhattisgarh High Court
Alienation of Property by Alleged Wife
Whether alienation of property by an alleged wife of a deceased is void? Chh HC analyses position in light of ‘Customs’ under Hindu Marriage Act
[Anirudh Prasad Kamal Sen v. Dashmat Bai Suryavanshi, Second Appeal No. 93 of 2009, decided on 28-08-2020]
Cause of Action
In a matrimonial dispute, cause of action can arise several times, even if the dispute is settled and case has been withdrawn
[Harsha Dewani v. Ashutosh Gupta, 2020 SCC OnLineChh 149, decided on 10-08-2020]
Delhi High Court
Adultery
Adultery can only be committed after marriage, allegation of having relationship before marriage cannot be a ground of adultery; Divorce petition dismissed
[Vishal Singh v. Priya, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 638, decided on 12-06-2020]
Affidavit of Assets, Income and Expenditure
Del HC updates Affidavit of Assets, Income & Expenditure to be filed at threshold of matrimonial disputes; Issues modified directions [Detailed Report: Read Directions]
[Kusum Sharma (5) v. Mahinder Kumar Sharma, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 931, decided on 6-8-2020]
Cruelty & Desertion
Del HC analyses “A typical case that showcases as to what would amount to cruel behaviour on part of one spouse to utter detriment of other”
[Venkatesh Narasimhan v. V. Sujatha, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 571, decided on 01-05-2020]
Divorce Proceedings
Husband citizen and domicile of USA, Can he raise objections on divorce proceedings filed by wife in India? Del HC decrypts the law in light of catena of SC decisions
[Karan Goel v. Kanika Goel, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1319, decided on 12-10-2020]
Impotency
Is making false allegation of impotency by wife against husband a ground for decree of divorce? Del HC determines
[Kirti Nagpal v. Rohit Girdhar, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1466, decided on 20-11-2020]
Maintenance
If interim maintenance by wife has already been secured under Domestic Violence Act, will application under S. 125 CrPC be maintainable? Del HC answers
[Rani v. Dinesh, Crl. Rev. P. 1091 of 2019 and Crl. M.A 13677 of 2020, decided on 02-12-2020]
Matrimonial Disputes
Del HC reiterates SC’s position on “duty of the Courts to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes”
[Harish Kumar v. State, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1635, decided on 04-12-2020]
Remedy against Custody Orders
“No exception to remedy against orders of custody under Domestic Violence Act”: Del HC dismisses S. 482 CrPC petition in view of S. 29 DV Act
[Srisha Dinav Bansal v. Rajiv Bansal, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 764, decided on 20-07-2020]
Right to Privacy versus Right to Fair Trial
[S. 14 of Family Courts Act] In a contest between right to privacy and right to fair trial, both of which arise under expansive Art. 21, right to privacy may have to yield to right to fair trial
[Deepti Kapur v. Kunal Julka, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 672, decided on 30-06-2020]
Second Marriage & Custody of Children
Second marriage of a mother is by itself not sufficient to deprive her of custody of her biological child
[Faisal Khan v. Humera, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 572, decided on 1-5-2020]
Settlement Deed affecting Children’s Right to Maintenance
Is it lawful for a wife to agree to a settlement deed in the process of dissolution of marriage wherein she settles that her minor children will not claim maintenance in future? Court explains
[Vashno Jaishwal v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1504, decided on 20-11-2020]
Gauhati High Court
Conjugal Life
Refusal to wear “sakha and sindoor” is clear intention that a hindu wife is unwilling to continue conjugal life: Divorce decreed to husband
[Bhaskar Das v. Renu Das, 2020 SCC OnLineGau 2954, decided on 19-06-2020]
Maintenance
If a woman is divorced, will her status as a wife entitling her to maintenance under S. 125 CrPC change? Read Gau HC’s position
[Bijoy Seal v. Sefali Seal, 2020 SCC OnLineGau 4024, decided on 30-09-2020]
Special Marriage Act
If a marriage is first solemnised under the Special Marriage Act and later upon conversion to Islam, marriage is again solemnised under Mohammedan Law: Which law will prevail for dissolution of marriage? Gau HC to consider
[Md Makfur Rahman v. Malina Deb Barman, 2020 SCC OnLineGau 4645, decided on 23-04-2020]
Gujarat High Court
Permanent Alimony to a Muslim Woman
Will permanent alimony granted to a Muslim woman be conditional to her remarriage? Detailed report untangling significance of ‘Permanent Alimony’ & ‘Periodical Maintenance’
[Tarif Rashidbhai Qureshi v. Asmabanu, 2020 SCC OnLineGuj 711, decided on 19-03-2020]
Special Marriage Act
If marriage is registered under Special Marriage Act, is it necessary for the couple to take recourse of same law to sever ties permanently? Guj HC elucidates in a custody matter
[Chavda Twinkle v. State of Gujarat, 2020 SCC OnLineGuj 1167, decided on 17-07-2020]
Himachal Pradesh High Court
Ancestral Property
Can wife claim maintenance under S. 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 over ‘ancestral property’ of the husband? HP HC explains
[Kubja Devi v. Chhape Ram, 2020 SCC OnLine HP 1829, decided on 05-10-2020]
Jharkhand High Court
Desertion
‘Desertion’ has to be wilful and voluntary for a valid ground for divorce under S. 13 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; Legal principle “No one can take a benefit of his own fault” applied
[Sanjay Kumar v. Suman Kumari, 2020 SCC OnLineJhar 773, decided on 08-09-2020]
Karnataka High Court
Cruelty to First Wife
Though Shariat permits a Muslim man to practise polygamy, but would that amount to cruelty to first wife? Kar HC explains concept of Marital Cruelty
[Yusufpatel v. Ramjanbi, MFA No. 201154 of 2018 (FC), decided on 17-08-2020]
Kerala High Court
Convenience & Welfare of Children over Wife
In matrimonial matters preference is to be given to convenience and welfare of children over wife: Ker HC dismisses application for transfer of case
[Nimi v. Ajith M.T., 2020 SCC OnLine Ker 4313, decided on 09-10-2020]
Cruelty
Wife’s persistent effort to separate husband from family amounts to cruelty: Divorce granted in favour of husband
[Ranjith P.C. v. Asha Nair. P, 2020 SCC OnLine Ker 1751 , decided on 20-05-2020]
Dowry
Is there a limitation period for wife to claim property entrusted to in-laws given in form of dowry? Ker HC answers
[Sheela K.K. v. N.G. Suresh, 2020 SCC OnLine Ker 4240, decided on 24-09-2020]
Suppressing Material Facts & Marriage
If a wife obtains husband’s consent for marriage by suppressing material facts like cardiac ailments, would that amount to fraud? Ker HC explains whether marriage can be declared null & void
[Ajitha v. Harshan, Mat. Appeal No. 734 of 2012, decided on 25-09-2020]
Transfer Petitions related to Matrimonial Disputes
While considering transfer petitions related to matrimonial disputes, the convenience of wife is to be preferred over the convenience of husband; Ker HC reiterates
[Kavitha v. Gopakumar, 2020 SCC OnLine Ker 6098, decided on 30-11-2020]
Madras High Court
Customary Divorce
Can plea of customary divorce be considered as a valid defence while departmental proceeding for bigamy is initiated? Madras HC considers scope of defence under Service Rules
[Sudalaimai v. Deputy Inspector General of Police, WP (MD) No. 17504 of 2014, decided on 09-09-2020]
Illegitimate Child [Maintenance]
Is an illegitimate child entitled to maintenance under S. 125 CrPC? Madras HC reiterates legal position
[Pachaimuthu v. Minor Vishanthini, 2020 SCC OnLine Mad 2677, decided on 01-10-2020]
Limitation Period for Domestic Violence Complaints
Limitation provided under CrPC is applicable to complaints under Domestic Violence Act: Madras HC rejects complaint filed after lapse of 1 yr 10 months
[N. Prasad v. Harithalakshmi, 2020 SCC OnLine Mad 1767, decided on 20-07-2020]
Void Marriage
What is the essential condition for validity of any marriage? Detailed Report highlighting legality of marriage of a girl below 18 years of age
[Prakash v. State, Crl. A. No. 334 of 2014, decided on 30-11-2020]
Orissa High Court
Rights of a “lady” in Same-sex Couple Relationship
Same-sex couple have a right to live together outside wedlock; Rights of a woman enshrined in Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 to apply on the “lady” in the relationship
[Chinmayee Jena v. State of Odisha, 2020 SCC OnLine Ori 602, decided on 24-08-2020]
Punjab & Haryana High Court
Sapinda Prohibition
Whether partners falling in sapinda prohibition under HMA can stay in a live-in relationship? Parties argue while hearing in anticipatory bail
[Akhilesh v. State of Punjab, 2020 SCC OnLine P&H 2058, decided on 19-11-2020]
Section 498-A IPC, a weapon?
Disgruntled wives use provisions of S. 498-A IPC as a weapon rather than shield: P&H HC
[Amarjit Kaur v. Jaswinder Kaur, 2020 SCC OnLine P&H 577, decided on 15-05-2020]
Voidable Marriage
In case a marriage is solemnized in violation of age restriction, marriage is only voidable
[Deepak Kumar v. State of Haryana, 2020 SCC OnLine P&H 759 , decided on 15-06-2020]
Rajasthan High Court
Theory of Homicidal Death
Allegation of woman set ablaze in view of dowry demand dismissed; Prosecution theory of homicidal death sheer exaggeration; finds Raj HC
[Gopal v. State of Rajasthan, DB Criminal Appeal No. 799 of 2014, decided on 06-08-2020]
Telangana High Court
Harassment or Cruelty
For invoking S. 304-B IPC, harassment or cruelty caused to a woman should have happened “soon before her death”
[Surender Singh v. State of A.P., 2020 SCC OnLine TS 874, decided on 06-07-2020]
Tripura High Court
Dissolution of Marriage of ST Couple
Will Hindu Marriage Act have application on a couple belonging to Scheduled Tribe notified under the Constitution for purpose of dissolution of marriage? Tripura HC explains
[Rupa Debbarma v. Tapash Debbarma, 2020 SCC OnLine Tri 425, decided on 09-09-2020]
Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage
What amounts to irretrievable breakdown of marriage? Tripura HC discusses in a case where the couple lived apart for 13 continuous years
[Aparna Dey v. Alok Dey, 2020 SCC OnLine Tri 411, decided on 09-09-2020]
Lived like a Wife [Maintenance]
“Woman who lived like wife, cannot be deprived of maintenance”: Tripura HC grants maintenance to woman who “lived like wife” for 10 yrs
[Sri Bibhuti Ranjan Das v. Gouri Das, 2020 SCC OnLine Tri 280, decided on 07-07-2020]
Uttaranchal High Court
Medical Examination of Wife in Divorce Proceedings
Wife not eligible for medical examination of whether she can conceive or not during Divorce proceedings; Utt HC allows appeal
[Rashmi Gupta v. YogeshBabu, 2020 SCC OnLineUtt 339, decided on 01-07-2020]
Mental Cruelty
Mental cruelty is no less than physical cruelty, wife causing mental cruelty to husband valid ground for dissolution of marriage; Utt HC dismisses appeal
[Anita Gaur v. Rajesh Gaur, 2020 SCC OnLineUtt 503, decided on 24-08-2020]
Also Read:
2020 Wrap Up — Flashback of Stories on Consumer Cases
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