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2009 DIGILAW 3086 (MAD)

Mohammed Mustafa v. Faridha Banu

2009-08-07

G.RAJASURIA

body2009
Judgment 1. Challenging and impugning the order dated 23. 2007 passed by the Judicial Magistrate No.2, Pollachi, in M.C.No.6 of 2006, this criminal revision case is focused. 2. A resume of facts absolutely necessary and germane for the disposal of this criminal revision case would run thus:- (a) The respondent herein filed the M.C.No.6 of 2006 under Section 125 of Cr.P.C., seeking maintenance. Inasmuch as the revision petitioner resisted the claim, the trial was conducted. (b) During trial, the respondent(wife) examined herself as P.W.1 along with P.W.2 and Exs.P1 and P2 were marked. On the side of the revision petitioners (husband) side R.Ws.1 to R.W.4 were marked and Exs.R1 to R20 were marked. (c) Ultimately, the Magistrate awarded maintenance in a sum of Rs.3000/- per month in favour of the respondent (wife), payable by the revision petitioner herein. 3. Being aggrieved by and dissatisfied with the said awarding of maintenance, this revision has been filed on various grounds, the gist and kernal of them would run thus:- The Magistrate failed to take into consideration the fact that there was valid pronouncement of talaq. However, on assumptions and presumptions, the Magistrate simply discarded such evidence of talaq having been validly pronounced by the revision petitioner as against the respondent. The respondent herein is having no right to claim maintenance at all, even then the Court awarded maintenance. 4. Heard both sides. 5. The point for consideration is as to whether there is any perversity or non-application of law in holding that there was no valid pronouncement of talaq by the revision petitioner as against the respondent and whether the quantum of maintenance awarded is on the higher side. 6. The learned counsel for the revision petitioner, by placing reliance on the grounds of revision, would reiterate that strictly in accordance with the dictum of the Honourable Apex Court reported in 2003-1-L.W.363 – Shamim Ara Vs. State of U.P. And Another, talaq was pronounced by the revision petitioner, nonetheless the lower Court held otherwise. 7. Whereas, the learned counsel for the respondent would submit that in the cited Supreme Court judgment there is a clear indication that before pronouncement of talaq there should be two arbitrators appointed, one on either side, and they should have tried to conciliate and thereafter alone it is for the husband to proceed to pronounce talaq, as per Islam Law. 8. 8. The learned counsel for the revision petitioner, by inviting the attention of this Court to the Chief Examination Affidavit of the respondent as P.W.1 before the Magistrate would develop his argument that P.W.1 herself stated that during the month of April there was talk of compromise, as the wife and her parents approached the relatives on both sides and tried to persuade the petitioner to resume cohabitation. According to the learned counsel for the revision petitioner, such an admission by P.W.1 herself is sufficient to point out that there is proper compliance with the mandate, as contained in the Supreme Courts decision cited supra. 9. Whereas, the learned counsel for the respondent, by way of torpedoing and pulverising the arguments as put forth on the side of the revision petitioner, would highlight that the judgment of the Supreme Court directs that there should be one arbitrator on the wifes side and another arbitrator on the husbands side and they should conciliate and if such conciliation fails thereafter alone the question of the husband proceeding to pronounce talaq would arise. Here there is nothing to indicate and exemplify as to who was the arbitrator on the wifes side and who was the arbitrator on the husbands side and on which place and what date they conciliated and on what was the result of the arbitration etc. 10. In such a case, it cannot be held that there is sufficient compliance with the mandates as contained in the Honourable Apex Courts judgment. Hence, the Magistrate was right in holding that there was no proper pronouncement of talaq. 11. Regarding the quantum is concerned, the learned counsel for the revision petitioner would submit that the quantum awarded is on the higher side. 12. Whereas, the learned counsel for the respondent would submit that as per the Salary Slip-Ex.P2, the husbands gross salary was Rs.15,140/-, however, the deductions are shown as Rs.7,310/-. 13. It is a trite proposition of law that all deductions cannot be taken as deductions for the purpose of assessing the disposable income of the revision petitioner. Applying Section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Code alone the deductions should be scrutinised. 13. It is a trite proposition of law that all deductions cannot be taken as deductions for the purpose of assessing the disposable income of the revision petitioner. Applying Section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Code alone the deductions should be scrutinised. If that be so, it is quite obvious that the revision petitioner was contributing Rs.5000/-per month towards G.P.F. A person getting a basic salary of Rs.7,700/- is not bound to contribute compulsorily that much amount towards G.P.F. As such, at his own volition the revision petitioner has been subscribing such huge sum. In this view, it is crystal clear that the revision petitioners take home salary cannot be Rs.7,830/- and it must be around Rs.11,000/- to Rs.12,000/-. The monthly maintenance awarded is only Rs.3000/-. As such, it is almost only 1/4th of the husbands monthly income, which cannot be found fault with. 14. It is also a common or garden principle that in commensurate with the status of the husband, the wife is entitled to live. Accordingly, if viewed, in order to lead a decent life, as the wife of a teacher, she would require at least a sum of Rs.100/- per day and accordingly if worked out it comes to Rs.3000/-per month, which warrants no interference. 15. In the result, I could see no merit in the revision and accordingly, the criminal revision case is dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is dismissed.