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1 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
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F.A. No.36 of 2024
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Indu Kumari, aged about 36 years, wife of Pramod Kumar Barnwal,
daughter of Ravindra Nath Modi, Permanent R/o 83/8, Government
Colony, PO I.E. Gomia,PS I.E.L. District Bokaro, at present R/o village
Banpura, PO: Palaunjia (Birni), PS Rajdhanwar, District Giridih.
…… Appellant
Versus
Pramod Kumar Barnwal, son of Mahadev Lal Barnwal, aged about 45
years, R/o 83/8, Government Colony, PO I.E. Gomia, PS I.E. L., District
Bokaro. ……Respondent
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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUJIT NARAYAN PRASAD
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR RAI
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For the Appellant(s) :Mr. Lukesh Kumar, Advocate
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. Aditya Banerjee, Advocate
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CAV ON: 12.12.2025 PRONOUNCED ON:08.01.2026
Per Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.
1. The instant appeal has been filed on behalf of the appellant under Section
19(1) of the Family Courts Act, 1984 against the order/judgment dated
22.01.2024 [decree signed on 27.01.2024] passed by the learned
Additional Principal Judge, Bermo at Tenughat, in Original Suit No. 490
of 2022, whereby and whereunder, the said Suit filed by the respondent-
husband under the provisions of Section 13(1)(i-a) of Hindu Marriage Act,
1955was allowed holding that marriage of the petitioner Pramod Kumar
Barnwal with the respondent Indu Kumari(Appellant herein) solemnized
on 18.4.2012 is hereby dissolved.
2. The brief facts of the case, which required to be enumerated, needs to be
referred as under:
3. The marriage between the parties was solemnized on 18.04.2012 at village
Banpura, Giridihas per Hindu rites and rituals. Following the marriage, the
parties established their matrimonial residence at 83/8 Government
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2 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
Colony, I.E.L. Gomia, Bokaro and out of their wedlock, a female child
namely Prakriti Modi was born. Further case of the petitioner [respondent-
husband] is that after few months of marriage respondent [appellant-wife]
started to pressurize the petitioner to live separate from his parents to
which petitioner was not agreed then respondent started to quarrel with
petitioner and also started to misbehave with his parents.
4. Once respondent has locked herself in a room after giving several
threatening to the petitioner. Respondent is an ill-tempered lady and his
cruel behaviour increased day to day even then petitioner tried to convince
the respondent not to do so and perform her marital obligations, petitioner
also used to hand over his salary to respondent for expense as per her will
but her behaviour remained unchanged as such respondent tortured the
petitioner and his family members mentally and physically. Respondent
also used to go outside her matrimonial house without information or
consent of petitioner and his family members and whenever petitioner
asked respondent not to do so she started to quarrel with petitioner and
also started to destroy household articles.
5. It has been alleged that Respondent also used to talk with another person
on mobile for long time and whenever petitioner objected, she used to
quarrel with petitioner as such petitioner became depressed due to cruel
nature and attitude of respondent who clearly stated to petitioner that she
does not want to live with him.
6. Finally, on 18.07.2019 respondent /wife left her matrimonial house along
with the child Prakriti Modi and since then she is living in her 'Mayke".
Petitioner (respondent/husband herein) and his family members tried to
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3 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
settle the matter for which several times petitioner went to Mayke of
respondent for "Bidai" but respondent always refused to come back with
petitioner and she is leading her life as per her own will.
7. It has been stated that after every effort of taking "Bidai' of respondent
(appellant herein), petitioner (respondent husband herein) filed a case u/s
9 of Hindu Marriage Act for restitution of his conjugal rights vide
Original Title (Mat.) Suit No. 32/2022 in which respondent appeared and
before Mediation Center respondent has clearly stated that she doesn't
want to live with petitioner, she does not want to take any compensation
and will lead her life as per her will, then the Court has passed order on
the said case on 05.07.2022. Petitioner (respondent herein) has no hope of
coming back of respondent in matrimonial house hence, this case for
'Divorce' has been filed.
8. Notice was issued to the respondent who appeared on 3.11.2022 but after
giving sufficient opportunity, she has failed to file her written statement
hence vide order dated 27.2.2023 she has been debarred from filing
written statement.
9. Thereafter, altogether five issues have been framed by the learned Family
Judge which are as follows:
(i) Is this suit maintainable in its present form?
(ii) Whether the petitioner has valid cause of action for the suit?
(iii) Whether the respondent (wife) subjected the petitioner (husband) to
cruelty after marriage and the husband(petitioner) is entitled to get
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4 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
the decree of dissolution of marriage on the basis of section 13(1)
(i-a) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?
(iv) Whether the respondent (wife) deserted petitioner (her husband)
since last two years prior to filing of the suit and petitioner is
entitled to get a Decree of dissolution of marriage on the basis of
Sections 13(1)(i-b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?
(v) Whether the petitioner is entitled to get the relief as prayed for?
10. The evidence has been laid on behalf of the respondent-husband.
Thereafter, the judgment dated 22.1.2024 has been passed by the learned
Additional Principal Judge, Additional Family Court, Bermo at Tenughat
allowing the Suit by holding that the marriage between the petitioner,
namely, Pramod Kumar Barnwal, (respondent herein) with the respondent
Indu Kumari, (appellant herein), solemnized on 18.4.2012 is hereby
dissolved under the provisions of section 13(1) (i-b) of the Hindu
Marriage Act, 1955 and, thereafter, there shall be no relationship of
husband and wife in between the parties and the decree was signed on
27.1.2024.
11. The appellant-wife being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned
judgment dated 22.1.2024 [decree signed on 27.1.2024] passed in Original
Suit No. 490 of 2022 has filed present First Appeal under Section 19(1) of
the Family Courts Act, 1984.
Arguments advanced on behalf of the respondent/appellant-wife:
12. The learned counsel for the respondent-appellant has raised the following
points:
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(i) It has been contended on behalf of the appellant that the learned Court
below has committed a grave error of law and fact in passing the
impugned Judgment and decree as the learned court did not appreciate the
factual matrix that she could not file Written Statement due to her female
child who was alone and the opposite party has been torturing the
appellant and her entire family for one reason or the other.
(ii) The learned court below has failed to take into consideration that she has
not been given opportunity of hearing and the opposite party has been
doing cruel behavior with the entire family members of the appellant. The
Opposite party used to quarrel every time with her, she has been beaten by
him.
(iii) The Learned Court below has failed to take into consideration that a C.P.
Case no. 117/2023 filed by the appellant before the learned court below at
Giridih for cruelty committed upon her in connection with demand of
dowry is still pending in the court below.
(iv) The appellant has no independent source of income and she is entirely
dependent upon her father for her livelihood. Further the appellant has
also filed a case for grant of maintenance which is still pending before the
learned court below.
(v) The ground of desertion which has been accepted by the learned court
below is absolutely perverse, illegal and without any evidence. It is not the
case that the appellant has deserted the respondent, rather the respondent
has driven the appellant from her matrimonial house for demand of dowry
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6 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
and for which, the appellant has instituted a C.P. case against the opposite
party no. 2 which is still pending before learned court below.
(vi) The Learned Court below has proceeded in such a fashion that the present
Suit has to be allowed which will appear from the entire record of the case
itself as the O.S. No. 490/2022 has been filed u/s 13(1)(i-a) of Hindu
Marriage Act but the learned court below has passed order in the present
case u/s 13(1)(i-b) of Hindu marriage Act and the order passed is perverse
and illegal.
Arguments advanced on behalf of the petitioner/respondent-husband:
13. Per contra, Mr. Aditya Banerjee, the learned counsel appearing on behalf
of the respondent-husband, while defending the impugned judgment, has
submitted that there is no error in the impugned judgment. The learned
counsel has raised the following points:
(i) The learned Family Judge has considered the issue of desertion and
having come to the conclusion that the petitioner-husband (respondent
herein) has succeeded to make out a case for decree of divorce against the
respondent/wife (appellant herein) on the ground of desertion, has allowed
the petition.
(ii) It has been submitted that the appellant-wife used to pressurize the
respondent to live separate from his parents to which he was not agreed
then she started to quarrel with him and also started to misbehave with
parents of the respondent.
(iii) It has further been contended that the appellant-wife is an ill-tempered
lady and her cruel behaviour increased day to day even then the
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respondent-husband tried to convince the appellant not to do so and
perform her marital obligations, he also used to hand over his salary to the
appellant-wife for expense as per her will but her behaviour remained
unchanged.
(iv) Finally, on 18.07.2019 respondent left her matrimonial house along with
the child Prakriti Modi and since then she is living in her 'Mayke". After
every effort of taking "Bidai' of the appellant-wife, the respondent-
husband filed a case u/s 9 of Hindu Marriage Act for restitution of his
conjugal rights vide Original Title (Mat.) Suit No. 32/2022 in which she
appeared and before Mediation Center she has clearly stated that she
doesn't want to live with the respondent and she doesn’t want to take any
compensation and will lead her life as per her will, then the Court has
passed order on the said case on 05.07.2022. Petitioner has no hope of
coming back of respondent in matrimonial house hence, the case for
'Divorce' has been filed.
(v) It has further been stated that the said order dated 05.07.2022 has been
appended herein by way of filing an affidavit by respondent husband as
Annexure-A.
(vi) It has further been contended that the respondent-husband has been
acquitted in the criminal proceedings being C.P. Case No. 117 of 2023
which was lodged on a complaint made by the appellant for the offences
under sections 323 and 498A of Indian Penal Code and the order passed in
the said case has been appended herein by way of filing affidavit as
annexure -B.
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(vii) Learned counsel, based upon the aforesaid grounds, has submitted that
since the factum of desertion has been sufficiently established, based upon
which the decree of divorce has been granted, as such, no interference is
required in the order impugned.
Analysis:
14. This Court has heard the learned counsel for the parties and gone through
the findings recorded by the learned Family Judge in the impugned
judgment.
15. The case has been heard at length. The admitted fact herein is that the suit
for divorce has been filed on the ground of cruelty, i.e., by filing an
application under Sections 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
and, accordingly, issues have been framed by the learned Family Court
wherein primarily issue nos.III and IV pertain to cruelty and desertion.
16. The evidence has been laid on behalf of respondent-husband and
altogether three witnesses have been examined. Out of three witnesses, the
most relevant witness is PW-1 who is the opposite party/respondent-
husband himself. His evidence is referred herein under:
(i) PW-1 Pramod Kumar Barnwal (opposite party/respondent-
husband himself) in his examination-in-chief submitted the he has filed
certified copy of Mediation Report vide letter No. 262/22 in O.S. Case
No. 32/2022 which is exhibited as Ext. P-1/PW1 and certified copy of
order sheet of O.S. Case No. 32/2022 from dated 21.01.2022 to
05.07.2022 are marked as Ext. P-2/PW1 and also certified copy of Plaint
of O.S. No. 32/2022 which is marked-X for identification.
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During cross-examination this witness has stated that he has filed this case
for 'Divorce' from his wife Indu Kumari and prior to this case he has also
filed a case for 'Bidai" against his wife. This witness further stated that in
the 'Bidai' case the appellant has clearly stated during mediation as
mentioned in Mediation Report that she is not ready to go to her 'sasural"
and since then four years has been elapsed hence, he is not ready to keep
the appellant because he has lost confidence in his wife. It is further stated
that this witness has a daughter who is presently living with her mother.
This witness further stated that after marriage since 2019 everything was
alright between the spouse but again stated that appellant doesn't want to
live with his parents in Gomia. It is further stated that after filing of divorce
case by him the appellant-wife has filed maintenance case against this
witness. This witness has no knowledge about the person from whom she
used to talk on mobile. This witness denied the suggestion that his parents
used to torture the appellant-wife that's why she doesn't want to live in
Gomia. This witness also denied that whenever his brothers visit his house,
they also used to torture his wife and the respondent remains mum. This
witness has no knowledge that his wife has filed a Dowry torture case vide
C.P. Case No. 117/23 against them.
(ii) PW-2, namely, Sunaina Devi(mother of the petitioner/respondent).She
has deposed in the same line as deposed by PW-1. During cross-
examination this witness has stated that Indu Kumari has filed maintenance
case against them. This witness further stated that prior to this case
respondent has filed a case for 'Bidai" but she has no detail knowledge
about that case. This witness has denied that they have ousted the appellant
from her matrimonial house due to non-fulfillment of their dowry demand.
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This witness also says that her daughter-in-law does not want to live with
them hence she is not ready to keep the appellant.
(iii) PW-3,neighbor of the respondent-husband, in his examination-in-
chief has fully supported the pleadings of the plaint and has deposed
similarly like PW-1and PW-2. During cross-examination this witness has
stated that he knows the respondent-husband since 1995 whose marriage
was solemnized about 10-11 years ago. This witness is just next-door
neighbour of the respondent. He has further deposed that the respondent
has a daughter from the wedlock who is presently aged about 08 years and
is living with her mother. Respondent is living with his parents and his
brothers seldom used to visit his house. This witness further stated that the
appellant-wife is living in her 'Mayke' since last four years and since then
she never visited her matrimonial house. On 28.12.2021 respondent had
gone for "Bidai" of the appellant. This witness has no knowledge about the
cases pending between the parties. This witness further stated that Indu
Kumari has filed a case for Dowry torture against her husband and his
family members. This witness further stated that the respondent has told
him that the appellant doesn't want to live with him. This witness denied
the suggestion that after marriage the respondent and his family members
used to torture Indu Kumari and on non-fulfillment of their demand, they
have ousted the appellant-wife from her matrimonial house.
17. The learned Family Judge after taking into consideration the entire
evidence as well as certified copy of Mediation Report vide letter No.
262/22 in O.S. Case No. 32/2022 which is exhibited as Ext. P-1/PW1 and
certified copy of order sheet of O.S. Case No. 32/2022 from dated
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21.01.2022 to 05.07.2022 are marked as Ext. P-2/PW1 and also certified
copy of Plaint of O.S. No. 32/2022 which is marked-X for identification,
has decided the suit vide order dated 22.01.2024 by holding that the
marriage between the petitioner, namely, Pramod Kumar Barnwal,
(respondent herein) with the respondent Indu Kumari, (appellant herein),
solemnized on 18.4.2012 is hereby dissolved under the provisions of
section 13(1) (i-b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. For ready reference
the relevant paragraphs of the said order/judgment are being quoted as
under:
“For point of determination No (IV) :-It has been alleged that
respondent is living separately from the petitioner since 18.07.2019
without any reason. Though it has been admitted by the petitioner in the
year 2023 C.P. case no. 117/23 for dowry torture was filed by the
respondent against him but, on perusal of exhibit 2 (Mediation report
pertaining to OS. case no. 32/22, u/s-09 of H.M. Act,) it transpires that
the respondent has stated during mediation that she does not want to
live with the petitioner and wants to live independent life. It was also
agreed by the respondent that she will not have any claim against
present petitioner and their daughter will continue to live with the
respondent. Furthermore, in the instant case neither written reply has
been filed by the respondent nor any witness has been produced on her
behalf. The dowry torture case has been filed by the respondent after
the filing of the instant case. During cross-examination of the witnesses
nothing material has been extracted which can cast doubt on the
petitioner's version. Therefore, petitioner is able to show that
respondent is living separately from the petitioner since 18.07.2019
without any valid reason.
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order
5. The suit be and the same is decreed the marriage of the Petitioner
Pramod Kumar Barnwal with the respondent Indu Kumari solemnized
on 18.04.2012 is hereby dissolved under the provision of Section
13(1)(i-b) of Hindu Marriage Act, from the date of this judgment and
henceforth there will be no relationship of husband and wife between
the petitioner and the respondent.”
18. Thus, from the aforesaid factual aspect it is evident that there is following
admitted facts available in the instant case:
(i) The marriage between the parties was solemnized on 18.04.2012 at
village Banpura, Giridih as per Hindu rites and rituals and out of
their wedlock, a female child namely Prakriti Modi was born.
(ii) On 18.07.2019 respondent /wife left her matrimonial house along
with the child Prakriti Modi and since then she is living in her
'Maiyke".
(iii) Respondent/husband filed a case u/s 9 of Hindu Marriage Act for
restitution of his conjugal rights vide Original Title (Mat.) Suit No.
32/2022.
(iv) In the said Suit i.e. Original Title (Mat.) Suit No. 32/2022
settlement has been arrived on 23.05.2022 between the
appellant/wife and respondent husband wherein appellant wife had
clearly stated that she doesn't want to live with petitioner
(respondent husband), and she does not want to take any
compensation and will lead her life as per her will. Thereafter, the
Court has passed order on the said case on 05.07.2022.
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(v) Based upon the aforesaid fact the respondent/husband has preferred
suit for dissolution of his marriage under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the
Hindu Marriage Act 1955.
(vi) In the said suit, notice was issued to the respondent (appellant wife
herein) who appeared on 3.11.2022 but after giving sufficient
opportunity, she has failed to file her written statement hence vide
order dated 27.2.2023 she has been debarred from filing written
statement.
(vii) Thereafter issues have been framed by the learned Family court and
while negating the claim of the cruelty, the learned Family Court
has allowed the said suit vide order dated 22.01.2024 on the basis of
willful desertion of the appellant/wife.
(viii) The learned Family Court while allowing the said suit has also
taken into consideration the certified copy of Mediation Report vide
letter No. 262/22 in O.S. Case No. 32/2022 which is exhibited as
Ext. P-1/PW1 and certified copy of order sheet of O.S. Case No.
32/2022 from dated 21.01.2022 to 05.07.2022 are marked as Ext. P-
2/PW1 and also certified copy of Plaint of O.S. No. 32/2022 which
is marked-X for identification.
(ix) Further From perusal of the entire averment made by the
appellant/wife either before this Court or before the learned Family
Court, it is evident that the validity of the settlement dated
23.05.2022 arrived between the parties in O.S. Case No. 32/2022,
has never been challenged by the appellant wife.
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(x) Further, the respondent-husband has been acquitted in the criminal
proceedings being C.P. Case No. 117 of 2023 which was lodged on
a complaint made by the appellant/wife for the offences under
sections 323 and 498A of Indian Penal Code and the order dated
23.09.2025 passed in the said case has been appended herein by
way of filing affidavit as annexure -B.
19. Thus, from aforesaid admitted fact it is evident that appellant/wife on
18.07.2019 left her matrimonial house along with the child Prakriti Modi
and since, then she is living in her paternal house. Further from settlement
dated 23.05.2022 in Original (Mat.) Suit No. 32/2022 respondent appeared
and before Mediation Center respondent has clearly taken the stand that
she doesn't want to live with petitioner (respondent husband) and she does
not want to take any compensation and will lead her life as per her will,
then the learned Court has passed order on the said case on dated
05.07.2022.Consequently, the suit for 'Divorce' has been filed by the
respondent husband which has been decreed in favour of the
respondent/husband. Further the respondent husband has also been
acquitted in the said complaint case No. 117 of 2023, wherein the Court
concerned has made the observation that the complainant has failed to
adduce any evidence in support of her case and as such no material is
available for framing of charge against the accused namely Pramod
Kumar Varnwal (respondent husband herein).
20. In the aforesaid circumstances and the admitted facts which has been
mentioned and referred in the preceding paragraphs, it is the considered
view of this Court that now the marital relation between the parties has
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become "dead wood marriage" and marital relation has become lifeless
and without emotional or practical value.
21. It is settled proposition of law that when a marriage is deemed a dead
wood situation, Courts may consider it a valid reason to grant a divorce,
recognizing that forcing a couple to remain in such a relationship only
prolongs their suffering and no purpose will be served in sailing the dead
wood.
22. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Durga Prasanna Tripathy v.
Arundhati Tripathy, (2005) 7 SCC 353, while taking into consideration
the long period of separation of husband and wife has observed, which
reads as under:
"28. The facts and circumstances in the above three cases disclose that
reunion is impossible. The case on hand is one such. It is not in
dispute that the appellant and the respondent are living away for the
last 14 years. It is also true that a good part of the lives of both the
parties has been consumed in this litigation. As observed by this
Court, the end is not in sight. The assertion of the wife through her
learned counsel at the time of hearing appears to be impractical. It is
also a matter of record that dislike for each other was burning hot.
29. Before parting with this case, we think it necessary to say the
following:
Marriages are made in heaven. Both parties have crossed the point of
no return. A workable solution is certainly not possible. Parties cannot
at this stage reconcile themselves and live together forgetting their
past as a bad dream. We, therefore, have no other option except to
allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the High Court and
affirming the order of the Family Court granting decree for divorce. --
------."
23. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Sujata Uday Patil v. Uday
Madhukar Patil, 2007 (3) PLR 521 has observed as under:
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24. "Matrimonial disputes have to be decided by courts in a
pragmatic manner keeping in view the ground realities. For this
purpose a host of factors have to be taken into consideration and the
most important being whether the marriage can be saved and the
husband and wife can live together happily and maintain a proper
atmosphere at home for the upbringing of their offsprings. Thus the
court has to decide in the fact and circumstances of each case and it is
not possible to lay down any fixed standards or even guidelines."
25. This Court, taking into consideration the aforesaid settled position of law
and also the admitted facts particularly the statement of the
appellant/wife in the settlement dated 23.05.2022 in Original Title (Mat.)
Suit No. 32/2022, wherein she had clearly stated that she doesn't want to
live with petitioner(respondent-husband), she does not want to take any
compensation and will lead her life as per her will and there is no
possibility to live together, is of the view that the judgment passed on
22.01.2024 by learned Additional Principal Judge, Additional Family
Court Bokaro whereby and whereunder the Original Suit No. 490 of
2022 filed by the petitioner-husband (respondent herein) for a decree of
divorce has been allowed, needs no interference by this Court.
Therefore, the judgment passed on 22.01.2024 by learned Additional
Principal Judge, Additional Family Court Bokaro in Original Suit No.
490 of 2022 is hereby affirmed.
26. This Court is now proceeding to consider the quantum of amount per
month which can be said to be just and proper for the maintenance and
welfare of the daughter, for her study and other miscellaneous
expenditure which a female child requires.
27. Learned counsel for the appellant/wife has submitted that one minor
female child taken birth from the wedlock is living with the appellant-
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wife and, therefore, order for providing adequate maintenance for the
minor daughter may be passed.
28. Learned counsel for the respondent/husband has submitted that
respondent has willingness to make payment for the maintenance of the
female child. It has further been submitted that the respondent is ready to
provide financial support to the daughter, but has prayed that such
support may kindly be considered in light of respondent’s actual
financial conditions.
29. At this juncture, it needs to refer herein that from perusal of order dated
04.12.2025, it is evident that respondent has shown willingness to make
payment of Rs. 1000/month for the maintenance of the female child but on
the said date when this Court shown its concern about the meager amount
then the learned counsel for the respondent / husband had sought one
week’s time to obtain further instruction from respondent/husband,
thereafter matter was adjourned to be listed on 12
th
December 2025. For
ready reference the order dated 04.12.2025 is being quoted as under:
1. An affidavit has been filed showing the willingness to make payment
of Rs. 1,000/- per month for the maintenance of the female child.
2. This Court fails to understand the rationale behind showing
willingness to make payment of only Rs. 1,000/- per month for the
maintenance of the child, particularly the female child.
3. Mr. Atanu Banerjee, learned counsel appearing for the respondent,
however, has sought one week's time to obtain further instructions
from the respondent-husband. As such, the matter is adjourned to be
listed on 12th December, 2025.
4. This Court makes it clear that, depending upon the affidavit filed as
directed above, further necessary order shall be passed.
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30. In pursuance of the order dated 04.12.2025 an affidavit was filed by the
respondent/husband wherein it has been stated that since respondent is
typist by profession and his daily earning is Rs-300/day and his parents
are old and suffering with various ailments as such he is capable to pay
Rs-2000/month for maintenance of his girl Child. For ready reference the
relevant paragraphs of the aforesaid affidavit are being quoted as under:
“4. That the respondent does the work of Hindi Typing. The
respondent sits in the rented room near the Old Advocates'
Association Building at Tenughat.
5. That the respondent gives rent of Ra. 500/- every month to the Bar
Association, Bermo. The room rent is Rs. 1,000/- per month. However,
Rs. 500/- per month is adjusted from the security deposit given by the
respondent. The respondent also gives Rs. 500/- per month for
electricity and generator convenience to the Bar Association Bermo.
6. That the average daily earning of the respondent is about Rs. 300/-
working days.
7. That the parents of the respondent reside with the respondent. The
father of the respondent is about 78 years old. He is medication for
diabetes and blood pressure. The mother of the respondent is about 72
years old.
8. That the respondent resides in Gomia with his parents .
9. That the respondent would give Rs. 2000/-per month to his
daughter.”
31. This Court, taking into consideration the fact that in the case of
dissolution of marriage in between the husband and the wife, the interest
of the child born out of the wedlock is also the subject matter for
consideration, because why will the child suffer due to the effect of
dissolution of marriage. Therefore, the question of welfare of kids, herein
the female child, is also required to be considered.
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19 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
32. The aforesaid aspect of the matter is also necessary to be looked into by
this Court since the age of the female child is about 10 years only. There
cannot be any separation from the daughter, rather, the respondent-father
is duty bound to maintain his daughter and respondent father is willing to
do so.
33. From the affidavit which has been filed in pursuant to the order dated
04.12.2025 it is evident that respondent is typist and he is earning rupees
300 only per day and he has also responsibility of his old parents but at
the same time he has duty to maintain his daughter and to discharge his
accountability so as to bring his daughter to a responsible position in the
society.
34. We all know that a kid, particularly a female child, is in requirement of
financial means for her study, upbringing, higher studies and
solemnization of marriage.
35. Hence, this Court, thought it proper that in the aforesaid circumstances a
sum of Rs. 7000/- (seven thousand) per month would be just, fair and
reasonable, for maintenance of the female child.
36. The awarded amount will be enhanced to the extent of 5% after every
two years.
37. The said amount will be deposited in the account of the appellant
(mother of the daughter/female child) till attaining the majority of the
daughter and, thereafter, the amount to be paid to the daughter will be
deposited directly in the account of the daughter which shall be opened
by her mother after the daughter attains majority.
2026:JHHC:417-DB
20 F.A. No. 36 of 2024
38. It is made clear that whatever cost will be incurred in the solemnization
of marriage of the daughter/female child will be borne by the father/
respondent.
39. Further needs to refer herein that in case any of the order will not be
adhered to by the respondent, the appellant will be at liberty to make
appropriate application.
40. With these observations and directions, the instant appeal is disposed of.
41. Pending interlocutory application, if any, also stands disposed of.
(Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.)
I Agree (Arun Kumar Rai, J.)
(Arun Kumar Rai, J.)
Jharkhand High Court
Date:08/01/2026
KNR/AFR
Uploaded On:08/ 01/2026
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