JUDGEMENT
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(1.) Amiya and Namita got married on August 8, 1997 after a prolonged
courtship. The marriage was registered under the Hindu Marriage
Act 1955 on August 29, 1997. There was class difference between
the two families as alleged by Amiya in his plaint. According to
Amiya, his in-laws were affluent. His father-in-law was in
Government service. They were residing in three storeyed pukka
building having all modern amenities at Bidhan Nagar, a posh locality
in the town of Midnapur. His brother-in-law was a businessman.
Namita was brought up since childhood in affluence and enjoyed
ultra-modern life as claimed by Amiya in his plaint. Amiya had a
humble background. They were residing in joint mess in a rented
accommodation. He was medical representative and used to earn
meagre amount. Soon after the marriage, couple initially started
residing in the rented accommodation along with the family members.
Namita was not happy. On her insistence Amiya had to shift from
one to the other rented accommodation. The couple resided together
for about three years when Namita insisted him to leave his parents
and started residing as a domesticated son-in-law with her parents.
She was expensive too. To meet her demand, Amiya had to sell his
scooter to Namita's brother at rupees three thousand. On November
24, 2000 Namita's mother came to their place being rented
accommodation under one Ranjit Mondal and took her to her
parental home on the assurance that she would come back after
Chirstmass. Amiya went to take her back on December 27, 2000
when he was insulted, misbehaved and manhandled. Namita was a
graduate. She had sufficient bank balance. She had income from
tuition. Despite her affluence, she filed maintenance case against
Amiya to harass and hackle him. In June 2002, Amiya's father died.
Namita did not come to Amiya's place to console him or observe
rituals. Amiya was attacked with jaundice from February 16, 2005 to
May 11, 2005. Namita was not by his side. She did not come to see
him. On these allegations, Amio filed an application for dissolution of
marriage, inter alia, under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act,
1955.
(2.) Namita entered appearance and contested the case by filing written
statement. She denied each and every allegation. She contended,
her father was a driver before his retirement. She also denied
Amiya's allegation, she did not do any household work. She,
categorically, asserted that the marriage, was the outcome of the love
affairs between the couple. Soon after the marriage she accompanied
her husband and lived at the rental accommodation where she used
to do all household work jointly with her mother-in-law. Although
the marriage was an outcome of love affairs, her father gave gold
ornaments, furniture and arranged a social get-together for the
occasion. She alleged that Amiya was greedy and started putting
pressure on her to bring money from her parents. She denied and, as
a result, had to be subjected to torture. She fell down in the
bathroom and sustained injury. Amiya did not arrange for her
treatment. Hence, she was compelled to inform her father who took
her for treatment. Amiya never cared to get any information about
her, far to speak of providing cost of treatment. She was forced to file
an application for maintenance.
(3.) During cross-examination, the parties were consistent on their
approach. Amiya tendered medical prescription pertaining to
Namita's treatment. He also produced document to say that they were
on tour at Digha. He also admitted that his father-in-law was a
driver in Agricultural Department of State of West Bengal before his
retirement. He also admitted having a two-storeyed building. He
however denied of having an income of rupees thirty-thousand per
month. He also admitted that after selling scooter he purchased Hero
Honda motorcycle at rupees forty-five thousand. He admitted of not
sending money to his wife. He however asserted that he gave money
to his wife while visiting his in-law's place. He also denied of
receiving any dowry in kind at the time of marriage. He also relied
upon Namita's deposition in maintenance case and got it exhibited.
One Surojit Chakrabarty came and deposed as PW-2. According to
him, the couple had discord. Namita used to quarrel, misbehave and
humiliate Amiya in front of all. She insisted Amiya to stay at her
place as domesticated son-in-law. During cross-examination, he
admitted that Amiya was his friend. They were in the same
profession. PW-3, Ranjit Kumar Mondal was the landlord in respect
of the rental accommodation the couple stayed last. He deposed that
the parents and brothers of Namita were frequent at such place.
There was discord as Namita used to quarrel with her husband and
in-laws. She abruptly left the house, despite attempt she did not
come back. In cross-examination, he deposed that he could not
remember the Durga Puja date of the last year however, he was
specific that Namita had left the accommodation on December 24,
2000.;
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