RAMBATI NAG Vs. SENAPATI NAG

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the Judge, Family Court, Bastar, District - Jagdalpur, C.G. in M.J.C. No.32/2017 whereby the application under Sec. 125 of the Cr.P.C. has been dismissed.

(2.) Brief facts of the case are that, the applicant/wife has preferred an application under Sec. 125 of the Cr.P.C. for grant of maintenance on 9/3/2017, alleging in it that she is legally wedded wife of the respondent. The respondent deserted the applicant after two children were born out of their wedlock and kept another lady namely Usha who is a resident of Village - Binta. After desertion, he maintained the applicant for some time but since 5 years, he neglected her maintenance. The respondent/non-applicant is working as clerk in the office of Block Education Officer, Lohandiguda, Bastar. The applicant is unable to maintain herself and the respondent is having sufficient means, but, he neglects and refuses to maintain her, therefore, she filed an application for grant of maintenance. The non-applicant/respondent has filed reply and denied the marriage with the applicant. However, he admits that the applicant has lived with him for some time, but he denied that from their relation two children were born. The non-applicant further averred that as per the social custom prevailing in the village, the applicant and non-applicant were separated 27 years ago and non-applicant has married to Usha as per social customs. The applicant is getting old age pension, also receiving rice belonging to BPL card and also earning by labour work, therefore, she is not entitled for grant of maintenance and therefore, the application filed by the applicant may be dismissed.

(3.) During the proceedings, the applicant has examined herself, Sukhmati and Manorama and the non-applicant/respondent has examined himself and his mother Parvati Nag. The Court has also examined as a Court witness Ms. Lalita Mandavi, Lecturer, Girl High School, Lohandiguda. The learned trial Court vide impugned order has found that the petitioner has failed to established the relation of wife with the non-applicant and further opined that if for sake of the arguments it has been admitted that there is divorce by social custom which would took place 26 years ago, as the applicant/wife has not moved any application for such long period, therefore, the relation of the applicant with the non-applicant was dead. Though, the learned trial Court has find that the petitioner is unable to maintain herself, dismissed the application.