RAKESH RAY Vs. PRITI RAY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These three revision petitions arise out of matrimonial disputes between the husband, Rakesh Ray, and the wife, Priti Ray, and pertain to orders passed in relation to the grant or denial of maintenance in favour of the wife and the minor child of the parties. Since the issues involved in all the three petitions are inter-connected and arise from common facts, the same are being decided by this Court by way of the present common judgment.

(2.) Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that the parties were first married on 22/6/2012 at Arya Samaj Mandir, Jamuna Bazaar, Delhi. Thereafter, on 15/2/2013, the parties again solemnised their marriage in accordance with Hindu rites and customs at Kashipur, Uttarakhand. Between February 2013 and December 2015, the parties resided together at Durgapur, West Bengal, where the husband was employed. It is stated that in the year 2015, the parties also adopted a male child. Subsequently, in February 2016, the parties shifted to Kuwait, as the husband secured employment with Kuwait Oil Corporation. It is stated that during this period, the parties used to visit India from time to time. In February 2020, the parties returned to India along with their son; however, they were unable to return to Kuwait due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is alleged that on 18/8/2020, the husband deserted the wife and the minor son and left for Kuwait. Aggrieved by the conduct of her husband, the wife alleges that she was subjected to acts of cruelty at his hands in the past also. In this backdrop, she initially lodged complaints against the husband at Police Station Mohan Garden, Delhi and before the CAW Cell, Dwarka.

(3.) Thereafter, in June 2021, the wife filed a petition under Sec. 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 [hereafter 'Cr.P.C.'], seeking maintenance of Rs.2.5 lakhs per month for herself and the minor son, which was registered as MT No. 329/2021.