SANGEETA Vs. ARUN JOON

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This order is in continuation of the order dated 24.5.2017, on which date, learned counsel for the appellant and the respondent, who had appeared in person, had jointly stated that the parties were able to arrive at a settlement before the Medication Cell, Rohini District Court, Delhi, reduced into writing on 12.5.2017. A copy of the aforesaid Settlement Agreement was handed over and taken on record. On the said date, the parties had requested that the impugned divorce decree passed by the learned Family Court under Section 13(i)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (in short 'the Act') may be converted into a decree of divorce by mutual consent. We had left the aforesaid aspect open for consideration on the next date of hearing, i.e., today, after examining the legal position.

(2.) Today, learned counsel for the appellant concedes that after the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Anil Kumar Jain v. Maya Jain, reported as (2009) 10 SCC 415 , wherein it has been held that the divorce decree can be granted by the Supreme Court under Article 142 of the Constitution of India on being satisfied that the marriage of the parties has broken down irretrievably, though irretrievable breakdown is not a specific ground available under Section 13 or 13-B of the Act, for grant of divorce. It was further declared that except for the Supreme Court, no High Court or civil court has the power to grant divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage without waiting for the expiry of statutory period of six months.

(3.) Learned counsel for the appellant states that subsequently, in the case of Neeti Malviya v. Rakesh Malviya, reported as (2010) 6 SCC 413 , the Supreme Court had taken note of the earlier decisions in the case of Manish Goel v. Rohini Goel, reported as (2010) 4 SCC 393 , Poonam v. Sumit Tanwar, reported as (2010) 4 SCC 460 , and Anil Kumar Jain (supra) and had expressed an opinion that in the light of the observations made in the said cases, it would be appropriate to refer the matter to a Bench of three Judges for a clear ruling as to whether the period prescribed in Section 13B(ii) of the Act can be waived or reduced by the Supreme Court in exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India.