MAHESWARI Vs. RAMESH RAMIAH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This suit is filed for a decree and judgment against the defendants as follows:

(2.) The first plaintiff is a Doctor and the second plaintiff, father of the first plaintiff is an M.S.(Ortho.) and retired professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics. He served as the Vice Principal and Dean incharge of Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital at Thanjavur. The first plaintiff's mother Mrs.Abirami is also a graduate. Plaintiffs' relatives held high position in Government and other sectors. Plaintiffs' family was commanding a high status. Defendants were searching for a Doctor bride to get married to the first defendant. The negotiation for the marriage proposal between the plaintiffs' family and the defendants family was mediated by Dr.Panneerselvam and C.Ramasamy. Originally negotiation took place at the first plaintiff's grandfather's residence at plot no.1608, "J" Block, Anna Nagar West, Chennai. Defendants 4 & 5, the parents of Defendants 1 to 3, who are the permanent residents of Neelangarai near Chennai, came for negotiation. At the time of negotiation, first and fourth defendants demanded 300 sovereigns of gold jewellery, silver articles worth Rs.1,00,000.00 and a Honda City Car. They imposed a further condition that the entire marriage expenses have to be borne by the first plaintiff's parents and that marriage should be celebrated in a grand manner.

(3.) In March 2004, the fourth and fifth defendants visited plaintiffs' residence at Thanjavur for further discussion. After a long drawn negotiation, it was agreed to provide 200 sovereigns of gold jewellery, silver articles worth Rs.1,00,000.00 and Honda City Car, besides agreeing to bear the entire marriage expenses. When betrothal function was held on 22/3/2004, the third and fourth defendants and their relatives insisted for dowry stating that the first defendant is employed in the World Bank - United States. The marriage was celebrated on 21/6/2004 at the Oriental Towers Marriage Hall at Thanjavur Town. As per the directions of the second and third defendants, second plaintiff booked 25 rooms in a luxurious hotel at Thanjavur. At the time of marriage, plaintiffs' family could manage only 110 sovereigns and presented silver vessels worth Rs.75,000.00 only. The second plaintiff could not present the Honda City Car.