SEENAPPA Vs. LAKSHMI DEVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present criminal petition filed under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short Cr.P.C.), is directed against the order dated 27-6-2001 passed in Crl.R.P.No. 11/98 on the file of the VII Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chittoor, whereunder the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Kuppam in granting maintenance at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month from the date of the petition in M.C. 4 of 1996 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Kuppam, was confirmed.

(2.) For the sake of convenience, the petitioner and the respondent in M.C.No. 4 of 1996 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Kuppam are hereinafter referred to as the 1st respondent and the petitioner.

(3.) The brief facts that are necessary for disposal of the present petition may be stated as follows: The 1st respondent filed an application under Section 125 of Cr.P.C., for grant of maintenance at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month stating that her marriage with the petitioner took place about 15 years back as per the Hindu rites and rituals. As her marriage took place at the age of 7, she was forced to stay at her parent's house, and after four years she attained puberty. Thereafter, the petitioner, after contacting illicit intimacy with Balamma, did not take the 1st respondent back. Therefore, she filed a petition under Section 125 of Cr.P.C. for maintenance.